[Travelhunter123]

Originally Posted by bilcon

Moral of the Story. Don't use some fly-by-night handyman for a major job. There are too many reputable painting and woodworking firms around TV for a big job like you wanted. I have never paid for any work in advance because I use companies that have capital to buy their supplies. You get what you pay for. Cruel lesson.sad:

Most reputable companies can return supplies, including paint, to their vendors.

[jimkerr]

Originally Posted by midiwiz

It is with a heavy heart that one of our local contractors has followed the path of others. Recently we had Duane at Color Splash Painting (also a handyman) over to do an estimate for trim work. He has done other jobs for us, all reasonably on time and had been given deposits before. So we figured not an issue.

This time, he decided to cash this check at a check cashing facility rather than a bank. Which means a stop payment does not work (learned a new one). We wrote a check for $1000 as a deposit for about $3500 of work. I was supposed to get a call the next day - didn't. Was supposed to meet him to select and pay for the trim - didn't hear a word. Several text messages unanswered, several voice mails not returned.

So here we sit I had to pay the check cashing company while he has my $1000. even had a friend call him -he answered - said he would call me - never did.

I now have to try several avenues to get my funds back, a lot of work to do ahead and still have the trim work to be done.

I do not recommend using this vendor. You could be next .

Why did you give them a deposit knowing this is how scammers scam people?

It’s been said 1,000 times, don’t give money to a contractor up front, yet we’re always seeing postings from people who did just that, then they complain they were taken and lost their deposit.

[PurePeach]

Originally Posted by midiwiz

It is with a heavy heart that one of our local contractors has followed the path of others. Recently we had Duane at Color Splash Painting (also a handyman) over to do an estimate for trim work. He has done other jobs for us, all reasonably on time and had been given deposits before. So we figured not an issue.

This time, he decided to cash this check at a check cashing facility rather than a bank. Which means a stop payment does not work (learned a new one). We wrote a check for $1000 as a deposit for about $3500 of work. I was supposed to get a call the next day - didn't. Was supposed to meet him to select and pay for the trim - didn't hear a word. Several text messages unanswered, several voice mails not returned.

So here we sit I had to pay the check cashing company while he has my $1000. even had a friend call him -he answered - said he would call me - never did.

I now have to try several avenues to get my funds back, a lot of work to do ahead and still have the trim work to be done.

Also, report the guy who screwed your over to Crimes Against Seniors.

I do not recommend using this vendor. You could be next .

Call Troy Rosenberger, +1 (352) 812-3549. He is a reputable business and does beautiful work. I’ve recommended him to others who’ve loved him as well.

[midiwiz]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

My bank has no 90 day rule. If he deposited the money into his account, he had to endorse it, so the funds could be transferred from your account into his account. This is the same as cashing the check.

"When Can You Stop Payment On A Check?
Generally speaking, stopping payment on a check is possible at any time prior to the check being cashed. Once the check has been cashed by its recipient, the person who wrote or authorized the check will not be able to make a stop payment with their bank."

I was just clarifying the rules for stopping payment on a check, made by another poster.

still wrong..... don't even try to explain it again - I have a banking background. - systems.

[midiwiz]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

If the contractor presented the check to the check cashing company prior to the stop payment order being issued, the check is valid. When a stop payment order is issued, other banks and check cashing businesses are notified that the check is no longer valid, and it is their responsibility to check the database of stop payment orders before cashing any check. But, if the contractor presented the check after the stop payment order was issued, then the check should not be paid. The only way a stop payment order works is when it is issued before the payee cashes the check.

again... another one - that's not how it works....

[ronda]

Originally Posted by midiwiz

actually that's incorrect. you don't have to stop payment before he's endorsed it - case in point he deposits the money in his account - you can still stop payment up to 90 days from the date of writing the check. In my case it was stopped within 48 hours.

In either case there are time limits as another poster pointed out the stop is 'gone' after 180 days which is correct.


However I didn't post this for couseling on stop payments, collecting the money or anything it was to report a bad contractor that shouldn't be used.

I guess you could close the account to avoid the 180 problem. I now it’s a pain, but my be worth it

[jammaiora]

Originally Posted by midiwiz

It is with a heavy heart that one of our local contractors has followed the path of others. Recently we had Duane at Color Splash Painting (also a handyman) over to do an estimate for trim work. He has done other jobs for us, all reasonably on time and had been given deposits before. So we figured not an issue.

