Problem with landscaper

Quote from obman : I am considering meeting him up somewhere but then what to do when he shows up? He ALWAYS apologizes then promise to get it done but you can betcha, he NEVER shows up. At lest that was what I experienced for 6 weeks. He always promised it will be done the next day or so, swear on his mother's grave, then basically acted as if that never happened. I can't be physical with him. Man, I wish I have those wheel lock thingy that when he shows up , I just lock up his car or something until he finishes the job. It is a small job any way. If he wanted to, he can finish it in 1-2 days.

yeah take matters in your own hands, cause that ALWAYS works

Quote from obman : thank you all for your input. I looked up on the internet and there are just too many "Ruben" doing landscaping in orange county ca. No one else knew his last name. Lesson learned. I don't necessarily look to recup the money but wanted to prevent him to continue doing this to others. As far as proof, I do have a few text messages of me mentioning the $2200 paid and him promising to do the work.

When you paid the guy, you wrote a check right? So, who did you make the check out to, certainly more than Ruben. If you paid by cash, you deserve to get screwed. Money orders work well too if you don't have a checking account. If he insisted on cash, first red flag, you shouldn't do business with him.

Quote from johnlawwhiskey : When you paid the guy, you wrote a check right? So, who did you make the check out to, certainly more than Ruben. If you paid by cash, you deserve to get screwed. Money orders work well too if you don't have a checking account. If he insisted on cash, first red flag, you shouldn't do business with him.

You are right. I have learned a lot from this ordeal. I paid cash, which was what he requested as he needed the money immediately to buy the supplies. I can't go back and fix everything but I can certainly try to make his business go to hell. Money is gone, and I don't expect to get it back at this point. Next week, I will ask someone I know to call him for an estimate and ask for his contact info/business card. I will make sure his business gets the appropriate feedback.

I can't say enough to appreciate you all taking your time and share your thoughts/advice.

THANK YOU ALL

Quote from obman : You are right. I have learned a lot from this ordeal. I paid cash, which was what he requested as he needed the money immediately to buy the supplies. I can't go back and fix everything but I can certainly try to make his business go to hell. Money is gone, and I don't expect to get it back at this point. Next week, I will ask someone I know to call him for an estimate and ask for his contact info/business card. I will make sure his business gets the appropriate feedback. I can't say enough to appreciate you all taking your time and share your thoughts/advice. THANK YOU ALL

If you are not willing to deal with corrupt jackass, then why did you come here asking for help? People have given you all types of ideas and suggestions; but it appears you wimp out on all of them. Seems to me you are the type of person who is going to get ripped off again and again. You haven't learned your lesson yet; because you refuse to find this person and confront them, to get the work finished and/or your money back. I would be damned if someone would rip me off like that, and get away with it

Quote from Piccaboo : If you are not willing to deal with corrupt jackass, then why did you come here asking for help? People have given you all types of ideas and suggestions; but it appears you wimp out on all of them. Seems to me you are the type of person who is going to get ripped off again and again. You haven't learned your lesson yet; because you refuse to find this person and confront them, to get the work finished and/or your money back. I would be damned if someone would rip me off like that, and get away with it

I am willing and able and am listening to all the advice. I, however, need to find one that is acceptable to me. Personally, I truly wanted to get physical with the guy if and everywhere I see him. On the other hand, I have to think about my family and the consequences. Frankly, I think we have much more to lose than those guys. I am walking on that fine boundary. So, the next best thing is to hurt his "business" legally. Did I not agree with most of the suggestions here? The only problem with the last suggestion is the possibility of impersonating someone else on paper. I am not sure if that is even legal. You probably caught my drift. If I do that, I am probably no better than him at least in the eye of the society. This thread so far is about brain-storming for possible solutions and I have found a few good ones. The best of which is one of the fellow Sders called and probably cursed him out. Guess what, he called me today and apologized and promise that it will be done before the weekend. Now this is the first time. May be something happened???

