Being Off-Kilter

The plaintiff hired the defendant to build steps and a deck for her above-ground pool. She says the deck was the wrong height and not safe to use. She’s suing for a refund. The defendant argues he fixed the deck, and the plaintiff will never be happy with the product.
Case: 31-171

[@Djmagicblack]

I knew something was up with the defendant after seeing how he wears those AirPods lol 😂

[@colleenobrien8212]

My thought, too.

[@rika6295]

Yesss!!! I was looking for a comment about that. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@shkrjam84]

That sent me 🤣

[@thankyouforincorrectingme]

LMAO!! I was looking for this comment. I was hoping to have the will power to not be that petty and make fun of him, but dammit, what TH is that?? 🤣😂

[@charmaintrout174]

I laughed every time I saw it. Right to the end. 😳🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@victorialipford1095]

I love the facial expressions Douglas makes at the judge when she is making her point Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

[@stephanie5249]

I would have paid ANY amount of money to her to make this go away in order to avoid showing this work on tv. I’ve never seen such shoddy work out of a professional… or even out of a weekend DIY warrior for that matter. Horrible

[@TomLloyd-18]

lol . . . yeah this is one of those cases where he should gone by first name only and not allow his business name to be used. Kinda works into the term "incompetent" that seems to apply

[@jamesy29]

I wouldn't even use him to build a dog, as his workmanship is very shoddy.

[@hottuna2006]

That's not a professional. He's some DIY guy who was in over his head. Don't choose contractors by price alone!

[@mrshappilymarried1]

It's unbelievably horrible.

[@db2888]

@@hottuna2006 Exactly! People want the best job for the cheapest price. Quality work costs money!

[@jordanmt007]

Guy just say you did a bad job. 😂 I wish the lady came with an actual estimate. She would’ve been awarded WAY more!

[@arlenecoggins-john3795]

I hope Judge Millian keeps the sit down session with her husband. I love listening to the both of them, I learn so much. ❤️

[@Sunshine134chick]

Same it’s theee best part of the show to me

[@rockobill7637]

i skip it...to each his own

[@dorisp9127]

I enjoy them both. I also learn a few things they discuss.

[@pendesign7086]

Ummm defendants airpods.... nuff said 😆

[@stephanie5249]

Omg right?! 😂

[@canvaskate7571]

Well buddy, she's a human being also that thought you were competent enough to know what she wanted by saying exactly what she wanted 🤷‍♀️

[@UmohowetYelayu]

I knew the Defendant was going to be a mess once I saw how he had his AirPods sticking out of his ears like antennae. 😂 Also, do I believe the Plaintiff was a little feisty: yes. She was feisty in court. But I also believe she had a right to be. She literally told him what she wanted in text. He should remember it as a professional, or, better yet, create contracts where you detail clearly what is required. With all the court shows & Google expertise available, I can’t understand how people still run their business without a contract.

[@JoifullyNatural]

🤣🤣 I’m in tears after reading you refer to his earbuds as antennae. Your other statements are very true. There’s little to no accountability on his part.

[@pisto30]

That's what those were? OMG 🤣

[@kyliemarie6386]

Lol I came to the comments to see if anyone had noticed/commented on his AirPods! How can he even hear things clearly with the AirPods inserted into his ear that way?!?! I literally tried it while watching this case. I actually don’t think she was feisty at all. I’ve seen people react quite badly for much less! He didn’t just stuff one little thing up, he stuffed the whole job up! But yes, if she had acted a little feisty, I would agree that it would have been warranted.

[@CAF60MILER]

I saw that "antennae" lol! He's an odd 🥚 🐣. 😆 🤣

[@jodybillings3841]

He needs to put them that way so the metal plate in his head doesn't interfere with them. 😄

[@2BOLD4U]

The defendant keeps saying that the plaintiff should've reminded him, but he should've taken his phone out to remember what the plaintiff wanted.

[@CooknVibewithannmarielove]

“The hells going on here” JMM I’m dead 😂

[@av8tor261]

That would have given a building inspector a heart attack.

[@psichliebemilch]

Lol she was is such disbelief "what the hell is going on here?" lmfao

[@whitechris720]

As a carpenter, steps are very critical. The smallest variance between steps will cause people to trip. The way he left those steps is shameful. He is really lucky he didn't get sued from someone getting hurt.

