Small claims court

[Mr Panda]

Hi all - we're on the verge of taking local builder to small claims court for failing to deliver goods which were fit for purpose. Have sent him a few letters advising of our complaints but he's not responded to the last two. Stalemate on that front, although we're still out of pocket by a grand or so (he turned up on doorstep when I was out, after negotiating settlement with me, and demanded extra dosh from wife which she paid to get rid of him.)

I know its all dependent on detail of specific cases but I'm just wondering if anyone has experience of the process, pitfalls, do's/dont's etc.

I have info from council guys which supports our view he's a t+sser.

cheers
Iain

 

[gibbleking]

id visit said builder and chat to him about demanding money from the wife..ive dealt with their kind before...3 mates and some 2x4 usually works..

 

[uktyler]

Personally my first port of call would be the local Trading Standards to see his past history.

Small claims court can be an expensive thing to do, with no guarantee you'll get any money out of them if you win.

Trading Standards should be able to tell you if he has any outstanding CCJ's and previous complaints.

The thing he won't want is bad publicity, contact the local papers, write reviews on the internet and tell everybody you know how bad a job he did.

 

[The Ken]

local paper "raw deal" section? I thought small claims court was meant to be cheap.

I hate getting workies in, sparky's are the only trade that I have had good experiences with, as a result I do most of the rest myself.

Incidentally, why does the oban times website have a fife webcam? you spying on us?

 

[The Ken]

And Ian, I would have got the police involved he he had harrassed my wife, Does big eck need a holiday?

 

[Neil]

local paper "raw deal" section? I thought small claims court was meant to be cheap.

Small claims court should be cheap - on the proviso that you have a good claim and win.

Should either, or both, of those two aspects not be true, though - and it could be a different story.

 

[Kentphil]

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau should be able to give you some advice

 

[azaro]

Firstly, don't go to local papers etc until you have advised him that's what you intend to do.
I had a similar experience and the threat of this alone made the kn*b fulfil his contract. He clearly knew I could easily ruin him with very little effort!
Secondly, I would definitely make the local constabulary aware that he intimidated your wife. That is totally unacceptable and they take this really seriously.
Tempting as it is, don't take the law into your own hands until you've tried other, more legitimate methods. As good as it may make you feel initially to rearrange his face, that will all disappear if you end up being prosecuted or he decides on some "comeback".

Good luck.