Chiefs I know I am probably screwed but need advice - Page 5

synthesis2 · 12-06-2012, 10:33 PM

Make the situation quick, wanted my deck redecked and found a guy on craigslist that does it. His companies name is "brown can do" and he had been around for a long time and had done work for a family member several years ago. Anyway everything seemed legit.

With that said he came out to the house, he was a little rough dress wise but seemed to have his stuff together and at least talked the talk to make you feel better about it.

Said he would order the composite boards but needed a deposit for the materials ($2500)

I gave him the money and let me know a few days later than those boards were on backorder so I gave some other ideas and he has since not got back to me.

Here is the question ( I know I was a dumb ass for even giving him a deposit I get it) but I intentially didn't sign the check as my safety net and if he would have asked me about it I was going to tell him that as soon as I see an order I will sign it.

Needless to say he signed my check and cashed it and I have not hear from him since and its been a month.

Here is the question should I

1) Go to small claims court? he may not have a penny to piss in and would loose in a landslide

2) Go to my bank and tell them I didn't sign the check and see what happens from there?

Just curious which was would be better to go.

fan4ever · 12-07-2012, 08:33 AM

I had a friend here in AZ who got his checkbook stolen out of his car...guy ran around signing checks all over town...and then screwed up by accidentally signing his OWN NAME to one of the checks...police wouldn't do squat.

CLX · 12-07-2012, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

You wouldn't do business me then. We make and agree upon a sensible payment schedule before work commences. That way if you get hit by a bus or are trying to take advantage of me, I don't lose my house. If I get hit by a bus or am trying to take advantage of you, you're not hurt too badly either. I can't buy $5k worth of material and then float you a loan while paying for the labor to have it all installed. There's a reasonable compromise and if you do business with reputable people who have real businesses your risk is minimal. If you do business with people from craigslist or want ads, you're going to be screwed more often than not. I've been hurt a whole lot worse by deadbeat clients than this guy was screwed by a scam artist.

When I've done work with contractors that needed material and wanted a deposit we always had paperwork to cover ourselves. I should note here that I've never done business on craigslist. A reputable contractor shouldn't ask for money without some kind of paperwork. I might give a repeat contractor an advance, but that would be a situation where you've developed a trust with the guy. I would like to think that in a bigger metropolitan area than I'm in the contractor would be bonded.

**Phobia** · 12-07-2012, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLX

When I've done work with contractors that needed material and wanted a deposit we always had paperwork to cover ourselves. I should note here that I've never done business on craigslist. A reputable contractor shouldn't ask for money without some kind of paperwork. I might give a repeat contractor an advance, but that would be a situation where you've developed a trust with the guy. I would like to think that in a bigger metropolitan area than I'm in the contractor would be bonded.

Yeah. All that. It's really not all that difficult to figure out if you're working with a scammer or not.

Dave · 12-07-2012, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fan4ever

I had a friend here in AZ who got his checkbook stolen out of his car...guy ran around signing checks all over town...and then screwed up by accidentally signing his OWN NAME to one of the checks...police wouldn't do squat.

Dave · 12-07-2012, 08:48 AM

I cannot remember the last time I wrote a check.

Probably 7 yrs.

Dayze · 12-07-2012, 08:48 AM

when I was a project controller, we would have various Ts&Cs; like maybe a 20/60/20 plan (or somethin similar).
we would award them 20% of the lump sum to begin work, and as they complete certain milestones. as they work on the next 60%, they would invoice at agreed upon intervals with progress payment releases. the final 20 is witheld until final punchlist items are resolved etc.

granted, that's a lump sum purchase order, not time and materials etc. I worked primarily with cost management in constructing cellular towers/equipment etc. I still use some of the same scope of work, and contract details when I have work done as a CYA for both contractor and customer.

Pushead2 · 12-07-2012, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

Yeah. All that. It's really not all that difficult to figure out if you're working with a scammer or not.

ehem....see OP.

KCHawg · 12-07-2012, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

1. Don't do business on craigslist.
2. If you do business on craigslist, don't advance any money.
3. If you're on a site with one of the best deck builders in the metro, call him first.

I wonder who that could be?

Lepht · 12-10-2012, 09:32 PM

OMG I have the exact same scenario with the guy!. He bid a fence project for me and I gave him a deposit. He hasn't made contact or returned calls for 3wks now. Maybe a combined effort can get some results. I've gone from bothered to pissed since I saw your post...which I found after i googled the guys phone number.

nstygma · 12-10-2012, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lepht

OMG I have the exact same scenario with the guy!. He bid a fence project for me and I gave him a deposit. He hasn't made contact or returned calls for 3wks now. Maybe a combined effort can get some results. I've gone from bothered to pissed since I saw your post...which I found after i googled the guys phone number.

this may be his residence

**Phobia** · 12-10-2012, 09:44 PM

Wow. Don't work with craigslist contractors. Call 816-665-1208 if you need help on your project.

