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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think they are going to end up scammed

9 replies

Peterxpanx · 08/10/2020 13:29

A driveway company been doing it's rounds down our road. They have done at least 4 drives. The people next to me are hoarders and don't tend to look after the property
Never open the curtains. Everywhere is hoarded up literally. Nice people though I'm just trying to explain there situation. They agreed to a two day job to get the drive done. Then they agreed to let this company do the back garden. Then they agreed to let them redo the garage. Shes just been around for a cuppa. She was stressed. We are not close like that. Just neighbourly. She's late 50s and I'm only 28 so she's like a mother figure age if you get me so I dont want to patronise her being opinionated. She told me that the original builders ran off with the bosses payment and dropped the job. So he's had to find more. Then they are not currently doing the work because of the rain. They now want to start inside her home when they were supposed to do the garage first and she is stressed because she had nowhere to put anything. So she's in a pickle. Different men are turning up every week. Supplies are not arriving. They are only doing a couple of hours a week it seems. They were there once last week and two hours Monday.

I asked her where the company is based but she thought I meant the supplies. She said the boss is really nice. But said she worries the front drive stuff won't ever arrive. It should be finished this week but obviously it's nowhere near.

I would personally want them out my property. I can't believe she's even letting them do the inside. They are landscape and patio men. But they are doing her whole home too. I didn't want to be too opinionated and stuff but I think they are completely unprofessional. For a start they keep changing the staff, the job order. The boss told her he's stressed because it's costing him alot more than he thought. He said he has to continue to pay the men so therefore they have to start inside now. Does this sound like criminals or is this how it can go?

I'm shocked at what she's told me, I only ever use local tradesman that usually do the job themselves and I know from hearsay they are good. This team has at least 15 people.
I don't know if there's a way she can look up more about these people. I've helped her by looking on the who owns the business etc and its registered but they have blocked you knowing the name of the owner etc. The website looks like it was set up in April.

I don't think there's another way she can dig further to find out more is there? I wouldn't be surprised if they clear off without finishing. Anyone know what is best in this situation.

OP posts:
coronafiona · 08/10/2020 13:31

It sounds scammy. Sad

growinggreyer · 08/10/2020 13:32

It does sound like they are scammers. Can you phone your local police and ask for advice? Say that your neighbour seems to be a vulnerable person. There are gangs that will seize on a person and force them to drain their bank accounts.

SleepingStandingUp · 08/10/2020 13:34

What has she paid them for so far?

LindaEllen · 08/10/2020 13:38

I literally have no idea why the bit about her being a hoarder, not opening her curtains or looking after the property have to do with her being scammed.

But yes, it doesn't look good.

Peterxpanx · 08/10/2020 13:39

I think she's supposed to be quite with it. Her husband still works. I can't understand them being so trusting. You don't tend to get all stuff done through a landscape company. They will be doing the kitchen, the hallway, the porch etc.

She's not discussed money with me. Just said the boss has said it will cost him more than expected.

On an average day there were 5 men there. Digger drivers. Turf and slab chaps. Sometimes children were there too. Pick up trucks taking away all-sorts of clutter. The last two weeks they barely turn up. They have done other driveways in a day or two and finished them ok. But I just can't understand not getting quotes and things from a couple of companies.

I dread to think how much this is costing. It must be thousands and thousands.

OP posts:
Peterxpanx · 08/10/2020 13:40

@LindaEllen

Because this is why so much needs doing. The house is hoarded and is wrecked. These patio chaps are now sorting the inside too. Decluttering. Fixing roods. Kitchens. Floors. Porches. Lofts.

OP posts:
sueelleker · 08/10/2020 15:59

Sounds like they're doing her work in bits, between other jobs.

Nicolastuffedone · 08/10/2020 16:11

Sounds like a scam to me

safariboot · 08/10/2020 16:24

Agree that it could well be the makings of a con, or at the very least rip-off pricing.

I think about all you can do is find out what you can, perhaps on some pretext, so if they do run off with a load of money they're easier to find.

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