So sorry for your poor experience. I've heard of companies using the word "compost" for plain old wood chips or bark, but most reputable companies sell compost that looks like chocolate cake or dark, decomposed plant matter, not just wood chips. I think getting a local recommendation is a good idea, and I have heard good things about Walrath Supply, but I have never used their compost. I do not think you need to vacuum up the mulch. It will decompose itself in a year or so and help hold moisture. To start over, you can just aerate, add topsoil, and reseed over the old lawn. New seed likes topsoil rather than compost. If your lawn is new and you do not need to reseed but just want to thicken it, a very thin layer of compost, less than one-half inch deep, is best applied in the spring. Aerating is important for lawn renovation in the fall, as the dry summer can compact the soil. Feeding the lawn in the fall and adding lime to your acid soil are also good ways to improve an old lawn. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti