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Original poster

Builder in Liverpool damaging travelodge

61 replies

Workfear · 21/01/2019 21:19

Anyone seen the builder in Liverpool destroying a travelodge because they owe him money apparently?

He almost put the digger on top of someone too at one point. Hope it's not just a publicity stunt, but there's videos of people inside filming it too while he's demolishing stuff.

OP posts:

Patroclus · 22/01/2019 10:25

Pay up or get bashed up

HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 22/01/2019 10:27

There are so many instances of massive corporations completely screwing over individuals though and there needs to be more easily accessible ways for us to legally to action.

This is so true. Currently the process is simply shut up and we will pay you eventually and we know there's nothing you can do about it because you need us more than we need you. It doesn't seem to matter that the work has been done and the company are enjoying the finished product for free. Or that they can easily pay they just choose to wait because they know there is no recourse.

Hesta54 · 22/01/2019 10:31

Whisky2014 For that amount it’s not worth it and the people holding the money know it, you have to make sure you followed correct procedures and have written evidence that you are owed the money, if you win you still might not get the money, it involves time of work, which for the self employed just costs you more money

Whisky2014 · 22/01/2019 10:36

If it's not so little it's not worth trying to claim it through small claims, you certainly don't commit a crime as an "eye for an eye" type thing.
Maybe he does have evidence. People are speculating alot on here but the only fact we know is he has damaged a property and put people in danger.

TheShiteRunner · 22/01/2019 10:43

Obviously he will not help himself in any way by doing this- but I do get the frustration. Many, many people are living hand to mouth and this is really a life-changing amount of money if you haven't got it. Big companies pull this kind of shit all the time- I'm self employed, and I know that it's usually far easier to get money out of a small company than a big one. I'm guessing this guy reached the end of his tether, and just snapped, knowing that he was going to be in the shit about it.

Preschaje · 22/01/2019 10:47

It's a pain in the ass being self employed and companies not paying on time, it gets me angry when it happens to me, but this is just dangerous but also plain stupid, he will be in a whole load of trouble and no one is going to hire someone who acts like this.

TheLostTargaryen · 22/01/2019 11:00

There are so many instances of massive corporations completely screwing over individuals though and there needs to be more easily accessible ways for us to legally to action.

Soooo much this. When a CEO has a fat bank account with no money worries, he is ignorant to the fact that what may be pocket change to him, is that month's groceries and utility bills to another.

We actually lost our family business due to the big guys not paying up or only doing so on the threat of removal of their factory machines we paid for and installed. We still needed to pay our contractors every month on time and our suppliers for all the materials we bought for jobs but having a guy in a suit telling you from this year's luxury Mercedes it's "out of his hands" whilst shrugging at you could certainly make you want to rip out the work you just did so he can't profit from it.

And small claims court is no good at all for someone who's in financial crisis. It's costs to apply, you may or may not win and if you do, there is no guarantee you'd get your money in the end.

This guy WBVVVVU but there is some sympathy there for him. Just a little.

Racecardriver · 22/01/2019 11:02

How incredibly stupid.

remain · 22/01/2019 11:06

He shouldn't have done it (of course) but I can totally empathise with that powerless feeling when you are being screwed and playing fair gets you nowhere.

Of course, I don't know all the details and that might not be he situation at all.

Sparklingbrook · 22/01/2019 11:10

He could have maybe just parked up in front in his digger and refused to move.

Imnotswallowingthat · 22/01/2019 11:13

For the sake of £600 he will now probably face jail for criminal damage plus a damages claim for tens of thousands.

Also, he will now be banned off every construction site in the country for Health & Safety reasons, meaning he will not be able to earn in future.

Frouby · 22/01/2019 11:14

Completely empathise with the lad.

We have a small construction company. It's absolutely rife. Ripped off last year for 15k, couple of years before 14k.

It's not as simple as just doing a small claims. The building industry is different. There is adjudication and arbitration processes to go through, which involve all kinds of complex and expensive reports. Most small companies can't afford that and the big boys have the time and resources to tie you up in knots before it even gets to court.

We hired a QS last time to measure our works, cost 2k. Adjudication could have cost us that again and more. Company we were subbying to was Irish based which then has a knock on affect to costs.

The 14k, by the time our solicitors had fucked about for 2 years, charging us 4k, the company had gone bankrupt.

So some poor sod owed £600 doesn't stand a chance of getting his money. Sites know it, the big companies know it. That lad knew it.

If nothing else, I bet a lot of outstanding invoices get paid this friday.

Sparklingbrook · 22/01/2019 11:15

He won't be getting any glowing references.

Elfinablender · 22/01/2019 11:19

I think every freelancer and self-employed person feels his pain!

Agreed.

Elfinablender · 22/01/2019 11:20

If nothing else, I bet a lot of outstanding invoices get paid this friday.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 22/01/2019 11:57

For all we know he could have had the bailiffs at the door that morning over a debt he couldny pay

madmum5811 · 22/01/2019 12:00

I feel his pain dealing with the construction industry our small customers had an awful time with the big boys getting money. We would give them a discount for fast payment. No discounts for the big boys. I read somewhere the government central and local are worst payers. Our local council certainly were.

joanmcc · 22/01/2019 12:22

To elaborate on my "good for him" comment, if more people did what he did, big business wouldn't keep bullying the little people. If the government won't fix the power imbalance, then the people will do it.

madmum5811 · 22/01/2019 12:24

The government will not fix it because they are the worst payers 90 days on a 30 day agreement.

joanmcc · 22/01/2019 12:30

I don't know about GB, but in NI, public bodies are measured against 10 and 30 day payment statistics. And they seem quite decent (assuming no-one's mucking the figures).

As for travelodge, if they were fucking about denying £600 to a man who couldn't afford to lost it, then it will be fitting justice when they are unable to recover any costs from him.

joanmcc · 22/01/2019 12:30

*to lose it

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 22/01/2019 12:36

Excellent post, lost

NotACleverName · 22/01/2019 13:10

www.reddit.com/r/PublicFreakout/comments/aie1i1/alternate_angle_for_the_lad_who_flipped_his_lid/

I think his £600 is the least of his worries now.

Sarahjconnor · 22/01/2019 13:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 22/01/2019 13:30

It is sad if he has had a breakdown but the reality is the judge can’t not punish it appropriately. Otherwise it’s opening the floodgates for others to do similar.

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