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

[Flightybitchreturns]

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?

Phew that's better

you did the right thing all along. He could see you didn't have a man around and thought he'd scare you. I swear to god these things happen 10 x more often to single women.

Isn't it strange thought that your initial instinct was dislike. It just goes to show that we should always trust our instincts.

Put it out of your head now and happy house-moving!

quotes should be in writing.

You should have called the creepy guy to say no thanks. But that´s just for politness´sake, not a legal obligation. Sounds like he was trying his luck.

btw, why did you get 25 quotes ?! Anyway, that´s your business.

welcome back Flight!
Where are you moving to?!!

Agree with FairyMum.
Report him to trading standards too - aggressive bullies like this need to know their strong-arm tactics are on file.

I've never called people back to say their quotes were unsuccessful, btw.

A professional removal company would also seek a deposit first, to ensure that its confirmed. So if he failed to do so, he has nothing on you and you do not owe him anything. And if he did attempt to ask for deposit, then the opportunity to accept or reject would have been there.

Do out him to us as well. People like these not only deserve a report to the trading standards but a negative word-of-mouth reference.

Agree all quotes should be in writing. Usually they say, if you want to accept the quote contact them. I don't think they ever say call if you don't want us. The big companies must do dozens of quotes for jobs they don't get.

I rejected good quotes based on instinct too. Usually it is decorators - you just get the feeling that you don't want them back in your house again, especially as I am here by myself during the day when they are here. Always trust your instincts.

Good luck with your move.

Chandon, I was exaggerating somewhat! I think we had about 5 or 6. Some of them were around £800
I cannot for the life of me figure out why I didn't call him to say no. I am generally conscientious about that sort of thing. All I can imagine is that he had asked me to call to confirm we wanted him - come to think of it, had it only been to confirm the date, he still should not have assumed we wanted that particular date without my calling to say yes. That is my logic I suppose.

The fact he rang after 8pm last night, saying 'It's tomorrow isn;t it?' just says to me that he hadn't really planned anything and had just seen the date in his diary.
In fact writing a date in said diary in front of me, despite my protests, smacks to me of high pressure sales tactics which in itself is dodgy territory. ie trying to make me feel responsible if he has to make a mess on the page, crossing out my name etc.

Can I out someone on here without risk of legal action against MN?

ooh not sure about that

Flight - I think if you said the guy is a crock, he was casing the place and you were about to be attacked then I think you are on dangerous ground - presenting your opinions as fact.

If you stated it as opinion on, 'I feel that....' and 'I thought....' you would probably be OK.

However, I don't think I would do - but on the other hand is he likely to find out?

I suppose if you really wanted to warn people off you could say the area you live in and let people contact you if they want his name. It is only word of mouth after all.

Thanks Niecie, I thought perhaps it is unwise...not that he looked like a MNer
I am in Kent, anyone using a Man and Van advertising in the local free paper might like to CAT me.

(is that too specific?)

we used Foads when we moved (goo local company)
Is your ds going back to school by the way? I'm interested in his unifrom

Pose I didn't remember you were a local gal!

He is giving it another try come September, has a few 'rekindle the love' sessions before that, to get back in with his little thugs peers. He hasn't grown an awful lot though so think he might still be in his too big clothes by autumn!

Is yours going to Bl..n?

yes
Is he going into reception again? If so we might be in the same class!!

Ooh!! well done!! I think mine will be hitting yr 1 but I might see you at the gates...shall we wear a badge?

I think recep is splitting into 3 classes this year. Which is good as the teachers were obv finding it a bit hard to keep up with 31 in each.

Ooh a real MNer at school who wants to be my friend! Yippeee!!

I will walk round the queues of mums shouting 'Poooooooooooooooosieeeeeeeeeeee' very loudly.

Ha ha ha

Whereabouts in Kent are you?

Aha. The east.

It's in the extra, big yellow ad with red writing.

Avoid, avoid...

LEM goes to rescue the extra from her recycling bag (that the coucil only take once every two weeks). It didnt begin with D did it?

V my dear 5 letters

ends in O

Gosh I am giving too much away

anagram of covan.

Oh goodness my friend will be gutted. She lives not far from B..., but went for the very small CofE school in the town centre instead, because she was put off by the class sizes.

She will be sooooooooo mad if they are splitting down into 3 X 20 classes. I think I'd best not tell her