State inaction almost as bad as all the scams

A year ago, I addressed an open letter to newly elected Gov. Charlie Crist in hopes that the self-proclaimed "people's governor" would act to protect the people from a scourge as predatory as sharks, as ...

[Cracker]

A lot of these individuals (victims) are responsible for their own problems. Hiring a guy that walks around Home Depot? Get serious. Here is a simple solution that will work 95% of the time, when you hire contractors do so whith no down payment, then its the contractors money at risk until the job is completed to your satisfaction. And a final note, before you pay make sure you get a release from any leins.

[professor]

good point cracker. another idea is to get the local lowes and home depot's to put a sign on their doors warning customers of scam artists walking around the stores. I hate to think that the stores might be getting a kickback on this. all they have to do is issue these yahoo's a trespass warning and if they come back they are arrested.

[ClamBob]

Having done much electrical contracting in the past, I am always amazed at how quickly people will offer a down payment for work to be done. I would almost always turn this down, the exception being in cases where the material -- fixtures usually -- was excessively expensive. Even on a job that required over a week's labor, I would not even ask for partial payment until the job was finished. It's a matter of principle.

These scam artists tarnish the names of contractors nationwide. I must agree that many of these jerks start out with the intent to defraud and should face criminal charges.

[just lookin around]

Cracker wrote:

A lot of these individuals (victims) are responsible for their own problems. Hiring a guy that walks around Home Depot? Get serious. Here is a simple solution that will work 95% of the time, when you hire contractors do so whith no down payment, then its the contractors money at risk until the job is completed to your satisfaction. And a final note, before you pay make sure you get a release from any leins.

I'm in total agreement with you. I've had a lot of work done on my home by many different contractors- not only did I never pay a dime up front, I was never asked to, and if I had been asked, that person would not have worked for me.

I really don't get why people hand over ANY money for ANYTHING before a job is completed.

For instance, would these people who hand over money at the start of a job pay their auto repair shop BEFORE getting their car back in proper running condition?

Would they pay their dentist up front for the silver needed to fill a tooth?

Doesn't the fact that some people ask for money up front indicate a red flag to these people?

Any solvent or professional business person should be able to front any and all costs for a job and should only expect to be paid upon satisfactory completion of a job.

[Packman]

I am a handyman and do honest business. Would you please state on our next letter regarding handymen, that not all are like the ones you focused on. All so, people have to take some responsibility for their actions. Here is a question I never get ask ,but I am required to have. Worker's compensation exemption. If people would ask for this required exemption, it would show what kind of company they are dealing with. Next is business insurance. Folks do not take someone word , ask for the paper work. All of us that do the right thing carry this info. with us all the time., it's the law. It is sad when people get taken in by crooks. Please ,people help your self!

[ScottDeland]

Cavit Emptor. The above advice is all thats needed. Of course for those unable to preform those simple tasks they can sign away their individual rights to the state and have it take care of them.

[ClamBob]

The problem is, Packman, that these guys probably did have all that paperwork. It's the state that is letting them continue with their scams while giving the consumer a false sense of security.

[Joe]

Greg,

Why don't you write a series of articles about how to use small claims court? It's very easy and if the defendant doesn't show up you win automatically. You can then get a writ of execution and go after anything the guy has.

The only drawback is that it's only for $5,000 or less, but most of your victims seem to be out less than $5,000.

The bottom line is never pay these guys in advance for anything. If they won't get the materials then buy them yourself. Never ever front them any money. If you do pay them during the job then make sure you've gotten that much work out of them.

The other thing you need to educate the public about is that on bigger projects they need to get partial release of lien for each payment made. If they are using a general contractor they need to get a list of all the subs as well.

If someone was building or remodeling a house I would have them contact an attorney to make sure they know how to protect themselves from unscrupulous contractors who want to use lien laws against the homeowner.

The main thing though is don't pay any money up front to "get started". If the contractor objects then just move on. Even large homebuilders can and do go under, so smaller guys like handymen are a huge risk to pay in advance.

[Joe]

The other thing with remodeling is to make sure that everything is spelled out. If you don't know construction, then spend $500 to hire an inspector to periodically check the work they're doing.

If you don't have any knowledge about construction techniques then you are the guy's mercy if he's trying to pull shortcuts and not doing the job properly.

That could be as basic as the guy will use crooked or warped 2 x 4's in a wall instead of taking the time to get straight lumber. You've got a wall all right, but your drywall is going to look terrible especially if it gets any light on it. But there are a million things they could and will try to shortcut on.

[r hernandez]

best thing to do is try to go word of mouth. how good was the work. crazy to hire someone you never heard of and pay money up front. no way. someone comes up to you in lowes, report him. put heat on these people. teach them a lesson. unless the governor gets ripped off personally by someone like this, things will not change anytime soon.

[everywhere]

There are always going to be people who are in the shadows waiting to gain in spite of other people's pain. In all areas: not just home improvement - those folks are absolutely abundant!! But, take for instance, Connie Click, replublican, in Osceola recently was given the post of Supervisor of Elections but then fired staff (replublicas, too!) that had applied for that position. There are those who swindle for monetary gain and those who are just cold-hearted through personal gain (Power, i hate politics!). I don't understand people who can make choices to hurt others and just walk away uneffected. Karma - what goes around, comes around - I hope. Wouldn't that be nice.... Maybe that dude will have his own roof cave in on him one day.

[DaytonaDude]

This a total shame, how can Home depot and Lowes let this person in their store.

[BuckStripes]

...Greg Dahlink: Stealing is against the law. In many of the assorted rip-offs which you so faithfully report, criminal charges can (and should be) filed against the alleged thieves...
...Of course, that is not your responsibility. But you might advise some of your citizen complainants to do it. And then publish whatever action is taken (or not) by The Law...
...Slap a few of the worst offenders in jail, make their fate publicly known, and at least a few other miscreants might mend their dastardly, lowlife ways...
...Dunno why some of these victims don't pursue charges in the first place. Probably want you to haul their load for them--like you do, cuz youse iz such a goot boy...:-)

[Ken]

We have a neighbor who knew of an electrician who was willing to some work for us so we agreed to have the work done and set a date and the day we were going to go out of town the guy came over to tell us that the electrician was comming a day early to do the work. We came back home to find out that the work was done wrong and that we had power to our house, but not to our well pump and the work was done in a very dangerous way, leaveing the underground wire hanging from the meter box and running to the house up in the air. We called the police and they did not like us do to the fact that we were two men living together, we are both disabled and 58 years of age, but he assumed that we were unfit to be helped and said that all he would do is either arrest us for hiring an unlicened worker or do nothing and then left. We did nothing wrong. We tried to get Gov. Crist to help us as we had the mobile home we were liveing in we distroyed and we could finish a house that we could not get the permits renewed if we hire people to do the work, so we did and have yet to be able to get a C O and inturn power to the house. We are allowed to use extention cords which is better than nothing, but hazordous since we both have walking disabilities. Both the present and past governors have told us that the county is violating state law. but the state will not help us.

[SickofGregDawson]

I have used Mr. Metts several times and have recommended him and have several friends that have been happy with the work he has done for them. It seems a little unfair how he is targeting Mr. Metts.

[Davydd1]

I worked for a construction company in collage, And a lot of people would come up to me when I was in a supply store and ask if "I did sidework not on the bosses books." The bottom line is that these same people who are getting scamed, you get what you pay for, use a reputable company and everything will be ok. If you are to cheap to pay a pro, then do the work yourself.