Ratedpeople.com

London28UK

I used the rated people website to find a roofer to replace a few cracked slate tiles on my roof, he half finished the job and has left the job unfinished and my roof still leaks. I contacted ratedpeople via their website e-mail (they do not have a phone number) and sent a message. They only reply after 3 working days. Anyway my situation and their response is detailed below. I will not be using their service again.

I posted my job asking for some cracked roof tiles to be replaced on the ratedpeople.com website on 4th Nov. I had a few damp patches when it rained really heavy. SR Roofing 07960 202 57 phoned and visited the same day about 3:30pm and Steve said he could start right away. He went to fetch some slates and replaced some, working from 4:20pm to 5:40pm and I paid 80 pounds cash. He promised to come back the next day to carry on. He arrived about 2pm and replaced a few more slates then went to get some more materials, I again paid 80 cash.


Sat 5th he called around and asked for 100 pounds cash up front so he could go and buy more materials, I payed this as upto now he had been reliable and honest. Since paying this money he has not returned to finish the job. His phone is usually turned off or he does not answer. If he does answer he will promise to come the next day and then does not show up. So I have paid him 260 pounds and he has replaced 28 slates on my roof and run off with the job half finished, and the roof still leaks. Its is now 14 days since he visited my property. I feel very let down by him and by the rated people website.


I complained to them and asked for their help to resolve this and they e-mailed me saying:- We’re really sorry to hear of your experience with SR Roofing, as we pride ourselves on being able to introduce customers that use our service to some of the best local trades people. We find it strange that Steve hasn’t been back to finish the work, and therefore recommend that you contact the appropriate authorities to assist you with this matter, such as Consumer Direct or your local Trading Standards office: both offices will be best equipped to advise you on how to move forward. As an introductory service, we do not vet trades people or customers that use our service. We believe that our bespoke rating system provides the best independent feedback on the Quality, Value and Reliability of a tradesperson and their work, and that all customers should use this to help them make an informed decision before they hire a tradesperson.

Ratedpeople.com were not even willing to call the trader and ask him why he had not finished the job. I feel very let down by both of them. Next time I will pick up the yellow pages instead.

Allycat

Hi,
so sorry to here of your problems, I know how hard it is to find trades people to trust. I am sure 99% are trustworthy but it only takes one to put you off completely!! I have used rated people website to help me find a bricklayer but lucky for me I didn't use them!!! The person who contacted me came round when I wasn't it to have a look and give me a quote. He said I needed all my house repointed and quoted me a very large amount and then even more for the scaffolding! I found someone through the recommended board on netmums website and thankfully he was brilliant told me exactly what really did need pointing and only charged me a few hundred pounds.
Have rated people added your rating of this tradesman so others can not use him?
Good luck
Alison

kitchencrazy

That's pretty rubbish. I take it he had some good feedback previously?

I have used ratedpeople twice now and not really sure if I like it or not! First time was very good, needed a very small plumbing job done. A couple of plumbers phoned me up and quoted over the phone and the person I eventual used was nice and sorted it at the price he quoted on the phone.

Second time I used it to get some double glazing quotes. My add stated I only wanted FENSA registered installers, but one of the people that got my details wasn't FENSA. Another company seemed very dodgy, looked them up through companies house and couldn't find them listed and the guy who came round just seemed like your typical double glazing salesman.