Boiler installation - engineer asking for deposit via bank transfer

jodiesmitham

Hi all,

I have accepted a quote on a boiler installation. The engineer has asked for a 40% deposit via a bank transfer. This gives us no protection whatsoever and we have to trust that we'll receive a receipt/contract after payment has been made. He can't accept credit cards, which would at least give us some comeback if he did a runner or went bankrupt.

I am happy to pay a deposit, just not to a complete stranger who I only met yesterday with no protection.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks.

Jodie

BaldPlumber

I take deposits via bank transfer or cheque etc. Never had a problem with trading like this and have never done a runner or been declared bankrupt.

Take references and see what his other customers say.

phill99

Regardless of what you see in the press and on TV, most tradesman are not con-men, they aren't shysters and they don't want to rip you off. They just want to do a decent job and get paid.

The fact that he has a bank account is something! The real dodgy guys will only want cash and you are unlikely to see them again. You have to offer a level of trust and accept that he isn't going to Barbados with your money.

Look at it from his point of view - he doesn't know you from Adam but you expect him to go and shell out hundreds of pounds on a boiler and he has no guarantee whatsoever that you will pay him.

I am the same as bald plumber - I take deposits - either cheque, bank transfer or cash. And I too have never been to Barbados, been declared banrupt or had CCJs against me. Importantly, nor have I ever lost business because I have asked for a deposit.

ormus

the plumber who installed my combi, asked for nothing until the job was complete.
no deposit or anything.

if he wants 40% for the materials, then go and buy the boiler yourself.

Tom_Jones

Never employ anyone who asks for a deposit. It shows they have poor finances if they ask for a deposit.

Canucklehead

Tom_Jones wrote: »

Never employ anyone who asks for a deposit. It shows they have poor finances if they ask for a deposit.

Possibly due to customers stitching him/her up on previous occasions.

On a Fixed price job that requires a large outlay (a boiler change for example) no deposit -no work done.

GSR.

phill99

Tom_Jones wrote: »

Never employ anyone who asks for a deposit. It shows they have poor finances if they ask for a deposit.

What a cucumber washer you really are.

Evidently you have never been self employed.

If you get British Gas or NPower to fit a boiler or Moben to fit your kitchen, they will always ask for a deposit and normally a lot more than 40% and their finances are a lot sounder than most self employed tradesmen.

Tom_Jones

phill99 wrote: »

What a cucumber washer you really are.

Evidently you have never been self employed.

If you get British Gas or NPower to fit a boiler or Moben to fit your kitchen, they will always ask for a deposit and normally a lot more than 40% and their finances are a lot sounder than most self employed tradesmen.

I run a company that employs 18 people, and I would never use any of the companies you mention, they have reputations as cowboys within the trade. Now who's the cucumber.

phill99

Tom_Jones wrote: »

I run a company that employs 18 people, and I would never use any of the companies you mention, they have reputations as cowboys within the trade. Now who's the cucumber.

I bet its a laugh a minute working for someone like you.

jodiesmitham

Phill99, I totally agree with those that may need a deposit - as mentioned in my original post, that is not my issue. My issue is transferring money without any guarantee I'll see him again. I know there are wonderful tradesmen out there, but it would be just my luck to trust someone who does a runner. It appears many tradesmen ask for a deposit for the boiler itself, which is delivered to the property. Surely that would ease the minds of both parties? Look at it from the consumer's perspective too. They need some reassurance they'll get something in return. At the moment, I'm being expected to transfer money, uninsured, to someone I met a few days ago with blind faith in the hope I'll receive a receipt in an email and a boiler install.

phill99

I understand your concern, but also understand it from a tradesmens point of view. I wouldn't shell out the price of a boiler for someone I had just met without a guarantee that I was going to get paid.

I reiterate that 99% of tradesmen are honest guys that are not wanting to rip you off. People tend to focus too much on the minority of bad reports that the media constantly bring up. There are dodgy doctors and dentists, but that doesn't stop you going to get a filling done or having keyhole surgery.

If he is decent, he will understand your concerns, but there may be a way forward. Why don't you explain your concerns and offer to go with him to the plumbers merchants and pay for the boiler on your CC. That way, you have got at least got a boiler if it all goes pear shaped. Alternatively, give him a cheque that is made out to the plumbers merchants, and get the boiler delivered to your house.

Why don't you ask him for 3 or 4 customers details and call a couple of them at random, or even pop round to their houses and look at his work. Decent tradesmen will be happy for this and most customers would only be too pleased to show off their new boiler or bathroom.

You just need to start trusting tradesmen - most of us ae decent.