Problems with the help....I need your help PLEASE READ

[bogeyman]

My sympathies BB.

Never engage a tradesman/firm without a personal recommendation from someone you trust, or a couple of credible references that you can check.

Make sure they belong to some kind of reputable trade body and check that they really do belong to it.

There are so many of these jokers around nowadays. Plumbers seem to be the worst from, what I hear.

Fortunately I'm a pretty handy, so rarely have to get any trades involved if I have the time to spend on a job myself.

Cowboy tradesmen are experts at intimidating people and making outrageous demands over and above their quote. I suspect most of them are full of shyte and just trying it on.

[BlackenedBiker]

No I'm serious. First you let a workman walk all over you (9 weeks for a bathroom FFS) then you over react and threaten kidnapping on a public forum.

Like I said - a bit of a plonker. Or at least severely lacking in judgement.

Um when did I threaten to kidnap anyone, publicly or otherwise

SG: surely you are never serious, or at least should never be taken seriously. Now disist in hijacking this thread

NB: when I said hijacking I wasn't suggesting that I was going to take a plane by force either HTH

[BlackenedBiker]

Cowboy tradesmen are experts at intimidating people and making outrageous demands over and above their quote. I suspect most of them are full of shyte and just trying it on.

I suspect so too bogeyman but if I don't make a stand against the individual concerned then someone else, who is perhaps less able to deal with it, will be next and it will be, in part, due to my lack of appropriate action.

[TimberWolf]

What did you get fleeced for in the end?

[Liability]

I suspect so too bogeyman but if I don't make a stand against the individual concerned then someone else, who is perhaps less able to deal with it, will be next and it will be, in part, due to my lack of appropriate action.

mate - a very good post and good on you.

We need more people like this. It is such a shame that more people cant think like this - as the general opinion of people when things occur is "its not my problem I wont get involved"

Good on ya.

[BlackenedBiker]

What did you get fleeced for in the end?

Not sure I follow, we basically need our key back and this cowboy workman to back off.

Then we are happy.

[BlackenedBiker]

Update

Just found out that the company that the cowboy is trading under is dissolved..

Now what is the number for benefit fraud and HMRC.

[bogeyman]

I suspect so too bogeyman but if I don't make a stand against the individual concerned then someone else, who is perhaps less able to deal with it, will be next and it will be, in part, due to my lack of appropriate action.

Yes I agree you should make a stand.

Good for you. You'll be doing the community a service.

[Zippy]

Just found out that the company that the cowboy is trading under is dissolved..

Now what is the number for benefit fraud and HMRC.

There are a few helpful numbers here

[BoredBloke]

Not sure I follow, we basically need our key back and this cowboy workman to back off.

Then we are happy.

As was said before - you don't want your key back. He could have copies made. Change your locks and do it now. Keep the texts from him and sue him via the small claims courts for the cost of the lock replacement