I took my customer to court, turns out he's a LAWYER 😔

What's up folk, this is my story of my customer not wanting to pay for the floor sanding and refinishing work I had completed on his herringbone parquet floor. I hope you enjoy it! let me know what you think.
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[@Archer1182]

What is a solicitor?

[@HowToSandAFloor]

A solicitor is a type of lawyer in the U.K.

[@Archer1182]

@@HowToSandAFloor Ok got ya! Good for you too stand your ground and take him to the mat on this one.

[@fazillahi]

@Paul Moore Hey not all of them are bad, you get a few rotten ones in every trade

[@roberthayes9842]

@@fazillahi agreed but they do charge extortionate amounts of money for their time, however since the reduction of legal aid thats been devastated

[@bobbuilder3656]

Google is free, babe

[@perrybrown4985]

My father was an electrical contractor. He did a fairly large job for this guy and there were a lot of (authorised) variations. When the time comes to pay, the guy says "i'm not paying". He says "take me to court, see what happens, I never loose". So he goes to court, disputing the variations. The judge says "so, you are disputing the variations, but concede that the basic amount is justified and payable?" The guy says "yes", so the judge says "pay what you owe". First win. For the remainder, he start claiming bankruptcy, then not and then again - and my dad has to chase him back and forth through various courts, driving up costs. The guy is hoping that my dad will run out of money and give up. Finally, there is a judgement in dads favour, including the legal costs, which by now are much greater than the disputed amount. So then the guy disputes the costs - so back to court again. The court audits the costs and approves a larger sum! The guy disputes this. More court time. Finally, there is a judgement "stop, pay up, do it now, it's finished". And still, he doesn't pay. My dad asks his solicitor "what should we do now" and the solicitor says "take him to court (lol)". The guy eventually payed about 3x more than the original bill. What a waste of time and energy. He didn't plan on coming up against my dad, who would fight to the death and never let these types of cheats triumph.

[@robertmorris2363]

Good on your dad.

[@perrybrown4985]

@@robertmorris2363 :-) In another instance, he was working on some high rise appartments. I don't know the details, but the place had to be finished by a certain day and the project was running late. I was helping him and his crew. All the trades were working frantically on this job - late into the evenings. There were tilers, carpenters, carpet layers all working on top of each other. I remember one instance in the foyer, where me and another guy were on ladders installing downlights, while the plumber was below us brazing something to get a fountain going, while the landscaper was tossing dirt and plants around him into the fountain thing, while a painter painted the walls... All at 9 in the evening. Anyway, the job finishes and everything opens on time - and the builder turns around and says to everyone "I will give you half of what I owe you and you can take it now - or you can take me to court and see how you go". Most of the little guys, operating week to week, just took what they were offered. My dad got together with the plumber and went to court. After a long fight, everyone got paid. (and the builder went broke - good riddance - one less shark in the sea)

[@TheBestlaidschemes]

My father warned me when I decided to enter into business - "be careful of the wealthy guy who drives up in a flashy car. They are not your customer, your best customers are the people who live in council houses".

[@SamuelHorler]

Definitely! Some guy in a Porsce stood me up for an appointment withy sports coaching business, offered to pay me for my time anyway then told me he'd paid me twice and wanted his money back even though he didn't pay me a penny!

[@davethecrow]

100% true!

[@guttercleanfamily9111]

Exactly what I tell people who want to go self employed, too true

[@normandhalv]

You are spot on there

[@lordflashheart8153]

Absolutely, I had a builder at my old house and he said "it's like trying to get blood out of stone when asking rich people to pay you, people with little money pay you straight away".

[@jimwalker5412]

Im 72 year old, retired painter and decorator, self employed, over the years i took 6 customers to court for non payment and won every time, heres the secret, do the paperwork yourself(it can now all be done on line, it really is easy) dont get enoyed just treat it like a game and dont give up, thats what they hope you will do, its soooooo satisfying when you win and the best is that they end up with a county court judgement against their name, good luck and dont back down.

[@Canadian_Eh_I]

Hi jsut question from a guy whos been painting for 20 years..do you have any ill health affects from painting or is it relatively safe in your estimation long term??

[@jimwalker5412]

@@Canadian_Eh_I Hi, started when I was 15 yoa retired at 70 yoa, I don't have any health issues, I always made sure I wore a mask when spraying any product, the trade is as safe as you care to make it, remember you are your own health and saftey officer, Take care, Jim

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Good advice

[@MoroccanAnwar]

@@jimwalker5412 golden advice

[@frglee]

A self employed electrician friend out here in the sticks sometimes finds it very hard to get farmers to pay bills for vital work on their farms, often for emergency repairs at very short notice. He tends to just give up on unpaid bills after a while to 'avoid unpleasantness'. I think it's pretty disgusting that some people, often well off, get away with exploiting working people. My father had a simple system for rogue payers for his business that seemed to work. After a couple of letters, he would visit or telephone them on a Friday and ask for payment by Monday lunchtime, or he would go down to see his solicitors on Monday afternoon. He'd politely remind them he always went to court for such things, had a cast-iron case and had done it a dozen times over the years and had never lost. Not only would they be forced to pay the money owed by a court order, they'd have to pay court costs as well. Thus a £200 bill would turn into a £600 bill, that could be enforced by bailiffs. Most customers paid on the Monday.

[@rosemaryhenderson3226]

Well done for highlighting this! My husband laid a floor many years ago and the customer got down on his hands and knees with a magnifying glass to see if he could find any faults! Glad you got justice in the end.

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Thank you Rosemary!

[@RyanKeane9]

In future refer him to RRP5007, a Rolls Royce visual inspection spec which specifies “1x vision or corrective vision at arms length. Also ask him is the lights are 1000lux at 12” distance from the inspection area. Even inspectors like myself wouldn’t use a magnifying glass on the floor! Ridiculous! ❤

[@mejinks1978]

He had no intention of paying and will likely have done this in the past, I would now send an email to the bar association as he is clearly a crook.

[@elixier33]

You mean the SRA Solicitors Regulation Authority

[@Gvegasman43]

He has to meet an ethical standard he has to meet and not paying is very unethical

[@mattwroe4776]

Yes do that because if keeps getting complaints they will act for dishonesty

[@hunterluxton5976]

It's the Law Society, not the Bar. The LS govern solicitors.

