Why oh why.

[biena]

Decided to install a gas geyser, got multiple quotes, checked on http://www.saqccdata.co.za that the person is registered.

Monday came he installed a few pipes, will be back tuesday to install the rest.
Tuesday got a call he is not going to make it.
Arranged to have it installed wednesday, no show, no call nothing.

Now his cellphone is off, goes straight to voicemail (being trying to contact him off and on during the day).
Went to the address on his business card, it is fake.

So guess my actions now would be:
Inform the bank I paid the EFT into.
File police report (at least I have his car registration number)
Contact www.saqccdata.co.za inform them of events.
Put this up on hellopeter for what it is worth.

So friendly warning and a lesson, first confirm physical presence of a business before handing over any cash.

Some of the details, this guy is in pretoria, goes by the name Gerhard
Will be naming him after bank/police etc etc.

[abzo]

So he disappeared into thin air?
Hope you can catch him, he'd be in hot water.

[themba990]

he'd be in hot water.

I see what you did there

[Frikkenator]

That sucks man, even after doing more due diligence than most people would, stuff like this still happens!

[Mila]

Delilah ..

[gregmcc]

What's his company called?

Have you paid him already?!

[Freaksta]

What's his company called?

Have you paid him already?!

Yea, not sure why you paid upfront?

[ponder]

Yea, not sure why you paid upfront?

Some people never learn.

[Boris Becker]

Firstly, why'd you pay upfront?

Secondly, the guy didn't turn up yesterday and today and now his phone is off. He's a unprofessional douche but isn't it a bit early to be panicking and calling the cops?

[^^vampire^^]

(1) Person comes and does job
(2) You check job, if **** job done go to (1), if good job go to (3)
(3) Pay person for good job

That's my philosophy in life and as long as you follow it you will be fine. I will never part with a cent unless someone does the work and to a proper standard.
If they say they need the money to buy parts before they do the job, they can't be that good and no one uses them or they should have cash reserves or a business loan to cover this.
Either way I only pay when the work is done. Period.

[ChilliGirl]

(1) Person comes and does job
(2) You check job, if **** job done go to (1), if good job go to (3)
(3) Pay person for good job

That's my philosophy in life and as long as you follow it you will be fine. I will never part with a cent unless someone does the work and to a proper standard.
If they say they need the money to buy parts before they do the job, they can't be that good and no one uses them or they should have cash reserves or a business loan to cover this.
Either way I only pay when the work is done. Period.

That can go both ways. I don't think a security deposit is unreasonable if payable on arrival of goods prior to work starting. This does not need to cover the entire cost of goods but more a good faith gesture that more will be paid.

[Kosmik]

That can go both ways. I don't think a security deposit is unreasonable if payable on arrival of goods prior to work starting. This does not need to cover the entire cost of goods but more a good faith gesture that more will be paid.

This. 50/50 or 70/30 is the norm with most contractors now.

[Hemi300c]

This suck and I hope you nail him, too many fraudsters around these days and they must get sorted.

Hope you come right man.

[biena]

Did not pay everything upfront, 70% deposit or they will not take the work.
But seems my angry voicemail made an impression, guy pitched up this morning.
His excuse: my phone was off he couldn't contact me, total bs since I was receiving calls during the day,

And to think I really go out of my way to give the smaller guys a chance, seriously reconsidering it. e.g if company doesnt have 10+ people no business from me.

Yeah and also a lesson learnt 70% upfront and I will not do business with you.

[DrYes]

In the heat of the moment its very easy to hand over cash upfront but the OP should gave gassed that this guy is no good.