Howden's family and friends scam

IKS

No I've stated the situation in the first thread. No need to not share my situation as I am seeking advice.

The detail is that they came to my place Friday between 8-8:30am were looking like they were getting ready to work. The job they stated they would complete by Sunday this was a part of the original agreement.

I am not assuming they've done a runner they have actually taken the contract from my living and all their equipment and left. Haven't answered their phone since.

The work they have completed is supplied kitchen, removed old kitchen, plastering and some electrical rewiring and some carpentry work on the work top.

His cost for the job was 5500 and we'd originally paid £3000 as he said he needed to pay his brother for the kitchen and some materials. Then Thursday he asked for 1400 to pay his laborors.

IKS

I have obviously been scammed just seeking advice as to what to do as I feel the brother as a rep from Howdens in uniform that we started the initial liaising with via a visit to my home, phone calls and emails directly linked to them (howdens) and then by association trusting the builder brother to deliver on installing the kitchen has been a dissapointment and stressful experience.

Silver-Surfer_2

Trading Standards.
The Police.
Watchdog
Dominic Littlewood.

All options, I still don't see how Howdens ware to blame, they sell joinery and don't fit kitchens.

Silver-Surfer_2

IKS wrote: »

No I've stated the situation in the first thread. No need to not share my situation as I am seeking advice.

The detail is that they came to my place Friday between 8-8:30am were looking like they were getting ready to work. The job they stated they would complete by Sunday this was a part of the original agreement.

I am not assuming they've done a runner they have actually taken the contract from my living and all their equipment and left. Haven't answered their phone since.

The work they have completed is supplied kitchen, removed old kitchen, plastering and some electrical rewiring and some carpentry work on the work top.

His cost for the job was 5500 and we'd originally paid £3000 as he said he needed to pay his brother for the kitchen and some materials. Then Thursday he asked for 1400 to pay his laborors.

Has he got any jobs going?

IKS

He mentioned during a conversation he was busy and had other jobs. But nothing that I know of in detail.

IKS

Silver surfer thanks for the advice.

Howdens association is that they came with the builder it's one of the reasons why I felt I could trust his brother the builder more as they came together to visit my home and quote/design the kitchen.

Silver-Surfer_2

IKS wrote: »

Silver surfer thanks for the advice.

Howdens association is that they came with the builder it's one of the reasons why I felt I could trust his brother the builder more as they came together to visit my home and quote/design the kitchen.

So you were taken in by a man in a Howdens T shirt? My plumber comes in a Baxi one. Other than fit their boilers he's nothing to do with them.

Doozergirl

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

So you were taken in by a man in a Howdens T shirt? My plumber comes in a Baxi one. Other than fit their boilers he's nothing to do with them.

All my guys have Howdens T-Shirts as one of their reps turned up on my site looking to open accounts.

OP, Howdens do come out to measure up kitchens. I'm not entirely sure why this gives credibility to the guy fitting it.

However, it's pretty clear that you haven't got the best guy out there. He's turned up to get paid before the weekend. Let's just hope he turns up on Monday. If he does, no money until completion!!!

IKS

okay just wearing Howden's t-shirts, calling us to liaise from Howden's offices and emails and being related (his brother) shouldn't have made me feel comfortable to have signed them up for the job. Thanks for all the advise and please keep it coming as I am pretty sure he won't be coming back Monday as so far no calls have been answered.

[Deleted User]

You could be right, this could be a con.., but I am also wondering if you did or said something that ignited the situation? To have them 'leave' and then you are chasing them up - and his brother - a couple of hours later is a little perhaps overzealous.

But of course, paying most of the money with hardly any of the installation done is foolhardy too.

I can only recommend you do as suggested, write to the gentleman, give him 14 days to complete or you will be getting someone else in to complete the work.

Do you have any paperwork at all giving this contractors address or contact details? How did you pay the money you paid? If you paid by credit card or debit card, you may have some quicker remedies to get some money back.