Builder will not return my deposit

scope254

I saw an advert on a local Facebook group for a builder and requested a quote for a small garden job and sent him a video of the job needed,The price was reasonable so I agreed and he requested £105 for materials up front, which I sent him by transfer from my bank account to his.  The following day he asked for more money up front as his usual supplier was not available.  I did not want to send any more and after several long messages I agreed to his suggestion that we cancel the job and he would refund the money when he had returned the materials he had ordered.   This was six weeks ago and I have had a long string of excuses why the money has not been refunded.  I now believe this was a scam from the start and he has no intention of paying me back.  My bank (Santander) tells me I cannot use Chargeback as I paid him directly.  Do I have any recourse or can I report him to any organisation?  I have learnt my lesson to not trust anyone again but in the future what safe method is there  to pay a tradesman if they request money for materials, apart from face to face?

Diamandis

In order to take any action you would need his full name or company name and a postal address for him. Is this information you have? 

LadyDee

Facebook - bank transfer.  The possibility of getting your money back is about zero I should think.  I wonder how many times he's managed to pull this one.  

pinkshoes

Other than naming and shaming him on Facebook in all the local groups to get him to refund then  not a lot you can do...

Womble69852

A roofer took £7.5k deposit in July but fell in and has not returned my money or done the work.  He keeps saying he is waiting for a big payment to come in.  What is the best way forward to recover my money?  Any ideas?  This has never happened to me before

sheramber

Womble69852 said:

A roofer took £7.5k deposit in July but fell in and has not returned my money or done the work.  He keeps saying he is waiting for a big payment to come in.  What is the best way forward to recover my money?  Any ideas?  This has never happened to me before

This thread is over 4 years old.

you would be better starting your own thread.