Customer From Hell

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Ive just been reading through all this and im gob smacked. Its unbelieveable the ****e we have to deal with to make an honest living. I was glad to read youre not letting her get away with it Phil. Doesnt she know who she's dealing ? Mr Phil Hobson Master Craftsman!
I hope she gets whats coming and then some, with knobs on lol.
Sharon x

Thanks for that Sharon. I think we are all up against these type of people.

They are out there, the sad part seems to be the law gives them to much time and to many options.

When I went to citizens advice I wanted a template letter to send to a bad paying customer, guess what, they didn't have any.

They had plenty for the public complaining about bad trades people.

It seems we don't have the same rights as the bad customers.

 

[CJ]

Can you get into the place to see if she has changed anything?

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Can you get into the place to see if she has changed anything?

No mate, not without breaking in and I would not do that.

 

[CJ]

No mate, not without breaking in and I would not do that.

Was'nt sure if it was a new build type site. Shame you could'nt catch a sneaky look.

 

[Peter]

I'd say she's changed the toilet seat.

 

[TJ Smiler]

MUG, is not what i would say you are mate....... Unlucky that you have taken on work for a **** taker is more what i would say. 47 years without a problem says it all really :cheers2:

 

[aytiling]

Hey Phil, I don't know you but anyone who has to put up with this sort of behaviour has my best wishes.
i have in my time had to take about 5-7 builders/clients to small claims court. Won everyone of them, some before the date, some after the hearing, and one sent his lawyer to court with the cash to get me to back down just before we were due to go in.
You are allowed to take someone in to the hearing with you, she might have her lawyer there so you need some backup as well.
She has dug a hole for herself that she can't get out of now, by not responding to any of your letters she has shown that she has made no effort to negotiate, the district judge will take a dim view of this and might not even want to hear the particulars, he/she might just make ruling because of that alone.
my thoughts are with you mate.
just for reference, do not send emails, they are not admissible.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Hey Phil, I don't know you but anyone who has to put up with this sort of behaviour has my best wishes.
i have in my time had to take about 5-7 builders/clients to small claims court. Won everyone of them, some before the date, some after the hearing, and one sent his lawyer to court with the cash to get me to back down just before we were due to go in.
You are allowed to take someone in to the hearing with you, she might have her lawyer there so you need some backup as well.
She has dug a hole for herself that she can't get out of now, by not responding to any of your letters she has shown that she has made no effort to negotiate, the district judge will take a dim view of this and might not even want to hear the particulars, he/she might just make ruling because of that alone.
my thoughts are with you mate.
just for reference, do not send emails, they are not admissible.

Thanks for that mate, she is contesting my claim and counter claiming, I have to respond in the next few days.

She is going down the route of sub-standard work, taking to long on the job etc.

I have asked her to allow a TTA technical inspector to do a report, but to no avail.

She has accused me of going for a drink with my TF Friends on her time? I told her I was going on a two day stone polishing course, nothing to do with drinking, I was up front with her at all times, never tried to rip her off.

A few members will vouch for me being on the Nu-Life stone course in Stockport, I also did three half days foc, and supplied over £100.00 in materials. That I was going to stand myself.

I hope this goes the right way for me in court, these people are out there waiting for us.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Just show your credentials and she won't have a leg to stand on ( was going to use a pot to hiss in but thought inappropriate)
We are all with you Phil and if you need some support there is a list of tradesmen waiting here!

 

[aytiling]

Thanks for that mate, she is contesting my claim and counter claiming, I have to respond in the next few days.

She is going down the route of sub-standard work, taking to long on the job etc.

I have asked her to allow a TTA technical inspector to do a report, but to no avail.

She has accused me of going for a drink with my TF Friends on her time? I told her I was going on a two day stone polishing course, nothing to do with drinking, I was up front with her at all times, never tried to rip her off.

A few members will vouch for me being on the Nu-Life stone course in Stockport, I also did three half days foc, and supplied over £100.00 in materials. That I was going to stand myself.

I hope this goes the right way for me in court, these people are out there waiting for us.

You have got her by the goolies mate. Revise your quote now adding all the FOC stuff and add it to your claim. No time to be generous. Also add interest at 8.5% for overdue invoice (it's allowed by the courts)
If your business were owed £1,000:

• the annual statutory interest on this would be £85 (1,000 x 0.085 = £85)
• divide £85 by 365 to get the daily interest: 23p a day (85 / 365 = 0.23)
• after 50 days this would be £11.50 (50 x 0.23 = 11.50)

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Again I thank you all for your support, I just wish I could have the Judge/ Magistrate read this thread, they would realise what the self employed trades man/ woman have to put up with, we all open to this type of customer.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Again I thank you all for your support, I just wish I could have the Judge/ Magistrate read this thread, they would realise what the self employed trades man/ woman have to put up with, we all open to this type of customer.

