We are doing a huge house renovation and adaption this summer. Our builder recommended a kitchen fitter who came out and gave a quote. The reason I booked him is because he said he would be available.
He asked for 50% deposit in cash and I foolishly paid him.
He kept pushing back the job and eventually just stopped replying. The builder knows his family, and found out he has a drug addiction and has gone missing.
So deposit gone.
I put on social media to find another kitchen fitter for this weekend as we are only waiting for this work before moving home.
As the works were all funded by fundraising and go fund me as my son is disabled it got a lot of traction on social media. I didn’t name the thief but lots of people messaged me knowing who he was and the company he had worked for (family business)
The brother of the scammer contacted the builder, said it looked bad on his business that I was sharing it online. He would come this weekend with his family and fit the kitchen and wardrobes for us.
However it is not the design, spec or colour that we wanted - only what was in stock.
This morning I met the guys at the house and he asked me for 5 grand for the materials and to pay the guys that came to work today.
I didn’t respond just stared at him blankly.
We paid more than 5 grand in deposit. If the materials and labour cost that much then should be not take it up with his brother? Who is not missing at all but in the parents home.
By doing this work and sharing on social media it looks like they’ve done the job for free
So
AIBU - yes just pay for what you got today and deal with scammer later
No - brother should be taking some money from the thief as he knows where he is.