**Bugeater** · 12-10-2012, 09:45 PM

Or call me if you're fine with giving your money away.

Tombstone RJ · 12-10-2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synthesis2

Make the situation quick, wanted my deck redecked and found a guy on craigslist that does it. His companies name is "brown can do" and he had been around for a long time and had done work for a family member several years ago. Anyway everything seemed legit.

With that said he came out to the house, he was a little rough dress wise but seemed to have his stuff together and at least talked the talk to make you feel better about it.

Said he would order the composite boards but needed a deposit for the materials ($2500)

I gave him the money and let me know a few days later than those boards were on backorder so I gave some other ideas and he has since not got back to me.

Here is the question ( I know I was a dumb ass for even giving him a deposit I get it) but I intentially didn't sign the check as my safety net and if he would have asked me about it I was going to tell him that as soon as I see an order I will sign it.

Needless to say he signed my check and cashed it and I have not hear from him since and its been a month.

Here is the question should I

1) Go to small claims court? he may not have a penny to piss in and would loose in a landslide

2) Go to my bank and tell them I didn't sign the check and see what happens from there?

Just curious which was would be better to go.

This. Unfortunately most banks don't ever look at the sig but they should have a copy of the check. If they bank honored the check with no sig, you can blame the bank. If the check was honored with a forged name, you should be able to prove it's a false signature and the bank should be able to see the difference.

DonkyPuncher · 12-10-2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willie Lanier

Really? How do you trust anyone in that particular sector of business? No disrespect to anyone in that industry, but if I'm doing anything on the house, I don't write a check before work is done...

Unless it's family...

Yea right family is the worst to pay in advance

**Bugeater** · 12-10-2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nstygma

this may be his residence

That's some shack there. The dude obviously does quality work, you can't even tell where he has added on to the house twice.

12-06-2012, 10:33 PM
synthesis2 synthesis2 Join Date: Mar 2005 Casino cash: $4815	I know I am probably screwed but need advice Make the situation quick, wanted my deck redecked and found a guy on craigslist that does it. His companies name is "brown can do" and he had been around for a long time and had done work for a family member several years ago. Anyway everything seemed legit. With that said he came out to the house, he was a little rough dress wise but seemed to have his stuff together and at least talked the talk to make you feel better about it. Said he would order the composite boards but needed a deposit for the materials ($2500) I gave him the money and let me know a few days later than those boards were on backorder so I gave some other ideas and he has since not got back to me. Here is the question ( I know I was a dumb ass for even giving him a deposit I get it) but I intentially didn't sign the check as my safety net and if he would have asked me about it I was going to tell him that as soon as I see an order I will sign it. Needless to say he signed my check and cashed it and I have not hear from him since and its been a month. Here is the question should I 1) Go to small claims court? he may not have a penny to piss in and would loose in a landslide 2) Go to my bank and tell them I didn't sign the check and see what happens from there? Just curious which was would be better to go.
Posts: 143

12-07-2012, 08:33 AM	#61
fan4ever Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $31793	I had a friend here in AZ who got his checkbook stolen out of his car...guy ran around signing checks all over town...and then screwed up by accidentally signing his OWN NAME to one of the checks...police wouldn't do squat.
Posts: 3,155

12-07-2012, 08:48 AM	#65
Dave New Hope Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Florida Casino cash: $171687	I cannot remember the last time I wrote a check. Probably 7 yrs.
Posts: 45,373

12-07-2012, 08:48 AM	#66
Dayze Poop Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $1177948	when I was a project controller, we would have various Ts&Cs; like maybe a 20/60/20 plan (or somethin similar). we would award them 20% of the lump sum to begin work, and as they complete certain milestones. as they work on the next 60%, they would invoice at agreed upon intervals with progress payment releases. the final 20 is witheld until final punchlist items are resolved etc. granted, that's a lump sum purchase order, not time and materials etc. I worked primarily with cost management in constructing cellular towers/equipment etc. I still use some of the same scope of work, and contract details when I have work done as a CYA for both contractor and customer. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial.
Posts: 15,468

12-10-2012, 09:32 PM	#69
Lepht Rookie Join Date: Dec 2012 Casino cash: $540	Brown can do is jerking me around too!!! OMG I have the exact same scenario with the guy!. He bid a fence project for me and I gave him a deposit. He hasn't made contact or returned calls for 3wks now. Maybe a combined effort can get some results. I've gone from bothered to pissed since I saw your post...which I found after i googled the guys phone number.
Posts: 3

12-10-2012, 09:44 PM	#71
Phobia Together is Powerful Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $2115225519	Wow. Don't work with craigslist contractors. Call 816-665-1208 if you need help on your project.
Posts: 52,467

12-10-2012, 09:45 PM	#72
Bugeater Supporter Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $600613	Or call me if you're fine with giving your money away.
Posts: 49,241

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode