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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tradesman fucked off with my money

137 replies

Blublubblubbing · 23/03/2021 09:57

I need advice, I found a tradesman through mybuilder to do some garden work for me. He had 100% positive feedback and so I hired him. He turned up when he was expected and did a good job. I left positive feedback saying this.
Whilst on the job we agreed that he would replace our patio as well as he had been good with the first job. He asked for money for materials upfront which I was fine with as he had been very reliable so far. You can see where this is going.. 3 times he has cancelled now and last week I sent a message saying I would like a refund as it had been a month since I transferred money so I got an immediate response saying he would come today. Well guess what... he is not here and he is not answering the phone so have I lost my money? I don't have his address only a phone number.
I know people will say don't transfer money upfront but a lot of trades people ask for that as they could lose out from customers cancelling etc. What do I do now?

OP posts:
Cuddling57 · 23/03/2021 10:43

Is he still on the trading website? If so can you get a friend to ring him to pretend to get a quote? Find out more information that way? Before you do this hide your Facebook profile from public view so he can't link friend to you!

Onjnmoeiejducwoapy · 23/03/2021 10:44

TBH I would stop jumping to assumptions here, he’s a few hours late as things stand. You’re not the only job he will be doing, someone not answering a phone a few times doesn’t mean they are scamming you.

Sh05 · 23/03/2021 10:44

Do you remember his vehicle registration? Could you trace him from that?

MondeoFan · 23/03/2021 10:45

I don't think you've been scammed, I think as you say he has cash-flow problems and once you have him the money for materials he bought something else with it, and is now trying to conjure up more money in order to do your work.
I'm still convinced he will do it. Send him a cleverly worded text asking him to give you a date for when the work will be completed by.

Cuddling57 · 23/03/2021 10:46

Getting more detective here - get him to pop round your friends to give a genuine quote. Then follow him home!
Sorry am I getting carried away?!

Number16 · 23/03/2021 10:50

I think it's reassuring you have messages from him about the money being received.

He does sound as if he's stringing you along a bit on dates which is annoying, but it feels like there is a glimmer of hope from your experiences so far with him that he'll eventually come through. It just may take a bit of time as tradesmen are all so busy right now, so he may just be prioritising bigger, more profitable jobs.

screenshot any messages in case he blocks you or deletes the thread etc as on some apps that means you can't view them again.

Original poster
Blublubblubbing · 23/03/2021 10:52

Thanks for all the advice. I know he is only a few hours late and I wouldn't be jumping to all these conclusions if he hadn't cancelled 3 times. I have sent a message asking for my money back but I'm not holding out much hope.

OP posts:
user1497207191 · 23/03/2021 10:57

He's probably ignoring your phone calls as your number will be showing on his screen. When we've had tradesmen "going dark" on us, we've phoned using a different phone (so different number) and they tend to answer thinking it's a new customer. At least then you get to talk to him!

CheckMate2021 · 23/03/2021 11:01

I was about to say the same as previous poster.
SIL couldn’t get hold of electrician, initially kept cancelling which then turned into being ignored (calls and messages). FIL needed some work done, SIL mentioned this person and tried calling again, to no avail, only for FIL to dial the same number (2 minutes in between I’d say), and the person answered. He also turned up for the job, and when working at property realised SIL and FIL knew each other Grin (in case you’re wondering, yes he then went to finish the job at SILs house too 😂)

Moral of story, try using a different number.

Original poster
Blublubblubbing · 23/03/2021 11:01

I'll definitely try from a different phone if I don’t hear from him

OP posts:
MondeoFan · 23/03/2021 11:07

He's ignoring you as you keep messaging asking for the money back. He doesn't have the money to give you back.
Why not ask him to give you a definite date when the work will be completed

Onedropbeat · 23/03/2021 11:09

I’m not too sure you’ve actually given enough time based on your posts

If this is over the span of 3 weeks with cancellations with decent reasons I’d give him another chance, over 3 months I’d assume he was gone

Viviennemary · 23/03/2021 11:11

I think he'll do the job. He's just very very unreliable. You did nothing wrong paying upfront for materials.

