MDF A Sign Co. - Mark D. Frank Commerical Signs that break in one day and fall off in 4 months Titusville Florida

I am a small business owner. On end of January 2008, I called Mark, the owner of MDF A Sign Co, to estimate on fix our commercial sign. To estimate, Mark came next day to tell me how much is to fix the sign. He even promised to throw in some free paint to paint the poles. After that he said that he will need half of the money ahead. After we paid for half of the money, he did not show up to fix the sign for about one month. Finally, he showed up to fix the sign, he said that he did not remember that he said that he will paint the poles. We said that is okay, after all we are also small business owner and know how hard it is to own a business.
Just the next day, the sign that we JUST fixed, caved in and started to break. We called Mark the right away. But he said that he as another job and will not be free until next week. However, he never shows up the next week. We must call him more than 20 times. He always has excuse for it. Yet, when he wanted the half of the money, he can be right over the next day. It is not until a month and a half later, he finally showed up. And he simply pulled the caved sign out. By this time, the sign is already broken and bended.
The worst part is that on Jun of 2008, we have a storm, a SMALL storm. Our sign just simply got blow off! I understand that if it is some big storm that come and blew everyones sign off. However, another businesss sign under our sign is not even a paint chip. In fact, on the same street, not a single sign is damage!! I called Mark the next day which my wife said forget it, he never will show up!! Unless we paid him more money!!, which my wife is right. Mark said that he is busy (to rip other people off) and the sign is not under any warranty (of course not, it break the next day). and because some tornado that were at our place that blow the sign off (sure, like we are not here that day and the tornado just pin point our sign)
This time I learned, I called few companies for the estimate. All the companies estimate cheaper than MDF A Sign Co. And all the companies were asking who did our sign. They all agree that the job that Mark did was very bad and no experience. The material Mark used was wrong and cheap. All I know is I want to let other people know that NOT to use this company MDF A Sign Co. Unless you want to throw you money away.
Few tips I learned from this experience, 1) Always get two or three estimates. 2) Always put everything in the contract. 3) Find the one that has guarantee on their job. a good company stand behind their work. (and put the warranty in the contract). 4) pay after the work is done. Try to write a check which cannot cash in few days 5) never put too much trust in people.
I hope my experience will help other been rip off and stop Mark rip someone off. Thank you Ripoffreport.com.

Smallbusinessowner
Kissimmee, Florida
U.S.A.