So what do you think is going on here?

**peanut** · 09-10-2008, 11:39 PM

We had a new roof put on the house. The guy operated through Home Depot. He wanted a postdated cheque for the entire amount before they even started the job. I refused. I told him I'd give him a deposit, or give him a credit card number. He said his company doesn't take credit cards. And he didn't want to bother chasing us down for the remainder of the money. I told him no way was he getting the full amount up front. He accused me of having trust issues. That should have been my warning sign. Anyway, in the end I gave him a voided cheque (his suggestion), instead of a deposit.

In the process of this conversation I let him know we could pay for the entire amount out of any of 3 different accounts. But I was planning on pulling it from the investments (my inheritance). So he's happy with that, or let's on he is.

I'm told they'll give us two days notice before they load up the truck and then it'll be another two days before they do the roofing. I am also told they will be here in two weeks time.

So I talk to my financial planner and arrange to have the money out in two weeks time to pay them.

I got no phone calls. One day these guys show up and start unloading stuff. The next day the guys come and do the roofing. They are one week early. I talk to the guy in charge of the roofing and say "I guess I better get the money to pay you guys then". he assures me no problem, I'll be sent an invoice when the job is done. So I figure it'll be okay.

Well, jack shows up the day after the job is done looking for a cheque for $6500!!! I'm furious. He knew what I was planning and had assured me everything was okay. I told him I couldn't give him a cheque right then because I hadn't had time to transfer money from any of my accounts to cover it. So then he asks for a post-dated cheque. Well I hate those things. But DH decided the work had been done so they definitely were entitled to be paid...even though it was earlier than arranged. So I wrote a post-dated cheque for $6500...for the 15th.

So today I get a call from jack, and he wants me to sign an "authorization code" for them to check my account and see if I have the money to cover the cheque. WT??? If I had the money in the account right now, I wouldn't have given him a post-dated cheque! The deadline for the money going in the account is Friday...well before the date on the postdated cheque.

At this point I'm just plain getting steamed. I told him no way was I giving them authorization to check my account and lower my credit rating in the process. He starts saying the company policy on payments has changed and I can put the expense on a credit card now. I'm thinking he's already got a signed cheque, I'm not giving him a credit card number too! I just so don't trust this man now. I told him I was going to be busy the next couple of days (the truth). He said he'd get back to me Monday.

Then he phones back less than five minutes later and says "Syner... says you have a few days grace to have the funds in the account." What? Who is this Syner...? Has he already put me in collections? For doing what he suggested? It's a post-dated cheque, written at his request...surely that means I have till the date of the cheque for the money to be drawn from my account?

I think the guy is just trying to scare me, but I want to be sure. Anyone know what might be going on here?

Moral of story: don't get work done by Home Depot. We haven't been happy with either of the contractors we've had through them this year.

Jean

**MomToTwoBoys** · 09-11-2008, 12:51 AM

Wow, I wouldn't have trusted him from Day One. That sounds awfully weird like those contractors and stuff you hear about on Holmes on Homes. I've had no experience with having contractors but I would have only went with one payment method. I would have also contacted HD's corporate HQ to see what their procedure is when it comes to roofing jobs.

**missmanny** · 09-11-2008, 01:41 AM

I understand that he wants to be paid... but this seems to almost be bordering on harrassment (and I agree with you - while I'm sure it isn't dodgy it most certainly stinks a little bit)

Tell him to bank the cheque when the date on it is ok and then if the money doesn't clear that he can sue you for all that you are worth and tell him that you won't be speaking to him until such time as the date on the check that he asked you for has expired.

I think that you need to be very clear with him.

**ktsmama** · 09-11-2008, 09:46 AM

I think I would contact Home Depot immediately!! There is something going on with this guy that I would not trust.

I also agree with missmanny. Don't talk to him again until after the date on the check.

Good Luck.

**FreesiaE** · 09-11-2008, 10:34 AM

I've never contracted work through HD, Lowes, etc. where payments didn't go through the store itself. The fact that he wants money from you directly seems fishy; call HD and check on their policy.

**Denvergirlie** · 09-11-2008, 11:02 AM

Never give out a post dated check, the bank can and will cash it when it's presented for payment, post dated means nothing (ask me how I know this....).

In the future pay the yearly fee and join Angieslist for recommendations on local service providers.

**PrairieGirl** · 09-11-2008, 11:08 AM

Can you check this guy with the BBB to see if there have been any complaints about him in the past? In the meantime, I'd be on the phone or in store with HD! This man's actions are creepy!

**peanut** · 09-11-2008, 11:15 AM

Well I talked to DH last night. He thinks the guy is having problems paying his bills.

I decided to get a hold of my investment advisor and have the funds sitting in the account by the end of today...just in case.

DH was pretty mad this guy was pulling this too. My mental health is okay at the moment, but he sure is stretching it for me. I was upset the rest of the day yesterday. I think I'll be putting the phone on 'no ring' for the rest of the week.

The cheque itself was written out to Home Depot, not to the guy personally.

Jean

**mommy4ever** · 09-11-2008, 11:34 AM

That is odd that you paid him and not home depot. I'd call customer service and ask about it. Since it isn't written to him, he has no authorization to check your accounts. If he does, I'd be raising h*ll with home depot on the poor business you've had with them.

But like all chains, they really don't give ahoot for the most part

**forHISglory** · 09-11-2008, 01:12 PM

Hmmm... Something stinks in Denmark, er, Canada! Check directly with Home Depot and BBB. He has the check, but if you can quickly find out info, you can stop the check.

**C@rol** · 09-11-2008, 01:28 PM

He accused me of having trust issues.

I would have said "You better believe I do. Especially the way you're conducting business."

I don't think I would have continued business with
this person after his requests and approach.

**patticakes** · 09-13-2008, 01:03 AM

I have used Home Depot for assorted services(carpet 3x, roof 1x, hot water heater 2x, counterrops 2x, door install 2x) when in a bind and I have ALWAYS had to pay at the store, at the Special Order or Contractors Desk, then Home Depot sends in the work order to the service provider then I am called directly, usually the next day, from the company who is contracted to do the work for Home Depot.

Once the guys are out on site, if I have forgotten something typically I can negotiate more work for ca$h without any issues.

I would definately talk to the manager at Home Depot about your experience. They do "fire" their service providers too!

Let us know what happens!