Quote from obman : I am willing and able and am listening to all the advice. I, however, need to find one that is acceptable to me. Personally, I truly wanted to get physical with the guy if and everywhere I see him. On the other hand, I have to think about my family and the consequences. Frankly, I think we have much more to lose than those guys. I am walking on that fine boundary. So, the next best thing is to hurt his "business" legally. Did I not agree with most of the suggestions here? The only problem with the last suggestion is the possibility of impersonating someone else on paper. I am not sure if that is even legal. You probably caught my drift. If I do that, I am probably no better than him at least in the eye of the society. This thread so far is about brain-storming for possible solutions and I have found a few good ones. The best of which is one of the fellow Sders called and probably cursed him out. Guess what, he called me today and apologized and promise that it will be done before the weekend. Now this is the first time. May be something happened???

Until you find him, get a plate number, and other information, you have nothing yet, getting the picture yet. You have nothing but some jackasses word that he will keep promising you to come back, and he never does. You didn't DYODD on this, and you got screwed. I think many here would have taken some of these suggestions and used them, just to get it moving forward Fine line, he crossed it long ago!!!

Quote from Piccaboo : Until you find him, get a plate number, and other information, you have nothing yet, getting the picture yet. You have nothing but some jackasses word that he will keep promising you to come back, and he never does. You didn't DYODD on this, and you got screwed. I think many here would have taken some of these suggestions and used them, just to get it moving forward Fine line, he crossed it long ago!!!

Great idea. That is exactly what I intend to do at this point

He started answering the phone from me. He asked if I would like to also get spot lights as he is going to work on the yard this week. I initially said screw it and lets see you finish the yard first. But then I had plan. I called and asked him to do the lights. Of course he will ask for additional money like he did before. He would also have to come "pick it up". I will write him a check (pretend) and ask for the name of the business, his full name so I can put on the check. I will also ask him for his driver's license. Once I got that, he can't run. Of course we will take picture of his license plate when he arrives. I will see if the lady will be available at the same time. It would be awesome.

Thank you for your help.

Quote from obman : Great idea. That is exactly what I intend to do at this point He started answering the phone from me. He asked if I would like to also get spot lights as he is going to work on the yard this week. I initially said screw it and lets see you finish the yard first. But then I had plan. I called and asked him to do the lights. Of course he will ask for additional money like he did before. He would also have to come "pick it up". I will write him a check (pretend) and ask for the name of the business, his full name so I can put on the check. I will also ask him for his driver's license. Once I got that, he can't run. Of course we will take picture of his license plate when he arrives. I will see if the lady will be available at the same time. It would be awesome. Thank you for your help.

Hopefully he hasn't decided to take out some frustration on someone who has given his cell phone number to a bunch of crazy loungers.....,

Quote from vaultaddict : Hopefully he hasn't decided to take out some frustration on someone who has given his cell phone number to a bunch of crazy loungers.....,

You really think anybody called?

Quote from Majide : You really think anybody called?

I know he called because he described the guy as apologetic and said he will get the job done. That is EXACTLY how this guy always say when I called.
He DARES take out his frustration on me! I will let him see the end of it. I just can't start being physical first. Boy, if he just pushes me...... We will see.

Crap, I read this whole thread

Quote from wuzzy : Crap, I read this whole thread

and OP still refuses to take the good advice given; get physical, not him, afraid of the repercussions Sad isn't it, when someone like this can screw someone over that bad, come her to The Lounge, seek our support, then blatantly ignore our suggestions

Next.....one ought to be good when it happens

all the advice given is bad advice.... its a good thing he doesn't listen and follow through cause he might be in bigger trouble later on

report him to the police and just let it go....hopefully when he goes to court you might get some recovery for you

I'd get him in the yard and point out using your finger "that little problem down there at the bottom of that hole". While he's bending over trying to see "the problem", make sure you are holding a shovel. A little tap upside the head, and he'll see the bottom of the hole just fine...