[@andrewchapman5659]

He will just BS his way out of it, say someone told him it was his fault, maybe they did the damage on purpose knowing they could just easily fix it, his friend the plumber probably made it rain a little, plumber probably handy himself could fix it up.

[@cp4512]

To be honest, solicitors aren’t known for their integrity or compassion. I’ve heard and seen so many bad stories about them that I would refuse to work for one ever again. Making a very rich living out of other people’s misfortune and charging them handsomely for the privilege.

[@carstenstille8503]

There are three kinds of person that won´t pay all and get in a discussion. These are Lawyers or Solicitors, Architects and Teachers and thats also here in Germany.

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

"Making a very rich living out of other peoples' misfortunes and charging them handsomely for the privilege". Not all of them. A lot of solicitors only do conveyancing and buying a property isnt a "misfortune". You might complain about the fee but it's a LOT less than the estate agent!

[@markrainford1219]

@@gbwildlifeuk8269 You don't even need a solicitor for conveyancing, you can do it yourself. All the searches, all the paperwork, visit to land registry etc will be done by his secretary and he will simply rubber stamp it. And charge you full whack of course.

[@mansardmanor3869]

Yup I've had my bad non payment with lawyers in the US Also include family, they never pay

[@phainesthai]

Or honesty, all lawyers get taught how to lie, how to lie convincingly, and how to swing any argument to the other side. For lawyers that do supposed conveyancing, you pay a hell of a lot of money just for a few papers to be signed.

[@vanessaouyang1220]

Why are you putting yourself down ? You ABSOLUTELY did the right thing. You might not have been the first person he has done this to either, but you might have been the first person who has actually stood up to him and refused to be intimidated. You are not stupid or silly! This is your livelihood. You did a good job and you both need and deserve to be paid for it ! Wonder what he would do if someone refused to pay him ?

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Thank you!

[@dewindoethdwl2798]

That solicitor is a crook trying to scam you. Well done standing up to the bully. Don’t feel bad, stand tall😎

[@AfterBurner369]

@@dewindoethdwl2798 Solicitors are crooks. They all work together to take as much as they can from us. It's the case with many other agents that we employ to do work for us, sovereign beings, that we are more than capable of doing ourselves.

[@egj1975]

You did the ONLY right thing. Never let arrogant pricks run you down. Great video and wish you all the best mate.

[@swiftnevisonbushwrangler6905]

Just because he’s a solicitor doesn’t make him intelligent or have any common sense. Pure arrogance was his downfall. What a knob

[@josephberrie9550]

I have known quite a few and they are the most useless incompetent workers I have ever come across they are no more clever than the ordinary blue collar worker

[@glennbartlett416]

Nope doesn't matter who they are, they're not above the law

[@peterdurnien9084]

@@glennbartlett416 And being a solicitor don’t stop you being an A hole.

[@chrishartley1210]

@@peterdurnien9084 I think you mean being a solicitor doesn't guarantee they are an a-hole, but assume they are.

[@kurtlazarus1702]

He sould of disapeared ppl go missing for 500 bucks these days. Got on ya mate

[@aledstarkey7523]

You're a hero man. Honest workman who stood their ground. I made a claim, but settled and took a deal for a little less than what I was owed, instead of going to court. I did not want to go through what you had to. For me this worked out since COVID hit and it would have dragged on. So good on you for not letting people get away with being dishonest, and becoming wiser.

[@AndrewNeilBaird]

I had a Greek customer ask for 4 extra double sockets in 3 bedrooms as we were repairing previous plumbers damage to the victorian floorboards in these rooms and would have enough of them up to easily run the wires , before reclaimed timbers were laid and the rooms and the upstairs landing sanded.So we did , the spark fitted the sockets , all good but he refused to pay above the £1200 flooring quote,, first excuse was some of them were a couple of inches either side of the X marks on the wall (but it was vertically above where the removed floorboards were and this was explained to him beforehand) , then he came back with the excuse that in his country a customer gets extras for free if asked for during a job !! Anyway the £400 was never paid . But there is a payback, the sparky sneaked into his driveway on the 25 december at about 2 am , lifted off the cast h2o cover ( and took it away), turned off the water to his grand stone built Victorian Villa with a toby and back filled the 3 feet of access pipe with a few bags of postcrete. smoothing it out and dressing it with dirt to blend in with the surrounding area. As well as the huge bill for diggers, tarmac , drainage experts and ground radar to even find the on/off valve , they had to move into a hotel for the festive period. Payback nailed.

[@tornagawn]

2am in 25th December, but sure ain’t Santa!

[@penskib1975]

Very naughty Santa! Lol

[@nickolasreeks4743]

Ho ho ho. I'm half Greek and he is a tosser.

[@garyhardy9511]

Love this , well done 👍🏻

[@davidpriestley4437]

Top man.

[@1BLKBIRD]

It sounds to me like this customer was what we in America call a "bottom feeder" and simply tried to scam you out of paying full price. Well done for seeing it thru to a satisfying outcome.

[@gingerjessy]

Yes. Also known as a parasite.

[@MissJnet]

I doubt that anyone thinks you’re a bad person for doing that, reminded me of being unfairly dismissed. Got railroaded in a disciplinary meeting and was fired. Hired a union rep, we found hole after hole in their procedures. Staff had told lies to save themselves and basically gave the owners a week without sleep. I was wrongly dismissed and won my job back. I went into debt paying for that rep but felt awesome to win. Union rep said that it was a shocking farce what they had done to me and the company gave me my job back. However it would have been in a different location and I didn’t except but it was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Looking through their lengthy handbook and building a strong case was a pain in the ass but was worth it 😀 It was so funny, because they were terrified of me after that 😂😂 They felt that they wouldn’t win in court, and was instructed by their lawyer to quit while they were ahead because I had too many things on them. Yay! me. ✌🏻 They’ll think twice before they treat anyone else like crap again.

[@johnwilson3918]

Love stories like this! Thank you for sharing.

