M&J Tree Service

James Tate had stopped by several months earlier as he was in neighborhood and noticed i had a dead tree. He asked if he could take a look and quote it which he did and left his card. When I was ready to have it done I contacted him and he came out and we discussed the job as indicated above. We agreed on $700 to do the trimming, dropping the dead tree and cutting it up into smaller pieces. On the day he came out (Sept 9, 2017) they arrived a couple hours later than he had indicated. Upon his arrival we again agreed that it would be $700. At which time he asked if I had cash. (Should have been my first red flag.) I agreed to go to an ATM to withdraw $300 (the maximum I could withdraw from an ATM). It was a Saturday so I could not go into the bank. He agreed to take the balance of $400 in check made out to Mark Ingram, his partner. I told him I would go right then to the ATM and be back in about 20 minutes. When I returned he was no where to be found initially. Finally discovered him across the street doing work there which he had apparently acquired while waiting for me to return. Once he finished he and his 2 crew members started working on my trimming and then takinig down the dead tree. Meanwhile he brought my attention to a second tree that was also dying and was in worse shape than I had realized. The bottom of stump was hollowed and the outer section was beginning to crack. He said he could take that one down for $800 which I agreed to. But they would have to come back the next day (Sunday, Sept 10, 2017) to do that one. They proceeded to take down the first tree after completing the trimming. They did a good job of the trimming and tree felling. James told me that they would cut up the tree into smaller sections the next day after they took the other tree down to which I agreed and I paid the the $700 ($300 - cash; $400 - check). The next morning (Sunday, Sept 10, 2017) I drove to the ATM to withdraw another $300 cash. They arrived on Sunday and began work on taking the 2nd tree down. Again they did a good job. After they got it down they started to cut up the 1st tree but were not able to cut all the way through. I was told the chain was dull and they'd have to come back to finish the job. James had secured another job with a different neighbor to take down several pine trees which they were going to do the next day (Monday, Sept 11, 2017) and that they would come over to my place to finish cutting up the trees into smaller pieces. (again another red flag I should have paid attention to). James had been going on and on about how important his reputation was and that he had an excellent reputation in my area (in fact he had done some work for one or two neighbors who affirmed his good work) so I agreed to his coming back and then foolishly on my part I gave him the $800 for the second tree ($400 cash; $400 check). The next day came and went and my trees were not touched. However I knew he was going down to Florida to do tree work down there after the Hurricane so I waited until later the following week before calling him to find out when he would be back. I was told he'd be here in the next couple days. Again those days passed and no James or crew. I called again later and this time I was told he had a death in the family so hadn't been able to do any work since he was dealing with that. But he'd be there to take care of them soon - his reputation is important. Still no show. Then several weeks later on a weekend day he showed up at my door to tell me that he hadn't forgotten me and he would be back in the area within the next week or so and would take care of it then. Fast forward to just before Christmas after a couple more calls, more promises and still no show. I called again shortly before Christmas to complain that I had paid for these trees to be cut up and it was now 3 months later and nothing had happened. He started getting mad at me for being upset with him and then hung up on me. So as far as I'm concerned his reputation is not worth anything once he has his money. Unti he gets paid he's mister charm and nothing but reputable. But if he's paid and the job is not completed you will never see him again despite all his rantings about how reputable he is and how important his reputation is. I do not plan to follow up any longer with trying to get him to come out to finish the job. It is not worth my time & mental fatigue dealing with him. I will take care of the rest of this job and right him off as a loss. I do not plan to sue him for failure to complete an agreement because it is not worth my time, effort or money. What I will do is spread the word that if you are considering hiring James Tate of M&J Tree Service (partner Mark Ingram) that I strongly suggest you not pay him anything until he has totally completed the job you agree on. If he leaves with your money and unfinished work you will NOT see him again (despite his promises - his promises are empty and worthless). This is not libel because it is simply the truth. He did a good job of the job I hired him to do as far as trimming a tree, and taking down 2 other trees; but failed to complete the job as was agreed between him and myself. I do not know for sure the city I have listed is correct. His business card only has phone numbers listed -- no address info, email address or web site info is listed.