Cowboy Customers - ITV1 10.35pm

[Estrella]

I heard the creator of this show on the radio today. The guy had fitted a 15k conservatory and the customer refused to pay thus forcing him into bankruptcy. I never had a debtor issue when I was trading, but it may be of interest to some of you. There was some good advice on how to deal with these lowlifes who refuse to pay. Should make interesting viewing.

Nice to see the tables turned for once, instead of the incessant 'nightmare' tradesman shows that are on TV !

 

[Bahco]

I will be tuning in.

It reminds me of the builder that was owed around £20k for a porch and other work and never got paid so he had to resort to demolishing it legally. It was on the telly and after taking legal action his only option was the sledge hammer!

 

[Estrella]

I think this is the same fella Bahco. He started a website called http://roguecustomer.com/ .

He was on 5live radio this morning and came across very well. Some of the ways people were recovery debts was priceless. Including a 'rent-a-tramp' service where you can hire someone who plays a tramp, complete with dog on a string and pungent aroma to camp outside companies HQ causing a nuisance until the company pay up.

 

[WDIK]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-LqLU7CxeA&NR=1

 

[htgeng]

It reminds me of the builder that was owed around £20k for a porch and other work and never got paid so he had to resort to demolishing it legally.

It was on the telly and after taking legal action his only option was the sledge hammer!

Hmm i remember that one! I was amazed it came to £20k for what was just a small porch. I would expect a single storey extension for that. Maybe I should switch to building work lol.

 

[WDIK]

in NY they have a system called the lean.

customer and contractor enter into a lean.

customer has to deposit the money with an independant, who passes the monies on when the job is complete to satisfaction.

 

[tim west]

Hmm i remember that one! I was amazed it came to £20k for what was just a small porch. I would expect a single storey extension for that. Maybe I should switch to building work lol.

maybe thats why the customer wouldnt pay? felt ripped off?

 

[Trazor]

felt ripped off?

I'm sure it was tiled.......

 

[Estrella]

The bill was £15k and the customer had no means to pay.

The £15k was for a conservatory and porch.

 

[tim west]

I'm sure it was tiled.......

Got me there!

 

[Goldberg]

in NY they have a system called the lean.

Lien?

 

[D_Hailsham]

Lien is the correct spelling, but it's not a lien that the two parties enter into, it's an escrow agreement.

escrow
• noun Law 1 a bond, deed, or deposit kept by a third party until a specified condition has been fulfilled

 

[kevplumb]

lien

aint that when they have the right to keep hold of the goods that you have fitted but not been paid for

ie bathroom if its fitted you can't just go and remove it if you don't get paid

you have to go through the courts (for what use that is )

 

[D_Hailsham]

in NY they have a system called the lean.

customer and contractor enter into a lean.

customer has to deposit the money with an independant, who passes the monies on when the job is complete to satisfaction.

As WDIK was specifically referring to the USA, I did some googling and came up with this: Mechanics Lien

 

[Goldberg]

Lien is the correct spelling, but it's not a lien that the two parties enter into, it's an escrow agreement.

You're wrong.