Timothy Turner
1/5
Eddie Smith, who now operates under the alias Ray and sometimes goes by Drake, has adopted various names and business identities. This change seems prompted by multiple complaints and a judgment against him under his original name. Despite initially presenting himself as Ray, he eventually admitted to his real identity only after investigation.
I engaged Ray's services on October 10, 2023, for the removal of two trees, old privacy fence removal, installating a new privacy fence, and installing 136 feet of chain link to segregate the dog area from the pool. Expressing urgency due to the need to board our dogs during the project, I stressed the importance of a swift completion.
Ray estimated the entire job would take eight to ten days, broken down into specific tasks. This included two days for tree removal, one day for old fence removal, one day for setting posts, one day for picket installation, one day for gates and caps, and two days for chain link installation. The total duration was eight days, with a potential extension to ten days if weather conditions were unfavorable. Based on this timeline, we planned to board our dogs for a maximum of six days.
Ray quoted a total cost of $9950, requesting an upfront payment of $6500 for materials. I issued a check, with instructions to make it payable to his wife, Cheryl Smith, who, he claimed, managed financial matters for their joint business. Despite the agreed-upon start date of October 16, work did not commence until October 19. Ray's attendance was sporadic, often starting late in the day and working only a few hours at a time. This pattern persisted throughout the project.
After a week, he completed the tree removal and requested the $450 quoted for this specific task. Despite the extended dog boarding period and the delayed fence removal, Ray did not complete the work as promised. In response to the prolonged boarding and unfinished fence, he hastily constructed a makeshift pen using field fencing and zip ties.
As of November 2, the privacy fence was still incomplete. Ray falsely claimed that I had authorized additional funds, and he called my wife from a number associated with "Genisis Construction," revealing his true identity as Eddie Smith with a questionable past. Following this revelation, I contacted him, threatening legal action. On November 3, he requested more money for picket purchase, explaining that the initial $6500 was partly a deposit and partly for operational costs.
Growing increasingly skeptical, I insisted on purchasing materials myself and gave him an additional $400 for operational expenses, accompanied by a detailed agreement specifying payments, outstanding amounts, and a completion deadline of November 10. However, Ray worked only five hours the following week, failing to finish the privacy fence by the agreed-upon date.
On November 10, he cited rain as an excuse for the delay, and when he did work, it was for a minimal duration. Upon inspection, I discovered numerous issues with the completed fence, including deviations from the original layout, gaps between posts and concrete surfaces, a dangerous lack of adherence to safety standards, and an overall shoddy appearance.
As of November 12, a month after the initial payment, Ray has received a total of $7300. Despite numerous attempts to contact him, he is now avoiding calls and texts. I am now demanding a refund for the incomplete work and unfulfilled material purchases.
In conclusion, Eddie Smith, operating under various aliases like Ray and Drake, is a dishonest individual with a history of exploiting others. His wife, Cheryl Smith, who handled the initial payment, appears to be complicit in their dubious practices. Legal action will be pursued against both individuals to seek compensation for the incomplete and substandard work. Prospective clients should exercise caution when dealing with Eddie Smith and his various aliases, as he has proven to be a scam artist with a disregard for contractual obligations.
