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Couple Says They Were Tree Scammed

A Wethersfield couple said a tree removal service never finished the job

By Amanda Raus

| Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 | Updated 6:54 AM EST

A Wethersfield couple says C&S Tree Services took the money but didn't complete the job.

Last week, C&S Tree Services cut down a large cedar tree in the Szymoniks Wethersfield yard taken down just last week. But, they never took it away.

"The guy come, show up on the door, and he was cutting trees two, three houses down the street," said Jennifer Szymonik.

So, the couple decided to hire C&S. The contractor made up a contract, charging $400 for cutting and removing the large cedar. The Szymoniks paid $200 up front and the company got to work that day.

"Next day, they come again, just to ask for another $100 because they said that they need to buy a chain for the chainsaw," Jennifer Szymonik said.

The Szymoniks paid the extra $100, but the contractor never came back to clean up the mess, they said.

When the Szymoniks called the company, they couldn't reach the company.

"I did call the number several times, and essentially what you receive is a full voicemail box saying. 'We'll get back to you,' and of course, no one ever gets back to you," Peter Szymonik, Jennifer's son, said.

Investigating further, they found something might be up.

"Essentially, they knocked on doors, offered to do the jobs the same day for cash, if possible, then don't come back and do the job. They come back immediately and ask for additional money, never finish the job and move on to the next street," Peter Szymonik said.

A neighbor across the street was offered a similar deal from C&S Tree Services, but when her husband went onto the Connecticut Better Business Bureau Web site and found a poor rating and several complaints, so they decided not to use the company.

The Szymoniks are upset they had to find out the hard way.

"My frustration is that my parents, who are 75 and 78, took these people on their word, thought they were doing an honest days work in a poor economy, and instead we found out they were being scammed," Peter Szymonik said.

The family is also left cleaning up what's left of the cedar tree.

They did file a report with the Wethersfield Police Department, but were told the dispute would be a civil matter. However, police will be investigating to see if C&S Tree Services has the proper licenses.

NBC Connecticut attempted to reach C&S Tree Services and left several messages with the company. So far, we have not heard back from any company representatives.