Unwanted contact from a builder
Discussion
A former workmate has told me about this problem she has and has asked me what she should do,
She is having building work done. It is taking longer than anticipated - usual story,
She has received a text from another builder. One she met during the estimate process, but who she didn’t engage.
The messages are basically “I bet you wish you’d used me now.” And another message criticising the design of the extension she is having made,
She blocked his number.
Now she has received a message from another number along the same lines.
It sounds like they are watching the progress of the work very closely.
She’s no shrinking violet, yet this has spooked her somewhat.
I’m thinking the Protraction from Harassment Act might help her and also - if the second message comes from someone else - GDPR.
It all seems stalkerish and intimidating.
Is it worth calling Old Bill? Or something else?
She is having building work done. It is taking longer than anticipated - usual story,
She has received a text from another builder. One she met during the estimate process, but who she didn’t engage.
The messages are basically “I bet you wish you’d used me now.” And another message criticising the design of the extension she is having made,
She blocked his number.
Now she has received a message from another number along the same lines.
It sounds like they are watching the progress of the work very closely.
She’s no shrinking violet, yet this has spooked her somewhat.
I’m thinking the Protraction from Harassment Act might help her and also - if the second message comes from someone else - GDPR.
It all seems stalkerish and intimidating.
Is it worth calling Old Bill? Or something else?
If he's like that I bet she's glad she didn't use him. With that attitude could have turned out to be a 'builder from hell' & I wonder how many other people have had this treatment.
I she wanted to escalate it is there a local community facebook page that she can put the messages & phone numbers on? Should put people off using him & perhaps get a response from others who've had the same.
Might be worth her having a word with the Police as it does sound as though she's got a stalker esp if others have had the same.
I she wanted to escalate it is there a local community facebook page that she can put the messages & phone numbers on? Should put people off using him & perhaps get a response from others who've had the same.
Might be worth her having a word with the Police as it does sound as though she's got a stalker esp if others have had the same.
She wants to spread the screenshot of this as far and as wide as possible - especially helpful if the number that is shown matches that on his advertising.
Local facebook/nextdoor groups will absolutely eviscerate him. Don't embelish anything, just state the facts. Also definitley worth reporting to plod.
Local facebook/nextdoor groups will absolutely eviscerate him. Don't embelish anything, just state the facts. Also definitley worth reporting to plod.
outnumbered said:
She should feel privileged that a tradesperson has actually called her back and appears to have been interested in her job 
this.I often find that builders wonder how anyone has undercut them on price, they keep an eye on the job, as the new builder must be cutting corners,
bobtail4x4 said:
I often find that builders wonder how anyone has undercut them on price, they keep an eye on the job, as the new builder must be cutting corners,
Just curious but in what capacity do you deal with so many builders ?In my limited experience builders don't have enough time to do their own job, let alone keep an eye on others.
GoodOlBoy said:
bobtail4x4 said:
I often find that builders wonder how anyone has undercut them on price, they keep an eye on the job, as the new builder must be cutting corners,
Just curious but in what capacity do you deal with so many builders ?In my limited experience builders don't have enough time to do their own job, let alone keep an eye on others.
paintman said:
If he's like that I bet she's glad she didn't use him. With that attitude could have turned out to be a 'builder from hell' & I wonder how many other people have had this treatment.
I she wanted to escalate it is there a local community facebook page that she can put the messages & phone numbers on? Should put people off using him & perhaps get a response from others who've had the same.
Might be worth her having a word with the Police as it does sound as though she's got a stalker esp if others have had the same.
More likely to be his normal style of " marketing " I she wanted to escalate it is there a local community facebook page that she can put the messages & phone numbers on? Should put people off using him & perhaps get a response from others who've had the same.
Might be worth her having a word with the Police as it does sound as though she's got a stalker esp if others have had the same.
OP ,I doubt your friends house is being watched or being stalked personally.
As others have said just block these numbers and move on.
GoodOlBoy said:
bobtail4x4 said:
I often find that builders wonder how anyone has undercut them on price, they keep an eye on the job, as the new builder must be cutting corners,
Just curious but in what capacity do you deal with so many builders ?In my limited experience builders don't have enough time to do their own job, let alone keep an eye on others.
Sebring440 said:
bobtail4x4 said:
I often find that builders wonder how anyone has undercut them on price, they keep an eye on the job, as the new builder must be cutting corners,
You must've had lots and lots of building work done then, if you "often" find this.builder love to "shop" each other,
OP, there was some research from a domestic abuse charity that shows that if you block someone there is more chance of them turning up. I appreciate that this isn't domestic related, but he's clearly got the motive to get a new number etc.
I'd ignore any further contact. Don't block. Don't bother reading the messages. If he continues I'd send a message saying you wish for no contact anymore. Anymore and it will be reported to the police for harassment.
Keep a note of any contact, how it was made etc. Notes on your friends phone or a dairy would be good.
Might seem OTT to some people, but it's a just in case.
I'd ignore any further contact. Don't block. Don't bother reading the messages. If he continues I'd send a message saying you wish for no contact anymore. Anymore and it will be reported to the police for harassment.
Keep a note of any contact, how it was made etc. Notes on your friends phone or a dairy would be good.
Might seem OTT to some people, but it's a just in case.
LosingGrip said:
OP, there was some research from a domestic abuse charity that shows that if you block someone there is more chance of them turning up. I appreciate that this isn't domestic related, but he's clearly got the motive to get a new number etc.
I'd ignore any further contact. Don't block. Don't bother reading the messages.
That doesn't make sense to me as a piece of advice - the sender of a text message won't be able to tell the difference between the victim blocking the number vs not reading their messages. I'd ignore any further contact. Don't block. Don't bother reading the messages.
Got a link to the research?
The builder is breaching GDPR.
Your friend provided her personal information for the purpose of a quote, the builder is not allowed to keep the number without a good business reason.
Tell the builder to delete the number, or be reported for a breach of GDPR, which carries decent fines....
https://www.gov.uk/data-protection/make-a-complain...
Your friend provided her personal information for the purpose of a quote, the builder is not allowed to keep the number without a good business reason.
Tell the builder to delete the number, or be reported for a breach of GDPR, which carries decent fines....
https://www.gov.uk/data-protection/make-a-complain...
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