To be furious with workmen?

[Moocherbot]

My mother (mid 70s) had workmen in from Carpetright laying vinyl. 3 of them turned up. They told her they had run out of silicon and made her go out to a DIY shop to buy more, leaving them alone in the house.
She has told me this now and is clearly feeling guilty that she didn't put a stop to it at the time, so she's backtracking and telling me maybe this is normal.
Normal to get an elderly woman to go out to buy supplies (which she knows nothing about) that you ought to have brought, when there are 3 of you, and leaving you alone in her house?
I think it's outrageous, I want to complain about it, but she doesn't want to. I really want her to understand that you can say no to people or make an excuse but it's so hard to get through to her.
Any tips or advice please?

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

YANBU. I would be making sure that nothing has been stolen, and would be making a complaint to Carpet right...

[Jinglebells99]

That's terrible I think you need to complain.

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

It was the fault for not having enough supplies.
I would be complaining to the company. They were out of order.

[FruJustFru]

Under no circumstances would any decent tradesperson 'send' their client out to buy supplies. If they had run out, or not had enough with them, then one of them should have gone out themselves.

[FondantNancy]

Whaaat? That is crazy. Out of the three of them they couldn't send one person to the store?

Definitely complain.

[cx5221]

I would complain about it. Also at risk of sounding cynical has she checked if anything is missing?

[MerryMarigold]

That is well out of order. Even if nothing is stolen NOW (that would be a bit silly), they could have had a good nose around for another time.

[Soubriquet]

I wouldn't be happy with that

Complain for sure

What decent company doesn't turn up with the right equipment and then sends the client out to get it?

No

[DireTires]

YANBU that is bizarre.

[MerryMarigold]

But check all the importants - jewellery and passports and spare keys.

[cx5221]

MerryMarigold I thought that too.

[lurkinghusband]

She should send them an invoice for her time ....

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Sounds dodgy and I would be checking the house.

[FondantNancy]

If she doesn't want to complain can you do so on her behalf?

I really doubt they would've done this if it had been a young, male client, for example. They took advantage of your elderly mum.

[DailyMailDontStealMyThread]

That's not right at all!

[mm81]

No decent tradesman would ever do that! This smells fishy. Check the house and make sure nothing's missing then complain to carpetshite.

[Cookingongas]

Complain. I'm a tradeswoman and manage a few teams. I'd go mental if any of my teams did this.

If nothing else it means they don't value their materials- just use any old shit (and in silicone cheap crap is just that)
It's disrespectful to the customer and may compromise their employers public liability insurance.

[BumWad]

I am at this.

Sounds really dodgy actually...

[xStefx]

That's discusting, call the store manager as they wont use them again if they are getting bad complaints.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

That is really odd, especially since they're working for a large company. It will inevitably get back to Carpetright if they continue that carry on.
Unless your mum offered or insisted she went to get the materials? Really odd.

Make sure you have the right company. It could be a small independent cowboy trader going under a similar name? E.g. carpet rite?

[Katinkka]

Wtf. Not on and they need pulling up on this. Agree with checking nothing's missing

[Allthewaves]

Are you sure they havnt robbed her?

[suchafuss]

While I understand that you are furious (as I would be) if she doesnt want to complain then I think its up to her

[mumonashoestring]

Definitely help her check/inventory her jewellery, any cash she keeps in the house, other valuables, spare keys, important paperwork etc. If anything's missing, inform the police and get them round to take a statement. And tear a strip off the company supplying the vinyl/hiring the workmen - not normal, not acceptable.

[mistermagpie]

This is definitely fishy. i've had loads of workmen in and they have always brought the right euipment themselves or gone out to the suppliers to get it if something is missing/runs out.

I'm with the PP's - there might be nothing missing now (they would be a bit stupid if there is) but they could have been scouting for another 'visit', and if not they definitely took advantage of your mum.