Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do tradesmen steal things?

32 replies

TheRebelle · 28/06/2021 21:00

I recently had a new bathroom fitted so we had plumber, tiler & electrician here on separate days. I’d left my Apple Watch on a shelf in the hall and now I can’t find it anywhere, obviously I’m not going to ring anyone up and accuse them of stealing but what are the chances it’s been mislaid or someone’s pocketed it? I’ve turned the house upside down and can’t find it anywhere.

OP posts:
anguauberwaldironfoundersson · 28/06/2021 21:05

Can you use the find my phone feature? It works on watches

Original poster
TheRebelle · 28/06/2021 21:06

No, the battery’s run out so it’s not showing up unfortunately

OP posts:
Bitofachinwag · 28/06/2021 21:07

No tradesmen don't as a rule steal things!

Original poster
TheRebelle · 28/06/2021 21:08

@Bitofachinwag

No tradesmen don't as a rule steal things!
No, I didn’t think they did really, the amount they charge they could probably buy 50 Apple watches!
OP posts:
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 28/06/2021 21:09

If you employed a bad person maybe?

bridgetreilly · 28/06/2021 21:10

Thieves steal things.

Possibly some tradesmen are thieves but not usually for long. They rely too heavily on word of mouth.

Scarby9 · 28/06/2021 21:11

Do doctors steal things?
Do bus drivers steal things?
Do shop assistants steal thing?
Do nurses steal things?
Do teachers steal things.
A few do. Most don't.
Whether your particular tradesman stole on this occasion, obviously we don't know. But it does soind as if you are not certain whrn it disappeared and where from, so you may nevet find out, unfortunately.

SmellThat · 28/06/2021 21:11

I doubt it. They have to keep a good reputation
Hope you find it soon

dudsville · 28/06/2021 21:11

I hope you find your watch. Most people have done work in my house have been honourable, but laughably I was once having some work done 20 years ish ago. I had to empty some cabinets and that meant that I'd left liquer visible and I came home to previously unopened bottles had been tasted!

anguauberwaldironfoundersson · 28/06/2021 21:12

If the battery has run out then it's likely still in your house

trilbydoll · 28/06/2021 21:12

Tradesmen can be quite careless and I can imagine them putting tools there and then scooping your watch into their bag by mistake.

TooYoungToNotice · 28/06/2021 21:12

Well obviously some tradesmen steal. No profession is exempt from dishonest people sadly.

Hopefully you've just misplaced it though.

burritofan · 28/06/2021 21:15

No tradesmen don't as a rule steal things!
Dunno, burglary is really a skilled trade.

OP, that sounds like a lot of messy, dusty work. Have you got rubble bags still? Mini skip? How narrow’s your hallway? Could easily have been knocked from shelf while removing fittings and rubbish, then got swept up.

KupoNutCoffee · 28/06/2021 21:17

some tradesmen may steal things. But it's not any more or less likely to be them than anyone else you welcome in your home.

As long as you start from a believe of innocence, it wouldn't be too bad to ask if they've seen it, or ask if they could double check it hasn't fallen in any tool bags? Certainly easy to knock in if reaching up to a shelf, or in a sweep of all the tools. I'd probably call so you can convey tone, and avoid them thinking you're accusing them.

Original poster
TheRebelle · 28/06/2021 21:21

It probably could’ve been knocked off but it was with the charger and the charger is still there, it was in the downstairs hallway and the bathroom is on the 1st floor so it wasn’t near the mess. DD is 4, she could’ve picked it up and put it somewhere but most likely if she picked it up she’d come and give it to me to put on.

OP posts:
TrickorTreacle · 28/06/2021 21:21

Like with firefighters, it's tradespeople.

The last person who serviced my boiler was a female.

I know it totally misses the point of this thread!

If it was on a shelf, I would check behind it / at the bottom / behind a radiator or behind a nearby door etc. As others have said, a flat battery suggests that it's still in your house.

Original poster
TheRebelle · 28/06/2021 21:23

@TrickorTreacle

Like with firefighters, it's tradespeople.

The last person who serviced my boiler was a female.

I know it totally misses the point of this thread!

If it was on a shelf, I would check behind it / at the bottom / behind a radiator or behind a nearby door etc. As others have said, a flat battery suggests that it's still in your house.

Good point! in this case they were all men though. I wanted the female plumber but she couldn’t fit me in for another month.
OP posts:
AlmostAJillSandwich · 28/06/2021 21:24

Keep checking the find feature periodically, if someone has taken it and it gets charged to be used, it will show?

TSSDNCOP · 28/06/2021 22:46

Apple watches are devious little bastards, they can literally vanish themselves and go dark. DS's was hiding in plain site but multiple sweeps of the house missed it and it showed up wrapped around a music stand.

Slippy78 · 28/06/2021 22:50

If they were going to steal it wouldn't they have taken the charger as well?

Original poster
TheRebelle · 28/06/2021 22:54

@Slippy78

If they were going to steal it wouldn't they have taken the charger as well?
Good point, it’s almost certainly in the house. I don’t want to buy another one because it will probably appear as soon as I open the box!
OP posts:
Original poster
TheRebelle · 28/06/2021 22:55

@TSSDNCOP

Apple watches are devious little bastards, they can literally vanish themselves and go dark. DS's was hiding in plain site but multiple sweeps of the house missed it and it showed up wrapped around a music stand.
Keep thinking this, I’ve probably seen it and not noticed!
OP posts:
mineofuselessinformation · 28/06/2021 22:55

Message the person and ask them if they noticed it.

Onlyfoolsandfathers · 28/06/2021 22:56

They're not a species with habitats and traits, you know.

Do doctors doing house calls steal things? Fire men? Meter readers? I suppose it depends on the individual but generally not.

justasking111 · 28/06/2021 23:16

Ah a 4 year old. Friend heard the loo flushing went to bathroom four year old had flushed her engagement ring away. Ask the little one if she's seen it

Swipe left for the next trending thread