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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect interest/support from husband

16 replies

WherecanIhide · 30/10/2010 11:51

Hi everyone
This may seem a bit ott but I'm fuming. We had a new kitchen fitted at the begining of the year. Turns out our new boiler was fitted illegally (we trusted the fitters). We've had problems with it so I reported them to GAS SAFE who did a report. Got a letter from the Health and Safety Executive saying they are not going to prosecute the people who fitted it illegally. That has got me cross cos they were an arrogant, rude pair who have got away with a crime imo. What's also had me annoyed is my husbands complete lack of interest over the matter. He doesn't care that they took thousands in cash (his mums inheritance money)yet didn't give us a single recipt (ie they ripped us off), done us over re the boiler and had no interest in persuing reporting them to GAS SAFE. AIBU to be annoyed at my husband cos basically I feel he needs to find a backbone/grow a pair! Thanks for reading xxxx

OP posts:
Original poster
WherecanIhide · 30/10/2010 11:56

This may seem a bit ott but I'm fuming. We had a new kitchen fitted at the begining of the year. Turns out our new boiler was fitted illegally (we trusted the fitters). We've had problems with it so I reported them to GAS SAFE who did a report. Got a letter from the Health and Safety Executive saying they are not going to prosecute the people who fitted it illegally. That has got me cross cos they were an arrogant, rude pair who have got away with a crime imo. What's also had me annoyed is my husbands complete lack of interest over the matter. He doesn't care that they took thousands in cash (his mums inheritance money)yet didn't give us a single recipt (ie they ripped us off), done us over re the boiler and had no interest in persuing reporting them to GAS SAFE. AIBU to be annoyed at my husband cos basically I feel he needs to find a backbone/grow a pair! Thanks for reading xxxx

OP posts:
worldgonemad72 · 30/10/2010 13:38

Did you know they were registered gas safe when they hired them?
I think you are being a tad unreasonable with your husband, maybe he feels embarrassed that you've been ripped off, some people dont like confrontation, does he normally assert himself over situations like this?

Original poster
WherecanIhide · 30/10/2010 18:03

Thankyou for your response. We trusted them - they both had a talent for talking-the-talk so wrongly assumed they would do a good job.

It is good to get an impartial (sp?) opinion re husband. No he hates confrontation. I supose I'll just have to let it go.

Thanks again x

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cory · 30/10/2010 18:07

SOrry, I don't quite get this. Why do you have to let it go because your husband is not willing to do the confronting?

SuePurblybilt · 30/10/2010 18:10

If you didn't get receipts for the cash and the authorities aren't taking it further then I don't really see what you can do tbh. Maybe your husband thinks this?

Original poster
WherecanIhide · 30/10/2010 18:11

Because Cory, I'm annoyed he doesn't stick up for what is right because he prefers a quiet life and it feels he can't be bothered to support me. He didn't want to persue the issue (boiler) but I was livid so did (waste of time THAT was!) If I don't 'let it go' I'll get crosser and crosser!xx

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newlurker · 30/10/2010 18:14

Agree with last two posts really.

You are just as capable as your husband of doing the confronting.

BUT if all paid in cash you may not be able to do much

Original poster
WherecanIhide · 30/10/2010 18:35

Thanks for your replies. x

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HecateQueenOfWitches · 30/10/2010 18:39

contact trading standards.

I think they don't do anything about individual complaints but keep a record and act if a company gets lots of complaints. Check that out though, because I may be wrong.

Just don't turn your understandable anger at these men onto your husband. You're both in it together. You made a mistake in trusting them, it's cost you. You've done what you can (unless you take them to small claims court?) and now you learn from it and always do lots of checking into workmen.

notsocrates · 30/10/2010 18:50

Hmmm, imo , it is usually a big mistake to pay cash for large ticket items ...next time, ask for bank account details and pay them direct so you have a record. (I assume you don't pay cash to tradesmen to avoid VAT which is asking for trouble, but even if you did then that is their look out and not yours...THEY are the ones who have to pay VAT over to Customs, not the customer).

Why don't you sue the workmen for compensation for the extra work you have to pay for to get the system up to proper standards? Just starting proceedings might get them to cough up a refund of some sort. Basically, you would have to convince a judge that, more likely than not, you paid them (actually the amount doesn't really matter so no receipt will be needed) that they did the work, and that they did it negligently which is now costing you £x to put right. You can manage that, can't you? It's very easy to start a claim and I can't see what you would have to lose.

Good luck. It's very annoying to be ripped off by cowboys.

LittleMissHissyFangs · 30/10/2010 19:26

I know what you mean, they never get riled up about stuff that we are wound up about.
I had the LL from hell and 'H' didn't even bat an eyelid.

GAH!

I feel your pain!

Trading Standards.... Yep, and small claims - Moneyclaimonline i think!

Original poster
WherecanIhide · 31/10/2010 12:41

Thankyou for your replies xx

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minibmw2010 · 31/10/2010 16:25

I'd be less annoyed with your husband and the money you feel you've been ripped off, than the fact these people could have left you open to carbon monoxide poisoning. I assume the boiler has now been inspected/fixed by a reputable boiler person? If you're that bothered then take it further, you don't need your husband to do it with you. Some people are able to do confrontation, some aren't.

glasscompletelybroken · 31/10/2010 16:57

If these people said they were Gas Safe registered then you should pursue this with the gas safe register - that's what they're for. if they don't help you then it makes a mockery of the register if anyone can claim to be on it when they're not.

LaurieScaryCake · 31/10/2010 17:00

I sued someone 15 years ago for fitting an unsafe gas boiler - we nearly died. I won in small claims and never saw a penny (he was careful to keep everything in his wife's name).

It still made me feel better to have a ccj against him so you should carry on (it's much easier now, you can do it all online).

Original poster
WherecanIhide · 31/10/2010 17:53

Thankyou x

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