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Original poster

Just had a really nasty call from a removal man we didn't use

62 replies

Flightybitchreturns · 16/06/2008 07:23

I didn't know where to put this, it really shook me up last night - he came round about 3 weeks ago, to give me a quote. He had a good look round my house, including asking what I would like for certain bits of furniture as he thought they were nice and generally was a bit creepy/too polite.
He left me a very good quote and I did say enthusiastic things about it, but said I wasn't 100% sure as I had other quotes to get (well I think I remember saying this) and he wrote the date in his diary, and said to call him and confirm in the next few days as he had a lot of work on.
Anyway he drove off with a mate in a massive 4x4, and then I had some more quotes that week and went with another similarly priced one, with a man who had 15tears experience - the creepy guy was new to it and I was afraid he might quit half way through, as it is a big job and I also had a bad feeling about him that I could not explain.
So I never rang to confirm, and considered he had probably forgotten all about it - I don't always reply to quotes if not taking them up.
So, last night I get a phone call - 'It's tomorrow, isn't it?' and I am standing there saying, 'Er - no, I'm really sorry, but I never called to take up your quote' to which he replied, 'No, no, you were meant to confirm the date, I thought I had the job, I have turned down thousands of pounds of work because of you, thanks a lot' and carried on being quite abusive and nasty while I just went quiet - I apologised several times then just gave up as it wasn't making him calm down. Eventually he hung up.

I was so afraid particularly as he had thoroughly cased my house that night, knew where everything was and that I am on my own.

Thankfully though I didn't sleep much, I remembered I hadn't signed anything, all he had was his own note in his diary, so legallyhe can't try and get me to pay him for anything - I hope? and nobody tried to break in last night, though I will go and make sure the car hasn't been attacked or anything. I am just afraid in case he does want to get back at me. He was so creepy and now I am very glad I didn't take up his quote, my instinct was so vague but it turns out correct

Should I have rung just to say 'No thanks' or was he just blaming me for his own disorganisation? I'd have thought he would ring between the quote and the actual day, if he really assumed it was going ahead?

OP posts:
Original poster
Flightybitchreturns · 16/06/2008 07:24

Sorry 15 years, am half asleep!

OP posts:
Original poster
Flightybitchreturns · 16/06/2008 07:26

Perhaps I ought to ring the other 25 removal companies too, in case!

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FairyMum · 16/06/2008 07:30

I think I would have reported him for harrassment. The police won't do anything, but they can go and give him a warning. That would probably scare him off and you would have it on file.

bellavita · 16/06/2008 07:33

It was only a quote you got - I don't see that you have to tell anyone you are not going to take them up on the job. Can you imagine if you had of rung him, he might have got even nastier on the phone.

Original poster
Flightybitchreturns · 16/06/2008 07:33

Well I was afraid to admit it in OP but I did ring them, and described what he did although he wasn't probably breaking the law - I just wanted it on file in case I had to ring in the night, if he came round or something.
Thanks

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Original poster
Flightybitchreturns · 16/06/2008 07:34

I know Bella, I was sort of arfaid of his reaction if I rang and said I didn't want to take up the quote. I wish I'd got it over with now though. Talk about pushy. What a git.

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TodayToday · 16/06/2008 07:39

How terrible. I would have been scared too.

We are moving this week and I never rang back any of the people who did not get the job. The person who got the job required me to sign a form of confirmation and send it back to them. I'm sure that is standard practice.

People like that man give the removal business a bad name.

Original poster
Flightybitchreturns · 16/06/2008 07:42

Yes, the guy we went with has rung me already to make sure of the date, and offer me boxes. I still haven;t signed anything though so maybe I'll ask him if we both should have it in writing?

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turquoise · 16/06/2008 07:42

He soundslike a cowboy. Any professional company would have sent you a quote in writing, which you would then have confirmed.

As for the 'thousands of pounds' turned down - bullshit, even the top companies are struggling at the moment, I've just had three quotes from regular, reputable firms and they all said I could pretty much name a date, any notice, and they'd be able to do it.

zippitippitoes · 16/06/2008 07:43

he suunds a bit of a type

dont worry about it

no if you didnt confirm then he shouldnt have expected anything

Original poster
Flightybitchreturns · 16/06/2008 07:54

That's interesting Turquoise. The formal quotes I had from big firms were all about twice what he saud, but the man I went with just has access to cheap vehicles and a lot of contacts. I rang him just now in a panic and suggested we put it in writing but he said it wasn't necessary, he would be there and not to worry, and will drop some boxes off this week. I think he maybe can't do a formal quote because it's a no VAT job, as it's cheaper that way - anyway I do trust him, and definitely had a feeling about the other one..
It was so odd, I was sitting there thinking, 'should I choose him, why don't I want to?' and just thought, 'you have a bad feeling about this, trust it' and so went for the other. All the times I've ever done that it's been right. Instinct is very important isn't it?
Thanks for all the support, I wasn't sure if it was my fault.

