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AIBU?

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To think that 800 pounds to cut down a small tree is extortionate?

32 replies

Cappuccinowithonesugarplease · 12/11/2024 06:54

I will add some context here
My elderly uncle has been scammed by a wood chip company who cold called him saying his cherry tree was diseased, it's in the back garden, so they must have been peering over the fence to see 😡
Now, my uncle we believe has some form of autism although it's never been diagnosed, which makes him very trusting of anybody who is smooth talking and sounds plausible. Anyway he let this nobody in to do the job, he says he wanted the tree done at some point anyway, but I can get my head around 800 pounds?
The worst thing is he didn't even get a bloody receipt! The company isn't even a tree surgery company it's a woodchip and landscape gardening company.
I doubt anything can be done now but I'm so angry at this cold caller and any trades people for that matter who are so low they think it's OK to rip off vulnerable old people 😡

OP posts:
user876477 · 12/11/2024 07:34

And I have to get multiple trees taken down each year so I’m familiar with the prices.

user876477 · 12/11/2024 07:33

If it makes you feel better it’s expensive but not totally outrageous depending on area of the country. Cherry trees tend not to be enormous but I’d still expect say £600 plus vat

RosesAndHellebores · 12/11/2024 07:30

Cherry trees tend not to be particularly big so it's a toppy price, especially if they got the wood as well - I think cherry wood is quite sought after. I hope they stumped out for that. I'd have thought £450 tops if they got the wood.

I too hope this isn't the start of many scams.

Cappuccinowithonesugarplease · 12/11/2024 07:29

littleyellowhouse · 12/11/2024 07:26

We paid £900 to get rid of our cherry tree as well as an apple tree. £800 seems a lot just for one tree taking down. Could you contact the company and complain?

He won't tell me the name of the company as he 'doesn't want to make a fuss'

OP posts:
littleyellowhouse · 12/11/2024 07:26

We paid £900 to get rid of our cherry tree as well as an apple tree. £800 seems a lot just for one tree taking down. Could you contact the company and complain?

Cappuccinowithonesugarplease · 12/11/2024 07:09

MrsGlennBulb · 12/11/2024 07:04

I’d be concerned now about more lowlifes knocking on the door as your uncle’s details get passed around, he’ll end up on a Suckers List.

Can you get Power of Attorney to protect him? Sounds like he needs someone to safeguard his finances.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/relationships-family/protection-from-abuse/financial-abuse/

Yes I have worried about this also 😢

It's not the first time this has happened either.

OP posts:
MrsGlennBulb · 12/11/2024 07:04

I’d be concerned now about more lowlifes knocking on the door as your uncle’s details get passed around, he’ll end up on a Suckers List.

Can you get Power of Attorney to protect him? Sounds like he needs someone to safeguard his finances.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/relationships-family/protection-from-abuse/financial-abuse/

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/relationships-family/protection-from-abuse/financial-abuse