[@NellieKAdaba]

👍🏿

[@lolamaude3449]

No one is to blame, but you, the contractor! She clearly told you what she wanted in that text, no excuse.

[@suraceryan]

100% on contractor. If you forget what she wanted it’s to you to ask any questions before starting. Literally business 101.

[@rosej5029]

If he forgot what she wanted, he can refer back to the text/picture she sent him of what she wanted so he can remember what she wanted in addition to asking her additional questions.

[@robbbietheim2096]

He needs to find a new line of work 💯

[@marcimarce1207]

The defendant can't even wear ear pods correctly, you know he can't build anything right either lol!

[@NellieKAdaba]

😆

[@denniscampbell8363]

He’s not the brightest bulb in the pack. He could have disassembled it and started over with minimal waste. Saying she should have told him again what she wanted when she texted it to him, trying to pass the buck, shows a low competency level.

[@mikesteele05]

This dude is the kid in class whose parents constantly blamed the teacher any time he was in trouble. “You didn’t remind him about the assignment,” has turned into, “She didn’t remind me what she asked for.” “You didn’t help him enough,” has turned into, “She let me finish the whole thing before coming out and checking.” All personal accountability is out the window. He doesn’t seem to get that he’s the professional. This woman hired him to do something and trusted he’d do it. If she had the ability to stand there and oversee his work to ensure he was doing it properly, she’d just build her own steps!

[@allieb770]

Well said!

[@Goldengurl704]

Why in the world wouldn't he refer back to the text messages BEFORE starting the job. Then he places all the blame on her as if he shouldnt have communicated the day of as well. Glad she won her case.

[@cureeway]

The defendant really blames the plaintiff for his mistake … is he serious ?

[@72RiviRyda]

No! As a contractor you write everything down then confirm again with the client before starting! He's crazy.

[@WarGrowlmon18]

The problem is that sometimes the customer is NOT always right: my dad's a contractor and he's got a customer whose putting him through hell because she's a fucking LUNATIC!!! Maybe she's finally given up though because I'm pretty sure that it's been a few months since we last heard from her. My dad thinks that some other contractor who had wanted the job got into her head. She was his mother's best friend so he's literally known her all of his life, she's even recommended him to other people in the past after he did work for her that she never complained about. Ever. She's just completely lost it this time for some reason and has just been getting more and more outrageous in her demands. And THEN in the middle of all of this, in the middle of various complaints and lawyers, she texts him and asks him to come fix it. Which he originally planned to do before she filed her complaints the Friday before he was supposed to come back. He directed her to his lawyer because he doesn't want anything to do with her anymore and he quite frankly doesn't trust her not to change her mind suddenly and have him arrested for trespassing or something for daring to show up.

[@latzmenon5770]

I am not a contractor , and even I can see that that was such a shoddy job .

[@NellieKAdaba]

👍🏿

[@alohamarzia]

how is that his defense that she should have told him on the first day lol like bro you could have ASKED on the first day if you weren’t already sure 😂😂😂

[@aprilmorris4588]

That contractor just shot his mouth off. What he would not tolerate from her, he expected her to take from him - disrespect. I'm thinking he's single and staying that way.

[@baboytablo5735]

never work for a contractor that does not have at least a drawing of what they are suppose to do.

[@Possumpat84]

Glad the plaintiff knew to have it in writing. It won her the case. The defendant would have been so much better off just settling this instead of letting it come to court. I would not want to show my face with that mess he left her with in the end. Happy Valentines Day TPC fans!!

[@mandalynn410]

His job looks like CRAP! He should have took it down and started over. Such crap work. Hey door Matt your incompetent!

[@adrianprince7266]

The text message from the plantiff to the defendant about the specifics of how she wanted the pool built was the most important thing for her to win this case. Keep all proof of transactions. Documents, texts, emails etc.

[@heidicrimmings9615]

Happy Valentines day, Adrian

[@TopherGrant]

@@heidicrimmings9615 🥶🖤

[@TopherGrant]

I think you forgot to comment on a JM video earlier today. I'd love your input on that particular case.

[@heidicrimmings9615]

@@TopherGrant 🤮🤧

[@getin3949]

Adrian, he wasn't building a pool, he was building the steps and a platform TO the pool.

