Ripped off by tradesman

first78

Okay, so recently I had a couple of people quote me for some plastering\decorating work. The guy I have the work to agreed the date to come and do the work. He called two days before and asked for a deposit to buy the materials, I paid £200 by bank transfer. He never showed up to complete the work...when I texted he said his Dad was ill. He agreed to come a we says later...again he didn't show and his text said his Dad had died.

I lost my own dad recently, so I asked him if he wanted me to find someone else to do the job as he was clearly under a lot of pressure. He said no, he'd be with me in two days. Surprise, surprise he didn't show. His excuse: his lift hadn't turned up.

I asked for my deposit back and he said he'd bought the materials and couldn't refund it until he'd returned to materials. That was 4 days ago, I've texted today and had no reply and he's blocked me on Facebook. Is there any way I can get my money back? I feel so stupid for being naive.

KeithP

Go round his house and confront him.

His name and address is on the quote he gave you, isn't it?

first78

KeithP, no he gave me the quote via Facebook messenger. 😞

stator

Write him a letter before action and then take him to small claims court.

first78

stator said:

Write him a letter before action and then take him to small claims court.

It will have to be a text as I don't have an address. How can I take him to a small claims court? I've never had a problem like this before.

Doozergirl

He's obviously not a tradesman!   He's just a common criminal.  

Plastering materials cost next to nothing so £200 was insane in the first place. 

All you can do is go detective and see if you can figure out where he lives and do a moneyclaim online for it.  

Google is your friend, also have a look and see if you have any mutual friends on facebook although you're now blocked so you'll have to ask a family member or something to look him up. 

Also post on whatever page or group you found this person to warn others off him.   And maybe ask for where he lives. Someone might want to grass him up.   😬

And next time, that is not how you find a plasterer.  

first78

Doozergirl said:

He's obviously not a tradesman!   He's just a common criminal.  

Plastering materials cost next to nothing so £200 was insane in the first place. 

All you can do is go detective and see if you can figure out where he lives and do a moneyclaim online for it.  

Google is your friend, also have a look and see if you have any mutual friends on facebook although you're now blocked so you'll have to ask a family member or something to look him up. 

Also post on whatever page or group you found this person to warn others off him.   And maybe ask for where he lives. Someone might want to grass him up.   😬

And next time, that is not how you find a plasterer.  

Thanks. I've totally learnt my lesson. Is a Montclair online done through the gov.uk website?

Rosa_Damascena

You found him on FB, so name him and shame him on FB.

Le_Kirk

first78 said:

Doozergirl said:

He's obviously not a tradesman!   He's just a common criminal.  

Plastering materials cost next to nothing so £200 was insane in the first place. 

All you can do is go detective and see if you can figure out where he lives and do a moneyclaim online for it.  

Google is your friend, also have a look and see if you have any mutual friends on facebook although you're now blocked so you'll have to ask a family member or something to look him up. 

Also post on whatever page or group you found this person to warn others off him.   And maybe ask for where he lives. Someone might want to grass him up.   😬

And next time, that is not how you find a plasterer.  

Thanks. I've totally learnt my lesson. Is a Montclair online done through the gov.uk website?

Try Money Claim On Line or MCOL - ask Auntie Google.

Phil4432

KeithP said:

Go round his house and confront him.

His name and address is on the quote he gave you, isn't it?

No, this could be seen as an act of aggression in court.  And could escalate things further.  Letter, followed by small claims if he doesn't resolve the problem.