An Imperial-based trash removal service is struggling to serve its clients’ needs.
Bob’s Disposal Service, 5844 Hwy. 61-67, has received a litany of complaints on its Facebook page, with clients claiming the 45-year-old company has not picked up trash for weeks, or even months.
Pat Grundmeyer, vice president and co-owner of Bob’s Disposal, said the business has struggled to maintain staff because of issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s trucks also have had mechanical issues.
“We have always had a good reputation, but all of this is ruining our reputation,” Grundmeyer said Feb 26.
Bob’s Disposal Service, which was established in 1976, is a family-owned business that provides removal services for residential and commercial properties in Jefferson and south St. Louis counties, according to its Facebook page.
Grundmeyer said the business is reorganizing and will discontinue some of its routes in southern Jefferson County, mainly in the Festus and Jefferson R-7 areas.
“I’ve made some tough decisions already, and I am going to have to make some more,” she said. “We will let the customers know what is going on. There are just some areas we will not be able to get to.”
Grundmeyer said Bob’s Disposal Service currently serves about 4,000 clients and has 10 employees, six of whom work routes on one of the company’s three trucks that are currently operating.
“I know we have lost a lot of customers,” Grundmeyer said. “If your trash is sitting there and no one picks it up, you are not going to be very happy. We have had some customers who have been extremely upset.”
On Jan. 8, the busines posted a message to its St. Louis County customers saying it would delay service until the next day.
“We hope for your patience and pray that everyone can understand we are trying our best to make sure all of our customers are happy,” the message said. “We really do appreciate all of our customers sticking with us through this difficult time. We understand you will have a lot out and we will be taking it all.”
On Oct. 28, Bob’s Disposal posted a message on its Facebook page that said three of its four office personnel tested positive for COVID-19, and the business had just one staff member in the office. The post also said routes were to run normally that day, and the business again asked for everyone’s patience.
“COVID has hit us with guys on the trucks and gals in the office,” Grundmeyer said.
Grundmeyer said the business also has struggled ever since a mechanic quit.
In addition, Grundmeyer said she has had medical issues since July 2020 that kept her out of the office for a long period last year.
Grundmeyer said she is still looking to hire a mechanic.
She said most complaints about trash not being picked up started in December.
Grundmeyer also said the business had been dealing with phone service issues since last summer, but those issues seem to have been resolved. However, Grundmeyer said the business is dealing with an extremely high call volume and many callers are getting a busy signal.
“We are constantly flooded with phone calls,” she said. “The other day I was in the office by myself, and every time I hung up, the phone would ring again right away.”
Grundmeyer said she believes Bob’s Disposal Service restructuring will resolve its problems. She also said many clients have told her they plan to stay with the business.
“Our customers are just wonderful,” Grundmeyer said. “I’m so pleased and blessed to have the customers we do have, and we are having people call and start new services with us. We are just doing the best we can.”