Jay St. James Landsmark Snowplowing

I hired this contractor for snowplowing services based on the recommendation of two neighbors. I paid for the season, upfront, $240. At the first season's snowfall, a few days before Christmas I noticed I had not been plowed. I then received a phone call from the wife telling me that her husband and two brothers who were also in the business could not plow me for several days because they were all in Texas for a family funeral. She left me a message. She told me that none of the other snowplowers they knew would be able to plow me out because they had their own customers. She said if I had an emergency, to call her, but she explained that she couldn't do anything about the situation. Though she apologized, she also made no attempt to provide the service I paid for.After considering the situation, the next day I called the contractor. No one picked up the phone. I left a message explaining that I was sorry about their loss, but if it continued to snow the way it was, then I was sure to have a problem because my car was low to the ground. I explained that I was, in fact, in town for the holidays. I said that there may be others out of town, and therefore they wouldn't need to be plowed. I also said that it was their responsibility, as business owners, to provide backup for situations like this. I left it that I was looking forward to getting plowed out. The next day, someone did plow my driveway, but I'm unclear who it was. As it turned out, after this, the weather warmed and there was no more snow. On New Year's Day, I received a phone call from the contractor's wife. She started the conversation telling me that snow was once again expected in a few days, but they would not be plowing me out. She said her husband was going to send me my money back and he didn't want to do business with me. She said they didn't like people like me. She said she called around to other customers and no one had problems getting out of their driveway. Of course, they didn't, I said. And I didn't either. And I told her once again that I never claimed to have a problem getting out, but simply I wanted to make sure that would not be the case. So, on New Year's Day, I had to find myself a new snowplower. I did, in fact, and one that is less expensive. Now I never met Jay St. James. I spoke with him 3 times on the phone. He mailed me a contract and I signed it and mailed it back with the check. When he left for the funeral, his wife called me and she's the only one I've had contact with since. Every time I call, however, no one answers the phone and I have to leave messages.I have not received my money back. Jay showed up at my door once last week, while I was in PJs so I didn't answer the door. His wife left a message to say he wanted to give me my check back and to let them know when I'd be home. Two individuals advised me to tell them to mail me the check. I called and left a message instructing them to mail me the check. It's been three days now and I haven't heard from them. The only reason why Jay would want to hand me a check would be for some sort of confrontation.Don't use these people!