Scam Gardeners

Gofetch

I had a gardener do some work and they had most done except cut the grass. They said they'd be back when it was dry, that was 2 weeks ago and now they aren't answering my calls. Here's the rub - I've already paid them cash. I only have a flyer for them with mobile number and I have the van plates with their faces from the Ring doorbell. Is there anything I can do? Would the police help here?

Deagol

The police? 'Cause a man didn't cut your grass? Gawd help us all..

Ring him from a different number? Don't pay someone until they've finished a job? Consider that maybe they have kids and they're off work for the two weeks? Maybe something happened to them?

Honestly, you have zero proof or evidence that you paid them (I assume you didn't ask for nor get a receipt for the cash?) - you have zero proof that they are supposed to cut the grass (I'm assuming you don't have any agreement in writing)?

My advise is to forget it and move on and next time don't be so naive and pay someone who hasn't finished the job.

RobbingBandit

April Fools was yesterday this would have been a good un

n.d.os

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058344655/scam-gardeners

I don't agree with the above poster. Their response is unhelpful. It’s important to address incomplete services professionally. If you’ve paid for a service and haven’t received a response, consider sending a polite text message. Follow up after a few days, and if there’s still no resolution, explore other avenues.

mykrodot

never pay in full for a job unless it's completely finished!!

I owe my plumber for installing a bathroom, electrics, tiling etc. His bill is €5900. I've paid him €4K so far… a tap has a leak and the immersion switch is making a noise which is wasn't before. There is no way he won't be answering my calls, apart from the fact he is a registered plumber with a good reputation. He wants the balance of his money.

In your case I wouldn't have paid until each item on your garden job list was done. Simple

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121966092#Comment_121966092

….hahaha would yea go way outta that, paid in full, job half done, those lads are long gone, and wont be back, handy number!

…some arseholes on this planet, some truly dont give a fcuk about others…

Gofetch

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121966262#Comment_121966262

But there's more. One of the men walked really slowly, just sauntered along, really. And it wasn't balanced out by another one of the men walking fast. Surely I can use this as further evidence for the police to take action against lazy contractors?

geographica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121973111#Comment_121973111

Are you in NI? If not then it’s Gardaí not police

Sorry for your loss but put it down to a life lesson

Gofetch

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121990792#Comment_121990792

It's ok thanks. I found out where he lives from the reg so things will just work themselves out I guess.

geographica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121991459#Comment_121991459

How did you do that?

Gofetch

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121991470#Comment_121991470

TOR site but it costs 150.

Sadb

Jaysis, you paid €150 to find someone that almost finished the job but just didn’t cut the grass, how big is your lawn???

Annoying as it may be, I would just cut my losses too. Also, can the grass actually be cut yet? I’m in Cork and the ground is definitely still too wet here.

SharkMX

Never employ someone who knocks on your door looking to do jobs. You already know 90% of them are cowboys. So you really want to bet that you accidentally get one of the 10% who arent cowboys?

My mother last year paid a guy €200 trim two small shrubs. They didnt even pick up the "trimmings". Left them in the garden and left as soon as she produced the money. The shrubs have been totally mangled and will have to be cut out altogether now.

My mother asked me to fix them up and tidy up but im not doing it. Its the only way she will learn her lesson and tell these scum to get lost when they knock on the door.

geographica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121991481#Comment_121991481

I don’t know what a TOR site is but sounds illegal 😆 plus it was a grass cut and you spent 150 getting thier address? 🤔

Donald Trump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121991541#Comment_121991541

Perhaps if your mother had more faith in your willingness to lend a hand she wouldn't have to take a chance on fly-by-night operators in the first place

Gofetch

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121991576#Comment_121991576

It's important these people need to be thought not to do that. I'm sure they're out there now half doing jobs for old ladies but that will stop soon.

SharkMX

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121991593#Comment_121991593

And you are an expert in this because you know all of the background to why I am refusing to do it, dont you.

Danzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121991541#Comment_121991541

Which is true but it makes starting out a real pain in the hole for genuine people who have to go that route.

SharkMX

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121991793#Comment_121991793

Thats true, but calling door to door you are definitely going to get lumped in with the cowboys because thats their MO.

I particularly love the flyers where they have a log and say "member of whatevr guild" etc. And no membership number on it for you to verify. Totally made up. Avoid

geographica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121991594#Comment_121991594

No it won’t, they are like whack a mole

what’s a TOR site?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121992282#Comment_121992282

Dark web.

Jellybaby_1

I'm a victim too except they did actually come back after I paid them. Great, I thought, 'cos I was worried they wouldn't. So they faffed around a bit as there was more to do before the job was finished, and then they said something else needed doing and they could do it for €XXXX. I said not on your nelly, sort of, they pushed, I pushed back, they pushed again reducing to €XXX but when I said I was completely out of X's they sodded off without finishing the original job! Buggah! My own rotten fault!

Kaisr Sose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121991594#Comment_121991594

This sounds like a vigilante type of payback you are advocating by finding out where they live and sayimg they need to be 'thought (sic) not to do that'. A Charles Bronson type for people not completing agreed work once paid would be a great service..I wish you well..Be careful!

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121991459#Comment_121991459

Sorry, I'm finding this hard to take even remotely seriously. There are scammers in the real world but I'm dubious about your guy.

geographica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121993938#Comment_121993938

Oh.

So the op went and spent 150 lids on the dark web to find out the address of someone that didn’t cut their grass

FML

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121995020#Comment_121995020

I'm glad you also believe in fairies 🤣