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Post by autumnmist on Sept 1, 2020 8:23:41 GMT -8
I had to don my Sherlock Holmes hat again and play sleuth. When I returned home from my Covid influenced biweekly shopping last Thursday, I found a card on the front porch, indicating the local electrical utility would be trimming trees, sometime,....whenever that is. Yesterday I called to find out when, as I prefer to be here when the tree cutters come. I had a bad experience decades ago when one challenged my desire not to have anything sprayed, and did so after I expressed my concerns and went back to the house.
The spray didn't kill the trees; in fact, it energized a mulberry which proceeded to grow like Jack and his Beanstalk. But I just didn't want sprays of any kind used around my garden. The tree cutter ignored my intent and did what he wanted to, made a mess, and sprayed trees that weren't even on the lines.
Not wanting to go through this again, yesterday I called the alleged tree cutter's name and number on the card. The number is a PA number; the voice mail message was a male but wasn't the one listed on the card, the message was simple "not available", in both English, then something in Hispanic. Calls were never returned. Later I called the utility, and a very, very helpful and patient woman did a lot of research and indicated that no trees in my yard were scheduled for trimming. Hmmm...
Someone was banging on the front door at 7:45 this morning. I didn't answer it, obviously, and saw no cars or trucks parked in the street.
I thought about it, called the alleged tree trimmer one last time and advised that discussion needs to be had before I'll consent to tree cutting (I didn't raise the issue of the easement under the lines) and finally figured out a bit of what the greeting was. It's not "Don", it's Habriel, or something similar, and the alleged company is something like Jalifa, or Halifa?
The utility's tree trimming contractors are listed on its website but don't include this "company." No advance letter advising of tree cutting in the area has been sent, as is the utility's policy. I called the utility again and my issue/complaint was escalated; I should have a response in 3 days or so.
So, is this an outfit or some kind of scam? It wouldn't be the first this year. Earlier, just as Covid 19 began to accelerate, someone knocked on the front door, claiming that he had accidentally left a message intended for someone else on my porch and came back to retrieve it. The fact that he was hiding at the side of the porch and not visible when the inside door was first cracked open was ignored by him.
I think he was on something; he was jittery, couldn't stand still, stumbling over his words. I never opened the exterior door; if I had, he could easily have forced his way in from where he was hiding at the side. I learned later from some other older folks that they'd experienced something similar.
Called the Public Safety (fire and police combined) and alerted them at that time, and again today. I'm not the only older person here and I would hope that no one falls for any kind of what I think is some kind of scheme.
Still, I'm nervous about leaving, and returning home to find my trees slashed and cut, or the potential of this individual returning again and trying something more onerous.
I'm thinking about what kind of notice I could put on the door; the no solicitation sign has worked, but perhaps "no scamming allowed" would be more appropriate? Or "all scammers will be greeted by a Covid positive pit bull?"
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Sept 1, 2020 10:21:49 GMT -8
If the utility has no plans to cut trees on your property and the company isn't listed on their contractor list, it's a scam. Call the police. Maybe they have prior complaints, or your call will put this "company" on their radar.
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Post by autumnmist on Sept 1, 2020 12:10:41 GMT -8
walkswithblackflies, thanks so much for your advice. I've done some additional checking, confirmed again that the utility has no plans for work on the property. No name for the company was provided earlier but someone called me this afternoon, from a PA phone number, with the advice that the person listed on the notice left on my porch retired on Sat. (how convenient!) This afternoon's caller has a West Virginia number. The guy claims to work with 3 companies, each of which I've contacted. One is working remotely so I just left word. The others do not have any work orders for my property. I confirmed again with the utility that they have no work orders either, and I have enough cautions to be ready to call the police if they insist on showing up as the guy who called this afternoon claimed they might do, as early as tomorrow morning. Police said they'd come right away if the guys show up. I have a feeling the guy who called this afternoon at least will try again; he was aggressive, pushy and talked so fast I could hardly understand him, but the heavy accent complicated that. If he does come, I suspect he'll come early and catch me off guard, but I'll have a list of questions to ask, including demand for a copy of the work order. Thanks for your advice; I really appreciate it.