[@Sunshine134chick]

He’s still not taking responsibility for 1 not having a written contract and 2 not paying attention to the texts 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@lokita6192002]

The defendant AirPod!! Lmaoo

[@shdagentzero]

8:04 I don't think Douglas likes your work, buddy. LMFAO. Love you Doug!

[@Nothingleftbutthetruth]

Just showed up at a house and worked on the deck, if he didn't know the job how did he know he was even at the right place 🤣Sounds legit

[@Channel-JJ]

wow, what a crap job. "If she would have told me" she did you fool. Apparently he doesn't know how to ask questions.

[@julesthecat.]

Judge and her husband are the cutest couple ❤️ Hope I can find that type of companionship one day with someone

[@NellieKAdaba]

👍🏿

[@1234j]

The defendant is using a badly positioned earbud or possibly a cigarette to listen.😱🙄😂 His work competency is also his life competency.

[@crimsonfirelily]

How much clearer and easy was the directions from the Plaintiff? Jeez louise... Defendant was just incompetent. ✌

[@glennschemitsch8341]

What a disaster......AND......it's a sliver city to walk on.

[@rosej5029]

I'm surprised Doug didn't say to the defendant "You made a dumb mistake not referring back to the text" as he said in a previous episode.😂😂😂😂

[@NellieKAdaba]

😆

[@stephaniehowe0973]

Dude had it in writing, he 100% is wrong 1 halfa ss fix it is not acceptable.

[@liyahshayy410]

Why does he have his AirPods in that way?😂😂😂

[@BobBlumenfeld]

Coincidentally, today's broadcast PC was also about a badly done deck. Does that make today a double-decker?

[@arlenecoggins-john3795]

Thank God for Caribbean builders, these people are so resourceful.

[@34stzoo]

How good of a contractor he is when he can't put the right earplug in the correct ear. I totally believe her story.

[@GateKeeperShow]

Usually I feel bad for the defendants because some people are truly unreasonable and hard to please. This dude makes it harder for ALL carpenters by doing such terrible work . This is the reason homeowners are nasty to them. Because they’ll try to line their own pockets and leave you with a mess.

[@WarGrowlmon18]

The problem is that sometimes the customer is NOT always right: my dad's a contractor and he's got a customer whose putting him through hell because she's a fucking LUNATIC!!! Maybe she's finally given up though because I'm pretty sure that it's been a few months since we last heard from her. My dad thinks that some other contractor who had wanted the job got into her head. She was his mother's best friend so he's literally known her all of his life, she's even recommended him to other people in the past after he did work for her that she never complained about. Ever. She's just completely lost it this time for some reason and has just been getting more and more outrageous in her demands. And THEN in the middle of all of this, in the middle of various complaints and lawyers, she texts him and asks him to come fix it. Which he originally planned to do before she filed her complaints the Friday before he was supposed to come back. He directed her to his lawyer because he doesn't want anything to do with her anymore and he quite frankly doesn't trust her not to change her mind suddenly and have him arrested for trespassing or something for daring to show up.

[@TaureanSmoke]

He think he's so cool with his little airpods sticking out like that, some teenager smoking a cigarette said a men you should wear your airpods like this.

[@nBasedAce]

I saw them too! What a dumb defendant.

[@ladiecawthon7396]

@10:07, if she would have been more clear with me……. Why not do what the judge and plaintiff did and just flip back to the original text and look at it before u begin. The claim of not knowing is gone when evidence of a specified text was sent previously.

[@joycejoseph4151]

I think the defendant should have done, what he was told to do, instead he did his own design 👍 The judgement was fair enough 👌👍🙏

[@mjozzy111]

That contractor should not be in business. Glad he lost

[@katymcginn4644]

😒 I AGREE 😑🔨

[@SupaSwagga88]

I cant even get into this case because the ear buds are killin me lmbo

[@christinefaulk6531]

Lol, This is too funny! She told the defendant exactly what she wanted. She was short and to the point.

[@tjneverdefeated4394]

The defendant lives in a fog lol. 🤦🏾‍♀️. She was crystal clear. He should’ve verified what she wanted when he showed up since he was the one that was unclear.

[@hankrhill324]

Wow… that’s some straight up Mickey Mouse work right there. I’m not a guy to run to The Man but that’s messed up. I’d be contacting the state licensing board and file a consumer complaint. If that didn’t help then I’d call the local news investigative reporter. They love good visual stuff like those pictures. Have them come and stick a camera and mic in his face. Plaster his business and face on every TV. The news does way more than the cops do.

