moral dilema your opinions gratefully recieved

[CJ CERAMICS]

hi all
got a bit of a dilema hoping that you guys and gals can help with.

some of you may remember that awhile back i tiled a kitchen floor where the customer
refused to pay because he didny want too. I eventually got the money via a friend of mine who is a solicitor.

well when i tiled his kitchen i tiled upto his living room carpet which sat on the inside of the door, so when the double doors were closed you could see about 7 inches of tile inside the living room. This was acceptable at the time because the alternative was to leave a 7 inch gap from tile to carpet.

Just got off the phone from this customer who has asked if i can replace the tiles which are through the door as he has had a wooden floor fitted now.
the company that fitted the flooring along with the customer decided that it would look better if the tiles were cut back to sit inside the door jar (the correct position) but not at the time of fitting.

Anyway while cutting back the tiles (sounds like they used a grinder without a suitable blade) they have chipped the tiles so badly that when the door plate was fitted big chips are visible.


The company who fitted the floor have accepted responsability and are willing to pay for it to be repaired.


They will pay him once the job has been carried out and a invoice sent to their headoffice, now this is the good bit he hes PROMISED to pay me first and then claim it back from them.


my dilema is do i do the job considering last time (money in hand before i start work)
or just tell him its his problem (the words he used to me when explaining about my outlay on his floor) and to stuff it.

all opinions will be much appreciated.

chris

 

[Andy Allen]

would'nt touch it with a very long barge pole, would'nt even consider stepping foot, back inside his house, after what he did to you, all the stress he caused you, i would just sit back with a big smile on my face knowing he has a problem, NOTHING to do with you and hes struggling to get it sorted, i would also tell every other tiler i know not to go near him.

i have had a few customers i wouldn't work for again and thats the way you need to look at it , as a new job repairing a floor, not fixing your own work..

 

[gleno]

Yeah I wouldn't go near it, not after having to get a solicitor involved to get your money. I can't believe this guy actually had the gall to ring you about it- makes me think he could have an ulterior motive? I really don't think it is going to harm your reputation- just imagine what he has already probably said about you after the initial works? At the end of the day it's your call but just think how stupid you're going to feel if this job turns to disaster as well? I wouldn't be looking at it as payback either, more that you have just learned from the initial experience.

Glen

 

[bobbynz]

I can understand why some of the guys would tell him to shove it (being way too polite I know) I have had other clients that have done this and wished them to hell, But sometimes people really do need a second chance.

Nobody is going to judge you either way what you do. But I guarantee if you do what your heart tells you, you will be the hero and if it does turn to custard you will still be the hero and nobody has the right to say i told you so because they are not you.
But if it works out then you will be considered what we here in NZ, call a Bloody Legend Mate.
At the end of the day what really matters is how you will feel about YOUR decision.
Yeah Yeah I know i'll be getting out my hanky soon:nopity:

 

[user123]

I can understand why some of the guys would tell him to shove it (being way too polite I know) I have had other clients that have done this and wished them to hell, But sometimes people really do need a second chance.

Nobody is going to judge you either way what you do. But I guarantee if you do what your heart tells you, you will be the hero and if it does turn to custard you will still be the hero and nobody has the right to say i told you so because they are not you.
But if it works out then you will be considered what we here in NZ, call a Bloody Legend Mate.
At the end of the day what really matters is how you will feel about YOUR decision.
Yeah Yeah I know i'll be getting out my hanky soon:nopity:

Definitely. That can go either way from where I'm sitting, both can be seen as weak or strong from different angles, but only you'll know what the ideal scenario would be for you. Consider it a luxury to be back in control with this. In this case this guy needs you way more than you need him, so that must be quite satisfying in itself?

 

[macten]

Is this the guy that wanted all your stuff gone early at the end of every working day? The same guy that said you'd done a great job but didn't fancy paying? the guy who locked you out and left the last of your stuff on the lawn?

Now the same guy wants your help and you're actually thinking of doing it??!!? :mad2:

 

[user123]

Is this the guy that wanted all your stuff gone early at the end of every working day? The same guy that said you'd done a great job but didn't fancy paying? the guy who locked you out and left the last of your stuff on the lawn?

