Plumber assistant stole from my house

heritage_lanson

I am having some restoration work done in my lounge and the plumber and his assistant were fitting a radiator. I was in the front garden doing some gardening and the plumber had to go out to get some piping and left the assistant in the room. He was by himself for around 15minutes.
I left a brand new aftershave on the side in there amongst other things but have now found out it’s no longer in there.
I really don’t know what to do as they have been doing a few jobs in the house and will come back in a couple of months to finish off to which they will send me a invoice but I don’t like the fact they have stole From me.

Tom99

If you are 110% certain of your facts tell the plumber what you know and say you will not have the assistant in your property again.
If you are right the concern is that next time it may be something more valuable than aftershave.

EachPenny

You could raise the subject with the plumber without making a direct accusation by contacting them and asking if they had to move anything whilst doing the work - explain there was a new aftershave bottle (wherever it was) which you now cannot find.

The plumber will either ask the assistant and give them a rowlocking, possibly resulting in you getting the aftershave returned, or something taken off the bill. Or else the plumber might go on the defensive and have a go at you for accusing them of theft.

If the latter, then I would ask the plumber to bill me for the work to date and tell them their further services will no longer be required. You'll need to make a judgement call on any response you get somewhere inbetween, perhaps not letting them out of your sight when they return to complete the job.

dunroving

As suggested, don't tell the plumber someone stole your aftershave. Ask him to ask his assistant whether he "moved" it and if so, where to. That way, when you find it in the toilet or under the kitchen sink, because you moved it and forgot, you avoid embarrassment. ;-)

Lrimas

It is a very odd thing to steal and risk your career over.

Could it be that because it is bottle-shaped they didn't check and packed it away with their things?

As suggested: Do ask, but don't accuse yet.

EachPenny

Lrimas wrote: »

It is a very odd thing to steal and risk your career over.

People steal some very odd (to a non-thief) things. A brand-new bottle of aftershave might appeal to the individual concerned, or else is something which is easy to sell on to 'mates in the pub'.

You're also possibly less likely to have the full weight of the law coming down on you for that, than say stealing a wallet, phone, or jewellery.

heritage_lanson

It was a sealed ck gold box, I left it on a side table with some gift boxes and it’s no longer there. I’ve been looking since Thursday but I cannot find it so he has stolen it. The plumber I’ve known for 2 years and has done work for the family, the young assistant/ apprentice has only been with him a year now.
I don’t know how to approach the plumber plus I was happy with his work but do not want the assistant back in my home.

Alter_ego

heritage_lanson wrote: »

I’ve been looking since Thursday but I cannot find it so he has stolen it.

Maybe he has but that's not proof.

heritage_lanson

I know, but it’s no longer here.

Mojisola

EachPenny wrote: »

You could raise the subject with the plumber without making a direct accusation by contacting them and asking if they had to move anything whilst doing the work - explain there was a new aftershave bottle (wherever it was) which you now cannot find.

heritage_lanson wrote: »

I don’t know how to approach the plumber

EachPenny's given you good advice on how to start the conversation.

Jackmydad

Anyone else at all been in there?
While i'm not saying it's not the plumber or his assistant, the fact that the thing is missing isn't really proof.
Particularly if other people go in there.
"Knowing" someone has stolen something, and proving it are two different things.
Whatever, who you let in your home is up to you. I wouldn't let someone in I suspected of stealing from me.