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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Honestly I would be happy he showed up and did the work AND did a decent job. I have been trying to find a decent sheetrocker and handyman for a while now that won't charge me a fortune. I have some jobs I need done at my house and I can't find anybody. Everyone is busy!
If anyone knows a decent handyman, please FM me their contact info. Thanks!
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Posted 2/28/14 8:07 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by ave1024
Honestly I would be happy he showed up and did the work AND did a decent job. I have been trying to find a decent sheetrocker and handyman for a while now that won't charge me a fortune. I have some jobs I need done at my house and I can't find anybody. Everyone is busy!
If anyone knows a decent handyman, please FM me their contact info. Thanks!
And I don't mean this in a bad way, but you contracted a stranger from Craigslist to do a job. You should have priced all the materials yourself to be sure you weren't getting ripped.
Message edited 2/28/2014 8:16:43 AM.
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| Posted 2/28/14 8:14 AM |
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Honey2223
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/11 658 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by KellyFG
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.
I agree with this. If I needed the receipts, especially for the purpose of a tax write off, I would've purchased the materials myself from the get go. People are capable of being shady and capable losing receipts.
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| Posted 2/28/14 8:16 AM |
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Meg1234
LIF Infant
Member since 9/12 159 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
No opinion on the cost. It looks very nice. But I am wondering how the doors stay closed and hoping there is no hazard to a child being locked inside there should there be a fire or something.
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| Posted 2/28/14 8:23 AM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Ripped off by handyman
It looks like a great job. No matter what job I am having in done, I always ask for a written estimate of materials and labor. If I needed specific receipts, you should have mentioned that at the beginning of the job. He could have purchased your materials with someone else's job and not had separate receipts or like others have said, he may have used items he had left over. Just chalk it up and next time tell them up front exactly what you need from them before they start.
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| Posted 2/28/14 8:31 AM |
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OMGBFP
LIF Infant
Member since 1/08 217 total posts
Name:
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Ripped off by handyman
It does look like he did a great job. I honestly would let it go for $100-$150.
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| Posted 2/28/14 8:36 AM |
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jams92
Member since 1/12 6105 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
that is frustrating! i would have to agree with "lesson learned" unfortunately
i think the hassle of court etc is not worth it
is he on yelp or anywhere you can write a bad review?
sorry this happened 
the bed does look great though
Message edited 2/28/2014 2:22:35 PM.
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:14 AM |
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blue11
LIF Adult
Member since 2/11 1706 total posts
Name:
kat
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Ripped off by handyman
i would let it go also and lesson learned. Next time i would tell them you require receipts or buy the materials yourself. When we hired a painter we bought everything for them.
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:17 AM |
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Twobuggies14
LIF Infant
Member since 9/13 100 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by pharmcat2000
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.
And here it is finished (I am going to paint it).
IMAGE
What is startling to me is that you are putting your child in something so they cannot escape?? I do not have a child with special needs so maybe that is typical but that seems very scary to me!!
eta: as for the money I would let it go!
Message edited 2/28/2014 9:34:43 AM.
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:33 AM |
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lynnd126
LIF Adult
Member since 3/11 2630 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
He quoted you a price of $250 for materials. You agreed to it. It's really irrelevant how much he spent at Home Depot. In my eyes the only thing he should have done was given you $10 change since you gave him $260. Unless the agreement was that you were paying for materials (not that materials "are $250“)then you are not entitled to a receipt imo.
Message edited 2/28/2014 10:06:04 AM.
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:35 AM |
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2BadSoSad
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6791 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
It looks like he did a really nice job and it sucks, but Id chalk it up to a lesson learned. Sounds like it will be more costly in time and money and more trouble than its worth to pursue it. Are you at least happy with the job he did?
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:36 AM |
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2BadSoSad
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6791 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by Twobuggies14
Posted by pharmcat2000
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.
And here it is finished (I am going to paint it).
IMAGE
What is startling to me is that you are putting your child in something so they cannot escape?? I do not have a child with special needs so maybe that is typical but that seems very scary to me!!
eta: as for the money I would let it go!
How dare you? That is completely irrelevant. What makes people think it is OK to say things like this to other people? You have no idea about her situation, so you should really keep your opinions to yourself. Unbelievable.
ETA: to OP dont even feed into comments like this. Im sure you are doing what is best for your child. Its not even worth it.
Message edited 2/28/2014 9:39:48 AM.
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:38 AM |
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peanutbutter2
Carpe diem!
Member since 11/10 5287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
I'm very sorry this happened to you; however, I don't think there is anything you can do about it.
You don't have proof of the original purchase price on the day of the purchase. Also, from what I understand, small claims court won't necessarily get your money back to you. A judgment could be placed on the person, but the individual can't necessarily be forced to pay. (I'm not just pulling this out of nowhere...I've talked to people at a law office before about this.)
You may just have to let it go.
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:39 AM |
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Nifheim
allo
Member since 1/09 5476 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Ripped off by handyman
businesses have to make money in order to survive. Most people ***** about labor expenses so the only way to clear the profit you need is to "pad" product or supplies cost. It's very common in any business - it's a markup on all supplies, cost, services.
to save money on sheet rocking in our house we shopped our own supplied. it took us 1 hour of shopping, strapping to the car, then getting it into the house. So if I was a business I would factor that into my materials cost.
