Boiler installation - engineer asking for deposit via bank transfer

jodiesmitham

Thanks - some good suggestions. He wouldn't accept a cheque and still waiting for references. Please understand that my issue is not with tradesmen, it's about transferring money to *anyone* without any written confirmation/contract etc.

I have text him with the suggestion of going with him to purchase the boiler, but he has replied saying he won't know exactly when he'll be getting it.

All in all, he does seem very trustworthy and knew what he was talking about when giving us the quote. I'm going to take the plunge.

Thanks all.

Jodie

McKneff

If he wont accept a cheque, tell him you wont pay him in cash.

Then see if he still wants the job'

He wont want you going with him to get the boiler because the boiler price to him wont be the same as the price he will charge
you, and thats fair enough, its part of his profits adding a bit onto materials.

Never pay anyone in cash...............

BaldPlumber

Despite the huge popularity of programmes such as rogue traders, cowboy builders etc, the fact is that the vast majority of tradesmen are honest. They are in and out of customers houses for most of their working days, if they were thieves the word would soon get out and they would be out of business in a flash.

We do not have the slightest interest in rifling through your wife's underwear draws or pinching your biscuits - usually we just don't have the time!

The biggest risk to tradesmen is rogue customers who have no intention of paying, if they can possibly avoid it. That's why we take a deposit, oh and issue a receipt too.

C_Mababejive

If i were in said heating engineers position,.i would ask for a deposit and provide written receipt.

I mean,if you went to order a new carpet,new sofa new whatever..chances are they would also ask for a deposit..

Dont believe all the propaganda pumped out by that fat useless bald no mark and similar in their tatty little tv programmes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominic_Littlewood

He used to be a used car salesman.! ROTFL poacher turned gamekeeper.

There is good and bad everywhere.

Pay by cheque,obtain receipt..simples

Alan_M_2

Many of our customers come against htis problem due the vast numbers of silly TV programs about the subject.

If their customers feel uncomfortable about paying a deposit they will often suggest they call us direct and pay for the product via credit or debit card - which we're happy to do for them. That then effectively becomes the deposit and often removes cashflow problems from the fitter.

The days of open ended credit accounts are now gone, due the the number of firms going bust many companies now operate on a cash and carry basis.

If you're asking a plumber to supply and fit a boiler - the boiler may cost £800 and the plumber may be earning £200 - £300....it's not unreasonable to ask for a contribution towards the item being fitted.

If you feel that uncomfortable about it - then go buy the boiler and get him round to fit.

The fact he's asked for a bank transfer in my mind makes him above board - it's likely he's declaring everything through his books and running a tight operation.

Someone who suggest he'll supply and fit and requires paying in full in cash on completion is probably more casue for alarm than a guy asking for a traceable deposit.

C_Mababejive

In this situation if customer didnt trust me and then suggested they'd supply,i fit..id just jog on.

keystone

McKneff wrote: »

Never pay anyone in cash...............

Why?

Cheers

villabadger

It does seem strange that he won't take a cheque - he won't buy anything until it's cleared anyway. Paying by bank transfer would be fine anyway as you will have his bank details (get Acc No, Sort Code, Address etc) and his address from his quote. So, if he does a runner then you have plenty of information about him.

You could also check any trade registrations he might/should have. Is he a limited company? If so, you can get information about the business. Don't be put off because he is asking for a deposit, he is doing nothing unusual.

docmatt

Tom_Jones wrote: »

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

I'm a builder in the process of constructing a 98k extension. last time I checked I didn't have 65k towards materials and paying my blokes! :eek:

heating-eng

Alan_M wrote: »

Many of our customers come against htis problem due the vast numbers of silly TV programs about the subject.

If their customers feel uncomfortable about paying a deposit they will often suggest they call us direct and pay for the product via credit or debit card - which we're happy to do for them. That then effectively becomes the deposit and often removes cashflow problems from the fitter.

The days of open ended credit accounts are now gone, due the the number of firms going bust many companies now operate on a cash and carry basis.

If you're asking a plumber to supply and fit a boiler - the boiler may cost £800 and the plumber may be earning £200 - £300....it's not unreasonable to ask for a contribution towards the item being fitted.

If you feel that uncomfortable about it - then go buy the boiler and get him round to fit.

The fact he's asked for a bank transfer in my mind makes him above board - it's likely he's declaring everything through his books and running a tight operation.

Someone who suggest he'll supply and fit and requires paying in full in cash on completion is probably more casue for alarm than a guy asking for a traceable deposit.

I would agree with this.