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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:
PickledPurplePickle · 24/05/2023 06:37

Wow that’s a lot to have your garden mowed, we pay our gardener that for a whole day

electriclight · 24/05/2023 06:59

You paid too much for the lawn mowing and too much for the fence panel but you know that now.

Ignore him. He's annoyed because he thought you were a gullible cash cow and you've seen the light. You know you paid him, he knows you paid him. Send a final message making it clear that you paid X amount and won't be paying him any more, then block. They rely on you being scared and paying just to avoid any confrontation.

Arewehumanorarewecupboards · 24/05/2023 07:03

If he ordered it but it came to you do you have a delivery note or can you call the fence company

GoodChat · 24/05/2023 07:07

I'm assuming you paid cash?

GoodQuestion01 · 24/05/2023 07:11

You can imagine how easily an elderly person could be scammed. They would be scared or confused and questioning themselves so they would pay up, especially if he’s acting all innocent like he would never do it.

dwightschrutebeets · 24/05/2023 07:15

Absolutely leave a bad review everywhere you can. Sorry you're going through this op

FlamingoQueen · 24/05/2023 07:42

Do you have a record of that amount of money coming out of your bank a/c? If cash, surely you have an equivalent amount on your statement and if transferred to his bank, that would be the same.
I know you don’t have a receipt, but then that means he isn’t protected either and is unable to prove how much he charged you.
I would just ignore - if he bothers you again then say you’ve already paid him and then put something on FB warning others to make sure they get written proof before employing this man.

HungryandIknowit · 24/05/2023 07:52

Blimey. For that price you should buy a robot lawn mower

JonahAndTheSnail · 24/05/2023 07:54

Don't overthink it, just ignore any future communication from him. People like that will take any sort of communication, even being told no, as a green light to continue pushing their luck. Chances are he will give up once he realises he's on a hiding to nothing. It's unlikely he will show up at your house, but do you have an assertive neighbour/friend/family member you could call on for backup if he does?

PineappleLatte · 24/05/2023 07:59

GoodChat · 24/05/2023 07:07

I'm assuming you paid cash?

……..well the OP mentioned it in her post that she did. 🙄

Eeeeny · 24/05/2023 08:01

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....

You can say 'no thanks' without being a dick you know
What was the point of telling them all that?
@misunderstoodMilo please call him out on it, he's being a chance, please don't feel bad it's easily done but we learn from it

Aslanplustwo · 24/05/2023 08:06

£150 to mow a lawn?????????????????????????????????????

WeAreTheHeroes · 24/05/2023 08:06

I'd tell him you've reported him to Trading Standards and Action Fraud. You've paid him £X, well over the odds for the work he'd done and the fence panel, and you don't want him to set foot on your property ever again. Also tell him that if he contacts you again you will report him to the police for harassment. He's a conman and a bully. You've paid him more than many skilled tradespeople charge for a day's work.

Don't get into anything else with him. Block and ignore. If, and it's a big if, he turns up at your house then call the police. Don't open the door to him.

WeAreTheHeroes · 24/05/2023 08:09

Please don't get hung up on the fact you don't have a receipt. If he were declaring all his earnings to HMRC he would have issued you with a receipt automatically.

BanditsOnTheHorizon · 24/05/2023 08:11

I had something similar, he turned up and started to get aggressive so I phoned the police, they turned up and gave him a bollocking and told him to piss off.

Don't pay him, if he starts to harass you or makes you feel uncomfortable then simply phone the police. They won't get involved in 'who paid what' but if he's trying to intimidate you, they will.

As for the money, they can't prove you did it didn't pay, the same as you can't prove you did it didn't pay either. You know you have so tell him to do one.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 24/05/2023 08:11

dwightschrutebeets · 24/05/2023 07:15

Absolutely leave a bad review everywhere you can. Sorry you're going through this op

I wouldn't, of just chalk it up to experience, you have no idea if he'll turn nasty.

GoodChat · 24/05/2023 08:18

@PineappleLatte oh yeah, I read it twice and even chuckled at the 5p change thing and still had a brain fart.
No need for the eye roll.

mondaytosunday · 24/05/2023 08:20

He has no proof you DIDNT pay him, no contract nothing. So it's his word against yours. I bet there have been complaints about him before so I would ignore him from now on, and if he starts hassling you say you will report him. And then do so.

Martinisarebetterdirty · 24/05/2023 08:27

Where are you all getting these cheap lawn cuts from? My dad was unwell recently and we tried to get someone to cut the lawn, it’s a big lawn to be fair, we were quoted £200 for the first cut then £150 each cut after, and this is in Yorkshire.

MontyDonsBlueScarf · 24/05/2023 08:28

JonahAndTheSnail · 24/05/2023 07:54

Don't overthink it, just ignore any future communication from him. People like that will take any sort of communication, even being told no, as a green light to continue pushing their luck. Chances are he will give up once he realises he's on a hiding to nothing. It's unlikely he will show up at your house, but do you have an assertive neighbour/friend/family member you could call on for backup if he does?

Exactly this.

Like most of us, I like to think I'm on the ball with scams. However recently I very nearly got caught out. Fortunately alarm bells rang at the very last minute and I rang my bank, They were amazingly sympathetic and said that scammers work by being believable and knowing exactly which buttons to press when.

The scammers did keep pestering me for payment and I would have felt guilty, but the bank had warned me that this is what they'd do, and that they'd eventually give up. which is exactly what happened.

Based on that experience I'd say don't feel bad for being a victim, it can happen to anyone and they're very good at what they do. And the sooner you disengage completely and refuse to listen to them any more, the sooner they'll give up and move on to the next victim.

Martinisarebetterdirty · 24/05/2023 08:28

Sorry OP, he won’t take the panel, just hold firm.

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 24/05/2023 08:31

Don’t feel embarrassed. We all get caught off guard at times.

I do think, though well intentioned, that many posters are making this over complicated with suggestions of detailed responses to him, getting proof of your withdrawals, going to citizens advice.

I would message him simply one final time and say “I paid you xx. This was xx for mowing the lawn and xx for the fence post. I do not owe you any money. Do not harass me further or I shall contact the police.” Then block him.

Although, personally, I would probably leave a review and report him to trading standards, I think that, given how upset he has made you then it would probably be better for you not to do any of that. You don’t know how he will react and it sounds as though you could really do without the bother. Try to forget all about it. If he does turn up again and kicks off that’s the time for the police.

LordEmsworth · 24/05/2023 08:31

Huh? Have I got this right? The issue is, you paid in advance (cash presumably as there's no record of it); he's saying you didn't and he will "take steps" unless you pay again? Is that all?

Just don't pay. Threats to 101. If you get a small claims court letter - respond. Ignore everything else.

It's your money, you don't have to apologise to randoms on the internet for overpaying in desperation. You also don't have to beat yourself up, just chalk it up to experience & move on.

CharlottenBurger · 24/05/2023 08:33

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.

If I knew my lawn would cost £150 to be mowed, I'd either concrete it over or replace it with plastic imitation grass. OP has been royally had.

3luckystars · 24/05/2023 08:33

People have been scammed out of a lot more and at least you actually got something for your money, it’s more being overcharged than scammed, go easy on yourself.

He is just a bully and you know how to deal with them!! Good luck.

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