The doorknockers have hit Melbourne.

TrevMcRev · 26th June 2007, 11:29 PM

Thats right, ive had 2 customers in the last couple of weeks that told me they have been harrased for tree work by door knockers.

Fortunately, these clients valued their trees, and were wary about letting an unknown do the work. I have a quote to do tommorow for someone else who has just had them knocking too. So i'll try to find out who they are.

Pushy buggers as well, they come back a couple of weeks after the first visit saying they're back in the area and can do it cheaper.

I'll laugh if they come to my door

Yeah mate you got a business card?

Told the wife if they do, get their card but dont let them quote anything, just as likely to come and do the job without asking and cut down my favourite tree

just coz they were "in the area"

ekka, did you say there was any sort of law to prevent this, other than if the tree would need permits.

Eric Frei · 26th June 2007, 11:33 PM

Go to your website for consumer affairs. Up here it's the Fair Trading Act ... Dept of Fair Trading. It's state laws. Are they Islanders?

TrevMcRev · 26th June 2007, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

Go to your website for consumer affairs. Up here it's the Fair Trading Act ... Dept of Fair Trading. It's state laws. Are they Islanders?

Thanks Ekka. I believe the first customer said they were..........

JohN Dee · 26th June 2007, 11:42 PM

Careful if they come to your door Trev, and they say that tree over there is dying and try to quote you on it... They'll come back at night and poison it then fill the hole with body filler for your car! Then they'll rock up once you can visualy see it dead and said told ya so...

It's a shame though, if the door knockers force us outta the work here, then there goes the contingency plan of moving to Melbourne and setting up shop

Eric Frei · 27th June 2007, 08:08 AM

I have had customers get me to cut down their trees so the harassment stops, once they see your tree they keep coming back over and over.

Their pruning is usually topping. Lots of bad work around here and exuberant prices, they start way high then do you a good deal coz they like you and so on.

They'll say they're dangerous trees and even that they work for the council.

If you do nothing then in a few years time the city will be over run. Start the ball rolling, you be on the lookout and have a camera with you, they belong to churhces and use that as a play card to "we're christians we wont rip you off" and "we doing this for the church".

mrrecurve · 27th June 2007, 09:15 AM

Ekka, arnt you a fan of knocking on peoples doors when it suits you?

JohN Dee · 27th June 2007, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

they belong to churhces and use that as a play card to "we're christians we wont rip you off" and "we doing this for the church".

That's pretty funny actually. A mate of mine's mate (Islander) was at one of our BBQ's and I got talking to him and it turns out his dad is a Tree lopper that does tree work for the church LOL....

Here in Sydney we've gotta compete with the Islanders, Lebanese, and even AZN tree loppers door knocking....

Drouin Tree Service · 27th June 2007, 02:09 PM

Ive heard about the Lebanese door knockers they sound pretty bad.

Eric Frei · 27th June 2007, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrrecurve

Ekka, arnt you a fan of knocking on peoples doors when it suits you?

Mostly when I see shit work and want to find out who did and why.

Jeff Darby · 27th June 2007, 05:21 PM

nip it in the bud,Trev,pardon the pun!.Once their established their a plaque that just wont go away,it's you or them mentality..anyway you can!

Mrrecurve,
When we see shoddy work we don't hesitate to knock on doors and try and find out who's responsible,and pass on the information to the powers that be!
Mostly these people leave the tree in a way that certain death or desease is sure to follow,so stuff them report them,...get rid of them ..they are doing no one any service at all!!

Hack's Beware!

TrevMcRev · 28th June 2007, 01:18 AM

I got a copy of their business card(yes, they had one!) faxed to me by the customer today. We are doing the job. She said they approached em a few weeks after they moved in and offered to do it for $400, then came back recently and said $250, she said no, then $200 cash if they do it right now. She said they were maori. They were very pushy, intimidating, she didnt trust them and would not want them on her property, especially when nobody is at home.

The card offers great services such as:
tree lopping,
topping and.......
chopping!

