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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel a bit vulnerable (and stupid)

28 replies

skyblue11 · 13/11/2013 14:11

Today I opened the door to a guy who thrust a handyman leaflet at me. Now we'd been talking about getting the facsicas done on the garage recently so I stupidly said you can quote for the garage fascias, he looked dodgy and I instantly regretted opening my mouth, more so when another guy appeared from nowhere saying ' want it doing now? shall I fetch the wood? I said no, no just a quote, then he kept saying 150, it'll be 150 and I said I need to speak with hubby, he holds the cash, if he think's it's OK I'll get back to you. Then they left, I have a horrid feeling they may do the work when I'm out and demand the money or more money, so I feel vulnerable and stupid now

OP posts:
SaucyJack · 13/11/2013 14:14

So you asked for a quote, they gave you one and then left, and now you're worried they're going to rob you?

I must be spectacularly missing the point.

Original poster
skyblue11 · 13/11/2013 14:19

It was just they seemed a bit threatening, and clearly not professional tradesmen...

OP posts:
iklboo · 13/11/2013 14:24

Not worried they're going to rob her, worried they'll do a botch job without any contract being signed & then demand the cash (or £ more than the quote). It's not unheard of.

Original poster
skyblue11 · 13/11/2013 14:26

iklboo absolutely is there anything I can do, do you think? I can't even lock any gates :(
I just have a bad feeling...

OP posts:
squoosh · 13/11/2013 14:27

If they do any work just phone the non emergency police phone number. Do not be intimidated.

Original poster
skyblue11 · 13/11/2013 14:30

squoosh thanks for that, I will do if it happens. I just imagine they'd say we had a verbal agreement - which we don't. Their word against mine.

I feel for really vulnerable people like my Mum I can just imagine them robbing OAP's blind....really scary

OP posts:
squoosh · 13/11/2013 14:32

I'd imagine if they are cowboys their name may well already be known to the police. The onus is on them to prove you had a contract, which you didn't, you don't need to prove a thing.

GreggsOnLegs · 13/11/2013 14:38

I'd definitely ring 101. I did before when I had to dodgy blokes knocking on my door saying they were doing insulation work for the government, a quick call to 101 and a few checks turned out they were genuine despite their unprofessional impression.
101 thanked me for being on my guard and ringing them though.

IneedAsockamnesty · 13/11/2013 14:38

I'm not sure I understand.

Did they do anything other than give you a quote?

Original poster
skyblue11 · 13/11/2013 14:38

Well, the flyer has no names (obviously!!) only a mobile number and he wrote his christian name on it which no doubt could change, I am hanging on to it just in case I need to reference the phone number at al.

OP posts:
GreggsOnLegs · 13/11/2013 14:38

*two

Original poster
skyblue11 · 13/11/2013 14:40

If I were to call 101, I only have a mobile number and it could be a PAYG contract which the police can't trace....

OP posts:
WallyBantersJunkBox · 13/11/2013 14:40

Is there a phone number or email address on the paper they gave you?

Send a text or mail saying thanks for the quote, but we won't be needing your services.

They sound very dodgy.

blondiep14 · 13/11/2013 14:40

I had similar in the Summer. Quite horrid.
DH phoned the number and said we definitively do not want the work done.

SaucyJack · 13/11/2013 14:43

Ring 101?!

Is that a fucking joke?

You ASKED for a quote, and they gave you one. That is not a crime.

Fair enough if you decided you didn't like the look of them afterwards, and don't want to use them- but you cannot report them to the police because they gave you a service you asked for.

Original poster
skyblue11 · 13/11/2013 14:44

I guess if I text them then at least I have some evidence of rejecting their verbal quote? I could say hubby already arranged the work to be done? What do you think?

OP posts:
Original poster
skyblue11 · 13/11/2013 14:45

Saucy no it's isn't a joke, I wouldn't be posting if I didn't have concerns.

OP posts:
squoosh · 13/11/2013 14:45

I said she should ring 101 if she comes back and the work has been done. Why wouldn't you?? The 'joke' would be paying for work you didn't ask to have done.

Original poster
skyblue11 · 13/11/2013 14:46

It's just I have a gut feeling...you know when something isn't quite right...

OP posts:
Morgause · 13/11/2013 14:46

You are wise to be careful.

A similar thing happened to an elderly neighbour and they came back and did the work despite his objections. Then they drove him to the bank to get the money which was ten times what they quoted.

The police were involved but they never traced them. it's not that uncommon.

SaucyJack · 13/11/2013 14:47

Not you Squoosh

Other people have said to ring 101 now unless I've misread?

SinkyMalinks · 13/11/2013 16:22

Don't text the number- then they'll have yours. Ignore.

Original poster
skyblue11 · 13/11/2013 16:31

slinks I kinda thought that too, should I shouldn't I? On reflection probably not.

OP posts:
WilsonFrickett · 13/11/2013 16:32

Don't text the number - don't have anymore contact with them. Don't open the door to them again - do you have a chain on your door? If not, fit one. If they do try anything dodgy call the police. The thing is, they get away with shit like this through targeting vulnerable people - you are not vulnerable. You are a smart woman with good instincts and a telephone.

WilsonFrickett · 13/11/2013 16:34

And while I wouldn't necessarily ring 101, I would probably phone or call into my local police station. If there are vulnerable people in your neighbourhood you will be taken seriously. A flyer with no name is well dodgy.

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