Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel really bloody stupid

34 replies

Lovelycupofcoffee · 18/10/2024 16:14

So I’ve recently moved house and asked a local person to come round and quote for a small bit of fencing in my garden . He asked for a small deposit as he’s had a few customer cancellations. He left me his address bank info . He’s now ignoring my calls and texts . I can see he’s been on line quoting for other work / replying to people asking for quotes . I feel like at least putting a message online warning people about him.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Sia8899 · 26/10/2024 13:18

How long ago did this happen? It reads as though he came round last Sunday and you started calling him from Tuesday so it’s been about 10 days? I’m surprised he hasn’t replied to the message/post online but I wouldn’t expect a good tradesman to be able to do a job the same week, they are usually booked up for weeks/months in advance. I would expect a reply after me calling several times though

Original poster
Lovelycupofcoffee · 26/10/2024 12:46

@MumblesParty i did post a final message where everyone can see it asking him if he intends coming back and the fact he’s been paid I’m guessing I won’t get a reply but if it stops one person getting treated badly that’s a good thing

OP posts:
amoreoamicizia · 26/10/2024 12:46

Do your claim via the small claims court as advised above and leave the reviews etc. until after you (hopefully) win and have been paid.

Original poster
Lovelycupofcoffee · 26/10/2024 12:44

@Dotto what is money claim online. I’ve never heard of it before

OP posts:
Original poster
Lovelycupofcoffee · 26/10/2024 12:42

@Chocolateteabag police have said it’s not a matter for them really . Trading standards ideally . It’s a lesson learnt and I will never do it again

OP posts:
Chocolateteabag · 26/10/2024 10:18

Don't just leave it OP!

At least call the police - he may have done this to other people
Do a small claims charge if it's of high value

Dotto · 26/10/2024 10:15

Lovelycupofcoffee · 26/10/2024 08:11

So quick update he didn’t come back to complete the job and despite several calls and texts he’s ignoring me . I feel I should put a message on the app where he advertises his trade to stop other people being caught out by him . Lesson learnt be more cautious in the future

Why is Money Claim Online not a suitable solution for you OP?

MumblesParty · 26/10/2024 09:05

Lovelycupofcoffee · 26/10/2024 08:11

So quick update he didn’t come back to complete the job and despite several calls and texts he’s ignoring me . I feel I should put a message on the app where he advertises his trade to stop other people being caught out by him . Lesson learnt be more cautious in the future

Yes I would do that.

Original poster
Lovelycupofcoffee · 26/10/2024 08:11

So quick update he didn’t come back to complete the job and despite several calls and texts he’s ignoring me . I feel I should put a message on the app where he advertises his trade to stop other people being caught out by him . Lesson learnt be more cautious in the future

OP posts:
MumblesParty · 18/10/2024 17:54

In my experience he’ll almost certainly reply eventually, and tell you his van has broken down and is out of action for the foreseeable future.

UrbanFan · 18/10/2024 17:42

How much deposit did you pay him? Has it been less than a week since you heard from him? Did you get a receipt? How did you hear about him? Was it on checkatrade or any of the other tradespeople websites?

Tradesmen are notoriously slow to respond to clients once they've got a bit of your cash or an order so he may still come good.

In future only use tradesmen that are recommended to you either personally or you've seen their reviews etc via a trade website. Generally if a tradesmen can start work straightaway 'due to cancellations' there is an issue. Good trades people are very busy and cannot slot anyone in straightaway.

Get a receipt for any money you pay. Legitimate trades are not avoiding paying their taxes and will supply one.

The police will not be interested and if you try to go to court you won't win anything and it will cost you more in the long run. If he has absconded with your deposit it is a lesson learned. Don't feel silly it happens a lot.

Original poster
Lovelycupofcoffee · 18/10/2024 17:29

Thanks for all the feedback I’ve just sent him one final message so let’s see if he replies

OP posts:
longapple · 18/10/2024 17:26

I'd send a friendly message on one of the posts he's commented on, 'Hello Bob, you don't seem to be receiving my phone calls as I've been trying to call you about the fence you said you'd do for me, is your phone broken? I hope you've managed to get the materials you needed by now, please can you confirm when you'll be round to do the work? If you can't do it please do return my deposit asap so I can ask someone else. Thanks!'