Shall i scan it and post it up as a warning to treeowners?

Eric Frei · 28th June 2007, 07:44 AM

Too right, stick it up, darned hacks I cant stand them.

TrevMcRev · 29th June 2007, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

Too right, stick it up, darned hacks I cant stand them.

Will do 2moro, bit late, also there is an article in the local paper this week about em warning resdents. The local council warned its a scam and beware you may need a permit to remove your tree.

Will scan it too.

pomme · 29th June 2007, 07:27 AM

its not just an aussie problem. here in the uk we have excactly the same problem their kit is usually stolen and you will probably find the debris tipped at the end of the street

Eric Frei · 29th June 2007, 07:36 AM

Didn't they in the UK stop door knocking?

I thought they passed law to stop it, too many rip offs.

newguy18 · 29th June 2007, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevMcRev

Thats right, ive had 2 customers in the last couple of weeks that told me they have been harrased for tree work by door knockers.

Fortunately, these clients valued their trees, and were wary about letting an unknown do the work. I have a quote to do tommorow for someone else who has just had them knocking too. So i'll try to find out who they are.

Pushy buggers as well, they come back a couple of weeks after the first visit saying they're back in the area and can do it cheaper.

I'll laugh if they come to my door

Yeah mate you got a business card?

Told the wife if they do, get their card but dont let them quote anything, just as likely to come and do the job without asking and cut down my favourite tree

just coz they were "in the area"

ekka, did you say there was any sort of law to prevent this, other than if the tree would need permits.

I don't go door knocking,or do I say to people that tree needs to come down and try to force them to pay me they come to me.I don't do bad work as I took the time to learn the right ways to trim , prune,and remove trees.No I don't have a license or insurance never claimed to have3 it but I have taken down and trimmed trees before even in power.I do know what i'm doing and also know I have to learn a lot more. Just my 2 cents.

TrevMcRev · 29th June 2007, 11:10 PM

Here they are: MGM Tree Care(?)

Their "business" card!

Providing quality services hey?

And the warning in the local paper! Kingston residents beware! Click the link below to view the newspaper article.

Eric Frei · 29th June 2007, 11:16 PM

At least you have councils locking down on them ....nothing happens up here with them, they're everywhere

JohN Dee · 30th June 2007, 04:12 PM

I've considered many times about putting an ad in the tree section of our newspapers warning people of the shonks n hacks... Problem is that it is illegal to advertise in their without a working phone number that is going to be answered.

Good to see your council is onto them though Trevor aswell as your customers.

pomme · 2nd July 2007, 12:18 AM

no. laws are only for the law abiding. i ve heard of people climbing trees with fungi down their shirts then thowing it out telling the tree owner the tree is nackered and needs to come down. the owners are usually old and vunerable,pay through the nose and loose a valuable tree

26th June 2007, 11:29 PM	#1
TrevMcRev Mature Tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,605	The doorknockers have hit Melbourne. Thats right, ive had 2 customers in the last couple of weeks that told me they have been harrased for tree work by door knockers. Fortunately, these clients valued their trees, and were wary about letting an unknown do the work. I have a quote to do tommorow for someone else who has just had them knocking too. So i'll try to find out who they are. Pushy buggers as well, they come back a couple of weeks after the first visit saying they're back in the area and can do it cheaper. I'll laugh if they come to my door Yeah mate you got a business card? Told the wife if they do, get their card but dont let them quote anything, just as likely to come and do the job without asking and cut down my favourite tree just coz they were "in the area" ekka, did you say there was any sort of law to prevent this, other than if the tree would need permits.

