Customer service nightmare

Update:

I just called him and let him know there’s no possible way that we did the job and he says I’m calling his wife a liar. And he and his wife “will be coming to town” and that I’m gonna put my guys in a line so she can point out which one it was. I told him I won’t be pulling them off of a job so I can prove that I didn’t do something. He said yes I will and he’ll be here sometime this week. Every time I tried to explain there is no way it was us he escalated. Conversation basically ended with me telling him to have a nice day and him saying he will be seeing me.
 
Treeline said:
Update:

I just called him and let him know there’s no possible way that we did the job and he says I’m calling his wife a liar. And he and his wife “will be coming to town” and that I’m gonna put my guys in a line so she can point out which one it was. I told him I won’t be pulling them off of a job so I can prove that I didn’t do something. He said yes I will and he’ll be here sometime this week. Every time I tried to explain there is no way it was us he escalated. Conversation basically ended with me telling him to have a nice day and him saying he will be seeing me.
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Sounds to me like you should give the local police a call (to the station, not 911) and give them warning you may be calling to have this guy removed from your property. Give the dispatcher a heads up of what they’ve told you, and all the information you have. They may even know the guy’s name as he’s probably done this before.
 
Reach said:
Sounds to me like you should give the local police a call (to the station, not 911) and give them warning you may be calling to have this guy removed from your property. Give the dispatcher a heads up of what they’ve told you, and all the information you have. They may even know the guy’s name as he’s probably done this before.
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Not a bad idea. It’s definitely possible I’ll be having him removed if he shows up, if he has the same attitude in person he has on the phone. Part of me doesn’t really expect him to show up though, I imagine I’ll be blessed with a 1 star Google review and that will be the end of it.
 
Back that guy up with pressure on him.

Contact the non-emergency police line and ask what they can do for harrassment and threats of defamation.

Free, quick, easy, and on the record.

If they contact the person, he will back off.

If they won't contact him, call him, tell you have contacted the police and your lawyer, tell him you want an apology, and ask what he wants to do from there.
 
Reach said:
Sounds to me like you should give the local police a call (to the station, not 911) and give them warning you may be calling to have this guy removed from your property. Give the dispatcher a heads up of what they’ve told you, and all the information you have. They may even know the guy’s name as he’s probably done this before.
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Good call, they probably appreciate a heads up too.
 
southsoundtree said:
Back that guy up with pressure on him.

Contact the non-emergency police line and ask what they can do for harrassment and threats of defamation.

Free, quick, easy, and on the record.

If they contact the person, he will back off.

If they won't contact him, call him, tell you have contacted the police and your lawyer, tell him you want an apology, and ask what he wants to do from there.
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Yep. I like that. I’ve got a friend who is an attorney. Im thinking of having him call the guy or send him a certified letter and let him know in no uncertain terms that we are not playing his games and any attempt at defamation will be met with swift legal action in civil court.
 
Treeline said:
Update:

I just called him and let him know there’s no possible way that we did the job and he says I’m calling his wife a liar. And he and his wife “will be coming to town” and that I’m gonna put my guys in a line so she can point out which one it was. I told him I won’t be pulling them off of a job so I can prove that I didn’t do something. He said yes I will and he’ll be here sometime this week. Every time I tried to explain there is no way it was us he escalated. Conversation basically ended with me telling him to have a nice day and him saying he will be seeing me.
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You may have a full blown nutter on your hands. Or one of your guys borrowed you gear. This sucks! Good luck!
 
flushcut said:
You may have a full blown nutter on your hands. Or one of your guys borrowed you gear. This sucks! Good luck!
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The only problem with the borrowed stump grinder theory is the day he claims it was done , the grinder was hooked to my truck with me. And also he is adamant that “my number” is the one he called to set it up. I don’t have a secretary or anyone who answers the phone other than me. So im not sure how he would have gotten in contact with one of my guys if that was the case.
 
I got accosted by a little old lady who talked my ear off in an increasingly nonsensical fashion yesterday, until I said "What do you want me to do?" and she wanted me to drive her two houses down the street. Punch line she said "So you're not gonna help me." and walked off. I confirmed with a neighbour she was a dementia case and I suggested they notify whoever that she had escaped. Other neighbour confirmed she was well locally known. Onset dementia is trickier to deal with, comes off exactly as in your case often with deep conviction and angry responses and little admission of error or confusion. You may have to probe this angle but still proceed with your practical defence of your reputation. Best of luck
 
Treeline said:
The only problem with the borrowed stump grinder theory is the day he claims it was done , the grinder was hooked to my truck with me. And also he is adamant that “my number” is the one he called to set it up. I don’t have a secretary or anyone who answers the phone other than me. So im not sure how he would have gotten in contact with one of my guys if that was the case.
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Full blown nutter it is then.
 
A few years ago we had a couple who were this same special kinda of irrational. They weren't home when we did their $300 maple prune and called accusing us of running a scam, demanding we come out to count the cuts we made. Whatever I said/explained was met with escalation, it was just so weird. A bit different of a situation as we did do the work, but we need to work on our scam game though given we didn't take a dime from them upfront. They're out there, usually there's a red flag or two and if you get that hunch, run
 
At this point, you’ve been letting him dictate the narrative, and as long as he feels like he’s in the drivers seat of the conversation he’s not going to let you go. It’s time to get your attorney to draft a short and sweet letter to the effect that you did not do the work in question, have work logs and customer witnesses who can substantiate your whereabouts on the date he claims the damage occurred, and that if he does anything at all to slander your reputation in the market place that you will seek the maximum legal recourse available, which if successful may result in your being awarded money damages, which if not paid could cause a lien to be placed on his property. Have it sent by regular mail and registered/return receipt requested.

It’s time to fire a meaningful shot across his bow. At that point, he’ll either show any evidence he has, or STFU and go away.

I make it a standing practice to go “Enders Game“ on anybody who attempts to screw with me professionally. I want the whole world to watch them walk funny for a couple weeks after I’ve put things right and I want for them to wince every time they think of how they tried to mess with me.
 
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By the way, slander is an injurious falshood transmitted orally. Libel is an injurious falsehood transmitted any other way, so if someone leaves a false review with no facts to back it up, it’s libel. If you search online, you’ll find that businesses have successfully sued for libelous online reviews.
 
southsoundtree said:
Agreeing with @cerviarborist except I wouldn't waste money on a lawyer.

I would write him myself asking if he needs a letter from my lawyer.

If he does, it is money well-spent, not wasted.

I bet he would back the F down!
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I like the idea, but I wouldn't ask if he needs a letter from my attorney; that will just bolster his feeling of control. I'd just send a Cease and Desist letter myself. You can easily find some guidance on what to include in the letter on line.
 
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