Puzzledandpissedoff · 18/10/2024 17:26

godmum56 · 18/10/2024 17:12

not if its a con and he did it never intending to turn up

Show quote history

That's true about the police pursuing it, godmum56, but then the guy's almost certain to claim he has every intention of getting back to OP, only his grandma's died/the van's broken down/all his tools have been stolen and they'd have to prove he was lying

I guess it's possible in theory, but TBH I can't see them bothering

Nanny0gg · 18/10/2024 17:14

Lovelycupofcoffee · 18/10/2024 16:45

@Puzzledandpissedoff I have never done anything like this before and yes I’m really annoyed with myself for being so trusting , the odd thing is he left his address ? If I knew a big strong man I’d be brave and go round there. I doubt I will get the money back . He even sent a bloody picture showing the gate he was getting

Just keep messaging him on SM (is it a community page?) and ask him when he's going to do the job

That'll warn everyone

Chonk · 18/10/2024 17:13

How much of the £450 have you paid as a deposit?

godmum56 · 18/10/2024 17:12

Puzzledandpissedoff · 18/10/2024 17:11

Aren't the police more likely to say it's a civil matter?

Show quote history

not if its a con and he did it never intending to turn up

Puzzledandpissedoff · 18/10/2024 17:11

ButterCrackers · 18/10/2024 17:08

Report this to the police.

Aren't the police more likely to say it's a civil matter?

Dotto · 18/10/2024 17:10

Dotto · 18/10/2024 16:37

Tell him you will be taking him to the small claims court unless your deposit isn't returned in 24 hours. Give him your bank details.

To do this, look up Money Claim Online, if you're sure his address is legit (you might need to do some digging)

ButterCrackers · 18/10/2024 17:08

Report this to the police.

flyingefffs · 18/10/2024 17:06

Lovelycupofcoffee · 18/10/2024 16:32

@Mrsttcno1 so he came round Sunday to look at the job he asked for 450 . I then paid a deposit and as yet he’s a no show despite texting me to say he’d brought the materials, I’ve been calling him since Tuesday and sent messages no reply .

Where did he bring the materials to? Can you go to his house?

CleansUpButWouldPreferNotTo · 18/10/2024 17:01

Check him out on the NextDoor app, and leave a post there. If he's on it you can read what other people have said, and if he's not on there, your post will warn others. https://nextdoor.co.uk/

Join Nextdoor, an app for neighbourhoods where you can get local tips, buy and sell items, and more

Many communities throughout the United Kingdom are using Nextdoor to strengthen their neighbourhoods.

https://nextdoor.co.uk

Puzzledandpissedoff · 18/10/2024 16:56

Lovelycupofcoffee · 18/10/2024 16:45

@Puzzledandpissedoff I have never done anything like this before and yes I’m really annoyed with myself for being so trusting , the odd thing is he left his address ? If I knew a big strong man I’d be brave and go round there. I doubt I will get the money back . He even sent a bloody picture showing the gate he was getting

It may not be his address, Lovelycupofcoffee, and if it's any consolation I felt just as daft when it happened to me years ago

In fairness we shouldn't have to feel silly over trusting tradesmen to do what they've said they will, but sadly there are just too many like this these days, and even if you go after them they'll just pop up again calling themselves something else

BobbyBiscuits · 18/10/2024 16:47

Totally call him one last time, say you've not heard from him, and need to know what's happening. and if he doesn't respond the same day you'll take it that he's a rip off and post bad reviews.

Original poster
Lovelycupofcoffee · 18/10/2024 16:45

@Puzzledandpissedoff I have never done anything like this before and yes I’m really annoyed with myself for being so trusting , the odd thing is he left his address ? If I knew a big strong man I’d be brave and go round there. I doubt I will get the money back . He even sent a bloody picture showing the gate he was getting

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread