Is there a forum for contractors to report/vent/inquire about problems with clientele?

1/16/2018 at 2:40:55 PM

GORD,

I personally feel the pain, Forstration , anger that you guys are dealing with and all along that way thinking how unfair this is.

Unfortunately there no such forum at website as far as I know. Plus I remember once I asked a lawyer about it and they told me is not legal. To create something like that.

Just take it easy. MAN

Thanks,

Jim

1/16/2018 at 5:10:37 PM

Hi,

I know its very frustrating. There should be some place or forum Nation wide to bring the reality out and all trades hard working people need to be protected from those thugs who know how to play the system as they know NO ONE can touch them and they walk away very nicely as no trades have time to follow up on payment or go to small cause court etc. so such people cheat all hard working people and trades are helpless. Such clients need to be exposed with full story and documents.

I work differently I know from my first 2 visits if I feel that a particular individual is going to be trouble maker I don't take the job. I cover my self with advance and its only 10% at stake as my final payment on completion. I deliver my best work so not a single penny is taken away so far in my 18 years of business in Toronto.

May be I may land up in future so I do agree to have some sort of place to discuss and expose such clients. How come they can bitch about trades???

1/16/2018 at 7:40:38 PM

Myself as a contractor I've experienced terrible clients. Those making changes in materials on the fly..ceramic to travertine etc. Expecting the price be the same.

Refusing to pay and withholding payments to get extras that were never included.

I believe a good contract and documentation is key to dealing with anyone. Also deposits to cover yourself.

This industry is unique, especially on the residential aspect, you're in someones home and the stress of your presence can be a lot to some. I've even had an emotionally abusive client that I was entangled with for a 5 week project.

The stress is unbelievably trying and difficult to deal with.

I wish there was a forum for contractors to tell their story but there is two sides to each story, were all different.

Keep your head up and dont let them get to you. Next month they are small, next year they are smaller and in 5 years their nothing but a faint memory.

Gear the tools in your business to better protect yourself.

1/16/2018 at 8:47:08 PM

I have read all the replies and I think Trusted Pros would allow us to vent about companies and name manes to save us all the unneeded clients.As for Legalities There are legal contracts that you must have the consumer / Company ( as you have mentioned) sign. it involves sending a signed copy to your lawyer and have it notarized.. making it legal and binding. There are so many stories out there about bad clients and bad contractors. if Trusted Pros allows this would be a good soapbox as they say..

1/17/2018 at 9:00:56 AM

As a contractor that has been in business for over 30 yrs it seems that customers today feel they don't have to pay when payment is due and when you do try to collect you are the bad person Social media is a huge downfall - they post horrible, untrue statements, statements that do not tell the whole story We can block these people, put their names out there or just ignore them and know that as a business who has serviced this area for many,many years and works 98% on referrals people will read thru the rants Best of luck to all business

1/17/2018 at 9:38:35 AM

Good morning everyone,

I have just spoken to the admin at Trusted Pros and the suggestion that was put out to this query of perhaps the Trusted Pros personnel providing contractors an avenue to view other's experiences with any clientele ( providing proof and documentation to back up your claim ) has already been requested a few times. They know that there is an issue and according to them they take any and all suggestions to heart. At the end of the day, we are back at square one not having any way to protect ourselves or one another from clientele and corporations that seemingly have a history of poor ethics and morals.

Not letting this one go....

Thank you everyone for your responses, both Gord and I appreciate the community feel everyone provides here.

1/19/2018 at 7:49:25 PM

In the Province of Ontario (perhaps national) now there is a public database for bad tenants https://www.landlordcreditbureau.ca/

Can't see why there could not be one for customers

Cheers

John Kuehnl-Cadwell

Master Electrician

Datawise Solutions Inc