im i guilty or not first time refused payment in 10 years

[huckin]

hello finshed a kichen splashback yesterday.went back to collect cheque and do the silcone but when i got there the customer said she wasn,t goin to pay me as i had strached her stainless steel hob i was in total shock as i had dust sheeted it and only removed the dust sheet after i had dusted off the tiles.the only thing i had done was wipe it with a dry soft sponge because grout dust had settled on it after i had put my tools away.these strachs were very light but there was quite alot i then decided to go to b&q to check there stainless steel hobs and sinks and was shocked to see that all the brand new hobs had the same straches if you looked very closely just wondered im i wrong in thinkin this marks were alrealy there.and has anyone had a simaliar problem

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

they might be trying it on mate!!!

[whitebeam]

I have'nt but goes to prove everything must be checked even baths for any marks before tiling takes place

[gm140]

She sounds like a chancer mate, but whatever you do keep it civil and take a witness when you go to speak to her.

Graeme
ETL Pro Tiling

[whitebeam]

How do prove otherwise though

[hillhead]

Tell her you protected the whole lot and that there is scratches on most of them hobs for a fact.ask her if she has a problem with your tiling? If not then tell her you'll see her in court.

[gm140]

It would be murder if their comes a time when we have to go round every job with a fine tooth combe getting customers to sign off on every scratch, scrape, chip or blemmish before we dare to begin any work

Graeme
ETL Pro Tiling

[whitebeam]

I was wrong about it never happened to me, I got stung for a toilet seat

[huckin]

i have defintly learned to check everything from now on. but what i
would say for example if you noticed a mark on a bath which a workmate had fitted would you tell the customer to cover yourself. as if you look closely at most things you can find inperfections

[dave09]

As whitebeam says,we should always check for damages, But we often dont/forget and so dont have problems until something like this happens my only advice, although late, is i wouldnt have used a dry sponge as this could have had some dust/dirt in the pores, i would have used a damp one, but also agree dont go in there shouting, a calm way will get you further, if you have insurance would that be an option? anyway good luck.


Dave

[huckin]

the insurance is a no go as i have to pay a £500 excess charge first. think i might have to bite the bullet this time

[Yorkie]

She may not be aware of the all the stock being in the same condition so before you do anything take pics *if you can* or explain the situation with the customer, she should then take up the issue with the store instead and thank you for being so dilligent and helpful. If she doesn't want to know or listen then its obvious that shes a chancer so stay professional and don't lose your rag easier said than done I know and then way up your options. Key is Step by step and dont jump to conclusions as it could be a case of simple cross wires. All the best

[whitebeam]

i have defintly learned to check everything from now on. but what i
would say for example if you noticed a mark on a bath which a workmate had fitted would you tell the customer to cover yourself. as if you look closely at most things you can find inperfections

At the end of the day would you take responsibility for someone elses mistakes when it could make you liable

[dave09]

the insurance is a no go as i have to pay a £500 excess charge first. think i might have to bite the bullet this time

Thats what i expected with the insurance i think what others have said being calm is your best route " but firm" how much would a new hob be? or how about polishing out the scratches? prob is if she is trying it on then thats not an option. but then you are trying/offering to resolve the problem.



Dave

[jay]

best to talk it through

[whitebeam]

Try not to go thru the court issue IMO on this matter.

Check to see if there are metal polishers out there who could sort this problem

[huckin]

i think the new hob and fitted will cost around £300.i will suggest tryin to polish the marks out and hopefully when she sees the other hobs marked she will see that im not just tryin it on myself

[dave09]

i think the newe hob and fitted will cost around £300.i will suggest tryin to polish the marks out and hopefully when she sees the other hobs marked she will see that im not just tryin it on myself

Think she's the one trying it on!! don't suppose for one minute she would purchase a replacement either!!! how about calling her bluff and say you have to get your insurance valuer to see it and then see if she swerves on that, maybe worth a punt. anyway good luck.


Dave

[whitebeam]

good one Dave

[faithhealer]

Good luck with this one, arrange an appointment with her, don't just turn up ask for an independant witness to be present, this should send the message you mean business

[paulyoung666]

offer to take the customer to B&Q to show her the scratches in the 'new' hobs , should sort it i reckon

[faithhealer]

and with a bit of luck she won't have a hoof to stand on!

[timeless john]

Hukin - If this is the first time you've been refused payment in 10 years you've done very well!
Some customers are just trying to get something for nothing and no matter how 'nice' they are and how professional you act, there can be many reasons that a job can turn sour!
I may start a thread on this in the future but I've certainly had that cold sweat feeling on the back of the neck on a few occasions.
I tiled a 2week old bespoke kitchen with oiled wood worktops many years ago before tile cutters were as today - ie hand held 'nails' by cintride .
I covered all the worktops with cardboard and overcovered with dust sheets.
After finishing and removing all protection, directly under my cutting area was hundreds of cut/scratch lines!
I brought the onwer into the kitchen and asked her if she knew that these marks were there and expecting a tounge lashing she said -'I've told my mother not to cut bread on those wooden tops'!
It will happen again to you in the future and you do every thing you can to limit your responsibility.
I've got no answer to your payment situation but beware - they are out there!

[TT Tiling]

its a sad world we live in , peeps trying it on ,everyone looking for something for nothing , take the time to check it all
hope it goes well mate

[oldgit]

grout dust ALWAYS shows imperfections up,the main one is when they aint cleaned there worktops for months on end,it will also show light knife marks on worktops etc etc..
if you know you didnt do it take her to court,you get one of these ****s once in awhile.
the thing is you go to houses on your best behaviour so to speak,and sometimes they just think your a mug.

[albyshellshear]

tell her to polish the stainless with olive oil it covers the blemishes and brings the sheen back could solve her/your problem good look

[albyshellshear]

tell her to polish the stainless with olive oil it covers the blemishes and brings the sheen back could solve her/your problem good look

sorry the wifes just informed me to use baby oil not olive oil

[Dan]

She should still pay the bill for the tiling and then she would have to argue that you scratched the hob. If she withheld payment that would go against her in court and she wouldn't even be able to start a claim regarding the hob.

I'd go through the legal channel, it is setup to protect you if she withholds the payment.

Customer are not allowed to do that. If they have a problem with something they have to pay you in full and then give you the chance to rectify the problem once it has been rpoven it is your fault.

If the hob is brand new and she has a recent receipt, then perhaps then you'll struggle to defend, otherwise it's a used hob and could have scratches on it.

That said, if a customer is claiming something, I'd try to sort the problem out either way. Though only after payment has been made in full. Just for the sake of keeping your reputation and trying to please the difficult customer.

[chrisroe]

stainless sinks have to be broken in like a wok if i were you i would print off the info the company provides with regard to care of the sink

this complaint happens a lot with most kitchen companies

[CJ CERAMICS]

sadly some customers will try and get away without paying or claim for things that have never happened, i once had a customer phone me up after i had finished tiling his bathroom with only the grouting to do to tell me that he did not want me back to finish the job and that he would not be paying me as he had discovered a large chip in his bath and that he would be billing me for the cost of a new one. now this was news to me as when i arrived at the job the bath already had covers in it to protect it and i then covered the top with cardboard taped to the bath. and as i did all my cutting outside and didnt drop anything onto the bath i was puzzelled to say the least. i decided to drive back to the job to speak in person to him and inspect the damage. when he opened the door his face fell, when i explained that i would like to inspect the damage he said it was not appropriate as his wife was going in the bath,
just at that moment his wife shouted from upstairs "peter have you not sorted the chip in that bath yet......its been nearly 6 months since you did it".
there was red faces all round........his with embarressment mine with anger.
im with dan on this one if she doesnt pay take her to court and let them decide.
chris