[@dongreenwood8833]

I came across your story by chance and was about to scroll past, but you caught my attention. Really pleased that you won through in the end. Describing your inner feelings and the affects on you were touching, clearly stress and anxiety, however you pushed through and yes you won, so well done, really pleased for you.

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Cheers Don 🍻

[@erikjohnson8031]

Contractor from Sweden here. We have a saying here; NEVER do a job for a solicitor, or a school teacher. It ALWAYS ends up with them not wanting to pay, no matter how good a job you do.

[@locutus99]

Canada too. Add people who got their money from inheritance. Best are actually entrepreneurs.

[@YungMonie007]

Sounds like this solicitor thought he was an experienced veteran and got over confident.. Well done mate.

[@billfranklin9443]

I remember the time I took three university graduate lawyers to court. They were from Johannesburg South Africa and I lived near a town called Bergville in Natal. I laid a charge against them and they said that was okay as the case would be tried in Johannesburg. When the policeman said no, the case will be tried in the Magisterial District Court of Bergville, the big shot of the three went white realising he'd forgotten basic court boundaries. I shouted out YES. This meant that each time he had to appear in court he would have to make the three hour trip from Johannesburg to Bergville regardless of how important a case he was dealing with.

[@mromutt]

@ivan schafeldt Probably did it to his plumber as well friends or not lol people like that normally keep pushing and dont quit while ahead, doubling down so to speak.

[@HarleyRog]

Sounds to me like he was a cocky brash solicitor who thought he could stitch people up because he knew the system. I hate bent lawyers.

[@gadgetathome]

Excellent result 👍 I think you could have claimed some extra costs for your time...

[@cleario]

I came here to learn how to stain my floors tomorrow and ended up here! As a tradesman myself (sparky) it so good to hear that your not going to get pushed over by the blokes in suits!! Hats firmly raised to you for standing your ground!! Also thanks for the videos showing how to stain the floors, it’s given me the confidence to take it on myself!!

[@HowToSandAFloor]

You’re welcome Gavin! You wouldn’t happen to be a N Bundy Electrical subscriber would you?

[@singers1990]

Well done. You are an honest man who did an honest job.

[@kichenpaintdesigns9758]

I had a customer similar in a sense, she attempted to get out of paying for services rendered. What I learned in contracting school is make sure you document the job before and after pics, and don't hesitate to place a lean on a customers property if they don't want to pay. I had a conversation with both the husband and his wife and he asked "what if I don't feel like paying, what are you gonna do?" I told him that would be very unfortunate since I've documented my work and I would be forced to place a lean on your property, which protects me as a contractor. After that conversation I received my check. Some customers believe they can try and out smart people who do labor intensive work, you just have to know what laws in your area protect you as a contractor.

[@moniquehorton1111]

Excellent advice!!

[@hellovicki6779]

Well done! My husband and I had small business doing stone work and nothing worse or more stressful than chasing payments...we learned to include in written contracts our practice of issuing serial invoices during the job for work completed, then if not paying we would work elsewhere for a while or have time off, they seemed to get the message and added pressure (especially when other contractors are relying upon work being done) motivated them to pay. Often it seemed that people with the most money were the hardest to get to cough some of it up. Agree with this YT'er, it is very stressful he shouldn't feel embarrassed but instead should feel very pleased with himself.

[@dennisphoenix1]

It's a lien not a lean . Mechanics can do the same on customers cars who won't pay for repairs. It's sad that you have to do this though .

[@southerncomfortuk]

Well done to you 👍 We made the mistake of using the ‘Mediation Service’ at the suggestion of the court for a similar issue. Absolutely shocking experience which ironically has a non disclosure caveat (so claimants aren’t permitted to discuss it afterwards). Wish we’d continued on to court instead. Strongly advise against a mediation phone call hearing. Detrimental things can happen during the phone call which can never be revealed and there’s no further recourse. So glad you pursued your case, well done.

[@Gryffyth_Aurum]

People can make any rules they want in mediation, and corporations will always have the advantage of experts with experience over any lay person.

[@theresaobrien3582]

Well done you. I can hear the relief satisfaction and pride in your voice. You stood up to the bully and won.⭐🏆⭐

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Thanks Theresa 🍻

[@Ash1965..]

He’s done this before your turn and you won’t be he’s last, people with this type of job pray on good people. It’s how they role . Why no one likes them. Good job 👍

[@graciemaca6996]

I am so sorry that you had to endure this abuse of justice. The man clearly THOUGHT that his profession as a lawyer (solicitor) had you beat. It seems as though his refusal right from the start was a tell-tail sign of his intent. I'm so glad that he lost out on his game. I sincerely hope that you were compensated for all the stress & anxiety that took a toll on your overall health. (It is evident that the situation still has you shaken.) This is one case where that creep didn't get away with his own CRIME! He should definitely be disbarred!!!

[@guybrushthreepwood1090]

You’re not a bad guy at all. You provided a service for your customer, tried to help them out in many ways and they refused to pay. They were trying to steel your hard labour. Good on you buddy.

[@waqasahmed939]

Solicitors are also well paid. They can clearly afford it. They just thought they could intimidate him into not paying.

[@akuno7294]

@@waqasahmed939 It's probably less about money and more about a power game for the solicitor. He's probably a psychopath.

[@jackbuttery4370]

@@akuno7294 Good on you, Akuno.

[@lanemeyer6733]

I once had a low-life dude that refused to pay me for shoeing his horses. After slamming his head with his pickup door a couple of times he payed me with solid silver dollars. Of coarse this was 2 decades ago and was in the country. Texas to be exact.

[@HowToSandAFloor]

I imagined doing all sorts of things 😂😂 luckily I refrained

[@wd8557]

Fantastic my friend.

[@Wolf-yw7en]

Sounds like a steers and queers story to me. Haha!

[@skliros9235]

Don't mess with Texas!

