Customer problem...advice needed.

DeckmanAdam · Post: # 23968Post **DeckmanAdam** Sat Nov 17, 2007 1:24 pm

Hi all,
Just finished a job for someone at a house they own which is empty atm.
Get a phonecall before saying happy with job..BUT you have cracked the hob in the kitchen.
I know absolutely for a fact that neither me nor the bloke helping me cracked it, we noticed it one day when we were brewing up but didnt think much of it.
Mainly because the window has a hole in it(which she said the son did) The kickboard was all kicked in, The toilet didnt flush properly etc.
They have said if you dont pay up they will take me to court, to which i said fine as i know it wasnt us.
Does anyone have any advice similar situations etc ?
Thanks in advance.

Just to say also i always take maxium care in peoples houses and make sure i put alot of effort into leaving them completely tidy normally cleaner than before lol.

eazybarra man · Sat Nov 17, 2007 1:28 pm

what were you doing in the house? were you working in the kitchen? could anyone access the house via window???

DeckmanAdam · Post: # 23970Post **DeckmanAdam** Sat Nov 17, 2007 1:34 pm

I had to go through the house to unlock as no-one is living there. I was flagging the back just outside the kitchen.
We brewed up in the kitchen one day when it was raining, but the hob is 3 foot down from where the kettle is.

bobbi o · Post: # 23971Post **bobbi o** Sat Nov 17, 2007 4:19 pm

if they'tre witholding your payment,you may have to try and claim thro your insurance.they hold all the aces,ie:your invoice so to speed things up you may have to admit liablity,but request that you personally organise replacement of hob to ensure that you are'nt further ripped off

DeckmanAdam · Post: # 23974Post **DeckmanAdam** Sat Nov 17, 2007 4:32 pm

I have been payed already she just is saying she wants me to pay for her new hob or she is going to take me to court over it.
The hob is going to cost 350 she is sayin but if i had cracked it i would have payed whatever the cost was without hesitation....and i would have informed her straight away what i had done.

It just annoys me as i am so concious about keeping everywhere tidy throughout the job but particularly when we finish.

Sat Nov 17, 2007 4:42 pm

let her sue
there are no witnesses and i am sure you can get many other references from clients
bottom line is we are grown men,if you broke summat by accident you would pay up
LLL

James.Q · Post: # 23977Post **James.Q** Sat Nov 17, 2007 4:53 pm

good idea LLL exactly what i would tell her

Post: # 23982Post **Dave_L** Sat Nov 17, 2007 7:03 pm

Customers often say "Lads, I'm off into town for half hour - I've left the door open if you need to use the toilet"

We always decline and ask them to lock the house, for this very reason. Our job has enough pitfalls etc, let alone worrying about other customer malarkey.

Let her sue you - where's the evidence etc? Cow!

Post: # 23984Post **seanandruby** Sat Nov 17, 2007 7:55 pm

Dave, do all the jobs you go to have trees then? :laugh: Think about it now!!!

Post: # 23985Post **Dave_L** Sat Nov 17, 2007 8:02 pm

You wouldn't believe how "inventive" we are Sean........

It's amazing the places around a lorry you can go for a widdle without anybody even noticing you..... :p

Edited By Dave_L on 1195329990

dig dug dan · Post: # 23986Post **dig dug dan** Sat Nov 17, 2007 8:37 pm

t's amazing the places around a lorry you can go for a widdle without anybody even noticing you..... :p

ahh the joy of being male!

as for the original post, she has no witnesses and this is just them trying it on. They will lose, you will win. let her take you to court.

customers!

James.Q · Post: # 23990Post **James.Q** Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:00 pm

Dave_L wrote:You wouldn't believe how "inventive" we are Sean........

It's amazing the places around a lorry you can go for a widdle without anybody even noticing you..... :p

ha ha, I was on a job in Whitefield, Manchester many years ago, where we had no access to loos at all, I really needed a No 2, so I was over a bucket with a bag in it, behind the drivers seat of my Transit van, doing my business, when a prospective customer sticks his head through the drivers window asking me if I could price up some work for him! I managed to stay straight faced, and told him to give his number to my laborer who was busy pointing!
I didn't get the bloody job either!

Suggers · Post: # 23994Post **Suggers** Sun Nov 18, 2007 4:08 am

Again I'm with LLL - can you reason with the harridan? - have you spoken face 2 face? - front it out. Local plumbing firm has now issued the boys with dig cameras to photo everything before they touch anything! - wot a lovely world we live in......

Post: # 23996Post **Dave_L** Sun Nov 18, 2007 6:42 am

Sounds like she's beyond reasoning! People like this make me doubt the whole human race..........

matt h · Post: # 23999Post **matt h** Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:06 am

The customer has no evidence, and if the break wasnot brand new, you coult not be held liable. As honest tradesmen, we would always admit to a genuine mistake, and take appropriate measures to put them right, hence public liability insurance. Inform her in writing that this is the case, and that you cannot admit any liability for any damage to the hob as you and your work force had not created any damage. Had a case where a client deliberately flooded hjs own front room to claim a new carpet, and tried to claim against my public liability, but he was unaware that I actually saw him remove the radiator bleed valve whilst we were topping up the system. As I was already dealing with his insurance company I informed them directly...He was eventually prosecuted for false insurance claims and got what he deserved 4 years! ObVIOUSLY i NEVER GOT PAID FOR THE JOB, BUT i THINK JUSTICE WAS DONE IYKWIM