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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Removal van man being difficult?

15 replies

nomorecrumbs · 04/05/2021 19:51

I feel like I’m using AIBU for every step of my moving house process lately; it’s just one issue after another!

I went through a well-known comparison site to book and pay for a removals man and van for my upcoming house move in a few days’ time. Once paid on the site and booked, I texted the man directly (it only gives the van man’s contact details once booking has gone through) to confirm the booking, (I didn’t say this to him but I know sometimes the van doesn’t show up or is late etc. and I wanted to try and lessen the risk of that happening).

Immediately the man rang me and went on a long tirade about why the website is bad, owes him money, takes too much in commission, and asked for cash in hand. I explained I couldn’t do that as I’ve already paid on the website, so he will be paid by the company now and not me. He insisted I should ring the website and try and cancel the payment so he could get the full amount in cash instead. I felt sorry for the man and (this was probably an error) said I’d try and get a card refund and then we could confirm the booking ourselves. He told me to not tell the website we had discussed this.

However the website is slow with its customer service, when I explained the situation (I didn’t hold back, said I was inconvenienced and risked having no van turn up now as well as losing money, as quotes get more expensive the closer to booking time it is) they couldn’t resolve it there and then. So I texted the man back and said I can’t cancel the payment and can he just confirm one way or the other whether the removals job is going ahead as it’s inconveniencing me and I risk losing out. He’s put me in an awkward position basically and left me in limbo.

He’s not texted back, but keeps trying to call me. I don’t want to be ranted at again so am not answering.

What should I do? Was I stupid in agreeing to try and help him originally? I feel stuck with potentially no van now and having paid all this money to a company which isn’t being quick to intervene...

OP posts:
berryhead2013 · 04/05/2021 19:53

Answer his calls he may just be helpful hopefully 🙏

CaptainMyCaptain · 04/05/2021 19:55

You've already made an agreement with the company. I'd tell them he's being difficult, demanding cash, and ask them to give you someone else.

Unsure33 · 04/05/2021 19:57

Hmm I don’t like the sound of this . Can you change removal companies ? He sounds as if he might not turn up / let you down ,

His relationship with the website is not your problem .

knittingaddict · 04/05/2021 20:02

Is this via the Anyvan website? Wouldn't touch them with a bargepole. They are very cheap, but I don't think people get paid enough for the job.

When my daughter moved during the first lockdown the van and team didn't turn up. Various teams were promised throughout the day and one finally arrived at about 5pm. They were tired and grumpy, but worked their socks off to move the heavy stuff they we hadn't managed to move over the course of the day. We would never use that website again.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 04/05/2021 20:05

You've already made an agreement with the company. I'd tell them he's being difficult, demanding cash, and ask them to give you someone else

This ^^

He isn't forced to use the site and sounds nothing but trouble, which will probably be reflected on the day. Why put yourself through it when whatever issues he has with the site aren't even your affair?

CirclesWithinCircles · 04/05/2021 20:06

I wouldn't get involved with any private agreement, particularly since he seems reluctant to put anything in writing via text and wants you to give him cash with no proof of any agreement.

Clymene · 04/05/2021 20:08

Anyone who wants cash in hand is trying to avoid tax. None of us should support tax avoidance - whether it's millionaires or cash in hand dodgy bloke.

Cancel the booking and find a different reputable company. Yes it might be more expensive.

nomorecrumbs · 04/05/2021 20:08

Thanks everyone. I think it’s right that I’ve paid the company/website so they now have a duty to provide me with someone who will actually fulfil the booking. I have serious doubts about this man and do not like how he’s trying to use me to fight his battles for him!
Hopefully the company will ring me back tomorrow, I’m just pissed off that I’ll probably have to pay extra for a more expensive quote when they rebook it for me.

OP posts:
MissGendered · 04/05/2021 20:10

Why is he on the website then if he hates it so much? He sounds dodgy and a bit of a cf to be honest.

knittingaddict · 04/05/2021 20:12

Is it a company that employs it's own teams or is it an agency type set up?

UhtredRagnarson · 04/05/2021 20:19

@MissGendered

Why is he on the website then if he hates it so much? He sounds dodgy and a bit of a cf to be honest.
It’s probably so he gets business directed the him and then gets all the customers to cancel the order and then pay him directly.
AmberIsACertainty · 04/05/2021 20:20

Get onto the company again and demand a full refund. The reason being they're using idiots like this man on their website. I wouldn't use this man, I wouldn't trust him to turn up at all and if he did I wouldn't trust him to take care of the furniture. Given than he's had a (very unprofessional) rant at you just because he's unhappy with the website company and is insisting on cash in hand, I wouldn't trust him not to steal something if he doesn't get what he thinks he's owed from you (you've already paid so you don't owe him anything). If the company won't refund, go to the credit card company for a chargeback on the grounds that you've paid for a service and been told it's not happening. Because that's what his rant was about. Instead of removing himself from the website because he doesn't like their payment method, he prefers to intimidate customers who've already paid by demanding a cash payment or he won't do the job. He's trying to use the website for free advertising.

TwoBlueFish · 04/05/2021 20:34

I’d report the whole experience to the website you booked with then block the removal man and book someone else.

nomorecrumbs · 05/05/2021 13:14

So, I’ve called the company at least four times now over he last two days and been told each time it’s being passed to “the priority team” for a call back; I’ve received nothing. So frustrating!

OP posts:
Puzzledandpissedoff · 05/05/2021 13:37

Sadly I'm not surprised, OP - not with what you've said already - and more to the point I'd worry how much use they'd be to you on the day if the original guy doesn't show up

What are your cancellation rights? Can you simply blow them out completely and just get someone else? Granted it might cost you a bit more, but probably not as much as you'd pay on the day if you were completely stuck in an emergency situation

And don't forget to leave appropriate reviews ... !!

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