Sister had a knock on the door last week, some travellers were doing a job up the road & had some tarmac left over... usuall story, well to cut it short, they wanted a cheque for £1000, but when she got home she really didn't like the job they had done so stopped the cheque. One of them has just been round after the money, she's offered to send him a cheque for less, but he says the family will be round and its out of his hands when they do. She's called the police, who said they would send someone round. But she's now gone out shopping leaving Willow & me here alone. Should we hide or go out ?
I'm guessing they did a poor job? Anyway, call the police every time they turn up. Don't make anything easer or look like your loosing your resolve. Not enough people stand up to them and they have intimidation down to a crappy art.
Try charm. Or some lucky heather. I'll get your 'after care' whip round started. I pledge £10 to your BUPA rehabilitation fund.
I like Gonzo's answer myself, but to be honest I think I would only talk to them from an upstairs window & I would have my phone visible while I was talking to them, but to be honest I wouldn't have used them in the first place... I would also make sure there is nothing nickable around, that they could take as they are not adverse to doing that either in front of you or in the dead of night..
Hopefully it is just a scare tactic when they said that "the family will be around". I'd do what Marley said, and have the phone handy to call the police and let them deal with it. If your sister is going to pay them the lesser amount....I'd have a certified check, and that way you have a copy to show the police if they do need to come. Good luck!!
Cheers all, a nice policeman just came round and advised negotiating with them for what the job was worth. Have locked up the power tools & covered the pumpkin.
Perhaps it would be a good idea if you could negotiate with the police there, and hopefully that would be the end of it.
Launch a unilateral, pre-emptive black-ops strike on their compound. Nick their milk and newspapers. Call it 'Operation Pumpkin'.
My cousin's a plumber and replacing our radiators last winter. He only went outside to leave them in front of his van doors (which was parked on the driveway), not 5 mins had passed and he went outside to go and take them to be weighed etc (as he was tidying up) for scrap and they'd already been robbed!!! It's not like we live in a built up area, with lots of people around...it baffled us. Would like to say it's a one of case, but have since learnt of about 5 other people this has happened to!!! Can't say the police were too bothered mind
That would be the best way. They more than likely did a shoddy job down the road to save tarmac to shoddy Ziggy's sister.. Get inland revenue round and negotiate I bet none have paid a days tax!!
Rule 1 - Always ask to see this 'neighbour's drive' Rule 2 - Even if you do, don't let them touch yours. Rule 3 - If you must let them do it, stand over them every minute and never part with a penny until you're satisfied with the job. None of which is any help once the stuff's down. So - I'd suggest giving them a cheque for say half the 'amount due' and tell them that since there's a 'difference of opinion' over the quality of the work, that you intend getting an independent inspection (from a local - reputable -business) before parting with any more. Point out that they, of course, are welcome to do the same and that if your independent survey agrees that the work is worth more than has already been paid, you'll be happy to pay up. Just as a BTW, when a similar mob offered to do mine for £1,000 and I said no, he came back 4 times over two days and each time the quote was significantly less, I still said no, until with a, 'Sure, you'll be havin' us doin' it for noting me Darlin' he finally gave up and, dragging his knuckles as he went, shuffled off - never to be seen again.
problem is that a price of £1000 was agreed upon before the work started so, these guys are expecting the full price of £1000 as the job has been completed the problem is that your sister paid them a cheque of £1000 after the work was completed, then after they left, she cancelled the cheque so, does not matter if they are travellers, or master builders, she should have negotiated a lesser price (or told them to rectify the problems) before handing over the cheque ... at this point, she would of/could of got a good discount it's a difficult one IMHO, and gutfeel says she will most prob end up paying the full amount as it's not worth the hassle best is to ask for positive photo id if anyone comes around, and record all the vehicle registration numbers aswell
While a price was agreed, the work done was not up to the standard expected. Your sister will have to negotiate with them. Was it for a driveway? How thick is the layer of tarmac btw? Will it take the weight of a car? Is the main complaint aesthetic or its construction?
Some good points there, she complained that it was not how they said it would be before they started when they had finished the job. She gave them the cheque as she was feeling intimidated & wanted them to go away. There was already tarmac on the drive, but it was looking old & cracked.