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Post by autumnmist on Sept 1, 2020 12:13:16 GMT -8
walkswithblackflies, taking this one step further....what would these kinds of scammers want? The utility pays for the tree trimming, so there are no funds to be exchanged. I suppose they could take the lumber, but I plan to keep that for myself. Perhaps they intend to intimidate me into paying, arguing that it's my responsibility (which it's not.) I could understand if they're selling something, but they're not. And obviously no one gets any access to the house. These guys ruined my day.
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echo
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Post by echo on Sept 1, 2020 13:05:01 GMT -8
I googled tree cutting scam and got a ton of hits, but they are all about taking the money and not doing the work.
Maybe they are just checking to see when the house is empty and scoping to see what is there. Or maybe your county hired them to trim by utility lines along a county road, or maybe they are thinking of a personal injury claim if they have your permission to be on the land working for a bit and fake an injury? Whatever. It’s suspicious.
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Post by autumnmist on Sept 1, 2020 14:11:21 GMT -8
echo , thanks for your reply; you've given me some more ideas on what might be involved. I never thought that they might be scoping the house, and yard (they can have all the weeds they want - I'll be glad to get rid of them!). They allegedly are only clearing the "lines", and based on the utility's past position, would only clear the primary line from the transformer, across the back end of the property. From past experience, they will not clear any other lines, other than ones that are immediate threats. The secondary lines are the responsibility of the homeowner. The notice left on the porch specifically designates the utility as the entity hiring them. I live in a city where the lines are within the city boundaries; the closest ones to a county or trunkline road are about 3/4 of a mile away from me. Your comment about a personal injury claim caught my attention; the primaries are the really hot lines; anyone injured would from my understanding be severely injured, if not electrocuted. Permission is a critical and legal issue. I remember from personal injury claims that someone who's an "invitee" in legal terms has recourse against a homeowner's insurance if injured. A trespasser does not. So establishment of permission might be part of their approach. The guy called back, and strangely enough lost his Mexican accent. Hmmmm....I have a call in to the main office but they're working remotely so I don't know if or when I'll get a return call. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle this but they're not going to set foot on my property unless the electrical utility advises that it's hired them. I've just never been in this kind of situation before, and it's unsettling. I feel as if they're plotting and ganging up on me. Thanks for the suggestions; everything helps me put it all in perspective.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 1, 2020 20:00:27 GMT -8
autumnmist, I'm not sure just what the scam would be, either, but I agree that the whole thing sounds sketchy. The changing locations and stories, the utility denying that they've sent anyone... it's pretty clearly NOT on the up-and-up. I suppose one scam might be to tell you that there's something in your part of the system that needs immediate attention; they'll take care of it for a small fee, just turn over your credit-card number...
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Sept 2, 2020 6:36:10 GMT -8
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 2, 2020 8:47:00 GMT -8
Hmm... up early, have breakfast, hike for an hour or two with a loaded pack... and by 10 a.m., I want a nap.
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Post by autumnmist on Sept 3, 2020 8:03:18 GMT -8
walkswithblackflies , thanks for the straightforward advice. I needed that kind of "slap" on the side of the head. Update and hopeful finale (almost anticlimactical): Four utility trucks with ladders pulled up in front of my house and the neighbor's house yesterday. I thought: "Great, they're here, and it's the utility workers themselves, not contractors. " I asked two of the workers about the situation; they told me the utility never does its own line trimming; it's all contracted out, and mentioned the contractors they use. I called the companies I then knew were legit contractors; one told me he had the job and would be coming out this morning to do the trimming. He also said that this isn't regular line trimming; it's only "hot spot" trimming b/c of wires being impacted by trees/branches growing onto and around them. This morning some workers showed up but with mixed instructions; I felt badly for them; they were sincere, spoke almost entirely in Mexican, but had some confusing instructions. It was hard to figure out what their instructions were, but finally it became clear they weren't cutting anything more than the trees/branches "growing on" the wires. Usually the companies clear out the whole area. Because the lines are at the end of my almost 300' property, they wanted to drive their truck over my garden. I told them I'd allow it down a specific path but not otherwise b/c too many plants have been ruined, too many patio stones and bricks crushed, and too much mess made during previous trims. So we negotiated and agreed that if they would cut a few additional areas, they could drive the truck through a limited portion of the garden. After a while the company owner came and I learned that they were only going to take down one tree on my property and it wasn't the one his workers had identified. It was on another neighbor's property! And they were also only cutting one tree on the good neighbor's property, not the 3 the workers had originally identified. Clearly the instructions were not clear .