Message edited 2/28/2014 9:40:58 AM.
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:39 AM |
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Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
Name:
Katherine
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Ripped off by handyman
Sorry, but lesson learned.
You should have priced out materials beforehand, but you both agreed to $250 for materials at the beginning of the job.
And honestly, how would you even proceed in small claims court? I assume you gave him cash--do you have any proof of the money you gave him? It would be your word against his.
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:43 AM |
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missfabulous
#mommyneedswine
Member since 6/09 10031 total posts
Name:
Colleen
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Ripped off by handyman
It's annoying and its super shady, but I would just let it go. I feel like it would be more of a hassle then its worth to try and get the money back.
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:43 AM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
I would let the price go but I think you are entitled to push for a receipt.
I don't think you should have to lose out because you didn't specify in a contract that you needed a receipt. Giving a receipt should be a given.
Even if the contractor had pieces around that he used he can still calculate the value of them and hand you a piece of paper for your taxes.
I am sorry this happened.
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:45 AM |
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by 2BadSoSad
Posted by Twobuggies14
Posted by pharmcat2000
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.
And here it is finished (I am going to paint it).
IMAGE
What is startling to me is that you are putting your child in something so they cannot escape?? I do not have a child with special needs so maybe that is typical but that seems very scary to me!!
eta: as for the money I would let it go!
How dare you? That is completely irrelevant. What makes people think it is OK to say things like this to other people? You have no idea about her situation, so you should really keep your opinions to yourself. Unbelievable.
ETA: to OP dont even feed into comments like this. Im sure you are doing what is best for your child. Its not even worth it.
Seriously.
I am sort of surprised by how many people seem to be ok with being ripped off by a contractor, even if it's not for a lot of money.
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:51 AM |
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CSK
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/11 892 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by pharmcat2000
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:
IMAGE
And here it is finished (I am going to paint it).
IMAGE
you were quoted $250 for materials, he charged you $250.
He didn't say, materials might be around $250, I'll charge you what I pay. (unless he did)
as far as I understand how contractors charge, generally they want to charge X for materials and X for labor. At the end of the day, whether they spend more or less than that is their problem.
I personally wouldn't hire someone on craigslist for work like that. I feel you're taking a big risk that they will even complete the work they say they will.
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:51 AM |
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lynnd126
LIF Adult
Member since 3/11 2630 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by EatingMyVeggies
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.
Only IF their agreement was for her to directly pay for materials. That is not at all what happened in this case. She agreed to $250 for materials. Every business upcharges on materials.
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:55 AM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
I'm sorry that you got ripped off, but I would chalk this one up to a learning experience. The time, energy, and money spent going to small claims court won't be worth it.
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| Posted 2/28/14 9:59 AM |
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lynnd126
LIF Adult
Member since 3/11 2630 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by Twobuggies14
Posted by pharmcat2000
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.
And here it is finished (I am going to paint it).
IMAGE
What is startling to me is that you are putting your child in something so they cannot escape?? I do not have a child with special needs so maybe that is typical but that seems very scary to me!!
eta: as for the money I would let it go!
I assumed the structure was for one child, where the bottom was just a play area (Like those Maxtrix sets). I also thought that little barrel lock was just a poorly thought out way of keeping the doors from swinging open when not in use. If that is so, I would be very wary of a child accidentally getting locked in.
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| Posted 2/28/14 10:01 AM |
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Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
Name:
Katherine
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by MrsProfessor
Posted by 2BadSoSad
Posted by Twobuggies14
Posted by pharmcat2000
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.
And here it is finished (I am going to paint it).
IMAGE
What is startling to me is that you are putting your child in something so they cannot escape?? I do not have a child with special needs so maybe that is typical but that seems very scary to me!!
eta: as for the money I would let it go!
How dare you? That is completely irrelevant. What makes people think it is OK to say things like this to other people? You have no idea about her situation, so you should really keep your opinions to yourself. Unbelievable.
ETA: to OP dont even feed into comments like this. Im sure you are doing what is best for your child. Its not even worth it.
Seriously.
I am sort of surprised by how many people seem to be ok with being ripped off by a contractor, even if it's not for a lot of money.
A lot of people don't see it as being ripped off. You agreed to a price, you paid that price, and you were happy with the results.
Done and done.
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| Posted 2/28/14 10:01 AM |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Re: Ripped off by handyman
Posted by alli3131
I'd chalk it up to lesson learned.
Yeah, it's not worth the stress and time you'd have to put in. I would just say ok, we're out that $150, next time we'll do it differently.
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| Posted 2/28/14 10:01 AM |
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MrsM84
LIF Adult
Member since 2/13 2352 total posts
Name:
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Ripped off by handyman
IMO, let it go. You weren't "ripped off" by a handyman -- you were unfortunately too trusting. I am confused why you just gave them cash before they purchased the materials -- all the times I've had work done, they have purchased the supplies, came back to me with a receipt, and then I paid them the exact amount it said on the receipt. This has been the case for carpentry work, painting, tile work, etc. In addition, you agreed to the $250 material price prior to him starting work -- there is a difference between actual price of materials and what is being charged for materials. In the future when you have work done, be sure to ask about this. Take this as a learning experience.
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| Posted 2/28/14 10:03 AM |
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