26th June 2007, 11:33 PM	#2
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,813	Go to your website for consumer affairs. Up here it's the Fair Trading Act ... Dept of Fair Trading. It's state laws. Are they Islanders? __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

26th June 2007, 11:42 PM	#4
JohN Dee Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Climbing around the world Posts: 855	Careful if they come to your door Trev, and they say that tree over there is dying and try to quote you on it... They'll come back at night and poison it then fill the hole with body filler for your car! Then they'll rock up once you can visualy see it dead and said told ya so... It's a shame though, if the door knockers force us outta the work here, then there goes the contingency plan of moving to Melbourne and setting up shop __________________ We are what we repeatedly do... Excellence then, is not an act, but HABIT... Red : Green : Blue

27th June 2007, 08:08 AM	#5
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,813	I have had customers get me to cut down their trees so the harassment stops, once they see your tree they keep coming back over and over. Their pruning is usually topping. Lots of bad work around here and exuberant prices, they start way high then do you a good deal coz they like you and so on. They'll say they're dangerous trees and even that they work for the council. If you do nothing then in a few years time the city will be over run. Start the ball rolling, you be on the lookout and have a camera with you, they belong to churhces and use that as a play card to "we're christians we wont rip you off" and "we doing this for the church". __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

27th June 2007, 02:09 PM	#8
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,696	Ive heard about the Lebanese door knockers they sound pretty bad. __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

27th June 2007, 09:15 AM	#6
mrrecurve Former Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4	Ekka, arnt you a fan of knocking on peoples doors when it suits you?

27th June 2007, 05:21 PM	#10
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,030	nip it in the bud,Trev,pardon the pun!.Once their established their a plaque that just wont go away,it's you or them mentality..anyway you can! Mrrecurve, When we see shoddy work we don't hesitate to knock on doors and try and find out who's responsible,and pass on the information to the powers that be! Mostly these people leave the tree in a way that certain death or desease is sure to follow,so stuff them report them,...get rid of them ..they are doing no one any service at all!! Hack's Beware! __________________ Member: Australian Tree Association Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard ! Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others © Jeffrey J Darby 2011

28th June 2007, 01:18 AM	#11
TrevMcRev Mature Tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,605	I got a copy of their business card(yes, they had one!) faxed to me by the customer today. We are doing the job. She said they approached em a few weeks after they moved in and offered to do it for $400, then came back recently and said $250, she said no, then $200 cash if they do it right now. She said they were maori. They were very pushy, intimidating, she didnt trust them and would not want them on her property, especially when nobody is at home. The card offers great services such as: tree lopping, topping and....... chopping! Shall i scan it and post it up as a warning to treeowners?

28th June 2007, 07:44 AM	#12
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,813	Too right, stick it up, darned hacks I cant stand them. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

29th June 2007, 07:27 AM	#14
pomme Mature tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: england Posts: 251	its not just an aussie problem. here in the uk we have excactly the same problem their kit is usually stolen and you will probably find the debris tipped at the end of the street

29th June 2007, 07:36 AM	#15
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,813	Didn't they in the UK stop door knocking? I thought they passed law to stop it, too many rip offs. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

29th June 2007, 11:10 PM	#17
TrevMcRev Mature Tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,605	Here they are: MGM Tree Care(?) Their "business" card! Providing quality services hey? And the warning in the local paper! Kingston residents beware! Click the link below to view the newspaper article. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by TrevMcRev; 29th June 2007 at 11:23 PM. Reason: Took the embedded newspaper pic out, was a page stretcher but you can still view by clicking

29th June 2007, 11:16 PM	#18
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,813	At least you have councils locking down on them ....nothing happens up here with them, they're everywhere __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

30th June 2007, 04:12 PM	#19
JohN Dee Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Climbing around the world Posts: 855	I've considered many times about putting an ad in the tree section of our newspapers warning people of the shonks n hacks... Problem is that it is illegal to advertise in their without a working phone number that is going to be answered. Good to see your council is onto them though Trevor aswell as your customers. __________________ We are what we repeatedly do... Excellence then, is not an act, but HABIT... Red : Green : Blue

2nd July 2007, 12:18 AM	#20
pomme Mature tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: england Posts: 251	no. laws are only for the law abiding. i ve heard of people climbing trees with fungi down their shirts then thowing it out telling the tree owner the tree is nackered and needs to come down. the owners are usually old and vunerable,pay through the nose and loose a valuable tree

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