I know I am probably screwed but need advice

[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.

[ChiliConCarnage]

Originally Posted by kennyah123

I think this guy has screwed me over too. I just gave him $800 to build a wrought iron fence several weeks ago and I haven't heard from him since. What ever happened with your situation? Please contact me, I'd like to get the MO Atty general involved in this matter.

They never came back. I assume they went to look for him and he has them locked up in his basement for rape time.

It's amazing this guy can do this over and over.

Originally Posted by R8ers

What kind of dumbass gives money to people out of the blue...


No money until the job is done...

What kind of dumbass will buy thousands of dollars of materials and spend weeks of labor without money up front? That knife cuts both ways.

Originally Posted by kennyah123

I think this guy has screwed me over too. I just gave him $800 to build a wrought iron fence several weeks ago and I haven't heard from him since. What ever happened with your situation? Please contact me, I'd like to get the MO Atty general involved in this matter.

Sorry you got screwed. Don't hire craigslist contractors.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Phobia

What kind of dumbass will buy thousands of dollars of materials and spend weeks of labor without money up front? That knife cuts both ways.

true ... but you know where they live, they can disappear.

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

true ... but you know where they live, they can disappear.

Every single one of my clients knows where my shop is and most of them got my number from a friend. I agree with the premise that you don't give a nickel to some idiot off the internet but if you want a big project done, you have to give money to a legitimate contractor or you won't be able to do business with him. I know where a couple of my clients live... One owes me $2k and another owes me over $15k. If they're not moving or selling anytime soon, I can't do anything about it.

[boogblaster]

12 gauge pump ....

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Every single one of my clients knows where my shop is and most of them got my number from a friend. I agree with the premise that you don't give a nickel to some idiot off the internet but if you want a big project done, you have to give money to a legitimate contractor or you won't be able to do business with him. I know where a couple of my clients live... One owes me $2k and another owes me over $15k. If they're not moving or selling anytime soon, I can't do anything about it.

not really talking about you ... just in general.

[R8RFAN]

Originally Posted by Phobia

What kind of dumbass will buy thousands of dollars of materials and spend weeks of labor without money up front? That knife cuts both ways.

I will buy the supplies and sit them in my yard... You will be working for me, you will either do business my way or go work for someone else ... Savvy?

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by Phobia

What kind of dumbass will buy thousands of dollars of materials and spend weeks of labor without money up front? That knife cuts both ways.

You have the protection of mechanics liens and court.

Obviously the scale of the job plays a big role, and money up front or draws are necessary at times. But do you really see yourself asking for money up front for either of the two jobs mentioned in this thread? $2500 of lumber or $800 of fencing?

As I said on my previous post in this thread, if the contractor asks for money for materials. Go to the supplier and buy the materials yourself.

[R8RFAN]

Originally Posted by jspchief

You have the protection of mechanics liens and court.

Obviously the scale of the job plays a big role, and money up front or draws are necessary at times. But do you really see yourself asking for money up front for either of the two jobs mentioned in this thread? $2500 of lumber or $800 of fencing?

As I said on my previous post in this thread, if the contractor asks for money for materials. Go to the supplier and buy the materials yourself.

BINGO... Unless they want to put a lien on the title to their truck or boat or whatever...

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

not really talking about you ... just in general.

I'm just saying that in general, a contractor has limited recourse if a client chooses not to pay him. He can take a lien out on their house and renew it every year until they die and the house is sold but who wants to spend thousands of dollars in legal fees chasing money they may or may not get 30 years down the road? I suppose a contractor could get violent or vindictive if that's the kind of person that they are but I'm not really willing to risk my freedom for any amount of money.

[R8RFAN]

Originally Posted by Phobia

I'm just saying that in general, a contractor has limited recourse if a client chooses not to pay him. He can take a lien out on their house and renew it every year until they die and the house is sold but who wants to spend thousands of dollars in legal fees chasing money they may or may not get 30 years down the road? I suppose a contractor could get violent or vindictive if that's the kind of person that they are but I'm not really willing to risk my freedom for any amount of money.

I know exactly where you are coming from... Brother in laws have been contractors for years... Pay as you go is a good practice ...

Originally Posted by jspchief

You have the protection of mechanics liens and court.

Obviously the scale of the job plays a big role, and money up front or draws are necessary at times. But do you really see yourself asking for money up front for either of the two jobs mentioned in this thread? $2500 of lumber or $800 of fencing?

As I said on my previous post in this thread, if the contractor asks for money for materials. Go to the supplier and buy the materials yourself.

I doubt I'd be asking for money up front on an $800, one-day job. But I'd ask for money if I was spending a couple grand on materials and not going to finish the job for a couple weeks. That's fair. If my materials are sitting on a client's job site and either one of us gets hit by a bus, we are both protected if they're paid for and sitting on their property. I make sure my clients are comfortable with the money they've paid out and the progress of their job. If they go nuts and decide they're not paying, I don't want to get hurt and if I go nuts and ditch their job, I don't want them to get hurt either.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Wow, $2500 before he even did a lick of work. Who does that?
Posted via Mobile Device

We gave $1,200 to the guys doing work at our house. They would start the next day. But, we knew them and hired them because they had done a 3 month job across the street from our old house.

We are real happy with their work. We were definitely concerned that we didn't know someone and wish we would have Phobia to do it but its a new neighborhood.

But giving someone off craigslist without knowing them................They have committed two felonies. The police should take it seriously. You will get your money back if the catch them.

Originally Posted by R8ers

I will buy the supplies and sit them in my yard... You will be working for me, you will either do business my way or go work for someone else ... Savvy?

That's fine with me. But I'd say you're a very unique person. Most of my clients don't want anything to do with any of the process. They just want it to look like the picture when we're done and they don't care how it gets that way.