[@stuartd9741]

Your gotta do what ya gotta do Lane! 👊

[@stephenward4935]

I'm a builder, a customer tried to get £15,000 from me it went on for the same time as yours...eventually she pulled out from the claim as she became more and more embarrassed at court sessions as her story kept changing..my version of events was the same from day one...it also helped that i had a recording of our conversation in which she admits decisions made by herself. It was as you said very stressful regardless of everyone around me saying she has'nt got leg to stand on, as the little demons in your head conjure up all the worst case scenario's. The main thing the i took from this was a learning experience to always get in writing agreements made whilst the work is in progress as well as at start of the job....but also the biggest rip off merchants out there is the legal system........changing a fortune per min....the true scumbags !

[@ralfeotto4468]

You hit the nail on the head, the system protects the crooks.

[@SpaceBaron]

I just found your video and I have also had clients like that in the past. Things start out just peachy with payments always on time, but then things start to fall apart, and they refuse to pay you. No matter what you do to remedy the situation, they just keep finding fault with everything you do, and they don't pay for any work you do after the fact! I have learned over the years that you get people like that that takes advantage of us good guys like that. The idea is for you to give up and just let it go so that they can score in the process. Very few people will have the balls to take them to court like you did and that is a HUGE win for the little guy! I congratulate you on that. I can imagine it being stressful but SO worth it! People like that are used to get away with it, but you refused him to! Good job! Damn good job!

[@HowToSandAFloor]

I think I can be a bit stubborn. Which worked out for me in this case 😂 cheers Nico 🍻

[@jeremysaunders9003]

I fitted a pvc front door he didn’t pay and laughed at me, so Saturday night when he was out I took out his front door again when he saw me next I cried laughing 😂 😂 😂.

[@geoffreyjones2000]

Same thing happened to me 37 years ago, sir. I won my case but was never paid. I renew the case every 12 years as required for payment. My client is still on the run

[@leandrodominguez3733]

A real justice system...

[@ramrodnj]

Unreal

[@paulaw9764]

The shaking is anger and injustice. I'm glad you took it to court, it'll help discourage him from being a vile person!.

[@shtiliyan1]

I do not know how do you negotiate with your customers, but in order to avoid similar cases[ not paying you], you must sign a written contract before you start the job. There are forms , which you can buy from the W H Smiths, approved by the English solicitors. You fill in the form and write down all the details of the job - how it will be done, quality and quantity and how it will be paid - the sum and when it will be paid. I have not any problems, using these forms for 21 years.

[@petat13]

I think they call that luck. Forms don’t deter people who are out to rip you off by gaming the system.

[@angelofranklin1]

I think it's only fair to say the solicitor is a FKNG slime ball that looks down at working-class people and thinks they can get things done without paying and getting away with it. Congrats to you well done.

[@stevesmyth4982]

Much the same as any other solicitor then.

[@marcokleiner8795]

wow - what a story. brave man for standing up for yourself like this!

[@ruadhagainagaidheal9398]

First rule in life : Never trust a lawyer - ever.

[@unoriented_x4957]

True - am lawyer.

[@erudite60]

There is absolutely no way you can make a blanket comment like that. When my two sons were very little, I was always drilling into them about their most precious asset......their integrity. Once that's gone, it's gone. Every now & then, I test them so see how good a job I did. My elder son is a police sergeant, & my younger son, a lawyer. We are exceptionally close as a family, so every now & again, we all have a pow-wow. When I know my younger son has an interesting case (criminal lawyer), I'm always trying to get some info., but I get ZIP; but I'm your mother, I say. He responds with this, 'yes I know that, but I took an oath, & nothing will make me break that. My integrity is my prize possession, Mum, & if I lose that, I wouldn't be much of a lawyer, or a human.' I'm so proud of my two sons, &, thank God, all my hard work has come to fruition. 😊🙏

[@erudite60]

P.S. I apologise for the monologue.

[@wrnrt]

Never trust an insurance company either.

[@Amatronix999]

@@erudite60 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

[@RachelDeBono73]

Your instincts were correct, he had no intention of paying and tried to intimidate you from the start, very pleased to hear you beat him in court. Thanks for making this video, very helpful 👍🏻

[@mortenhaugan851]

You did the the right thing, to folloow up your right to get paid. I know this kind of people and it pays off for them to make up problems and blame it on the one that wants his paymentt. You gave him a lesson, you sholuld be proud that ypu stood up against this kind of customer. Thank you for sharing. Best regards Morten Haugan, Norway.

[@jamesspiers6496]

As a retired police officer, I was taught if you are suspicious of anyone in your dealings with them either publicly or socially the 'write everything down because if it isn't written down, it didn't happen' Not only that but the small facts that you can remember at the time slip out of memory later on. each entry should have Time-Day-Date- and location. This has saved me endless stress and I can face up to anyone knowing that I have the full facts and I don't have to worry about forgetting anything. Even telephone conversations I record on paper if I am dealing with an awkward person. Solicitors are not magical and they only know one thing and that's how the law works but they are not experts and have to do the same research as you and I or anybody else

[@Prairiedogma]

Amen. A short pencil is better than a long memory.

[@aycarumble]

