[Twitcher]

Just wondered if anyone else had a bulider asking if we'd like a quote for the outside painting as they were coming round next week quoting....

At first I felt bad as he obviously needed work, then I thought back and he didn't really knock just kind of lifted the letterbox, I'm now thinking maybe he did this to see if it got our attention, as we were in the house, and painting in December seems a bit odd - am I thinking too much into this or has anyone else had him round?

[tab1]

We had a bloke come around S7 a few days ago offering to paint and/or clean the gutters outside. After getting a refusal he went next door, so maybe the same bloke touting for business, just maybe he is genuine?

[p-and-d]

Hi i'm a Painter / Decorator and whilst its not the ideal time to paint exteriors ( i just done 2 ) i can relate to this guys ethics . However by you saying there in the area the following week seems a little strange along with the knocking on doors / peeking through letter box. I recently went delivering leaflets to generate business. I can remember years ago a few travellers always came knocking to tell us our drive needed doind etc etc etc so just be careful. Always go with reccomendations.

[Strix]

That doesn't sound like a genuine way to go about business

notify the local neighbourhood police team - it'll be much easier to give them an accurate description now than when you or your neighbour is burgled next week

[mickdalewood]

I would be careful this can't be good practice surely

[JohnnyBoy]

good builders (or other trades) rarely advertise never mind poking thorough letterbox. If they're good enough word of mouth gets around. the same goes to this forum and trusting random 'recommandations'. If you need a builder or a plumber pm me and i can recommend who we had and show you photos of their good work.

[EasyRida]

Just tell 'em you rent, they don't bother you then.

[lyndix]

every so often the gypo`s do their rounds "we`ll give you good price for doing your guttering misus", "want yer drive doin misus?", "do a good job missus", had them round here not so long back, tell em yer not interested they only stopped mythering when the dog came to the door with me

[carbooter10]

just got in from a nightshift and apprently a chap came round last night the missus said asking to paint house , were in S8. he didnt leave any leaflets or owt ???

[auto98uk]

Most likely he was a canvasser, not a builder himself.

And to JohnnyBoy - that may be true if you are a one-man-band, it isn't if it is a company.

[Twitcher]

Well lets say I'd never employ anyone on this basis, I have thankfully built up a network of good tradesmen whom I trust, all of which have been recommended by word of mouth.

Just seemed a bit random really.......

[sgirl]

a few days ago a man knocked on my mums door in S7, he saw we had pile of soil n tv in back garden he said he ll move it for £70 i think. ma mum was telling me next morning he wanted £30 deposit for petrol for his car!! nd he ll cum the next day at 12pm. he also tuk her phone number, and twice during the night the phone rang since my bros r up all nite watching tv they answered phone and the person hung up. wat a suprise the guy didnt turn up the next day. he cudnt speak much english this guy knocking on every1s door.

told her nt to give money upfront to any1.

[auto98uk]

Originally Posted by sgirl

a few days ago a man knocked on my mums door in S7, he saw we had pile of soil n tv in back garden he said he ll move it for £70 i think. ma mum was telling me next morning he wanted £30 deposit for petrol for his car!! nd he ll cum the next day at 12pm. he also tuk her phone number, and twice during the night the phone rang since my bros r up all nite watching tv they answered phone and the person hung up. wat a suprise the guy didnt turn up the next day. he cudnt speak much english this guy knocking on every1s door.

told her nt to give money upfront to any1.

They need to take action NOW - that very very much sounds like they got the phone number to find out if there is anyone in the house so they can burgle it when no-one answers the phone.

[p-and-d]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBoy

good builders (or other trades) rarely advertise never mind poking thorough letterbox. If they're good enough word of mouth gets around. the same goes to this forum and trusting random 'recommandations'. If you need a builder or a plumber pm me and i can recommend who we had and show you photos of their good work.

So Johnny boy if my work runs out i'm meant to just sit at home until one of my regular customers reccomends me to others!!!! Think not, i'm a highly motivated tradesman who enjoys work and cannot sit at home waiting for the next job in these hard times. Hence why i had my leaflets printed to generate more custom and avoid signing on the dole.

As for the ' Random Reccomendations ' arent you doing this !!!!!

[adyfife]

Originally Posted by Twitcher

Just wondered if anyone else had a bulider asking if we'd like a quote for the outside painting as they were coming round next week quoting....

At first I felt bad as he obviously needed work, then I thought back and he didn't really knock just kind of lifted the letterbox, I'm now thinking maybe he did this to see if it got our attention, as we were in the house, and painting in December seems a bit odd - am I thinking too much into this or has anyone else had him round?

if i remember wrightly, about 10 yrs ago it was made illegal to knock door to door touting for work, i may be wrong but even so, its not very profesional, especialy when printers are falling over themselves to to give you their cheapest deals on leaflets

[BarEnid]

We live in S8 and had a visit from this "builder". He said he wanted to give me a quote for painting the side of the house, he would drop it off next week, free of charge but could only do this if I gave him my telephone number so he could prove to his bosses that he had visited! Very bizarre and needless to say I didn't give him the time of day nevermind our number!

[medusa]

Originally Posted by lyndix

every so often the gypo`s do their rounds "we`ll give you good price for doing your guttering misus", "want yer drive doin misus?", "do a good job missus", had them round here not so long back, tell em yer not interested they only stopped mythering when the dog came to the door with me

Yet another of the situations in this world where a large dog states the owner's opinions without saying a word!

Strangely, since I told Molly to chase the scrap men who were poking around in our back yard and outside loo, having let themselves in through a 6' high gate to do so, we haven't had them back again. Maybe the word has got around

[sirlocksalot]

"looking through the letterbox"

some burglars look through to see if you have any keys on show, then com back later and use a device to get the keys through the letterbox, also whats happening a lot is the scrotes are quietly opening your door to see if you have left your keys in it, if so theyre off in you car or coming back through the night to walk straight in and rob you, hoping you just think youve misplaced your keys and not bothered to change the locks

[kt123456x]

Yes you have to be cautious but you are living in a recesion so people will be activly looking for business if it is the only way their business will survive. If your only problem with this gentleman is the way he lifted your letter box than actually I don't think that is much of a problem at all.

[lyndix]

Originally Posted by medusa

Yet another of the situations in this world where a large dog states the owner's opinions without saying a word!

Strangely, since I told Molly to chase the scrap men who were poking around in our back yard and outside loo, having let themselves in through a 6' high gate to do so, we haven't had them back again. Maybe the word has got around

It always works for some strange reason!