Some gardeners came round offering to trim out hedge and I said yes. Normally I'd be a bit wary but I had seen them working in the area all day so I was sure they were genuine. The guy said £35 for the front, I told him there was also a small bit of hedge at the back and I reckoned it would round up to £50 for the lot.
He said something about the bushes in the fron also needing a trim, but we didn't get as far as negotiating about that, then I saw him going over them with his trimmer, which I hadn't agreed to. After he's done the back he then said call it £80. Well in the meantime I had told DP to stop at the bank and bring home £50 - he did so and that's all the cash we had. I stood my ground with the man, told him I had not agree to £80 nor to him doing extra work, the whole job took him and his partner who was clearing up about 1 hour so £50 seemed pretty reasonable and if they wanted more they should have agreed it with me first. I handed him £50.
He went ballistic and told the woman to stop clearing up because "these people aren't paying". (I had bloody paid!) He kept saying we were having a lot of work done and he needed fair pay for the job. He was furious and yelling, and acting as if I'd deliberately diddled him. I'm a bit worried that because of his strong accent he could have said something earlier that I didn't hear or understand, but I know I didn't agree to £80.
I bloody hate situations like this and I hate feeling scared of people who come round to do stuff. And I feel stupid for saying yes, I feel really naive. And I'm terrified he'll come and put a brick through the window and that I've put DS at risk.
Obviously I don't think IABU but what are you supposed to do? Is anyone better at handling things like this?