[@jkb4]

I can't stop looking at his earbuds!

[@WesleyLindsey]

Why is he wearing his airpods like that lmaoooo the man IS off-kilter

[@Tammohawk1]

I bought some property 2 yrs ago and have been trying to get it developed. It's been a slow process, lol. Anyway, all the work I've had done I've had a contract. Also, you never pay until the job is done.

[@ct6410]

I’m not sure where you live that they accepted being paid nothing until the job is done, but that’s not how it works in the real world. You have a schedule of payments based on percentage (or specific line items) completed.

[@Tammohawk1]

@@ct6410 I live in Calif. I had a well drilled. I paid after completion of the job. I had a pump installed, I paid after completion of the job. The only time you pay anything up front is if you are covering materials. Otherwise, you are being taken for a ride. I'm about to have a septic system installed, I'm not paying a penny until completion of the job. It's the real world.

[@dllms]

she was right . that is for sure

[@Mountaingrly2513]

Did this man by chance learn his craft in prison?

[@Jdn555]

So not even 1 cent to remove the garbage he built? That will cost something.

[@mississippimud7046]

That was a hodge podged popsicle stick looking mess 🤨

[@vokally718]

What “shocks” me is the q&a afterwards. SMH.

[@TomLloyd-18]

. . . " if she would have reminded me on the day ". So what plan was he going on? If he didn't remember the agreement in the text . . . . did he confuse it with another job? . . . or make it up on the fly? Maybe it woulda been wise for him (the contractor) to clarify with her b4 he started. IMO . . . she wasn't berating him . . . she was calling a spade a spade. The term 'incompetent' certainly seems to apply And . . . to her at the end . . . don't give your workers wine coolers . . . . then complain that their "drinkin on the job"

[@34stzoo]

Although she told me she wanted this way, but she didn't remind me, so it's all her fault! Does that seem right?

[@versatileduplicity9313]

He should win. He’s hilarious 😂😂

[@WarGrowlmon18]

"Does she look like the kind of lady who would accept that???" Cue the defendant with her hands on her hips.

[@cannacliffords7462]

Am a bit confused as to why Judge Marilyn gave the Plaintiff $ 0 for tearing down and carting away the old deck. She did not make the Plaintiff “whole” since she is not in the same (financial) position as she was before the job.

[@ct6410]

You and the 7 people who liked this need to clean your ears out or visit an audiologist or something. They had a two-minute discussion about how she pulled a number from thin air and had NOTHING to base it on and DAMAGES CANNOT BE PURELY SPECULATIVE.

[@cannacliffords7462]

@@ct6410 Its true that the Plaintiff said she pulled the figure out of the air. And what Judge Marilyn normally does at this point is ( Douglas....?..) ...a little ROUGH JUSTICE .

[@Jdn555]

@@ct6410 This judge makes monetary estimates ALL. THE. TIME. It’s her “rough justice”. She knows it’s not going to be free to remove the deck.

[@mymobilebuddy4392]

I love the plaintiff already. I am 3 minutes into it. I can imagine her saying, you dumb bunny I told you to build it higher.

[@takierawhitaker314]

Dang I could’ve did a deck better than that for 900 and I don’t know squat about decks 😂

[@DanLee8884]

The defendant sure is a piece of work. He forgets and blames the plaintiff for not communicating? Listening is a part of communication buddy. "I forgot. I am human being," is no excuse for your mistake. Your next words should be, "I take full responcibility", not , "she should have..." She doesnt have the obligation to adjust to ur lazy mistakes! Oye...And then he complains that she has the gull to complain when he did it wrong? Huh?

[@jfresh754]

why his Airpods in like that lol

[@katymcginn4644]

🤣 THIS GUY DOESN'T KNOW THE RIGHT END OF A HAMMER 🔨 LOL

[@michaeldose2041]

His defense is, I forgot. I am embarrassed for him, how does he find his way out of bed?

