Author Topic: Accused of stealing  (Read 8122 times)

Offline Kevin

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Accused of stealing
« on: February 26, 2006, 06:35:07 PM »
I'll keep this brief so you wont get all the facts but, I started a painting job for a customer sometime before Thanksgiving, I can only get in about 2-4 hrs a day plus week ends to do the work, thus the amount of time. Because of the length of time there the owner and I have become somewhat close,it was almost like going to Grandmothers house to paint.
She recently purchased the house and every inch but the floors was to be painted. Yesterday as I was starting the top coat in the the last room, kitchen, she accused me of some items that were missing, I have keys to the house, Some C clamps, a couple of screw drivers and of all things some red rags. Today I went to finsih the kitchen and she wanted to know if I took some keys off the hook. I finished the walls, packed up my stuff and just left, I'm really hurt being accused of such things. There is still about 10 doors that need painted along with the trim in the kitchen, and she still owns me several hundred dollars, which I dont care if I see it or not.

Has anyone been accused of stealing from a customer and how did you handle it. No I'm not bonded or insured.

Offline rmichael

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Re:Accused of stealing
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2006, 09:36:15 PM »
Kevin,

Unless she can offer proof of your guilt, you should not be asked to prove your innocence.

I would explain to her that trust is important to you, not only personally but also as a valuable business asset. Point out that you do not appreciate the accusation, but if trust has become an issue, you cannot complete the job under those circumstances... and by all means get paid for what you have done...not billing her for the work you have completed will only make you APPEAR guilty.

Also, never underestimate the lengths ( and schemes ) to which some will go to NOT pay for your services. After all, you are nearing the end of the job and she owes YOU a lot of money....Hmmmmmmmm.....
« Last Edit: February 26, 2006, 11:37:42 PM by rmichael »
Pro Painter 30 years ~ Down East Coastal NC

"Hell Son, It's always been about the work."

Offline funcolors

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Re:Accused of stealing
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2006, 10:30:57 AM »
Quote
Also, never underestimate the lengths ( and schemes ) to which some will go to NOT pay for your services. After all, you are nearing the end of the job and she owes YOU a lot of money....Hmmmmmmmm.....

That's the first thing that popped into my head.  Also, it sounds like she may be older and dealing with older folks can be a challenge.  She may be misplacing things and it is easier for her to assume that you are responsible for the misplaced items than for her to think that she may be losin' it a bit.
Funcolors because color should be the fun part.

Offline brushworks

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Re:Accused of stealing
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2006, 05:09:00 PM »
This reminds me of an elderly woman way back when. I was in the process of repainting the trim throughout the house. One day I showed up to settle with her for 4 rooms and she said that the trim was gouged and the paint chipped off.

I went in with her to inspect it and sure enough, it was chipped off in many spots.

To make a long story short, she confessed to using a butter knife to do the damage.

I told her she had two choices. Pay me, or I'm calling the police to report a vandal that was in the house. She went to her freezer, (that's where she kept her cash) and paid me.

I called her daughter and explained it. Her daughter had her in an assisted living center in less than a month.


Michael
When asked, "what do you do for a living?" I reply, "I market the world's best windows and doors."

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Re:Accused of stealing
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2006, 09:24:33 AM »
I've only been ripped off once...By a general contractor...Disappeared with the dough...Didn't help my opinion of builders any...

I can't remember even one customer who ever balked on a bill...Except for Tony...The stuff of legend, that Tony...He was from New York (city), and had the schpiel down pat...He'd be patting me on the back, "attaboy"ing me left and right, telling me I was worth twice the price...And when I was done he'd spend all his energy trying to talk me down in price on a job that was already agreed upon in price and finished toboot!! Gotta love guys like Tony...Don't give in to 'em, but love 'em just the same... ;D

Offline rmichael

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Re:Accused of stealing
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2006, 06:24:05 PM »
Yeah I know that Guy..... goes by a lot of different names followed by the words " Construction Company "...different names ...same Guy. :-\
« Last Edit: March 02, 2006, 06:25:00 PM by rmichael »
Pro Painter 30 years ~ Down East Coastal NC

"Hell Son, It's always been about the work."

Offline CarlThePainter

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Re:Accused of stealing
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2006, 10:36:11 PM »
Hey, you have done some work for Tony too!

Man, I hate that guy!

I will never ever forget when I decided to take the plunge and I quit my job as a foreman for a painting company to start my own gig.  My first job as a self employed painter was for Tony! Everything I did was great while I was there...compliments left and right.  And he kept saying that if anything takes a little longer than you thought, just add it to the bill!

I remember thinking while I was there working that Tony was the best client ever and I could only hope that all my clients would be like that.....

Then came time for me to present the bill and Tony wasn't Tony anymore...he turned into some other clown that kind of reminded me of an Italian mobster or something.  He talked me out of at least 800 bucks and I took it because it was my first job and it was a cash job and well nothing was legit.  So, I left that place with my tail between my legs thinking that all my customers are going to be like this guy and that life as a self employed painter is really going to suck...

Thankfully, that was 6 years ago and I have never had another client like Tony...that first job sure was scary though!

Offline Fat Tony

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Re:Accused of stealing
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2006, 06:09:10 AM »
My names Tony and im originally from NYC and damned if i dont know plenty of the same guys myself. lol
People are funny when when it comes to cash, they are all honorable and upstanding and fair minded until it comes time to pay,then they got more stories than Hemingway and Edgar Allen Poe combined. Ive been in the casino business for the last 23 years and have started painting on the side for the last year or so, so trust me there are few stories i havent heard. I protect myself by getting a good sized deposit in cash and trying to get a feel for the person i may be dealing with. If they balk at the deposit, i walk. No harm, no foul. In most of my cases the clients have come from other clients so there hasnt been too much static for the front money. I only say "so and so recommended me and i trust youve seen my work or we wouldnt be talking right now."  That usually does it but in this town i still got to be careful cause its the most transient place on earth.
Anyway, sorry for ranting and raving but i had to throw some defense in on one good guy named Tony. lol

Offline DecorativeWalls

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Re:Accused of stealing
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2006, 11:20:07 AM »
:o

Offline rmichael

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Re:Accused of stealing
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2006, 12:35:04 PM »
Welcome Aboard good Tony...  ;D
Pro Painter 30 years ~ Down East Coastal NC

"Hell Son, It's always been about the work."

 

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