I have had the honor of dealing with people from all walks of life including those with strong reputations for screwing people.

Wast Management now tops that list. Avoid like the plague.

What's the nature of the problem? We've used them for 18 years without issue.

We had a commercial contract with them for dumpster service. Every month the amount increased just enough that it wasn't really noticed. The fact that we paid the increased amount became the "new agreement" per the contract. By the end of the contract, we were paying almost double what the contract was originally signed for.

Fine. Dump them.

Sorry, can't. Contract says that the contract is auto-renewing unless cancelled no more than 180 days, or no fewer than 90 days prior to the expiration date. Stuck for another year, but mark the date on the calendar.

But if you sign a new contract, we'll lower the price back to what you originally were paying. Well I already know how that's going to turn out. Not to mention the new contract is for 3 years instead of 1. Not happening.

Jump through the hoops to cancel the original auto-renewing agreement. Just can't call on the phone. Must send certified letter. Done, done, and done. Finally through with them. All that's left is the $150.00 dumpster pick up fee outlined in the contract.

Get a bill for $212.00. Not going to pay $150.00 plus a bunch of BS invented fees (including the $5.00 they charged me to mail the bill). Call customer service and explain such.

Remit an accord and satisfaction letter. Stapled to the letter is a check for the agreed upon $150 with a restricted endorsement and the memo line noted as such. They cashed the check.

Roughly 90 days later and I'm still getting bills for the difference plus $10 per month ($5.00 for "being late" and $5.00 for sending me the bill).

The service was fine. Their pricing was way out of line compared to other service providers in the area. I signed a contract, and I honored that contract despite their deceptive practices. They're still trying to squeeze.

Switched to another local outfit that charges me the original agreed upon price with WM (half of what I ended up paying). In exchange I got a dumpster twice the size, and zero BS fees tacked on.

I don't mean to sound rude, but did you even read your contract?

About half the items you mentioned would have had me walking away, nothing signed.

And I thought it was bad when the cable company charged me $120 instead of $85 after all the BS fees.

quote:

I don't mean to sound rude, but did you even read your contract?

Indeed. A good percentage of contracts offered by large national companies are similar.

The difference is that most do not try to screw you every which way possible while hiding behind it. I don't have cable, but I have heard those companies have business models similar to WM's.

My experience with them has been positive from a community involvement pov. They participate in the local little league recycling and sponsored little league teams. No issues here.

quote:

They participate in the local little league recycling and sponsored little league teams. No issues here.

Lots of extra money to spread around. I'll have to look to see if one of those extra fees covered little league sponsorships.

Your rep can write the contract to not exceed x$ and not auto renew.

I have neg countless contracts with them.

quote:

Your rep can write the contract to not exceed x$ and not auto renew.

I suppose. But why would I want to do any future business with them after they acted in this fashion?

That and the company that replaced them is half the price, offers twice the container, doesn't add on any BS fees, and no contract required.

Same situation with me to a T. Then they got me in a new contract by bringing a new dumpster and having an employee of mine sign that they delivered it. In there was Another year contract. I fought that, won, told them to come get their dumpster. I'll start my own dumpster company before I use them again.

V-tail is right!

Well V tail is right. It could be worse. Zamone Brothers brings your garbage back to you. Enjoy..

Waste Management is a real garbage company.

"GOGI"

Not sure if it's the same Waste Management company out here, but I called them 2 weeks ago to rent a small dumpster for a house cleanup. Called them on Wednesday. They said it would be delivered Thursday, Friday at the latest. Friday afternoon rolls around and no dumpster, so I call them to see what's up. They lost the order. No trace of it in their system. But they'd be happy to re-submit the order for me. Click.

We got rid of them years ago. They increased their fees for fuel when the prices went through the roof. Never lowered them to reflect fuel prices coming down. Couple that with their fees that you mentioned, and no thanks. Went with a local company and have been much happier. Going to have to watch things now, because the local company was bought out by a larger one. We'll be watching the fees and rates to see if we need to move on to a different one.

One of their trucks literally ran over my 96 F-150 with me in it totaling it. That was the start of the nightmare. Continuous harassing phone calls trying to get me to discuss details of the accident. To which I refused and simply stated, "Please contact my insurance company." That was followed by harassing phone calls threatening lawsuits over damage to their vehicle, vehicle being out of service, etc.

The lady driving behind me stopped and gave a statement to the investigating officer that was in my favor. They harassed her so much that she had her cell phone number changed.

So no, I will never have dealings with Waste Management if I can help it.

A few years ago I wanted to tear down and replace a shed plus do an attic/household cleanout. I needed to rent a dumpster for what I estimated to be 4-5 days. Out of the companies I researched Waste Management had the highest prices and shortest time allowances. When I called to check pricing and terms I was treated more as a nuisance than a potential customer. WM wanted stupid money for a small dumpster for a only few days along with a crap ton of restrictions on what could go inside it.

I went with a local company (Bay Disposal) and rented a 8’ x 22’ high-sided construction dumpster for about half what WM was asking for their smallest dumpster. Bay also allowed up to 14 days use, WM was something silly like only 3 days. Bay's people were also very friendly and easy to deal with.

I don't know how Waste Management treats their business clients but they sure seem like they're out to screw residential customers. Between their pricing, terms, and phone rep's attitudes they'll never see a dime of my money.

We used to have residential trash service with a local company here in CO, EDS. WM bought them a few years ago. ABout 6 months after they bought EDS our trash service basically doubled in 4 months. I canned them and got another local company, Mtn View waste. Screw WM.

I was talking with a neighbor in March. Apparently there's a new company around...they do "white glove" treatment! You don't have a set time for pickup. They will come by, pull out your trash cans from where ever they are stored, dump them and return the cans to where you had them! Neighbor said it was a great new company. Thought about trying them, but haven't.

I suppose you should be thankful you have the option of going with another company.

Most cities in the Bay Area are locked into one particular company which has the contract from time immemorial.