Very upset - ripped off by flooring guys

**gottadance** · 04-25-2011, 02:38 PM

As I had posted previously, I had found someone who was going to supply me with wood from a torn down barn. I paid $3,500 for 825 sq ft of wood up front (huge mistake, but their references checked out.) Well, this guy and his partner had a falling out, their business is dissolving and both are pointing the fingers at each other as to whose fault it is. One is saying he's still trying to resolve the issue, but when I ask him for specifics on my job he ignores me. The other guy just says he doesn't have the money to give me back.

It's turned into a nightmare, I'm going to have to take them to small claims court. I'm out $3,500 and I don't have my wood. At first I tried to work with them to come up with alternate solutions, but they just kept saying the same things, finger pointing, etc. According to our agreement, they have until April 30 to supply the wood and complete the job. Clearly this is not going to happen. I sent a certified letter to them asking them to supply me with the name of the wood supplier, date of deliver and date of job start. No response and the 72 hours has passed.

I've been waiting to have these floors done for years. Saving my money, etc. I've never been ripped off like this in my entire life - and I've found it quite common that contractors ask for money up front because they don't want to be stuck either - with wood that they've paid for then the customer won't reimburse them.

Well, I have all the evidence to take them to small claims. But you can't get blood from a turnip. Even if they show up and if the court find them guilty, how will I get my money. Neither one of them owns property. What a nightmare this has been for me.

I was trying to be green and get what I wanted. I could have gone to lumber liquidators and gotten some wide-paneled wood for half the price and gotten someone I trusted to install it. ARGH.

I was able to get them kicked out of their warehouse because I contacted the owner and showed him how they'd put his warehouse address on their invoice as their place of business - their contract with him specifically states the warehouse can only be used for storage, not business. He's given them 30 days. If there's any flooring in there, he says I can have it at that point, but I'm doubtful. But I do feel good I stuck it to them. Next, I'm going to contact their landlords and let them know that they have stolen money from me.

Only positive, encouraging responses, please. I feel like an idiot.

**nodmicks** · 04-25-2011, 02:58 PM

I'm so sorry! I hope you get your $ back.

**Ceashels** · 04-25-2011, 03:01 PM

Sorry that you have to experience this. I say stick it to them as much as you can. And even though you can't get blood from a turnip... you might be able to get a lien put against their assets/vehicles making it very difficult for them to sell.

I would be writing letters to the better business bureau so that if they start a future business others will know.

More power to you.

**frugalfranny** · 04-25-2011, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by gottadance

I've never been ripped off like this in my entire life - and I've found it quite common that contractors ask for money up front because they don't want to be stuck either - with wood that they've paid for then the customer won't reimburse them.

Only positive, encouraging responses, please. I feel like an idiot.

Sorry this has happened to you. Hope you get your money back and find a 'decent' resolution. That sucks.

No need to feel like an idiot...........it has happened to all of us when dealing with contractors. There are so MANY details to watch for anymore that it can be a little overwhelming.

Not enough HONEST contractors out there!!!

Hang in there and don't beat yourself up over it. Put the anger into ACTION..........I would write (email) letters to anyone and everyone I could.............state people and BBB. Short and to the point.......no details needed until asked..........other than you paid for something and DID NOT GET IT!

**stinkbug** · 04-25-2011, 03:45 PM

Does your local news stations do spotlight segments on situations like this?? Most stations do...where they will do a news story and try to get the issue resolved if you have been ripped off? Our local one is *6 on your side*
You might call your local stations and ask??

**mauimagic** · 04-25-2011, 04:01 PM

How frustrating for you - and here you are doing everything above board - doesn't seem right/fair - but then these things do happen. Please let us how the final resolution.

**jas** · 04-25-2011, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by stinkbug

Does your local news stations do spotlight segments on situations like this?? Most stations do...where they will do a news story and try to get the issue resolved if you have been ripped off? Our local one is *6 on your side*
You might call your local stations and ask??

I know our news does that too. Helps people that has been screwed over get justice.

**Ramona** · 04-25-2011, 05:26 PM

Post it here for all the world to see:

http://www.yelp.com/

**mndtrp** · 04-25-2011, 10:32 PM

Considering the situation, and my limited knowledge, it sounds like you are doing the best you can.

**gottadance** · 05-03-2011, 12:44 AM

Thanks all - plan to file a police report and a small claim this week. Very frustrating that in addition to being ripped off, I now have to spend my valuable time to try to get my money back. ARGH. And my floors aren't done.

**Brat** · 05-03-2011, 08:10 AM

Stick with it..They will have to pay..You may not be able to do anything until April 30 other that let BBB and places like that know that it has happened..You can claim a levey any equipment that they may have and that will help.

**Debbie-cat** · 05-03-2011, 09:50 AM

I am so sorry this happened. Stick to your guns and it will all work out. Keep us posted!

**Missy** · 05-04-2011, 07:25 PM

Makes me ill. Hubby owns a flooring and remodeling company. It's all we do. It breaks my heart when we come across customers that have had stuff like this happen to them. It feels good to know we can at least help them get their floors taken care of, but it saddens me the run around they have to deal with to try to get their money back from the other contractors that came before us.

**craftypam** · 05-04-2011, 08:01 PM

We feel the same way Missy. A few years ago a neighbor had hired someone to do their siding. It started falling off and they would not fix it; so the neighbors went to dh's supply place and found out he did it. Alot of contractors won't fix someone elses mess; they don't want to get involved; my dh saved what he could and only charged them for what he fixed.