Now the same guy wants your help and you're actually thinking of doing it??!!? :mad2:

As ever, you have a great way with words... :lol: put like that.. hmm... :lol:

 

[Bathfix Bob]

I think I missed the back story on this, has anyone got a link to the thread?

 

[maniek]

hi CJ, i was in similar situation about 2 month ago, had same dilema.
decided to go..
went there, shaked his hand, made long eye contact with smile on my face..
his face expression was - P R I C E L E S S
did the best job I could and left with biggest smile ever

 

[CJ CERAMICS]

just to give you an update on this.

called round this morning to inspect the damage and price to repair, guy was as pleasant as can be.........then started haggling over the price claiming I WAS TRYING TO RIP HIM OFF bearing in mind all costs are being paid by flooring company.

Told him that that was the price but even if he offered me double money i would not be touching it and he will have to get the flooring company to arrange repair themselves.

Decided that as i did the job ages ago and have had no recommendations from it I probably could live with him bad mouthing me to his friends....cos live is too short to worry.

thank you for all your opinions

chris

 

[kilty55]

arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh this guys a bleedin nightmare...just forget about him mate i doubt he has any friends to bad mouth you to

 

[Andy Allen]

i wouldn't of even gone round there in the first place, but your doing the right thing not getting involved..

 

[user123]

just to give you an update on this.

called round this morning to inspect the damage and price to repair, guy was as pleasant as can be.........then started haggling over the price claiming I WAS TRYING TO RIP HIM OFF bearing in mind all costs are being paid by flooring company.

Told him that that was the price but even if he offered me double money i would not be touching it and he will have to get the flooring company to arrange repair themselves.

Decided that as i did the job ages ago and have had no recommendations from it I probably could live with him bad mouthing me to his friends....cos live is too short to worry.

thank you for all your opinions

chris

Oh my God, that guy really takes the biscuit, he's not right in the head, is he? :lol: But well done, you got the best of both worlds, you tried, he failed, (again!!) all good for you, bad for him. Wow. Enjoy your weekend

 

[Bathfix Bob]

What is it with these people? Before I was in the trade and visiting houses and meeting people I thought I understood what makes people tick, how to deal with them and what their motives were.

It turns out I DON'T know people at all and I will never understand what makes ceratin people behave in the way they do.

 

[Gazzer]

I wouldnt set foot in that house again myself. Once bitten etc etc

 

[CJ]

Wot a knob.............sorry, I just typed this quick, first thought that came into my head.

 

[The D]

:incazzato:tell him to do one.:incazzato:

 

[White Room]

The fact that you initialy had to use a solicitor to get your money states his attitude, some do it as a hobby by not paying...I would'nt have give him house room and then argues about the price for the repair...muppet.

I'm seething after reading this thread:mad2:

 

[The D]

just to give you an update on this.

called round this morning to inspect the damage and price to repair, guy was as pleasant as can be.........then started haggling over the price claiming I WAS TRYING TO RIP HIM OFF bearing in mind all costs are being paid by flooring company.

Told him that that was the price but even if he offered me double money i would not be touching it and he will have to get the flooring company to arrange repair themselves.

Decided that as i did the job ages ago and have had no recommendations from it I probably could live with him bad mouthing me to his friends....cos live is too short to worry.

thank you for all your opinions

chris

I would have gone on the morning and got the money of him and then told him to do one. See if he likes having to get a solicitor involved.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I think you did the right thing Chris

 

[CJ CERAMICS]

I would have gone on the morning and got the money of him and then told him to do one. See if he likes having to get a solicitor involved.

which id thought of that lol

 

[kilty55]

What is it with these people? Before I was in the trade and visiting houses and meeting people I thought I understood what makes people tick, how to deal with them and what their motives were.

It turns out I DON'T know people at all and I will never understand what makes ceratin people behave in the way they do.

never a truer statement

 

[Time's Ran Out]

At least you have solved the dilemma!

 

[Gall.B]

Cant belive he had the affront to even call you after what happened!

Did he even mention it or apologise?

I wouldnt do it personally mate, but thats me.

 

[dave l and l]

book him him then dont go on that date . or give him high quote to make for the last time