Vinco Group Inc.

Well, it couldn't have gone worse.

I should have known not to do business with these guys when the owner -- Michael Riley -- began stalking me, trying to get me to start the work before I was ready to.  He even showed up on my doorstep unannounced at 8 p.m. one winter's evening after he hadn't been able to reach me on the phone earlier in the day.

However, he was referred to me by someone I trusted, so against my better judgement, I moved forward with him after setting new groundrules about how we would communicate during the project.  Let me tell you, this was one of my dumber decisions in life.

I mentioned above that Vinco destroyed several parts of my property.  I should note, too, the the company failed to complete work on the deck and did other work incorrectly.  For example, the company claimed to have replaced several rotting clapboards around the deck area, but the work was done improperly and had to be torn out and redone.  FInally, and most absurdly, the 'retaining wall' that was built was not the one we discussed and that was provided for in the 'contract' -- beware, this guy doesn't use appropriate contract documentation.

All in all, in addition to the hefty price I paid Vinco, repairs have cost me many more thousands.  Vinco refused to complete unfinished work; redo work done incorrectly; and either repair damage or compensate me to have damages repaired.

This brings me to the primary reason that I wouldn't let Vinco anywhere near my property and why I advise all others to run, not walk, in the opposite direction of Vinco:  They're impossible to deal with, and they're utterly dishonest.  (I suppose I shouldn't tar the entire company; throughout this project, I dealt only with Michael Riley, but I think that, basically, he is Vinco.)  As just one example:  I overheard Riley ask the landscaper who was making the necessary repairs to my irrigation system not to submit his bill to me until Riley had submitted HIS final bill and been paid.  Unbelievable.

If you're desperate enough to do work with Vinco, I have some advice:  (1)  Have your attorney review all proposals and contracts before signing.  At least in the documentation he used with me, this guy was operating pretty far out of compliance with state regs, I've since learned.  (2)  Take a lot of photos -- not just before-and-after snaps.  Vinco started wrecking my property pretty early on, so I have enough disturbing photos to fill a couple of photo albums.  Maybe they'll be worth something some day!