It is obvious that this has caused you to reflect deeply enough to share your traumatic experience in the hope that you defend others. It come across that despite your win, you have been traumatized far more than you are aware of by your work over the years and this person. Look up the symptoms of CPTSD and defend yourself against similar attacks from people like this one; that you did good work for, in good faith. And further recognise that such events are not going to be limited to your work life, but will remain a risk to you, when you are harmed by anyone. Because exposing yourself to the general public as a sole trader brings you into greater risk than the average person. I think that as a sole trader you have few options for insulation from personal trauma and that you should take this into account in your business plan. Part of the strength of your business model is that personal service is assured. And yet, you need to recognise the weakness that comes with that, other peoples actions. It would be wise to protect yourself with objective precautions as this member has suggested, you could go further and include as part of your business plan. Which you can implement at a moments notice and at the point of contact with such people as you experienced in this case. This would insulate you and allow you to get on with your work. A contact journal you could carry in a Samsungu phone spreadsheet , (job (people tracking) who, when (work time logging), then what, where and how). I think that as a minimum you should register your experience of this case and talk it over with your GP, or discuss it with an appropriate BCS registered private therapist. "Above all know thyself". At some point you may feel that you need to revisit this case. You have gone public, so as a precaution I'd take experienced police advice, start a slightly deeper journal of your work, so that any pattern of negativity that becomes apparent can be actioned immediately. People involved in the legal system are not usually working in the realm of right and wrong. There is a massive wider issue of what is plainly written into the common law which underlies all legal action; "do no harm", being overridden by legalistic corruptions, carried out by the withholding or corrupting of pertinent information both within and without the court system. I think that it should be noted that your impression of there being some aspect of your presentation to this customer which tipped him into stupid and irrational action, not only the water event but in trying to resolve it by taking it to the high court, however I believe that this is not as expensive as people might think, perhaps around £170 if making a personal application. Whatever the cause, I doubt it was down to any aspect of your behavior, but rather due to something in his past experience. And that fact is the key to your recovery from the trauma this has obviously caused in you. You know this was not your doing, your work was thoroughgoing and excellent, you tried again and again to help someone with your knowledge and experience and this got used against you. This is perhaps mistakenly your focus, you cannot believe that someone would behave that way. Your observation that this was likely something to do with your presentation as a person is probably more important than you give credence to. You are so obviously a caring person with a lot of insight on top of your craft experience which traditionally tends to get looked down on. I trained as an electrician recently and our lecturer was keen to point out that in the USA craftsmen are treated with far more respect than given in the UK. Electricians there especially are often generally viewed as being professionals on a similar level to a Doctor. On a generous assessment of his behavior. Something must have happened to this person that caused you collateral damage, either in the past, or during your interaction. A personal defect, or the deficit of someone with a lot of influence close to him, i.e. having to "save face" in the personal, social, or business realms.

[@gordon861]

Sometimes do this when I have a problem with a company, often ask them to slow down a sec while I write down what they said or ask them to confirm the spelling of their name, or make sure they can hear me taking notes on the PC with a noisy mechanical keyboard.

[@topgazza]

I used to run my own IT business from 1991 to 2016. Had a few chancers trying it on. Our contracts of sale were always buttoned down. Yet they still used to try it on. Never lost So well done. I’m not sure if you put a disclaimer in the quote for doing each room separately but you should. I don’t pay deposits as a trade can either fund the work or not. I’ve heard plenty of stories of jobs being left when deposits have been paid and part finished. It works both ways of course. I pay in full when a job is finished when the tradesman is still on site so he can see I’ve paid. Once you have a relationship and trust is created flexibility comes in. Crooks like your client just spoil it for everyone. You sound a decent guy and I think you will continue to do well

[@sdmoller]

Thank you for sharing your story as I know from experience that it does happen just because they know the law and think they can run you around until you give up. After a while you can start to sense those customers before you even begin. Glad you stuck it out, we did too and the law rewarded us as well. In a way the customer won by delaying the payment for 18 month, and I sort of believe that is the ultimate goal either not pay or pay really late. There aught to be a penalty for solicitors/attorneys trying to working the law like that to get out of paying contractors etc.

[@patrickoneill266]

O my god. I was stressed listening to your video. It is just a pity that you could not NAME AND SHAME him. He is a disgrace to the profession. Well done you for having the courage to stand up to him..I wish you every sucess in your business.

[@jorose2460]

I was stressed too. So pleased he won, what an arrogant bastard!

[@raymondo162]

i agree NAME AND SHAME

[@Scythra]

This solicitor is probably someone who done this many times before, trying to scare people in the small claims court so they don't take it to the court. He is a scammer and a fraud and should do community service as well as punishment.

[@christieraper5472]

He thought he was gonna get a free floor lol! So glad you stood up for yourself :)

[@B._Smith]

He had counted on the pain of dealing with him being a deterrent.

[@kwader_1404]

People who refuse to pay a hardworking person for doing his job are scum of the earth

[@farpelito1287]

Bravo indeed. When you know you are right don't back down an inch. Been there myself in almost exactly the same circumstances. Don't let the bully boys win.

[@coreyhunt1199]

Much respect to you and thank you for sharing , I’m just starting my own business and hearing stories like yours gives me both anxiety and relief .

[@Kanamit.]

*The customer had this planned from the beginning. He even tried to reduce his initial upfront cost by offering 35% down because he knew he was not going to pay in full in the end. That Solicitor is a thief and he's probably done this to other contractors or will.*

[@Tbone111]

Criminals shouldn't be allowed to practice law.............

[@davegrier523]

Absolutely right. I think this guy would have been a dirtbag in any walk of life but it speaks to a lack of respect for tradesmen by many who don't work with their hands.

[@Must_not_say_that]

Pleased it was awarded in your favour. Hope you never have to go through that again. A workman is worthy of his hire and you appear to show conscientiousness and good intentions. It was right to pursue the matter, even though it was an unpleasant experience, especially since the independent report backed you up. That was also a very good point you made that you tried your best to appease the customer, but in retrospect it is now clear there was no pleasing of him and he was simply trying to get away with it.

[@martinsmith4943]

I had an electrician working for my company installing emergency lights in an open plan office. Half way through the job he overheard that the company was going bust and the employees were each being called into a room and given their notice. He asked me if he should stop work, I said "no, go into reverse". During the rest of that day he managed to uninstall all of the fittings and return them to his van, and nobody even noticed because they were all preoccupied with their own problems!

[@tabaccount6113]

so you had a job, didnt complete it, and stole fittings from the office building? well done, not sure id have the confidence to just post things like that.

[@johnchristmas7522]

Martin you should insist on a written contract together with stage payments. 40% up front the rest over the jobs time. Never leave payment to the last. The best way is to leave 10% to the last, but have that 10% built into the total of the 90% you have already been paid. That way you get your 10% even if they don't pay the last payment!

[@andrewchapman5659]

@@tabaccount6113 He said go in reverse chief, they started the Job and realized the company was going bust and couldnt pay them but the work was going to be done, probably a huge scam. So they took back what they just installed.

[@andrewchapman5659]

Lol thats dope good call by him. Fast thinking

[@Finderskeepers.]

@@tabaccount6113 its not stealing if there his fittings which is the case if they havnt been paid for. He has every right to down tools if its reasonable to believe he wont be paid.

