Should I have found this disturbing?

AJCrowley · 21-09-2007, 15:58

a little over half an hour ago, i had someone hammer on my doorbell, and before i got to the door, they were hammering on my back door (which you have to past the motor, and through a gate to do)

on opening the door i find a rather rotund gentleman, and a white truck outside the front with "Alpine Landscapes" written on it.

he offers to trim my conifers, and clear out some rubbish from the back, which i poitely declined.

now, i just find his wandering round the back of the house downright suspicious to be honest, as is his cash-in-hand request for work. there were two large gents in the truck, and i guess if they'd done some work local, then i suppose they might be right that my conifers need trimming, but anyone else had this bunch knock on there doors in the last couple of days??

what's anyone else think? i'm on the shiregreen estate, and i just found it a bit off-putting....

AJCrowley · 21-09-2007, 16:09

oh yeah, i also cannot find an "Alpine Landscapes" locally either...

kitty123 · 21-09-2007, 16:10

Sounds dodgy to me, was the van just a dodgy van or a business van?

AJCrowley · 21-09-2007, 16:14

like a cut off van with a flatbed and some ladders on it...

AJCrowley · 21-09-2007, 16:22

OK, i found an "Alpine Landscapes" in Donny, but no answer. might be legit, and it's not *what* he offered, just the way he did it y'know?

medusa · 21-09-2007, 16:27

Definitely sounds a bit iffy to me. I routinely refuse any offers of work like that (and carpet offcuts, the last bit of tarmac etc) because if I want anything doing I'll ask the businesses to come round and quote. I don't like being cold called.

Col2k5 · 21-09-2007, 16:28

Cold Calling is illegal too .. call your local trading standards and tell them ...

Col ...

theripsaw · 21-09-2007, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJCrowley

a little over half an hour ago, i had someone hammer on my doorbell, ??

....

I wouldnt hire him to do anything if he hasnt got his head around the basics yet

Liose · 21-09-2007, 16:30

I had exactly the same the other week - offering to cut my connifers - These were called "Price" very similar description though.

Col2k5 · 21-09-2007, 16:34

I wish more people would report these workmen to trading standards.. you might have the sense to say no but sometimes they prey on the old n vulnerable ...

Col ..

AJCrowley · 21-09-2007, 16:35

well, the truck *did* have a logo and name on it, but i'm sure the number was some 0800 number, rather than the number i *have* found in doncaster.

i mean, my automatic assumption is they're dodgy, and i refuse any cold calling anyway, it's just the way he went round the back without waiting, like he was casing the place....?

Col2k5 · 21-09-2007, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJCrowley

well, the truck *did* have a logo and name on it, but i'm sure the number was some 0800 number, rather than the number i *have* found in doncaster.

i mean, my automatic assumption is they're dodgy, and i refuse any cold calling anyway, it's just the way he went round the back without waiting, like he was casing the place....?

Sounds to me like the company is legit but they work for the company and had a spare couple of hours to make some cash in hand for the weekend ... either way its still illegal what they did ..

Col ..

Dawn36 · 21-09-2007, 16:41

we get alot of gypsies doing this round where I live,and they do have company names on there vehicles with mobile numbers.

Heyesey · 21-09-2007, 16:51

Definitely sounds very dodgy. Although it's possible that the reason for their being three large gentlemen is because it's heavy physical work, it does seem to me that more likely it's because they will charge you ten times the quote they gave you, and stand there looking very large, powerful and menacing while they ask you to pay up.

Don't ever accept offers of work from cold-callers. Ask them for a quote and tell them that if you can't find any cheaper, you'll be back in touch. Or, alternatively, use the routine phrase I reserve for cold-callers - I'm not telling you what it is, it's a secret, but I'll give you a clue. One of the words is "off."

AJCrowley · 21-09-2007, 16:53

i prefer to be polit myself

but yes, my standard response is either "i don't deal with people calling at my door", or "no, not interested". i'm quite aware of the tactics of cold callers and other odd tradesmen, and i have no truck with them. worst case it'd be a call to the police, but at least in this case i'm happy to chase the company involved up tomorrow or monday to check whether they had any staff in the area today.

JonnyRandom · 21-09-2007, 18:08

Cold calling isn't illegal as somebody has pointed out, however you're best to get the quote in writing etc. I find the quickest way of getting rid of them without them getting "upset" is to tell them you're house is rented and the, trees, windows, gutters, driveway, aerial etc are not your responsibility.

krooner · 21-09-2007, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJCrowley

it's just the way he went round the back without waiting, like he was casing the place....?

Yea, could've been looking to see if you'd got anything in the back garden worth "lifting", while at the same time finding out if anyone was at home.

Zebra · 21-09-2007, 19:03

We've had the same thing at our old house, people unnecessarily knocking on the back door and conveneniently offering to do some work since I answered.
I found them suspicious and reported the matter to the police who were interested and had had a few similar incidents and a spate of coal shed burglaries in the area too.

cgksheff · 21-09-2007, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Col2k5

Cold Calling is illegal too .. ...

No. It isn't!

I've had these guys round as well, and they remembered doing some work a few years ago.

They want cash-in-hand and will try and rip you off.

If you have the resolve, they can do work and if you make sure that you don't pay them until they have done what you asked (don't forget to make everything clear at the outset ... they have to shift the stuff as well as trim it!) ... OK.

To be honest, it is easier to say no.

Call in someone you know, or at least has an address/landline.

The Manager · 21-09-2007, 19:08

sounds very dodgy let the police know