A local "highly recommended" trader may have ripped me off.

born_again

Well they will have lost their bank account now. 

I would just contact bank & get confirmation this is the end of the matter as far as they go & they will not be taking the money back. Although the person could try & claim via courts.

RefluentBeans

Glad it’s been solved! Hope you manage to get the door fitted soon. 

AdamPD

Well, I thought it was over with, but I guess not! I received this email tonight in response to my formal cancellation request email...wow.

====
Dear Adam,

Thank you for your letter, which we received on the 11th January 2024 (tracked signature date).

We acknowledge your cancellation request of the following order:

‘Supply and installation of a steel security door with multi-point locking system (single - standard duty). 

You stated a 7 day window in order to receive a refund, this would make the deadline 18th January 2024. Unfortunately, you have not allowed us to act on this before approaching your bank or social media.

As per your multiple facebook posts, it looks like you have been refunded by your bank. We had already previously agreed to issue you a refund, but are now reluctant due to the circumstances that have arisen.

In order for this transgression to be rectified, as well as a refund to be issued by the 31st January, we kindly request that the following action is taken:

- Posts are removed from social media and an apology is issued on the relevant sites. (These posts have directly mentioned the company as well as a member of staff. This has caused personal attacks through comments and direct messages).

We would also recommend that you make contact with your bank to return the £600 you have received.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to respond to this letter. We kindly ask that you acknowledge receipt of our response. 

Kind regards
(his company name)

====

GingerTim

'Dear Sir, I refer you to the reply given in the case of Arkell v Pressdram'.

AdamPD

I should point out in case anyone is wondering, he never agreed to a refund, the only mention of a refund was when I text him on Jan 3rd and said he needed to refund me if he hasn't received the door after 2 months, to which he said:

"If it's not here I will ask for a refund mate for sure! It's becoming a joke!"
He said he would come round Saturday morning as I'd mentioned the hole in the frame was bigger and snails/rain was getting in
I said there's no need to pop by, I just want what I paid for. If it's not here within a week, you need to refund me, the onus is on you to refund the customer as a business for services not provided. (Read the same day, not replied to)
The last message I received from him was around 30-45 minutes after I put a review on his business page, to which he said

"I have you details on file and have requested the supplier for money! Thank you!"

Details referring to my bank details I assume
Made me laugh that he is or was still pretending he'd spent money on a door that hadn't arrived.
The only part I'm still not sure on is whether my bank refunded me, or his bank did, the transaction just says Scam Refund.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

AdamPD said:

Well, I thought it was over with, but I guess not! I received this email tonight in response to my formal cancellation request email...wow.

====
Dear Adam,

Thank you for your letter, which we received on the 11th January 2024 (tracked signature date).

We acknowledge your cancellation request of the following order:

‘Supply and installation of a steel security door with multi-point locking system (single - standard duty). 

You stated a 7 day window in order to receive a refund, this would make the deadline 18th January 2024. Unfortunately, you have not allowed us to act on this before approaching your bank or social media.

As per your multiple facebook posts, it looks like you have been refunded by your bank. We had already previously agreed to issue you a refund, but are now reluctant due to the circumstances that have arisen.

In order for this transgression to be rectified, as well as a refund to be issued by the 31st January, we kindly request that the following action is taken:

- Posts are removed from social media and an apology is issued on the relevant sites. (These posts have directly mentioned the company as well as a member of staff. This has caused personal attacks through comments and direct messages).

We would also recommend that you make contact with your bank to return the £600 you have received.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to respond to this letter. We kindly ask that you acknowledge receipt of our response. 

Kind regards
(his company name)

====

Good to hear you got the money back, I would simply ignore this, you have the money back so all is done unless for some reason they come looking for money from you, doubtful but if it does happen pop back here for advice  

AdamPD

Had a letter from Barclays today, dated Jan 5th (the mail is really slow in my town for some reason).
It's to say we're investigating your scam case now.
Goes on to say, from what you've told us we can see you've been the victim of a scam.
Then it mentions the contingent reimbursement model, which I'd not heard of, so it sounds like Barclays did refund it, vs getting it back from the other persons bank.
Which sounds like he gets to keep the original £600, which I don't really like.

Aylesbury_Duck

Well, you could contact your bank, return the money and pursue the builder for the £600 yourself.

ArbitraryRandom

I would agree that there's no need for you to respond at all. 

If you did want to respond then I would suggest limiting it to confirming you have received your refund via the bank after they completed their investigation and that you would not be removing the reviews as they were factual and accurate to your experience.  

AdamPD

Heh oh yea I know, it's just a shame the money wasn't taken from him.