[handieman]

I recently had a neighbor come to me and ask for my advice on a "no-show" problem with a contractor. He had taken a downpayment of $900.00 plus dollars and after 10 weeks he hadn't performed the work and wouldn't return calls or gave excuses.
After repeated calls and excuses to me, I decided she needed to take action. We went to the 'SENIORS VS CRIME" department of The Sumpter County Sherrifs Ofiice. We found out that they would help us after filing a formal complaint, which we proceeded to do.
To make a long story short, the contractor dropped off the material that afternoon (gee what a coincidence) and completed the job to her satisfaction the next day.
Moral of this story is, your not alone out there. Get help.
SENIORS VS CRIME
sponsored by the FL State Attorney's Office
753-2799
My hats off to these folks
Handie

[rshoffer]

That's what I like... a story with a happy ending

[SteveFromNY]

A great tip Handie - thanks.

[Peazoup]

Handie - once again you've saved the day!
Isn't it a shame that some contractors have to be threatened by a formal complaint before they do what they are contracted to do.

[l2ridehd]

Why do folks continue to give contractors money before any work is completed? If they want a milestone payment, fine, but clearly define what work is done before a payment is made. Many ask for money up front to pay for materials. And I will write that check when the material is delivered. If their credit is so bad they can't purchase material before being paid some part of the total, I guess I would find a different contractor.

[Bryan]

That is, indeed, a great organization. Sometimes, it just gives us some peers to talk our problems over with because, quite frankly, some mistakes we make are just not correctable. If you sent a lot of money to Nigeria, it is probably gone, no matter who you contact!

Seniors Vs Crime is a special project of the Florida Attorney Generals Office so they operate statewide. They have two offices here in TV - as mentioned previously one in the Sumter County Sheriffs Office at CR 466 and Morse Bouylevard and another in the Marion County Sheriffs Office at Buena Vista Boulevard and CR 42 on the northern edge of TV (near Mulberry Grove Rec Center). They also have an office in Ocala with the Ocala Police Department at Paddock Mall.

In addition to helping out our citizens, Seniors Vs Crime will come out an speak to your group about various topics including their organization, tips on how to protect yourself when dealing with contractors and scams, Medicare fraud, Investment scams, Identity Theft, you name it. I have seen them at the VHA Newcomers Socials and other events in TV. One really nice thing, they are all volunteers and there is never a charge for their services.

Give them a call at 753-7775 or email them at marionsvc@yahoo.com to schedule a talk.

[BethS]

You should never give a contractor money up front, if they are on the up and up you sign a contract and pay for the work when it is completed. Don't be fooled.

[babbs455]

I agree....no money up front! we have been in the flooring business for many many years and NEVER ask for money up front unless......we actually have to go pick up the tile somewhere and the tile has to be paid for up front..cash and carry then we will ask for a deposit for the tile/wood etc only...
I NEVER PAY FOR ANYTHING UPFRONT from contractors..there are too many bad ones out here that take the money and run..and take advantage of people..it is sad...

[babbs455]

i have to disagree with what was posted. there are many small businessowners out here who I happen to know....like many others who struggle to make ends meet, especially with the way our economy is now. they may not have alot of money in the bank or have any employees...they work on their own and do excellent jobs...so why does that make them a bad businessman? Especially if they do excellent work?
Is it Bad that he owns his own business but does not have alot of money?
I do not see how that makes a person a bad businessman or small business owner?

Sometimes some of our Village customers find tile or wood on their own at places that we do not have accounts with.

If you are a small business man forking over several hundred or even several thousand may or may not be possible.

I just do not see how that makes one a bad businessman.

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by babbs455

i have to disagree with what was posted. there are many small businessowners out here who I happen to know....like many others who struggle to make ends meet, especially with the way our economy is now. they may not have alot of money in the bank or have any employees...they work on their own and do excellent jobs...so why does that make them a bad businessman? Especially if they do excellent work?
Is it Bad that he owns his own business but does not have alot of money?
I do not see how that makes a person a bad businessman or small business owner?

Sometimes some of our Village customers find tile or wood on their own at places that we do not have accounts with.

If you are a small business man forking over several hundred or even several thousand may or may not be possible.

I just do not see how that makes one a bad businessman.

Babbs,

I totally agree. Some folks want really specialized items that require special orders, etc. And M&M, I am a financial professional, not a contractor.

k

[babbs455]

THANK YOU and thanks tol the LITTLE MAN!!

Alan Jackson says it best!
for without the little man where would we be?

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lj6PMv68Ho[/ame]

[nitehawk]

just wondering - why not post the name of the contractor who took 10 weeks to do the job - i think it would be helpful to all of us to know who the contractor is - maybe he reads this site and has an explanation - it would be nice to know the whole story

[handieman]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

just wondering - why not post the name of the contractor who took 10 weeks to do the job - i think it would be helpful to all of us to know who the contractor is - maybe he reads this site and has an explanation - it would be nice to know the whole story

I chose not to identify the contractor because he ultimately finished the job to the customers satisfaction. Yes, with a little fustration, but not enough to ruin a mans reputation by whining on here.

Handie