Con men or perhaps women targeting your customers

Today I was advised by loyal and elderly lady customer of the following.The lady in question is very elderly, lives on her own, looks very frail and stands at about 4 foot nothing but fortunately has all her mental faculties.She has advised me on several occasions of how many people knock on her door asking about trimming and pruning of the trees and hedges of which there is a lot. She explains she has a contract to have them done and although they sometimes try and persuade her to give them the work eventually they give up and go. This is an annual trim up which I normally do during the first week of November.However this week a new tactic (new to me) was tried. When she answered the door the man said "its about your trees and hedges". The lady said what she normally says to get rid of them. But this time the man said in response, yes I know we have been asked by ( and gave the name which appears on the side of my vehicle) to do the work as he is busy.Fortunately she knows me really well and responded " he would never entrust the work to anyone else and if there was a problem he would have phoned. Realising they were dealing with someone that was not as helpless as she looked they left.I do a lot of work in the immediate area so I am assuming they must have seen my vehicle there or about at some time and thought they would try there luck if an elderly person answered the door.For those of you who are not aware of this scam it may be worth advising any customers that you feel could be targeted, that you would not send another person or company to do any work without discussing it with them first.Sometimes I just despair at what some people will try and do to the elderly and vulnerable.

Replies

Classic Gardens October 8, 2009 at 7:49pm

Now that's a new one!!

We are plagued by people cold calling for tree work.

Cheers for the warning.
Dan Frazer Gardening October 8, 2009 at 7:59pm

That is low. 'Shame she didn't get their vehicle details.
GORDON October 8, 2009 at 8:04pm

She actually said their vehicle is never parked within sight of the front door of the targeted property.
Cat Fereday October 8, 2009 at 8:22pm

I suppose trading standards weren't any help?
Kieran Ray October 8, 2009 at 10:21pm

Its not on! When I have had to send some one with out me I always tell the customer whats going on and they always wait for me befor handing any money over.

We get alot of it around our way but its mainly drives etc. I never get a knock at my door though even if they knock every other door in the road!
Lawncare-4u.co.uk October 9, 2009 at 12:04pm

Thanks for this information and taking the time to post it.

i always do my work unless someone is with me - customers know me well and are mostly regulars over time.
unless i sometimes send my brother if im on holiday or on an appointment (i usually advise client first to agree0

but i might warn them of this scam - even if to raise awareness to others !!

thanks