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fryalot · 16/06/2008 08:02

flight is that you?

(haven't read your OP yet, just wanted to jump up and down and crawl back into my your pocket)

fryalot · 16/06/2008 08:04

have now read OP.

Twas not your fault at all. The bloke's an arse!

You have to actually say "yes, I want you to do the job" not "gimee a quote" if he's new to the business, I can't see him lasting very long.

How are you btw?

Original poster
Flightybitchreturns · 16/06/2008 08:11
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lucykate · 16/06/2008 08:13

agree with turquise, a good removal company will have the quote in writing, you will have to sign it and pay a deposit to secure the date with them and also discuss insurance of your property while it's in their van.

there are a lot of people out there who assume if they give a quote they've got the job, we've been getting numerous calls from a double glazing company who quoted but we're not using, they just won't take no for an answer, and tbh, the desperation of it just puts me off the company further.

MrsTittleMouse · 16/06/2008 08:17

Instinct is very important. You did the right thing to go with someone else, and he is going to go out of business very shortly anyway. Home moves are at record lows and he's certainly not going to get word-of-mouth business, is he?

Original poster
Flightybitchreturns · 16/06/2008 08:19

Gosh am worried now about not having a contract - I wonder if we would still be covered if anything went wrong?
He said he doesn't need a deposit and I do feel he will be reliable, but still...the other companies were charging about £600-800 and I couldn't afford that.

Perhaps I should just hire a van and do it all myself!! But it would be totally impossible. There is so much crap toot here.

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Original poster
Flightybitchreturns · 16/06/2008 08:21

MrsTM, thanks, I didn't realise people weren't moving so I guess many companies are a bit desperate. I certainly won't be recommending him and if he harrasses anyone else, maybe the police will put 2&2 together and close him down. What a chancer.
Lucykate - I wonder if you could complain to anyone, trading standards, maybe - to get them a kick up the arse and stop bothering you? They sound awful.

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LazyLinePainterJane · 16/06/2008 08:29

so, flight, are you insured with the guy you are going with then if it's not in writing?

bellavita · 16/06/2008 08:32

Is it not standard practice with the removal company to have the insurance?

Freckle · 16/06/2008 08:36

I'd also report the nasty chap to Trading Standards. If you give someone a quote, it is a non-binding agreement to do a job for a particular price. Both parties have to agree to it for it to become binding. He's an arse who has obviously seen removal work as something you just step into.

Check with the company you are using about their insurance and ask to see a copy of the policy.

ajandjjmum · 16/06/2008 09:08

It has been in our local papers that several removal companies have gone bust recently in our local area, so I suppose there might be desperation in there - no excuse for bad behaviour though, although he obviously took it as your acceptance when he wrote the date in his diary?

Be careful with the quote you have accepted - I assume it's a cash job if you're not being charged VAT, so you're unlikely to have any insurance cover from them.

Original poster
Flightybitchreturns · 16/06/2008 09:14

I'm told by the chap that it is all insured, but will ask him for written confirmation when I next speak to him. I think whether it is a cash job or not, he must provide something to that effect surely - I might even suggest I pay the VAT if it will ensure we are covered.
Thanks for all the tips.

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lucyellensmum · 16/06/2008 09:50

Flighty, my DP is a carpenter and all of his quotes are given in writing, or by email. Occasionally we don't do this for friends,but it is very important. It protects both you and the service provider. None of my DPs work includes VAT as he is not VAT registered at the moment. (not enough turnover as yet). We still provide written quotes/estimates. With nothing in writing, you could end up with a bill for three times as much as his quote.

He probably will be absolutely fine, but i would certainly be interested in seeing what insurances HE has as i have no clue if "the removal man lost it" will wash with your insurers. I daresay that there must be some sort of register.

Saying all that, if you trust him then thats fine. But do be sure that you are happy with the paperwork etc before you proceed.

Original poster
Flightybitchreturns · 16/06/2008 09:54

Thanks LEM, very sensible advice. I will certainly make sure I ask a few more questions before the day..I guess if he is decent he won't mind. Oh this is all so complicated! I have boxes up to my ears, I am never moving again!!!

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