And we thank you for taking this all the way! If the 2nd best tiler in the country has to justify his trade, then where does that leave the rest of us. I've said for years now the TV companies should have a programme with your thread title and I wish this could be the first instalment .
I've lost a lot of money over the years to rouge customers and businesses, and I know the stress it puts your family through. The Vat were going to close me down 25 years ago for Vat not paid on money I didn't get, so there's no help from the government as they think being self employed is a way to print money!
You don't get to your age and be still trading without being respected and excelling in your chosen field, so keep up the fight for all of us and show this 'rogue' we are not here to be a doormat!
John.

 

[On one]

Well said TJ.
Phil you are fighting for all of us on this one! Goodness knows how many other tradesmen she has taken the mick out of and gotten away with it,by bluffing or blustering,with the full knowledge that someone was unlikely to take her to court.
By the way,is it possible to do any checks on her as to her backround ie credit history,trading standards complaints,CCJ's ?

 

[John Benton]

Keep going Phil, only one way this is going.

The burning question though isn't 'Who does TJ rate as the countries best tiler then?' but 'Will you get your cheque off her before Moyes has gone?'.

Any sane person can see that she is trying to ride roughshod over a great tradesman, and her behind is going to get bitten. I bet she's not exposed as a rogue customer by the "Oldham Echo' like a shabby tradesman would, which is a shame. But then you could always invite the paper for an interview about your triumph in court!!!

 

[Sean SML Tiling]

Good call John. I would definitely get the papers involved especially WHEN you win the case

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I learned today she has put in a counter claim for £4,900.00 from me. to remove metro tiles that should have been sealed (someone has told her this) crackle glaze yes, white glazed metro, no.

It seems she will have to redecorate the whole house due to some splashes from the dewalt, that would wipe off with a sponge. Stale urine in a bucket (absolute tosh) we had to use a bucket as there were no toilet facilities on the job, but we emptied the buckets into a grid and washed out the buckets, we are not animals, but people like this think we are.

 

[Chalker]

You need a good solicitor.

don't be frightened by the counter claim. If there was a problem with your work, you should have had a chance to put it right. Which there wasn't and she didnt!

 

[Qwerty]

Absolute tosh. She will get laughed out of court.

 

[CJ]

Might be a long haul.......but stick it out Phil........and stick it to her.

 

[John Benton]

I learned today she has put in a counter claim for £4,900.00 from me. to remove metro tiles that should have been sealed (someone has told her this) crackle glaze yes, white glazed metro, no.

It seems she will have to redecorate the whole house due to some splashes from the dewalt, that would wipe off with a sponge. Stale urine in a bucket (absolute tosh) we had to use a bucket as there were no toilet facilities on the job, but we emptied the buckets into a grid and washed out the buckets, we are not animals, but people like this think we are.

It'll be TJ's mate, the best tiler in the country :sofahide:

Have you got a solicitor Phil, cos she has clearly taken legal advice? If not get the best 'she' can afford!!!

 

[TJ Smiler]

Keep it up mate, reckon she was born with a silver spoon up her arse...... Personally i would love to see you kick that spoon as far up as it will go!!

Best wishes

 

[Dougs Third Go]

any progress yet Phil?

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

any progress yet Phil?[/QUOTE

Not yet Doug, just waiting for the court date.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

If anyone can provide a testimonial for me to back me up in court I would be very grateful, this woman is trying to do me good style, an email to me that I could show to the court would be great, anything from TF members would help me show I am not a cowboy and I have tried every way to resolve this issue. The members of TF are the real deal in this industry and your opinions may help me win this case.

As a four times winner of jotm I must be doing something right, if anyone can help I would love to hear from you, we are all trying to make a living and keep our customers happy.

We are all subject to these bad people now and then, but we don't see them coming.

If you can just give your honest opinion of me as a tiler good or bad, it would help. Thanks for your time, respect and regards to you all, Phil.

 

[White Room]

Would not your Heritage status and the Mastercraftman certification be more than adequate to prove you are a craftsmen at his best.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Phil - I will gladly give my opinions of you to anyone who will listen!
However your recent awards, the fact that you are a heritage level contractor and the time you have been tiling are all you need to win your argument in this case.
I will be in contact.
John

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Would not your Heritage status and the Mastercraftman certification be more than adequate to prove you are a craftsmen at his best.

I would hope so Mark, but if I can get some references from TF that I can show to the court it may swing things my way.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Phil - I will gladly give my opinions of you to anyone who will listen!
However your recent awards, the fact that you are a heritage level contractor and the time you have been tiling are all you need to win your argument in this case.
I will be in contact.
John

Thanks TJ I need something that will stand up in court, some sort of testimonial from my fellow tilers, if anyone can spare the time to send me an email or a letter to give your opinion of my passion for our trade it may help me show this woman that we are tradesmen and need to be paid for our labours,

 

[johnryan]

you shouldn't have any problem getting a long list of testimonials here. i'll get one over to you later on today when i get back from work.

 

[Dougs Third Go]

Phil, I've just looked on your website and there's some great testimonials, could they be used in court?

 

[The D]

sent m8