Chasing someone up..... Proving difficult

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

Hi guys,

Back in September I had a bit of a leak in one of the outhouses in my back garden (flat roof). I went to Facebook marketplace (I know, I know) and someone said they'd do it for me, after coming round to quote.

They came round on time, gave me a quote I was happy with and then soon after did the work. They did the work when I was at work and sent me photos of it having been done and so I sent them the money via bank transfer.

I got home and was expecting a receipt or something but nothing. The leak did appear much better but not solved. I contacted the guy. And he said he'd come and look at it, this was back in October. Well.... He keeps making excuses and now is just ignoring my calls and texts. I actually got someone I know to message him asking if he could look at their roof, and he responded quickly and said he could.

I don't even have a company name to chase up. I'm not sure where to go from here, I assume it's a case of "you've been done" and move on. I don't want to get too arsey but, being a direct bank transfer, I'm pretty sure he's not going to be teijg HMRC about that, so I was wondering whether I could basically say that if he doesn't come round I can give his name, contact details and bank details to HMRC and see if they'd investigate him.... But I doubt they'd do it.

Thoughts? Aside from getting a big company director to call him, get him to look at a roof nearby, and when he does come round, get him to come to mine or whatever....

Thanks

[T1547]

Sounds frustrating.. but how much was the job? You mentioned a quote but don't know a company name - was this a verbal quote?

In all honestly sounds like a case of right it off and use a more reputable established, verifiable tradesperson in future. Not sure how you're going to be able to pursue this one without even a 'company' (in commas as doubt there is one) name - essentially you've just paid some bloke off facebook?

[Thales]

Do you really want somebody as incompetent and slimy as him working on your property again? I'd be looking elsewhere... (not facebook!)

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

Yeah that's a fair point. Just £450 down the drain unfortunately

[red_slr]

Sounds like you can learn from it.

Never pay without seeing the work first in person.

Never employ someone on a first name basis, you need to at least know who they are and if they don't have a website or business card with their address personally I would say its not worth it. In 2020 I cant say I don't know a single tradesperson who does not have either a proper facebook page / website or at least business cards.

Always ask for the quote in writing or by email.

I would chalk this one up.

[PAULJ5555]

HMRC will do nothing, they get hundreds of calls a day. They did nothing when I reported (5 times) a company I worked for ripping off tens of thousands pounds of VAT.