[@flipariusbactus4606]

Three years ago, I helped friends of my parents by managing the renovation of their 160m² luxury apartment. They didn´t wanted rails in the thresholds between the rooms. I know this could be a problem and I told them so. So from one side to the other side we put a nice oak parquet. We also took the same oak parquet for a small stair with 5 steps. Everything looked fantastic. Anyway I had a really bad feeling because from one side to the other it was maybe 20m. Sun in the morning on the eastside on the westside in the afternoon. They paid my guys cash and didn´t pay me all my invoices.. I didn´t want the troubles and renounced part of my demands. Now the floor seems to be a problem :) Luckily, I could tell them sorry guys. I told you this could happen, I can´t help you because you still owe me money. So sometimes it´s good to cut the losses...

[@patricklangan3189]

Well done for standing your ground. He thought he could bully you into submission but got himself a bloody nose. Hopefully, he won't try that again in a hurry.

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Cheers Patrick 🍻

[@elizabethspeirs1459]

You deserved the courts to agree with you , that solicitor was so arrogant in treating you in that way after you did an excellent job.All the best in the future.

[@BldgOnMyMind]

You had every right to feel stressed out and bothered by this, it doesn't sound pathetic at all! Thanks for sharing your experience, it's so frustrating having customers like this, but so glad that there was a nice outcome for you!

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Thank you!

[@billp3914]

After installing floors for 32 years I have heard it all Drs, lawyers and professional people are the worst

[@CassieDavis613]

True. And all 3 do outrageous surprise billings of their clients.

[@billp3914]

@@CassieDavis613 exactly

[@victorhopper6774]

used to drop off papers to paperboys. the guy that delivered to the area where doctors lived had the hardest time collecting.

[@waltjames9988]

In the States a contractor can put a lean on the people's property for failure of payment, usually once that happens people are more willing to pay because they can't sell it until the debt is paid. Glad you won.

[@seawallbird5724]

No one could possibly think you were a bad guy. In fact you come across as a fair minded and honest person. Glad you won. Restores my faith in the Legal system. Well done. All best wishes for a happy and successful future. 😊

[@thebeesnuts777]

It's always seems to be the well off or perceived well off who scam tradesmen through my experience

[@minkorrh]

You're not wrong. I used to work for CAA roadside assistance (Towtruck) years ago and without fail it is ALWAYS the high-end car owners who purchase the minimum coverage membership, and then complain when you have to bill them for the extra Km's because they're only allowed 10 on their membership. It got to the point where I could pull up on scene and look at the car and think "yeah, basic member"

[@michaelsmithy5814]

Well done just seen what you went through. I hope you got costs for your stress time and your professional time in taking him to court. Some people do not want to pay for work done and you had the bottle to go through with it. It just shows that he being a solicitor and all thought he could get away without paying. It is a lesson to all of us. Thank you. The government want a lot of people to work for themselves and start a small business but offer no help no help when customers refuse to pay. You only make a PROFIT WHEN THE BILL GETS FULLY PAID. I believe there should be a system set up where by 50% should be paid before the works start especially in the Building Trades.

[@HowToSandAFloor]

100% agree!

[@markmillard5577]

It's to bad you do not get compensated for the time and emotional turmoil that a process like this puts you through. I thank you for your follow through.

[@RhettRobinson]

Well done! Really glad you stood up for yourself with such a strong case! You describing your emotions resonates with me, too. You're a good, solid person.

[@andersbreivik3399]

Im a floor sander In Croatia we use a circular saw and make a line or maybe x, depends how pissed you are.💪

[@claireosborne5946]

Love it

[@terencdlong4916]

Name him!!!!

[@ellentaylor4351]

Lesson learnt, never take anyone by their word, get contract, signed and money or NO work is done.

[@alienscientist8893]

I now secretly record every conversation with the client. So when they say they didn't ask you to do that (whatever it was) you can pull out the dicta phone and say yes you fxxg did. Also its good to use the vid on your phone when surveying for a quote and of course your recording them asking on camera.. I do this because of a scitzo woman I worked for last year...

[@skliros9235]

Just text or email asking for approval. That's a paper trail.

[@J55S]

I remember my dad had an old voice recorder that used the small cassette tapes like in answering machines. The customer always thought he was able to write down what their were saying even though they never had to repeat themselves.His attention to cm service helped him in a couple legal situations.

[@alienscientist8893]

@@skliros9235 As well.

[@jasonhemmerlin6139]

Not sure of legalities of this from where you’re from, but where I live this is illegal without saying you’re recording. It could really come back and bite you in the ass.

[@lit2021]

In the EU, we're not allowed to covertly record conversations anymore, since the GDPR.. 😤

[@daneo617]

I was hired to remodel an entire kitchen, only thing is the guy wanted 1 wall done at a time demo to finish.🤦🏼‍♂️ I did it, but I told him it would be ridiculously expensive. 🤷🏼‍♂️ He had serious trust issues.

[@GregWhipple]

Well done. Sounds like he thought the courts would be intimidating enough that you'd drop it. He knew he couldn't win. He was just hoping you'd go away.

[@ronanotoole1973]

As a business owner myself, firstly, I COMPLETELY 'Get It'. Been there and it's such a load of shit. Even from listening to you I can tell you're a decent person and a man who takes pride in his work. Well done for following it through.

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Cheers Ronan 🍻

[@groovygraham]

Well done Ben. So pleased you had the courage to go through with it. Once away from small claims the costs are simply eye watering. Sending hugs!

[@sillililli01]

Put a lien on the property, the home owner cannot sell their property until the lien has been satisfied. Once they find out that they have a lien on title of their property, it's amazing how quickly they will settle their account with you.

[@mosestorres6553]

Hey man, great job! Proud of you for standing up for yourself and your great work.

[@jthepickle7]

I once had a very Christian family who were always saying, "Oh, God bless your heart." until I presented a bill for $1600, when I heard, "Oh, we didn't budget for that!"

[@mullenio4200]

The fact that he only wanted to pay 30% deposit and that he didn't get in contact with you after the job but rather waited for you to contact him shows he had no intention of paying you from the start.

[@tanyawales5445]

That client was testing him to see what he could get away with. That solicitor is what is called in the US an "ambulance chaser".

