contractor claims auto accident destroyed my water tank (plumbing, cost, replacement)
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So heres the situation. My water heater died. Barfing its contents all over the garage. It was 29 years old, so hey no big deal.
I found someone on craigslist stating that they were licensed and bonded for pumbing work, and charged a flat rate of $150 plus the cost of the water heater. OK no big deal. I contacted him, We will call him T. Discussed some details, 50 vs's 75 gallon, etc etc. In the end we agreed to a 50 gallon replacement as the 75 was more then I can really afford at the moment.
He says he will be there between 10-noon today. OK. 12 rolls around, and he is at the plumbing supply place, they want a CC to charge for the hot water heater, $400. Sure, no problem, caller ID puts it at the right place, etc. I pay for it.
AND....no contact. by 5 I am pretty concerned I have been scammed. So research time. He's been offering this for over a month on craigslist. No ones screamed about any problems....but I realize I dont have nearly enough information.
I text for updates..but nothing. At 9:21 pm I get a text from someone claiming to be his wife saying he was in a accident, and rolled his truck. He is OK, and having someone named Dale take his calls. Hit and run on our local hwy 26.
I'm suspicious of all of this. So this is my thought:If anything other then a new water heater of the same model I paid for shows up, or if they try and make me pay for another one....Im contacting the police as I suspect its a scam. Is that unreasonable? Will the police investigate? I have texts, and the claimed accident, something I am sure they could verify. Obviously not a 911 call, but a visit to the local station.
If it gets worked out without me paying for a additional water heater, everything seems fine....but...it just screams scam at the moment.
Am I correct in thinking that since it was in his vehicle he is responsible for it?
Make a copy of the Craigslist ad and all contact information, emails, texts, you have had with this person. Write down times and dates calls were made, etc. Give that all to the police.
Make a copy of the Craigslist ad and all contact information, emails, texts, you have had with this person. Write down times and dates calls were made, etc. Give that all to the police.
Already have that-including getting a copy of the ad. I think you're right, I should visit the station in the morning. If there was no accident then this becomes a pretty easy case for them. If there was a accident, then its just a civil matter.
You should check your credit card account for activity, and maybe get a new card to be safe. And I hate to be a nag, but if it is a scam, you walked yourself right into it.
...charged a flat rate of $150 plus the cost of the water heater.
Of course you got scammed. If he's charging $150+WH* cost, why are you giving a CC# to purchase a WH?
You have clearly stated that in the end you would have paid HIM $150+the amount of the WH. Nowhere did you state that the deal was buy part(s) AND pay labor.
*its a "water heater" not a "hot water heater". Why would you heat hot water?
Of course you got scammed. If he's charging $150+WH* cost, why are you giving a CC# to purchase a WH?
You have clearly stated that in the end you would have paid HIM $150+the amount of the WH. Nowhere did you state that the deal was buy part(s) AND pay labor.
*its a "water heater" not a "hot water heater". Why would you heat hot water?
LOL, that's a pet peeve of mine - when someone says "hot" water heater. I also hate: Could care less, and ATM Machine.
I cannot believe people are still being duped by Craigslist scammers, even to the point of giving out CC numbers!!
OP, you do realize that caller IDs can be spoofed, right? I have twice gotten a call which the caller ID stated was my very own number calling me.
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