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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you use this tradesman?

28 replies

Melbourne12 · 21/02/2023 12:35

Several months ago, a man knocked the door and was trying to sell driveways. We have a driveway and I gave him the usual “I need to speak to my DP” line and never heard anything back from him.

The man contacted me out of the blue this morning and asked if I was still considering the driveway. I guess work must be drying up.

Anyway, he offered to email a quote and when he did so, his name was obviously attached to it. I Googled him and lo and behold, he was convicted of domestic assault very recently.

From what I could see, he battered his wife when he was drunk and avoided jail, getting a suspended sentence instead. It’s definitely the same person - unusual name and his company is mentioned in the article.

I already know that I won’t use his services, but AIBU? Is it better to let people move on and remedy their mistakes?

OP posts:
drpet49 · 21/02/2023 12:36

No I certainly wouldn’t hire him.

Rauha · 21/02/2023 12:37

No chance.

ThreeLittleDots · 21/02/2023 12:38

Of course not - and NEVER accept any services from door-knockers, whoever they are.

CousinKrispy · 21/02/2023 12:38

No, of course I wouldn't, and I never hire door-knockers anyway.

happystory · 21/02/2023 12:38

No way

purplecorkheart · 21/02/2023 12:40

Not a hope and that was before you googled him. No professional trade person goes door to door seeking work like that but plenty of non legit do.

Google driveway scams

GoodChat · 21/02/2023 12:44

How did he contact you?

Ilovetocrochet · 21/02/2023 13:04

My standard response to any door knocker offering to do some work is to say that I rent the house so am not responsible for maintenance. That gets rid of people very quickly!

I am not sure if I would refuse to use someone who has a criminal conviction, I think it would depend on how long ago it was and if it was linked in any way to the work being quoted ie fraud or theft of building materials. I do believe that people should be given a second chance to remake their lives after a conviction but there are circumstances when I might find it inappropriate.

In your case, it was a very recent offence so I would certainly be very wary of employing him, I live alone so would feel vulnerable.

CottonSock · 21/02/2023 13:06

Haha is this a joke.
I waited 10 months for a good landscaper. They don't go door knocking

Courtorder · 21/02/2023 13:08

What a very strange thing to post.

Chickenly · 21/02/2023 13:08

Courtorder · 21/02/2023 13:08

What a very strange thing to post.

Quite

WindscreenWipe · 21/02/2023 13:13

Courtorder · 21/02/2023 13:08

What a very strange thing to post.

Exactly my thoughts.

”Someone offered me a service that I don’t want or need so I googled their name and found out they’re a wife-beater so I won’t hire them to do the job that I don’t want or need doing. I know I’m not being unreasonable and wouldn’t accept it if you said I am. AIBU?” 😂

He could’ve been a saint and you wouldn’t have hired him. It reads like a very desperate attempt to shoehorn your way into the situation with his relationship to involve yourself in the drama. Very odd.

rexythedinosaur · 21/02/2023 13:13

AIBU? Is it better to let people move on and remedy their mistakes?

I mean, it's possible to believe that criminals can be rehabilitated without directly hiring them to work on your house 😕

Of course I wouldn't hire him, I don't know anyone in their right mind who would.

BumpySkull · 21/02/2023 13:16

How would letting him lay your driveway remedy him beating his wife? What a profoundly strange perspective!

Allblackeverythingalways · 21/02/2023 13:22

Absolutely not.
I don't buy anything from anyone that approaches me.
Street, knocking on my door, phone calls. Not a chance

bigbluebus · 21/02/2023 13:26

I'd never use a tradesman who knocked on my door regardless of criminal conviction. Good tradesmen go by word of mouth - they don't need to door knock.

Murdoch1949 · 21/02/2023 14:18

Wouldn't employ a door knocker anyway, but a DV door knocker, that's a double whammy.

Chowtime · 21/02/2023 14:23

How did he contact you out of the blue?

IsItBedtimeYetNope · 21/02/2023 14:26

Why are you considering it when you already have a drive? I seriously don't understand why a) you suddenly need another drive and b) it has to be done by a randomer who knocked on your door that one time.
This isn't how adults buy big things.

Original poster
Melbourne12 · 21/02/2023 14:27

Chowtime · 21/02/2023 14:23

How did he contact you out of the blue?

He phoned me. I don’t remember giving him my number but I guess I must have. I had a very young baby at the time he first showed up and probably didn’t think about it.

OP posts:
Simonjt · 21/02/2023 14:30

Firstly don’t give your phone number to random strangers who knock on your door.

And no, good trades people don’t have to tout for business.

Original poster
Melbourne12 · 21/02/2023 14:32

Not sure why it’s coming across that I didn’t want or need these services. I have a driveway, yes, but it was done long before I bought this place and could do with an upgrade.

Of course it doesn’t have to be done by some guy who knocked on the door. I initially looked the guy up because people who knock doors are often bullshitters. I was curious if his company was registered and so on.

Then when I saw what he’d been convicted of, I wondered if it was likely to hold him back, if people wouldn’t touch his company with a barge pole etc.

OP posts:
GoodChat · 21/02/2023 14:42

Personally I wouldn't Google the name of the tradesperson. That seems like a strange thing to do to me. But I might start now Grin

ChangesUsername · 21/02/2023 14:46

His problem is not yours, very dodgy people resort to door knocking

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 21/02/2023 14:52

Absolutely fucking not