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pharmcat2000
Mom of 2 + 1
Member since 10/05 7395 total posts
Name:
Catherine
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Ripped off by handyman
DH and I hired a handyman to build an adaptation to DD's bed. Found him on Craigslist. (We've hired several people over the years from Craigslist, with never a single problem.) He quoted us a price of $250 for materials, and $250 for an 8 hour work day (which would include the time to go to the store to buy the materials). He said that if the job was almost done at the end of the day that he'd stay to get it done at a price of $25 an hour. So, we agreed to all of that. He came Monday at 8:00, with a helper; they looked at the bed in person (we had already sent him a pic of what I wanted done) and he asked if DH left $ to get the materials. I gave the guy $260. They went to get the stuff, were gone about an hour then came back to start work. I ordered pizza for them for lunch...whatever...they weren't done by 4, but stayed to finish. They had to make some changes to their original design since DH has special needs and would have been able to escape from what they fabricated at first. So at the end of the day, they told DH that it was $350 for the labor. DH even gave them a $50 tip because we were very pleased with what had been done. DH asked if they used all the $260 for the materials, and they said that they did. DH forgot to ask for the receipts, because supposedly I called him at that time, and he got sidetracked. He called the guy right away that night and told him that we need receipts because it is a medical expense for DD for our taxes. The guy said he'd try to stop by the next day with them. I told DH that was never gonna happen. And it didn't. DH called him again today, and was told, "didn't I leave them on your kitchen counter? Cause I don't have them in my truck." No...he didn't leave them at all. DH went to Home Depot tonight and priced it all out, and it came to a little over $100. We KNEW $260 was way more than needed. DH tried calling the guy again, and he didn't answer.
So, how do we proceed from here? Do we threaten with Small Claims Court? Actually file with Small Claims?
Here is the bed before he started:
And here it is finished (I am going to paint it).
Message edited 2/28/2014 4:22:15 AM.
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Posted 2/28/14 4:05 AM  |
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Honestly you don't know how much the materials cost. I would personally just let it go. It's not like he ripped you off 1000s. It sounds like you're nickel and diming honestly.
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| Posted 2/28/14 5:19 AM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Ripped off by handyman
I'd chalk it up to lesson learned.
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| Posted 2/28/14 5:31 AM |
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pharmcat2000
Mom of 2 + 1
Member since 10/05 7395 total posts
Name:
Catherine
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
It sounds like you're nickel and diming honestly.
I didn't think $100+ was nickle and diming. If it was $30-$40 I wouldn't think that big of a deal but we're talking over $100. He probably charged us a 100% markup (over HD prices) for the materials. And we paid for his time to go get the stuff. He didn't come with it.
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| Posted 2/28/14 5:56 AM |
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
I still stand by my opinion. You don't know how much stuff cost. I'm also married to a contractor and see the other side of some customers who think they know the business.
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:01 AM |
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MsSissy
xoxoxo
Member since 3/07 39159 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by alli3131
I'd chalk it up to lesson learned.
I agree with this. Unfortunately, I don't think you have much to go on for small salamis court. And for a little over $100 it would be a lot of work aggravation.
It does suck though
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:21 AM |
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pharmcat2000
Mom of 2 + 1
Member since 10/05 7395 total posts
Name:
Catherine
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
I still stand by my opinion. You don't know how much stuff cost. I'm also married to a contractor and see the other side of some customers who think they know the business.
I do know how much it cost...my DH went to home depot and priced it out, even including extra materials to account for EXTRA EXTRA waste.
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:30 AM |
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olive98
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/12 791 total posts
Name:
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Ripped off by handyman
I agree it would piss me off too but I would let it go. You are happy with the job he did. Next time ask for a material list and order the material yourself. He should provide you with receipts but it's not worth the aggravation to take him to court.
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:32 AM |
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
OK you're an expert  . You asked for opinions. But obviously only those who agree with you. Go to court then!
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:33 AM |
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olive98
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/12 791 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
OK you're an expert . You asked for opinions. But obviously only those who agree with you. Go to court then!
It's shady because he won't provide a receipt. Would make me think he is hiding something too.
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:36 AM |
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Maybe maybe not.
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:38 AM |
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Blazesyth
*yawn*
Member since 5/05 8129 total posts
Name:
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Ripped off by handyman
I think it's too late now. He said 250 for materials at the time the quote was delivered. That was the time to say "That is too much, I'll give you XX for materials." You agreed to it, so that is what you pay.
On the idea of him 'ripping you off' by charging you so much for materials - yeah it sucks but this is what happens. A 'convenience fee' is added for him doing the work of shopping, transporting, etc. As someone earlier had said, if you thought it was too high you had the option of saying "we'll get the supplies to you, please provide a list."
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:38 AM |
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Blazesyth
*yawn*
Member since 5/05 8129 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by olive98
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
OK you're an expert . You asked for opinions. But obviously only those who agree with you. Go to court then!
It's shady because he won't provide a receipt. Would make me think he is hiding something too.
He might not have a receipt at all. He may not have gone to Home Depot to purchase. It might have been leftover stuff from other jobs, and the 250 he took was all profit. Who knows. I wonder if it was noted in the contract that the receipt was mandatory.
And as for the receipt, would the contract serve as a good enough receipt?
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:43 AM |
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Kitten1929
LIF Adult
Member since 1/13 6040 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
I'm sorry that happened, but you should've definitely provided the materials if you were concerned about the expense.
I really don't think it's worth going to small claims court for $250, a lawyer will cost a lot more than that.
