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Original poster

I’ve been stupid, should have asked for a receipt

63 replies

misunderstoodMilo · 23/05/2023 21:53

I’m looking for advice as I have been stupid and am been scammed, I could kick myself right now because I usually pride myself on being savvy. So just over a week ago I was looking for someone to replace a fence panel and cut my lawn as my usual gardener and fence repairer was sick. Through a local Facebook Recommendations page I found someone who arranged that he was going to do the jobs for me last Tuesday. He turned up and cut my lawn and ordered the fence panel for me and I paid him £215 of which £150 was for cutting the lawn and £64.95 for the fence panel. I felt a bit ripped off because of the cost of the lawn mowing but he had turned up and done the work and I was desperate for the jobs to be done so lesson learned. The fence panel was supposed to be with me on Wednesday and he was coming to install it upon delivery. It didn’t turn up, the same on Thursday but was delivered on Friday. I let him know and he was supposed to come and fix it on Monday (yesterday). He didn’t show up, I contacted him to ask what was going on and he said he had an emergency and was hoping to be with me either today or tomorrow. Meanwhile my usual gardener came and offered to install the fence panel for me today which took all of 5 minutes. I have emailed the original guy tonight to say not to worry and that the job has been done. I felt quite relieved this was the end of the matter. Instead he is now saying he is coming round for the money for the fence panel tomorrow and is disputing that I paid him for this which I did. Of course it was all very ad hoc and I didn’t get a receipt from him (I know, stupid error) so it is his word against mine about payment. He says on his child’s life he wouldn’t have asked for money up front and I know I paid as I heard him ordering the panel and it was supposed to be with me the next day so I was happy to pay. We even joked that he owed me 5p change and was rifling in his pockets for it. I have ceased conversation with him after saying he should take it further and have consulted 101 who tell me it is a civil matter and to speak to Citizens Advice tomorrow. Has anyone had the same sort of experience as me and what can I do next? I’m worried he is going to show up at my door or take back the fence panel. I know I’m stupid and paid in cash and should have asked for a receipt. Kicking myself hard!

OP posts:
tothelefttotheleft · 23/05/2023 22:06

Is it a massive lawn?!

KarmaStar · 23/05/2023 22:07

He's a chancer.
Tell him you are not paying again and block him.
You can leave the feedback online of his dishonesty.
If he tries to take the panel then it's theft.
Be very firm and clear and hopefully it will end there.
What a nasty bit of work he is!

GoodQuestion01 · 23/05/2023 22:08

Can you threaten to leave a bad review?

GoodQuestion01 · 23/05/2023 22:09

I wouldn’t be surprised if he does this a lot.

3luckystars · 23/05/2023 22:10

€150!!!! Do you live at Wimbledon??

Reality · 23/05/2023 22:11

Fuck me I pay someone £20 a fortnight to cut the grass. Do you live in Buckingham palace?

3luckystars · 23/05/2023 22:11

Sorry to answer your question, I would just say that you gave him the money and have it recorded on your ring doorbell and if he doesn’t get lost, you will be asking HIM for money back for not finishing the job.

Shadowworry · 23/05/2023 22:12

Have you got proof you took cash out.

I’d be tempted to record him underhand if he turned up and not let him know you are doing a recording and hope he will slip up and say something incriminating.

Floralys2 · 23/05/2023 22:12

How many acres do you own?

Aeth · 23/05/2023 22:18

He sounds like a scammer. We have a huge garden we couldn't be bothered mowing, we did in the end, but expected to pay £50 if we paid someone to do it!
I don't mean this nastily, but he has overcharged you by an horrendous amount for the lawn, and maybe since you were happy to pay so much without question, he sees you as an easy target for yet more money without any/too much push back?

Thisismeyeah · 23/05/2023 22:21

£150 to cut a lawn? Do you mean plough a field? So you have a lot of land cant you just say you have paid and xyz happened and if he refutes it you can check the CCTV. If you dont have CCTV fine but he doesnt know that. Maybe he genuinely has forgotten you paid him?