Original poster
Blublubblubbing · 23/03/2021 11:21

He gave me a definite date of today and he hasn't turned up or called to cancel. I've not been hounding him for a refund. I asked for one last week after him cancelling twice and ignoring my calls. He then said he would come today and he hasn't and I've not heard from him. How many chances are people supposed to have? He is messing me about and ignoring me so what else can I do? I transferred the money for materials a month ago

OP posts:
Onjnmoeiejducwoapy · 23/03/2021 11:23

@Blublubblubbing

He gave me a definite date of today and he hasn't turned up or called to cancel. I've not been hounding him for a refund. I asked for one last week after him cancelling twice and ignoring my calls. He then said he would come today and he hasn't and I've not heard from him. How many chances are people supposed to have? He is messing me about and ignoring me so what else can I do? I transferred the money for materials a month ago
This is really not a high level of unreliable unfortunately. It’s why reliable tradespeople are worth their weight in gold—because most will bounce you around like these for weeks or months. And then randomly show up and do it when you’ve given up
Viviennemary · 23/03/2021 11:26

I'm afraid this unreliability and excuses isn't really that unusual in tradesmen these days.

roses2 · 23/03/2021 11:27

Start small claims. Have you got an address for him? Or a business card with company name to check on companies house?

You can also do a name search if you have his first name and surname.

RunningFromInsanity · 23/03/2021 11:34

Can you do a chargeback with your bank?
Services not received.

Then the bank would contact him, say they are investigating and ask for an explanation. That sometimes prompts a response from them.

Bet01 · 23/03/2021 11:35

I had a similar experience with MyBuilder where a previously 5/5 rated tradesman just never returned my calls once he'd sent his quote through. I guess the job was too small for him but it would have been polite to let me know. In the end, what worked was to leave a negative review on MyBuilder. If he's got nothing but positive feedback, he won't want your review tarnishing his reputation and may get in touch to sort things out. Might be worth a go? Sorry if you've already done this!

dottiedaisee · 23/03/2021 11:36

I could have written this post word for word a couple of years ago !! Am almost wondering if it’s the same guy !!

Puzzledandpissedoff · 23/03/2021 11:36

Like so many paid-for sites MyBuilder's a disaster, and decent tradespeople don't need that kind of thing anyway
Reviews are also a waste of time since they can easily be bought, so the only reliable route is recommendations from people you trust, and even then it can go wrong

So in future:
Personal recommendations only
All materials "purchased in advance" to come to you rather than them
Never give money to anyone without full details, preferably in writing
Oh, and keep an eye on materials even if the person turns up - they can easily steal them, as my decorators did the first and only time I risked hiring from such a site

MissyMoooo · 23/03/2021 11:38

Have you tried typing his mobile number into Facebook search? If he has a business page it may show up?

tenlittlecygnets · 23/03/2021 11:38

His excuses were his van got broken into and tools stolen, his car was cloned and his wife's nursery had all had covid.

Yeah, right.

I'm sorry, op, sound like he's either pissed off with your goods or he's taken on too much and is chasing his tail.

I'd get a friend to call him and ask him round to do a quote, then you be there so you can talk to him.

You will need his address for a small claim.

Even if he's not intending to be dodgy, he's a liar and totally unreliable.

QuestionEverythingOrBeASheep · 23/03/2021 11:40

@Blublubblubbing

No address on my builder. I have reported him to them but I dont think they'll be able to do anything as the second job for the patio wasn't arranged through them it was in person. All they'll be able to do is remove him from the site if they get enough complaints I guess
Surely you can edit or add to your previous review on MyBuilder. I'm sure I've seen this on other reviews. Then just add what has happened since; use facts. This way other people will be aware of the problem. Sadly people on MB who have bad jobs done don't leave reviews. So sometimes you have a tradesman who has had lots of jobs but very few reviews. I steer clear of these now as to me it's a red flag.
ImaHogg · 23/03/2021 11:40

Is he running under a limited company? If so you can get his details off Companies House.