Again, I'm sorry it happened. Some people are just shady.
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:45 AM |
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pharmcat2000
Mom of 2 + 1
Member since 10/05 7395 total posts
Name:
Catherine
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
OK you're an expert . You asked for opinions. But obviously only those who agree with you. Go to court then!
No, I never claimed to be an expert, but I'm not an idiot either! I did ask for opinions of how to proceed, but being told that I'm wrong about him overcharging me is just plain incorrect.
Those who said that I agreed to the materials price of $250, you're right...I did. Lesson learned on that. Thank you, next time I'll be smarter.
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:46 AM |
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by Blazesyth
I think it's too late now. He said 250 for materials at the time the quote was delivered. That was the time to say "That is too much, I'll give you XX for materials." You agreed to it, so that is what you pay.
On the idea of him 'ripping you off' by charging you so much for materials - yeah it sucks but this is what happens. A 'convenience fee' is added for him doing the work of shopping, transporting, etc. As someone earlier had said, if you thought it was too high you had the option of saying "we'll get the supplies to you, please provide a list."
Exactly.
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:48 AM |
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by Blazesyth
Posted by olive98
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
OK you're an expert . You asked for opinions. But obviously only those who agree with you. Go to court then!
It's shady because he won't provide a receipt. Would make me think he is hiding something too.
He might not have a receipt at all. He may not have gone to Home Depot to purchase. It might have been leftover stuff from other jobs, and the 250 he took was all profit. Who knows. I wonder if it was noted in the contract that the receipt was mandatory.
And as for the receipt, would the contract serve as a good enough receipt?
Ha good point. As the shoemakers wife I often get work done around my house from leftover materials.
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:50 AM |
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Ripped off by handyman
Any carpenter or general contractor worth anything will provide itemized receipts for material and any other extras, including labor charges or anything you agreed to.
I'd keep calling him and then I would ask he price out the items at Home Depot or wherever and provide a receipt of the materials he used and any other fees
I wouldn't just let it go - especially because you were going to use it for tax write offs.
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:52 AM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
Honestly you don't know how much the materials cost. I would personally just let it go. It's not like he ripped you off 1000s. It sounds like you're nickel and diming honestly.
Without a recipt she will never know what it truely cost, but say it did cost approx $100 and she have him $260 for the materials. I do not think $150+ is nickel and dining. I think most people would be annoyed at $100 never mind $150+.
I could be wrong but I thought sometimes they get discounts as well. Unfortunately without a receipt you will never know what he paid. I too would be annoyed but not sure there is much you can do. I would follow up for some kind of a receipt if you need it for your taxes there should be no reason he cannot provide his own itemized receipt if he cannot provide the stores.
Message edited 2/28/2014 6:55:12 AM.
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| Posted 2/28/14 6:54 AM |
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LiveItUp
Love my babies!
Member since 8/11 4096 total posts
Name:
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Ripped off by handyman
I would be very annoyed too, but honestly for $100 or $150 I don't think its worth the bother to go to court. I would remember this in the future and either buy the materials myself or insist on a receipt before paying.
Eta: if he has a real business you should report what happened to the better business bureau at least. Or see if he's on Angie's list and give him a bad review. When we hired a contractor do redo our bathroom, we found him on Angie's list with excellent reviews and were very pleased with him. He told us that its not worth it to him to rip customers off bc he gets all his business through customer recommendations and repeat business. Basically by taking the extra $100 from you, this guy guaranteed that you will never hire him again and never recommend him, and therefore may have lost out on earning much more than $100.
Message edited 2/28/2014 7:11:56 AM.
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| Posted 2/28/14 7:07 AM |
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
You're not wrong. It seems shady. He should know as someone who's in business that he needs to keep the receipt. It sucks because you tipped him but he still took advantage.
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| Posted 2/28/14 7:11 AM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Ripped off by handyman
I'm also the wife of a "contractor".
It looks like he did a really nice job.
I think he planned on making a few bucks for his helper ($125-150 is about what they get pad per day) by getting a better deal on the material and using his truck to transport it.
It's also possible he lost the receipts. I can't tell you how many grown men my husband has employed that can't keep a receipt for 5 minutes.
If the receipts were critical to me getting a tax credit I would have written that into the contract and made sure I got them without forgetting.
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| Posted 2/28/14 7:15 AM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Kind of shady that he would not give you a receit, not even sure I would hire someone found on craiglist to begin with.
I think you will spend more $$ and aggravation filing it in court with the fees. Not really worth it. It it were hundreds of dollars.
I would file a complaint with BBB if he is licensed, so he doesnt get away with it.
He knows where you live, and you dont want it to get nasty!!!!
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| Posted 2/28/14 7:23 AM |
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edfilippi
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 997 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
It is annoying but I wouldnt go to small claims court for the amount. You will only get possible $100-150 dollars and it will have been so much time and aggravation. You already said lesson learned so I would just think of this as lesson learned.
You also said he quoted you $250 for materials which you agreed with. So honestly he doesnt have to give you what he didnt spend except the $10.00 because you gave him $260.
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| Posted 2/28/14 7:49 AM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Ripped off by handyman
Like others brought up, he may not have bought all the materials brand new. DH has tons of wood and other materials lying around and tries to buy as little as possible for a project and use up what he has. I think I would let the amount go since it's what you agreed to and just ask him for a receipt including the labor and materials together. I would call and tell him for tax purposes, you need a receipt from him with the total amount. He should be able to write that out whether or not he has or wants to share a store receipt.
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| Posted 2/28/14 7:58 AM |
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