Warning to anyone working in North East England - South Tyneside (East Boldon) area

[Climbercliff]

Over the weekend I have had to walk away from a job as the customer is making life very difficult and stressful.  

 

I want to be open about how this has occurred and warn any companies who may be asked to quote to finish off what I've started. 

 

The whole process has taught me massively about larger scale jobs and ensuring I've listed everything (dotting the I's and Crossing the T's), and dealing with awkward customers (never been treated like this ever and have been in the service industry for 30+ years).   

 

Although I sent a written/email quotation for the work, no formal contract (details) were agreed upon by the  client and myself.  Following a five day period of work I noted that the alarm bells started happening and noted the 'nit picking' of everything that had been done to date.  In total I think I felled/dismantled 9 trees, crown reduced 4 large sycamores, removed two large limbs (the size of small trees), removed a very dangerous widowmaker which then needed reducing back to main stem…piled brash and logs (he complained that they were messy)…I asked him to pay a part payment (cash flow and small businesses) to help cover the external contractors I brought in...but he refused saying I hadn't finished the job and I wouldn't receive a penny until all the work was completed. 

 

Now I've walked away I've asked him to give me £2200 to cover both the costs of the two guys I’ve had in for two days and a very meagre sum towards the five days I’ve done there personally! I've not received a penny and now he’s actually threatening to charge me if the cost to finish the work exceeds my quote!  Ironically I had everything set for yesterday to finish the job with four workers, a quadbike and trailer and an 8'' tracked chipper but he wouldn't agree to the details I'd set out and therefore, decided I didn't want to deal with him any more.

 

The guy has obviously been through this situation before judging by the terminology he uses in his emails... But I will see this one to the bitter end...as he has used bullying tactics to try and get the job done for nothing and that doesn't sit right with me. 

 

I really want to name the guy but I'm pretty sure that will be slanderous and I want to prevent arming him with any more ammunition.  He's definitely the sort that would take it to the next stage...

 

PLEASE PLEASE Be careful folks!

 

Cheers

 

Cliff 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 30 by Climbercliff

[Johnsond]

On 30/04/2024 at 13:48, Climbercliff said:

Over the weekend I have had to walk away from a job as the customer is making life very difficult and stressful.  

 

I want to be open about how this has occurred and warn any companies who may be asked to quote to finish off what I've started. 

 

The whole process has taught me massively about larger scale jobs and ensuring I've listed everything (dotting the I's and Crossing the T's), and dealing with awkward customers (never been treated like this ever and have been in the service industry for 30+ years).   

 

Although I sent a written/email quotation for the work, no formal contract (details) were agreed upon by the  client and myself.  Following a five day period of work I noted that the alarm bells started happening and noted the 'nit picking' of everything that had been done to date.  In total I think I felled/dismantled 9 trees, crown reduced 4 large sycamores, removed two large limbs (the size of small trees), removed a very dangerous widowmaker which then needed reducing back to main stem…piled brash and logs (he complained that they were messy)…I asked him to pay a part payment (cash flow and small businesses) to help cover the external contractors I brought in...but he refused saying I hadn't finished the job and I wouldn't receive a penny until all the work was completed. 

 

Now I've walked away I've asked him to give me £2200 to cover both the costs of the two guys I’ve had in for two days and a very meagre sum towards the five days I’ve done there personally! I've not received a penny and now he’s actually threatening to charge me if the cost to finish the work exceeds my quote!  Ironically I had everything set for yesterday to finish the job with four workers, a quadbike and trailer and an 8'' tracked chipper but he wouldn't agree to the details I'd set out and therefore, decided I didn't want to deal with him any more.

 

The guy has obviously been through this situation before judging by the terminology he uses in his emails... But I will see this one to the bitter end...as he has used bullying tactics to try and get the job done for nothing and that doesn't sit right with me. 

 

I really want to name the guy but I'm pretty sure that will be slanderous and I want to prevent arming him with any more ammunition.  He's definitely the sort that would take it to the next stage...

 

PLEASE PLEASE Be careful folks!

 

Cheers

 

Cliff 

 

 

 

 

No ifs or buts Cliff put his name and address up. 
Why anyone would be confused at that 42 is absolutely beyond me. 

Edited May 3 by Johnsond

[trigger_andy]

5 hours ago, Johnsond said:

No ifs or buts Cliff put his name and address up. 
Why anyone would be confused at that 42 is absolutely beyond me. 

He's easily confused. He needs his wee chums to tell him how to think before he can form an opinion. 

[Mesterh]

20 minutes ago, trigger_andy said:

He's easily confused. He needs his wee chums to tell him how to think before he can form an opinion. 

 

6 hours ago, Johnsond said:

No ifs or buts Cliff put his name and address up. 
Why anyone would be confused at that 42 is absolutely beyond me. 

 

Are you 'two' the same person by any chance?!

Or are you just having a dig at someone for no reason whatsoever.

Weird replies to say the least.

 

 

[Johnsond]

21 minutes ago, trigger_andy said:

He's easily confused. He needs his wee chums to tell him how to think before he can form an opinion. 

Well bud 

For me it’s simple, the guys a clown who has seen a contractor off for a decent amount of money, possibly not for the first time. To hell with etiquette name the bugger so no one else gets burned.  How anyone finds that confusing 🤷‍♂️more than likely down to the fact it’s written by me Andy. 

[Johnsond]

10 minutes ago, Mesterh said:

 

 

Are you 'two' the same person by any chance?!

Or are you just having a dig at someone for no reason whatsoever.

Weird replies to say the least.

 

 

How’s it weird 🤷‍♂️

I put up a reply, straight to the point and fairly simple. 
42 reacts with “ confused” . For what reason I’ve no idea. 
I think what Andy is referring to is a historical trend. 
 

Edited May 3 by Johnsond

[AHPP]

Just have a fight.

[s.varty]

You could try the small claims , cost me £50 but the customer paid me straight away after being threatened with court action and a possible ccj, the customer was a doctor and obviously didnt want any publicity.

[trigger_andy]

20 hours ago, Mesterh said:

 

 

Are you 'two' the same person by any chance?!

Or are you just having a dig at someone for no reason whatsoever.

Weird replies to say the least.

 

 

You’re gonna have to give him more to go on than that. He’s no the brightest spark and with such a scant retort bereft of depth he’ll still be none the wiser. 
 

[Bolt]

On 03/05/2024 at 16:40, Johnsond said:

No ifs or buts Cliff put his name and address up. 
Why anyone would be confused at that 42 is absolutely beyond me. 

I was a bit confused by the punctuation (or lack thereof).

 

In the end I settled on:

 

”No ifs or buts. Cliff, put his name and address up.”