[@annerose9219]

Defendant, “We’re humans. We’re not perfect. We forget!” 🤥

[@ayefo7800]

The plaintiff should have "forgotten" to pay him for the shody work....love to see if the amnesia angle would have worked if the tables had been turned🤔🙄🤔🙄🤔🙄🤔

[@getin3949]

This woman has every right to complain, what a cobbled up mess. This guy is NO carpenter, maybe a WANNA BE carpenter but definitely not a true, skilled carpenter. It's funny how weekend Joe's like to give themselves titles so they can go out and earn money. Go to school and learn a trade, then ask people for money you've earned doing the RIGHT thing.

[@JayyThao]

It was literally his job to remember what he’s supposed to do. Lol.

[@hayleygolding4187]

That work! Terrible! 😳

[@katymcginn4644]

😒 THIS GUY ISN'T EVEN EMBARRASSED TO SAY "YEP, I DID THAT!" LOL WOW 😯😑

[@rhondabee467]

He's incompetent

[@emilee2588]

Could you imagine being married to that. Everything would always be someone else's fault 😂

[@ebonyswope]

Plaintiff should’ve gotten the $1300 because someone has to remove that wood and that cement

[@PeaceIsAlwaysBeautiful92]

"What The Hell Is Going On Here".... 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@thesaltycarpenter5245]

As a contractor I always want to side with the carpenter but in this case this guy was way over his head. He should just stick to the handyman work.

[@koukla72]

LOVE Judge Milan's hoops. ❤

[@shkrjam84]

What kind of shade tree contractor do you have to be to not ask at least at the job site for them to reiterate what they want if it’s been weeks??? He should have been one of those to not give his last name 🤣

[@tanekrune5873]

I will likely never be able to afford a home given how that looked impossible in the 2000s and it definitely is unreachable now...but I will know if I ever get there to have everything in writing, always. Especially with construction.

[@uhmillieuhmillie]

Defendant wearing his air pods how T.I wear his hats 💀💀💀💀..

[@Lanie-sl9ne]

The plaintiffs a human being and so is the defendant. Therefore, the defendant should have prior to starting any job gone over specifics, details whatever it took to make sure both parties had a meeting of the mind; the customer along with the contractors. It would have saved a lot of hardship and agony..

[@stevepuy1510]

A totally incompetent carpenter doesn’t remember instructions/specifications 😂

[@anayasdad81]

6” isn’t a legal rise anyway so he can’t do that

[@debrastone2198]

I hope I don't live anywhere near this guy, & one day need him to build a deck for me!!! I can clearly see it doesn't help to put it in writing - except when you have to take him to court! Are you sure he can read??? 🤔

[@Childfree334]

Good Evening everyone and Happy 💝 !!!

[@looknbakatu]

what was on the menu today? 😊

[@brucecoleman7412]

Hey defendant, you can’t remember the text describing the work to be done? Where are those texts? On your phone. Where is your phone? In your pocket. So let me get this straight. She should have reminded you of the scope of the project before you started when you had the details in your pocket the entire time? Sheesh! Who’s the professional here? Hint: It isn’t you! Look somewhere else. Nothing to see here...

[@back-corner-turnings]

The guy doesn’t even know how to put ear buds in, how the hell can we expect him to know how to build a set of stairs!🤡😂😂

[@sandwichman100]

i think the thing in his ear actually goes right through his head from one side to the other

[@sandwichman100]

if i was asked to build something like this i would grab some paper and a pencil and draw it first work out all the measurements ect and get her to agree to it

[@grantking8000]

He isn't a builder but a scam artist - there is no quality, fit or finish in this build and nailing a support to the SIDE of the steps instead of placing a support underneath speaks volumes about his level of incompetence. He wouldn't even make a hammer hand on a building site - maybe that's why he prays on the gullible.

[@meme-sw1pc]

Not a doormat, not a good contractor either, what shoddy work.

[@surfbreak190]

I wouldn't trust him to build a bird house

[@LC-se8pw]

... this guy makes me feel a little violent lol

[@ThePracticalDog]

If a professional finishes a job, stands back and looks at it and knows they would never post a picture of that work on their website or social media page - they've not done their job. Every piece of work a true professional does is something worthy of promoting when it's completed. If you wouldn't use a picture of it to advertise your work, then you didn't do your job. And that abomination ... if he had any pride in his craft, he would have torn the entire thing down and built it right.

[@theredditshow8951]

I mean he is incompetent soooooo

[@katymcginn4644]

🤣 YEP! KINDA DUMB IT SEEMS TOO! 😑

[@nail.9929]

The AirPod ………… 😂😂😂😂