[@scotts.2624]

I did a windshield for a vermin lawyer. At the end of the job he said he was not going to pay me and I could take him to court. So I went to the truck and got out my largest hammer and started walking to his car. On the way over to his car to take out the newly installed windshield I silently mouthed you're next. Its amazing how fast he whipped out a couple of hundred dollar bills. Not wanting to stoop to his slimy level I even gave him the proper change.

[@MoreClientsFast]

Always set the expectations down in writing before you start the job and get them to sign off on the job BEFORE you start the job. If they don't sign you don't start the job...

[@dawnphun3991]

This is true with customers too... for customers hiring contractors you want to tell your contractor “please mount the cabinet the wall, but not while it’s on the floor” “bathroom vanity, and mirror have to align” “baseboard can’t have gaps” “window trims actually have to have corners,not indents where the corners should be”. Lesson I learned from my last Reno

[@kathleennelson6692]

Good for you! March forward, we all need to. My best to you, Utah, USA

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Hi good result. Reminds me of a story in my Electrician business days, I got a call out as the Electrics were tripping. I said £35 ( 20 years ago ) call out this covers the 1st hr then £25 per hour after the 1st hour. He said ok. It took 1 hour to drive to this very nice country house. Within 5 min I found the problem. Decorators we’re in wet all the walls to scrape the wallpaper off some wet wallpaper fell onto the contacts on a socket that had been loosened from the wall. Removed the problem did my checks all done within 15 min. The guy in this expensive house said I’ll give you £10 as you were only here for 15 min. He said I’m a Solicitor I know I can pay this. I told him I record all my calls and you agreed to pay the £35 call out charge ( I bluffed I did not record the call ) He then threw the £35 at me and told me to go. Solicitors are Scum following 3 divorces they are even more scum. Good result well done.

[@InnerBushman]

It's not a matter of money. It's a matter of principle. If you let him push you around, he WILL do that to others. I'm glad you didn't back down. I'm even more happy that you actually won the case. Your story should be a cautionary tale to others getting into any kind of self-employment. I know it might spook some clients off at first but I would draft a standard contract with lots of space for notes about the project that both parties have to sign beforehand. I would explain to the client that it's not only to protect me, but also to protect the client if I for some reason don't finish the job. Anyway, good luck and keep up the good work!

[@soniadennis7801]

It's not about the money! But the stress you went through was enough to give you a haert attack! There is nothing worse than stress. I'm so glad you won .

[@themacedonian188]

A friend of mine is a car detailer, works on high end cars , Ferraris etc. He did a detail on a Porsche 911 Turbo that had been sat under a tree for 7 years. Full of tree sap the lot. Anyway he worked on it for a full 4 days getting it back to pristine condition. The client was extremely pleased with the finished job but then asked if he could repaint the detailed wheels as he’d seen a colour of paint he liked on a film the previous evening. My friend said he didn’t paint but gave him the name of a contact. Anyway further down the line the client said he wasn’t happy with the repainted wheels as the colour wasn’t as he expected even though he was told the match was as near to the ones he had seen on his television set. Long story short he refused to pay for the wheels AND the detail of the car . His excuse was as the detailer had provided the contact he was at fault so would not pay ! This millionaire was basically expecting to get his newly pristine car for free. He eventually paid up after 6 months of to and fro. Some people are nightmares to deal with.

[@rienspan2098]

you did absolute the best thing, in my opinion you can charge him for everything inclusive your time and trip to court.

[@ozzy6668]

Really don't think courts would favour a solicitor over a trader in this sort of dispute - had it been about bad legal representation possibly. Would have liked to have known how much extra he ended up paying in legal costs.

[@penitent2401]

get everything in writing, quote printed or in email and accept the job via a signature of printed out quote or reply email. job only start once agreed deposit is paid. also get in writing any warning or potential issues, in this case it would be "each room completed separately, possible imperfections where rooms meet", at the bottom of the quote. Also provide warranty information like "warranty for labour and surface finish for 3 months from date of completion, does not cover wear and tear from regular use or external damages". And take photos of finished work. So if the job is completed and any damage arise after work completion that has nothing to do with work you physically did (labour warranty), that's not your problem and if you take it to court you would win as it's all signed and agreed to by the client (or acknowledged by email).

[@FixTechStuff]

If there are red flags at the beginning, there is going to be trouble ahead. I’m glad you defeated that thief. Have had people like this before, they pick issue with every little thing because they never intended to pay in the first place.

[@JGV_IX]

Good on you for fighting this! This lawyer is a real nasty piece of trash! The quality of and commitment to your work is what won this for you. Rock solid!

[@genepozniak]

In the US, having a lawyer (solicitor) in Small Claims Court is almost no help at, and in fact, can hurt you because small claims judges don't allow overly technical arguments, and get annoyed if the lawyer doesn't keep it simple.

[@martynlewis5901]

This sort of thing is sole destroying, I’m a heating engineer by trade. I kind of think we should have a national database accessible by all tradesmen of customers that will not pay.

[@allothernamesbutthis]

i'm not self employed, but that makes sense to me.

[@alextomlinson]

There might be a gap in the market there. Set one up for tradesmen to add their tricky customers to.. along with a brief description of the event. Get an app designer to design a mobile app for it to be used by tradesmen. Sign up fee of X amount a month for access (make it cheap and add an advertisement or two to the app to make some money) Sure it'll do well if you get some popular people (e.g. the bald builders) to advertise it on their videos

[@silentone3378]

@@alextomlinson It's a nice idea, but I think there would be a problem data privacy, but still a nice idea.

[@JohnViinalass-lc1ow]

...my own self-litigating experience was very rewarding, whether I won that day, or didn't...glad for you, good soul!...be well...

[@theresonlyonequeenbee]

From the very beginning he had zero intention of settling your bill. Asking to lay 30% in the beginning, was a massive red flag.

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Yes, 100%

[@Maurizio.Barbara]

your body vibration and heart rate is felt when you know you are 100% right and you know you are being totally screwed and bullied by manipulation. That's an honest man's reaction.

[@ImaginaryMdA]

Never work with children, animals or lawyers.

