Drive getting redone bloke not turned up

Drive getting redone bloke not turned up

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wjwren

Original Poster:

4,484 posts

134 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
Alarm bells havent quite set off, but I friend had his drive block paved and recommended a bloke. He came over last week, which ive got on cctv, gave me a quote and we agreed on a deal. He wrote out the details of the quote and gave it me. He asked me for a deposit of £1200, my friend said he did the same and his driveway is all good. The company has a FB page with lots of good reviews, pictures etc.
He was meant to start Good Friday but then text me to say he couldnt get a grab lorry organised. So then said it would be Tuesday (today). I had a text off my friend this morning to say the drive chap couldnt find my number and that his dad had died Saturday and he would need a couple of days to sort things out but he will be along this week to do the drive.

Now the pessimistic side of me thinks he isnt turning up.
On the other hand I know what it is like to loose a parent.

Any legal advice!

blueg33

35,586 posts

223 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
Dad died is the oldest excuse in the book and can only be true once per cowboy

wjwren

Original Poster:

4,484 posts

134 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
Yes I smelled a rat, but on the other hand if he completes the drive he will get another £3k off me which is mostly profit so I'm hoping for the best.

The Surveyor

7,576 posts

236 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
wjwren said:
.....

Any legal advice!
What do the T&C's on the receipt for your £1,200 say?

SystemParanoia

14,343 posts

197 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
im sure you paid your deposit by CC. smile

dingg

3,974 posts

218 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
give him the benefit of the doubt at the moment (not much else you can do)

may need billy big bks to go around and knock on his door in the future

wjwren

Original Poster:

4,484 posts

134 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
paid via bank transfer. ive got voicemails of him saying when he will be over to do drive, and text messages etc. I looked on whatsapp and he hasnt been seen since friday online so I'm taking a guess he has gone away for a long weekend or something.

No terms and conditions on receipt it was written out on A4 paper.

hman

7,487 posts

193 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
is it normal to pay a deposit?

I cant remember any work I have had done on the house which wasnt 100% payment on invoice.

hotchy

4,454 posts

125 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
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I assume the deposit will cover the bricks. Sounds like hes had a good easter, hell turn up once the hangovers done.

xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
Dad died is the oldest excuse in the book and can only be true once per cowboy
Ever thought that maybe his Dad had actually passed away???

I'd give it a week otherwise start the proceedings.

HantsRat

2,369 posts

107 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
I'd give him a few days. It was a bank holiday weekend after all so sounds about right he couldn't get a grab lorry on a bank holiday where most businesses are closed.

elanfan

5,516 posts

226 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
People in these trades are notorious for promising everyone they'll be there tomorrow. Likelihood is he's finishing or starting a job elsewhere as he's got your money it's not like you're going anywhere else so he'll make you wait.

Do you have his address? If so I'd not start worrying too much as yet (oh and check the death notices online or in the papers).

mcg_

1,445 posts

91 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
HantsRat said:
I'd give him a few days. It was a bank holiday weekend after all so sounds about right he couldn't get a grab lorry on a bank holiday where most businesses are closed.
This.

It's probably a bit soon to get too worried. Lesson learnt in future though don't hand over a deposit.


hyphen

26,262 posts

89 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
Dad died is the oldest excuse in the book and can only be true once per cowboy
Yep, but could be that one time!! I was waiting back for a quote not so long ago, had no replies when chased up. Rang the office and was told by reception that his mum died. There was an obituary thing later in the local rag too.


Or as its been a holiday, OP- maybe has had a 'heavy' easter holiday and is recovering.

wjwren

Original Poster:

4,484 posts

134 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
elanfan said:
People in these trades are notorious for promising everyone they'll be there tomorrow. Likelihood is he's finishing or starting a job elsewhere as he's got your money it's not like you're going anywhere else so he'll make you wait.

Do you have his address? If so I'd not start worrying too much as yet (oh and check the death notices online or in the papers).
Yes i agree tradesmen are notorious for letting people down. Yes I have his address and it's matched up after looking on facebook at his girlfriend and then companies house who has an interior design company.

jaja4421

133 posts

127 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
Dad died is the oldest excuse in the book and can only be true once per cowboy customer
FTFY biglaugh

OverSteery

3,586 posts

230 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
hotchy said:
I assume the deposit will cover the bricks. Sounds like hes had a good easter, hell turn up once the hangovers done.
Really? I doubt it.
Either he will have an account which he settles on 30 days payment or he'll use a credit card. He won't pay his suppliers until the materials have been delivered at the very earliest.

I would ask for the deposit to be returned.

blueg33

35,586 posts

223 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
xjay1337 said:
blueg33 said:
Dad died is the oldest excuse in the book and can only be true once per cowboy
Ever thought that maybe his Dad had actually passed away???

I'd give it a week otherwise start the proceedings.
Of course I have considered that, but it appears to be a remarkably common excuse with construction trades. I know of one builder who's dad died 3 times to my knowledge

wjwren

Original Poster:

4,484 posts

134 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
Out of interest what sort of proceedings can you start in such a case like this?

Moneyclaim online?

Monkeylegend

26,226 posts

230 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
Come on guys, his Dad has just died, show a bit of respect.