Skullduggery in mulch land

[stephbg]

About a month ago we took delivery of a load of mulch via the Mulchnet service, which is a marketplace that links people seeking mulch and tree contractors who have fresh woodchips to get rid of. You can register for free mulch and hope and wait, or you can pay for just delivery which will increase your chances of getting some, or like us you can pay a bit more (still much less than landscaping supplies cost) for a definite delivery when a load becomes available in the local area.

We paid in cash, but a couple of days ago we received an invoice for that amount from the tree contractor.

No problem, I hear you say, just produce the receipt.

Ah yes, the receipt.

I had asked the driver for a receipt, but he laughed and refused to give me one. I didn't make a fuss, thinking that the Mulchnet system was probably cash-driven. I had the mulch, I'd paid, what could possibly go wrong?

*sigh*

As soon as I received the invoice I called the tree contractor's office and had a brief and not very reassuring conversation with a gruff bloke who said he'd investigate and call me back. I gave it two days and called the office again this morning – the invoice terms were 7 days and I didn't want to risk time running out and getting into collection agency territory. Fortunately I got someone different this time. When I told my story I could hear his eyes rolling over the phone. Don't ask me to describe that sound. Just... don't.

The eye rolling was for my side, however, because the Nice Man said he'd talk to the driver but it was probably OK. They'd only call back if something happened and I shouldn't worry about it. i.e. naughty driver has either failed to do his paperwork, or more likely pocketed the cash.

All part of Life's Rich Pageant.

Comments

[tikiwanderer.livejournal.com]

I will keep this in mind. I'm registered for Mulchnet too, have my fingers crossed waiting. Nothing's come up on the free/free service in several months, so I've just upgraded to "will pay for delivery" and am hoping that produces results sometime in the next few months.

[stephbg.livejournal.com]

It took about three weeks to get even a paid delivery. Hell of a lot of mulch for the price though.