[@tullgutten]

The way this story was going i was getting more and more afraid of the ending thinking he would pay the judges behind the back in some way for his favor. So happy how it ended, i know you must have felt so happy and amazing for getting all the pressure off your shoulders and getting paid in the end😁👍 Really glad it ended this way and that scumbag lost!!

[@moirabardin9030]

he thought he was better than you, im glad you won the court case, did you get the money he owed you ? he put you through all that its a wonder you did not get seriously ill. he wanted a freebie, he had know intention of paying. I hope you are better now. Well done.

[@blutey]

Hopefully they paid your travel expenses as well. Good on you for going through with it. I once tried bringing a case of medical negligence on my own but folded in the end before it went to court.

[@SirWilhelm46]

Good job, Dragon Slayer. Sometimes even us little people get the Dragon's Head!

[@ElGoogKO]

This is why you always get paid ahead of time. 50% downpayment before the job is started and gradual payments before you wrap up the job. You must include strict levels of completion for each payment, and always be paid ahead of starting said task.

[@benhamilton3723]

Honor vs thief. Good for you! I have been in a similar place here in California. Get paid in installments. The last 10% on completion!

[@servenet299]

"...bad guy...."? On the contrary, mon frere. You're a working class man's hero, mensch, and all around stand-up bloke. As far as the anxiety, heart-rate elevation, and generalized fear goes, it puts me in mind of a quote from the lodestar of all men's (boomers anyway) take of a man's man - the Duke, John Wayne who said..."the true example of courage is when a man is scared to death...and he saddles-up anyway." Which is EXACTLY...what you did. Big, BIG props to you, bro.

[@stevenwilliams8152]

I am a bespoke joiner, I now issue written contracts to all clients, I did a window job a few years back now where the client paid the deposit but refused point blank for over 10 months to pay the balance. Claiming that he had already paid right at the start of the job I.e. the deposit. As you can imagine I was slapped side ways and like you consumed in getting the money owed. I was going to go down the court route, but sort advice from the C.A.B. My T's and C's of sale clearly states that until the balance is received in full, all products remain the property of the company. So rather than going the court route, I decided to confront him with the intention of removing the windows. So I called the police and explained what I intended to do. Went there and told the guy in no uncertain terms what was about to happen. I then set up my ladder as he called the police whom then attended. I showed them my t's and C's and the string of emails sent. The client was going absolutely nuts. The officer agreed that the products were still the property of the business. So I pulled out a wrecker bar a hammer and other tools needed for removal. I set up my ladder and proceed to attack one of the window sashes in order to get it open to access the fixing screws. No sooner had I started the client started shouting "ok ok I'll pay I'll pay." Ran inside and dragged out his check book. I said it's bank transfer or the windows come out. And smashed in to the sash again. Braking the locking style. Suddenly the money is transferred in to my account in cleared funds. So I stopped. Took down the ladder and started to pack it away in the van. The client started to scream. " you've broken my window, you need to repair it before you go". I just shut the doors and left. Never to go back. I hate these scumbags that think they can screw hard working trades over and it doesn't matter. So good on you mate. Well done.

[@HowToSandAFloor]

That’s a very satisfying story. Nothing like forcing them to pay

[@stevenwilliams8152]

I'd had it happen once before, so I sort legal advice to draw up my terms and conditions of sale. Yep to the layman it's just legalise rubbish. But I'm dam glad I spent the money to do get them done. And it has been the difference between getting paid or not on many occasions. As they also have to sign a contract of works / sale. Which references the T's & C's. Basically no escape or way out of paying.

[@heybabe8438]

I had a neighbor who shortchanged everyone that worked on his house during a rehab . When he did it to his painters they spray painted his house with huge letters that said PAY ME.they did .

[@ellkir1521]

I've been a Contractor for thirty years. A bit of a tip: Everyone knows the last payment is the hardest. They love the work but buyers remorse sets in and they don't want to pay. So I've found it's much easier if I ask for half up front on small jobs. For larger jobs, I always ask for ten percent at signing, 1/3 at start and 1/3 at half way point, which means the final payment is only 24 percent (a lower payment then the 30%). Much easier to get out of them. Change Order payments are due before work is commenced on change orders, not at the end of job.

[@paulthomas8262]

Agreed and as i customer if I can pay more at the start I will especially if they have a decent track record. After all there also other incentives they are more likely to go out of their way put in extra effort, etc.

[@zerpo]

1/3 is about 33%. So you say 33% a signing, 33% at half way, which in total is 66%, and 20% at final = 86%? Where is the remaining 14%? You let it go?

[@paulthomas8262]

@@zerpo he said 10 % at signing then at start 33.33% then 33.33% at midpoint which leaves a final 23-24%

[@ellkir1521]

@@zerpo "which means the final payment is only 20 percent. Much easier to get out of them." Was my quote. I got lazy on the math . However, most large jobs have miscelaneous extras or over allowances versus under allowances that balance out to slightly above quoted price.

[@jester5ify]

I don't pay until the job is done to my satisfaction.

[@fontybits]

It's such a good feeling to hear when someone takes on a LOWLIFE SCUMBAG and beats them. You're a hero to all those who have been victims!

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Not all hero’s wear capes 😂 thank you

[@wilsjane]

@@HowToSandAFloor As a chartered surveyor working for more than 45 years, I can assure you that everything that you said was correct, something that is quite rare these days. Keeping to your trade has paid dividends. If we met to discuss a job, one look into the back of your van would tell me 90% of what I needed to know about the quality of your work. Had the dopy solicitor called me in to supervise his job, I would have insisted that the entire area be treated as one.

[@johnchristmas7522]

@@wilsjane I would say after 45 years in business, that you would have seen this coming and walked away.

[@wilsjane]

@@johnchristmas7522 When I an looking for a good tradesman outside my normal work area, a quick chat on the phone gives me a good idea about the quality of their work. On a few occasions when I sense a cowboy. I still invite him to take a look at the job. I just tell him to call me 30 minutes before he arrives, so that I can have someone to meet him and tie his horses up. I have not yet had a guy take me up on my offer. 😊

[@johnchristmas7522]

@@wilsjane Obviously the "someone else" is pertinent. During my business life I always insisted on a contract and stage payments. That way we were both protected