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Review content:
Listen to the ""pings"" in your head. If something doesn't quite feel right, it probably isn't.
I, too, contacted this company, and they stung me for $522.00 in ""removing"" honey bees. They only take cash or checks - no credit cards - PING!
I have now learned by searching the owners of this company are Andrew and Madeline Johnson. The company has multiple names. In the Lawrence phone book it is A Bee's Beekeepers and Animal Control, the B Business Bureau lists them as A-Bee's at KillCreek and yes, they do have an F rating with 27 complaints filed. When they came to our house, they had me write a check to Johnson, their umbrella company.
While the two men were here, the ""receptionist"" (probably Madeline) called to see if her guys were being professional, etc. If there were any questions, let her know. PING! A little too much customer service, too fast, too slick
I was given quite a line by the guy who came. If the honey bees were not removed, I could have them finding ways into my house, have honey dripping down the walls, have to tear out siding all over the front of my house as they continued to build and thrive. Scare tactics to do the job now - PING! PING!
I was told beekeepers would not want this hive as they might carry disease (I've since talked to a reputable bee hive keeper who would have taken the bees). PING!
I was told to write my check to Johnson - PING. I asked if that was all I should put was Johnson and told yes and indeed that is what the top of the service bill says. However, the scan of my cancelled check shows that the guy wrote in another name after Johnson. The guy left me copy with an overview of what was done. However, there was no carbon so What was done today: did not show. I mentioned this and he told me I could just write in whatever I wanted - PING!
The service guy told me the bees that were still there when they left would be gone in 24-48 hours; if they weren’t call and they’d be back – no mention of additional money. They weren't gone even 5 days later. When we started calling back, they would promise to send someone out and then no one came and then they quit taking calls from our home phone and my husband's cell. PING! PING! PING! They made a mistake and took the call from my cell.
The bees are still there and they want a minimum of $250 to come back. PING! PING! PING! The lady, probably Madeline, hung up on me when I refused to agree to the amount.
The Lawrence Police Department's Animal Control gives their number as a Bee Removal company (implying approval). However, I've contacted them and told them what I have learned, and they are investigating. I have checked with the Secretary of State of Kansas via phone and by online searching and they do not appear to have even a registered business in the state.
I am going to contact Channel 4 Problem Solvers and I am going to see if I can find out from the IRS what the name of the business is and how they are registered. A reputable bee keeper told me this sounds like the same company that he has known about for a number of years and that they keep changing their name and stinging their customers for around $500 per visit.
They list phone numbers in Lawrence, Wichita, and Kansas City. All the numbers end with 8889 – just different prefixes and different area codes. PING!
Wish we had taken more time to research this company before using them. Remember to listen to your PINGs!
Cons: Losing one's money!
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