The tree that wasn't on my property was a big sucker of a tree, growing right next to the pole, and in the yard of a neighbor who neglects her dog, pulls up saplings and throws them in my yard, and doesn't even speak or say hello. So I acted selfishly and told the tree cutters that they'd have to go in her yard and not cut down the tree from and drop it into my yard. Even though they'd take the branches, etc., there still would be a mess for me to clean up - for someone else's tree. I think perhaps the original tree scout chose my yard b/c the neighbor's yard is filled with junk around the shed close to the offending tree, and someone would have to clean it out. Now that the "tree wars" hopefully are over, I'm going to politely suggest in writing to the utility some ways to streamline and consolidate all the different positions on cutting down the hot trees; there were far too many people involved, too little knowledge, too much confusion, and not enough planning. And I don't even get a free tree cut. Thanks to everyone who listened to my whining.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Sept 6, 2020 5:50:37 GMT -8
Good morning on this Sunday before Labor Day! As a retired Union guy, I really revere Labor Day. Of course, that means my wife has some odd chores for me this morning, but nothing too tough.
The new hurricane windows that were installed during my road trip are really nice and keep the East side of the house much cooler. I have now ordered some curtains and rods for my office. Mostly to keep the glare off my TV. I suspect the only time they'll be closed is during a ballgame.
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Post by autumnmist on Sept 6, 2020 7:05:15 GMT -8
I learn something here on a regular basis. I knew windows were boarded during hurricanes but was unaware there were windows specifically for hurricane protection (duh!). I guess it's obvious I've never lived in a hurricane prone area. Did some quick research and am now wondering if these would be appropriate for my windows that crack periodically, including when someone broke a window and climbed into the house. The fact that they have cooling properties makes them more appealing. zeke , do the windows provide enough cooling to avoid using A/C? I'm wondering also if they'd keep a house warmer in the winter.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Sept 6, 2020 7:32:44 GMT -8
autumnmist The windows do provide some relief from the thermal exchange, but not enough to avoid using the AC, at least not here. Not in August or Sept. By adding thermal blackout curtains, they will no doubt further decrease the heat absorbed from the outside. Still, I invested $14K in 6 windows and a sliding glass door. Not sure how many years of reduced AC it will take to recoup that sort of investment. Sometimes I think just paying the utility bill is the cheapest way out. I do not expect to be the benefactor when the house is sold, as I will probably be long gone then. Advancements are made all of the time, and in this case all new windows installed in Fl must meet the new guidelines. Supposedly, these windows no longer need boarding up, and will absorb the damage without allowing anything to penetrate into the living space. If this is true, that would alleviate a great deal of damage, as rain could not get inside to cause more damage.
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Post by autumnmist on Sept 6, 2020 7:50:45 GMT -8
zeke , thanks for the info. Although Michigan was exceptionally hot this year, it's wasn't a normal summer, but then we still haven't seen the worse of climate change. I haven't priced windows specifically but I did get a quote for a walk-in door for my garage - almost $1K, just for one door. So I think the extra money for reduced AC use in the house might be worth the cost, especially since it also removes moisture, which is a major problem in my old house (one area of the back yard is filled in over a swamp, and one area around the house which I think wasn't filled in properly has shown signs of subsidence.) Another good reason for keeping windows closed is that my newer neighbors apparently enjoying smoking pot in the evening. That's not an odor I want in the house; it gives me headaches! (I remember the old days when houses had "storm windows" and we changed out glass and screen as seasons changed.)
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echo
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Post by echo on Sept 6, 2020 9:58:22 GMT -8
The house I grew up in had two outer doors for the front and back entrance, a screen door and a storm door for winter. The same as the screen door but with glass. Those doors could be latched and mom often left them latched with the inner door open in the summer at night. We never have had air conditioning anywhere I’ve lived.
We have company here for the weekend, well, staying at the campground a few blocks from our house. Yesterday my husband went to the river with them. I can manage the beach still, but the river banks are beyond my steadiness this summer. Today is a beach day and I’m feeling up for some sun and water.
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