This time, he decided to cash this check at a check cashing facility rather than a bank. Which means a stop payment does not work (learned a new one). We wrote a check for $1000 as a deposit for about $3500 of work. I was supposed to get a call the next day - didn't. Was supposed to meet him to select and pay for the trim - didn't hear a word. Several text messages unanswered, several voice mails not returned.

So here we sit I had to pay the check cashing company while he has my $1000. even had a friend call him -he answered - said he would call me - never did.

I now have to try several avenues to get my funds back, a lot of work to do ahead and still have the trim work to be done.

I do not recommend using this vendor. You could be next .

Call the police and file a report. Then take him to small claims court. Post the experience, with his name and phone number on any social media sites. Find his home address and post that as well. Next time, never, ever, give someone a deposit for work to be done, unless they bring you the paint to be used - and it equals the deposit.

[Birdrm]

I have had several contractors here to do different things, I have never given them anything up front and always paid after the work was completed. this even included the landscaper who put out over $1000 in just materials. I think most reliable contractors will work this way.

[Luggage]

Small claims ? Do it yourself , costs under $100 and you can add it to claim.

[eiannace]

I feel your pain. Happened to us. It makes me so sad that people feel they can steal from other people.

[Haggar]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Can someone please explain the purpose for a deposit when no work has been done? I would never give a deposit to a contractor. But, if for some reason I did, I would insist on the contractor accepting a credit card.

Many specialty contractor clients of mine - such as cabinet makers, stone and granite installers - would never take on a job unless they received a deposit. Their products cannot be returned to the supplier once they cut the raw materials to fit a specific customer.

They will not take credit cards specifically because they can be disputed.

There are many reasons customers might "cancel" a job - the customer finds someone cheaper after they sign the contract, the customer changes their mind about doing the work, economic changes in their household.

My clients can not take a chance on being stuck with unusable work because the customer changes their mind.

Saying never give a deposit is inappropriate in some circumstances!

[Hifred]

Originally Posted by bilcon

Moral of the Story. Don't use some fly-by-night handyman for a major job. There are too many reputable painting and woodworking firms around TV for a big job like you wanted. I have never paid for any work in advance because I use companies that have capital to buy their supplies. You get what you pay for. Cruel lesson.

Don't blame the victim here. The person posting said he had used this worker before and never had a problem. Sometimes people come recommended and you still have them run and steal money. It really is hard to be certain that the person you are hiring doesn't have some new problem where they renege on a job. My brother was having his kitchen redone and used a guy who came highly recommended. The guy needed funds to order cabinets and a new door. He skipped with the money. It happens sometimes. I am sorry the writer wrote about this so we know not to use this person.

[Matzy]

Never ever pay things/work in advance. No exception…..

[Godfather73]

Originally Posted by DAVES

A bit confusing. Re: check cashing service. I would call your bank. There is a time period that you must stop payment before. I expect the contractor went to a check cashing service for which HE PAYS a significant fee because he owes people money and their is a lien on his bank account.

My priority would be to get your money back. If, you hire someone else and he shows up to do the work, it will of course get messy.

We used James Rockholt of Rockholt Painting 603 391-6658 price was good, work was GREAT. They painted our entire exterior. The speed, the quality, the painting TEAM wow it was impressive.

Second James Rockholt

[Lea N]

Originally Posted by midiwiz

It is with a heavy heart that one of our local contractors has followed the path of others. Recently we had Duane at Color Splash Painting (also a handyman) over to do an estimate for trim work. He has done other jobs for us, all reasonably on time and had been given deposits before. So we figured not an issue.

This time, he decided to cash this check at a check cashing facility rather than a bank. Which means a stop payment does not work (learned a new one). We wrote a check for $1000 as a deposit for about $3500 of work. I was supposed to get a call the next day - didn't. Was supposed to meet him to select and pay for the trim - didn't hear a word. Several text messages unanswered, several voice mails not returned.

So here we sit I had to pay the check cashing company while he has my $1000. even had a friend call him -he answered - said he would call me - never did.

I now have to try several avenues to get my funds back, a lot of work to do ahead and still have the trim work to be done.

I do not recommend using this vendor. You could be next .

I'm so sorry this happened. Many years ago when we lived in SE FL we had a neighbor who was an electrician do a LOT of work for us. I had even cooked lunch for all of us to eat while he was doing the work. Then later we had him do more work and like a fool I gave him $600.00 ahead of time. What was I thinking? I trusted him. He never returned our calls. When we saw him he'd head the other way. Lesson learned for me, the hard way.