Blandfan · 23/05/2023 22:24

Write him an official letter letting him know you’re going to instruct a solicitor on the matter. He’ll run a mile as he’s a fucking criminal. Ignore him. We’ve all been had by an arsehole like this so don’t beat yourself up

TinySaltLick · 23/05/2023 22:29

There is no way he is coming to collect the fence panel, he will remember the 5p thing if that is true

Just be clear you have paid and ignore, he will go away

CombatBarbie · 23/05/2023 22:31

£150 for the lawn cutting!!?

ChocChipHandbag · 23/05/2023 22:34

This can't be real, £150 to cut the grass?

Next Bob-a-job day the Scouts will do it for a tenner.

GoodQuestion01 · 23/05/2023 22:35

Tell him your brothers will be there when he calls.

Unicorntastic · 23/05/2023 22:36

Let him take you to a small claims court, he won’t win. He’s a rip off merchant!

CC4712 · 23/05/2023 22:41

Surely you agree the price for the job BEFORE he cut the grass???

This wouldn't have changed the outcome, but this was the 1st mistake. Can't you write a review on FB or see other reviews for him on there? Put a post on nextdoor.com to see if others have been scammed by him.

Original poster
misunderstoodMilo · 23/05/2023 22:51

I deserve all the comments, I’ve been a dickhead and feel embarrassed. The whole situation kind of snowballed, it’s not even my fence but the house next door is rented and the landlord won’t pay to replace it and the fence has been continually falling down for a time. I have a dog and the garden wasn’t secure as it can be accessed from a main road. That and the fact that the grass was long with the heat and rain and I wasn’t sure when my gardener was coming again and I’d seen a rat so just desperation made me make some stupid and hasty decisions. I disregarded my own feelings because I felt pressured to accepting the quote then and there so he can do the jobs the day after, last Tuesday.

it is a bigger than usual garden but not a field. I usually pay £40 for the whole garden to be mowed every 2 weeks.

I know how victims of scams now feel, embarrassed at being so stupid. I have consulted 101 in case he turns up on my doorstep and will be contacting the CAB and Trading Standards because as someone said he has definitely done this before.

OP posts:
longtompot · 23/05/2023 22:52

He says on his child’s life he wouldn’t have asked for money up front

As soon as I read this bit it just screams he is lying and is making you not question it further.

Maybe send him one last message to him laying out what happened when he ordered the panel, what he did that day, the joke about the 5p and anything else that happened that day.
Is he saying that your lawn cost you £215? Because at £150 it was extortionate, unless your address is Hampton Court.

Crumpleton · 23/05/2023 23:04

I'd be putting a review up on the FB page where you got the recommendation from.

FB recommendation is always hit and miss. Nine times out of ten reviews/recommendations are from friends and family.

Dibbydoos · 23/05/2023 23:20

I'm so sorry, OP, think you found someone who's a scam artist. Don't answer the door or phone to hihim.if he starts to be a nuisance report him to the police.

I had a guy through fb marketplace tell me he wanted £500 a day to do my garden. I told him people in my field with 10yrs exp a bachelors and masters degree earnt less. Thanks but no thanks. He then found me on WhatsApp and started messaging me so I blocked.

Grifters....

CombatBarbie · 24/05/2023 06:01

Nonme is vilifying you here OP, you have been scammed. I would name and shame on Facebook where the recommendation came from.

My DH has been doing work for a lady who have been scammed out of 1000s by a cowboy and when reported to the police, his name was already known. DH has taken a cut in earnings doing the job just so she has a functioning kitchen and bathroom.

Original poster
misunderstoodMilo · 24/05/2023 06:16

Thanks CombatBarbie great name by the way! Good on your DH, there are good decent people but sometimes it is hard to find them. Just the perfect storm for me with my tried and tested people being either busy or off sick. I was desperate to get the jobs done and was rushed into the whole thing that he could do them quickly. Act in haste, repent at leisure or whatever the saying is.

I have a bigger than average garden and have had lots of random people over the year passing who knock on my door who tell me they can tidy it despite it not being too much of a mess. I just had my stupid head on and fell for it this time and as for not getting a receipt when handing over the cash, I’d be rolling my eyes if it was anyone else.

OP posts:
Notamum12345577 · 24/05/2023 06:19

ChocChipHandbag · 23/05/2023 22:34

This can't be real, £150 to cut the grass?

Next Bob-a-job day the Scouts will do it for a tenner.

The scouts haven’t done bob a job day or tenner a job day for years 🤣

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