08-31-2008, 03:38 AM
I'm sorry you had to deal with that Kathy, and
THANK YOU for letting us all know. I agree that this behavior seems to be this guys MO, and sadly, the more people that fall for his despicable intimidation tactics, the more he will feel validated in continuing to do these things. I think it is not too late to file a complaint and you should do so A.S.A.P! The more police complaints that are filed on this a**hole, the more likely that the next person will have some recourse.
If it were me I would have barricaded myself in the house and called the cops and called the neighbors to witness out their windows. What a despicable character! To address him not lasting long here, unfortunately he's lasted at least since John Rabi used him, six years ago was it? He's found a prime environment to thrive like a vicious bacteria, because the police haven't seemed to do anything to discourage his abuse and his "client's" hands are tied. He's proven that he can get away with it. He needs a psych evaluation and a few months in the slammer... and he should be paying you for the mess and trauma he caused. One main lesson in all this is: Don't give in to bullies. They just go bully someone else!!!
Also, I whole heartedly disagree that no deposit should ever be given... and I think that it would be ridiculous to have every person that can do a job be a licensed contractor or have to be employed by one. It would be a racket. Some jobs are better off with a contractor and some aren't. A deposit isn't usually about paying for materials/labor as much as it is about a gesture of good will... If you've invested $ in a project then you're less likely to walk away. Why would you expect someone else to invest time and $ in your project without any kind of assurance that you're serious??? If we have to deal with every person capable of doing a good job on a project being a contractor or employed by one, then the whole field will be monopolized with 20 - 40% higher costs across the board and not great practices such as the one listed earlier being common place. This field is no different than any other, diversity is to be celebrated. Why not stick with well laid out contracts? Kathy knows where she erred and it happens to most of us one time or another. No excuse to get up on your high horse and try to make her feel worse to make yourself feel better. Wasn't that a lesson learned in elementary school??? Some people's kids... [V]
THANK YOU for letting us all know. I agree that this behavior seems to be this guys MO, and sadly, the more people that fall for his despicable intimidation tactics, the more he will feel validated in continuing to do these things. I think it is not too late to file a complaint and you should do so A.S.A.P! The more police complaints that are filed on this a**hole, the more likely that the next person will have some recourse.
If it were me I would have barricaded myself in the house and called the cops and called the neighbors to witness out their windows. What a despicable character! To address him not lasting long here, unfortunately he's lasted at least since John Rabi used him, six years ago was it? He's found a prime environment to thrive like a vicious bacteria, because the police haven't seemed to do anything to discourage his abuse and his "client's" hands are tied. He's proven that he can get away with it. He needs a psych evaluation and a few months in the slammer... and he should be paying you for the mess and trauma he caused. One main lesson in all this is: Don't give in to bullies. They just go bully someone else!!!
Also, I whole heartedly disagree that no deposit should ever be given... and I think that it would be ridiculous to have every person that can do a job be a licensed contractor or have to be employed by one. It would be a racket. Some jobs are better off with a contractor and some aren't. A deposit isn't usually about paying for materials/labor as much as it is about a gesture of good will... If you've invested $ in a project then you're less likely to walk away. Why would you expect someone else to invest time and $ in your project without any kind of assurance that you're serious??? If we have to deal with every person capable of doing a good job on a project being a contractor or employed by one, then the whole field will be monopolized with 20 - 40% higher costs across the board and not great practices such as the one listed earlier being common place. This field is no different than any other, diversity is to be celebrated. Why not stick with well laid out contracts? Kathy knows where she erred and it happens to most of us one time or another. No excuse to get up on your high horse and try to make her feel worse to make yourself feel better. Wasn't that a lesson learned in elementary school??? Some people's kids... [V]
Melissa Fletcher
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"Make yurts, not war" Bill Coperthwaite, 1973
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"Make yurts, not war" Bill Coperthwaite, 1973