I am inclined to do something about this.

It would still cost the owners more money and you would be losing money. I would stay out of it and let the courts beat it out of him.

However if your name was plastered on the news as the stand-up cabinet maker and they praised your actions it may lead to an image of your company that is going to pay off 10 fold.

HSConstruction said:

It would still cost the owners more money and you would be losing money. I would stay out of it and let the courts beat it out of him.

However if your name was plastered on the news as the stand-up cabinet maker and they praised your actions it may lead to an image of your company that is going to pay off 10 fold.

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I had the idea while doing the yard work a minute ago that if he could get some money out of him then that could be our pay day.

It would be nice to see some positive results for doing a good deed. But I also think that when this story runs again it would be best that there was a good cabinet shop in it.

I would also like to see the other shops on the street mentioned as well even though they may not be involved. That is if they were willing for me to pimp for them.

I just hate these stories and it gives us all a bad name. This one is awfully close to home though.

Feel free to play Devil's advocate here and show me some down side I may not see. Seems like we may do a job for nothing and get no real publicity for it. I could live with that as it is not my sole purpose for exploring it.

Gus Dering said:

I had the idea while doing the yard work a minute ago that if he could get some money out of him then that could be our pay day.

It would be nice to see some positive results for doing a good deed. But I also think that when this story runs again it would be best that there was a good cabinet shop in it.

I would also like to see the other shops on the street mentioned as well even though they may not be involved. That is if they were willing for me to pimp for them.

I just hate these stories and it gives us all a bad name. This one is awfully close to home though.

Feel free to play Devil's advocate here and show me some down side I may not see. Seems like we may do a job for nothing and get no real publicity for it. I could live with that as it is not my sole purpose for exploring it.

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I have seen stories similar to this one on the news in Tampa and the problem is the contractor who comes to the rescue barely gets his name mentioned, so I don't see how it will end up making contractors look good.

Most likely the guy who ripped off the client for $34,000 is not even a licensed contractor.

In most cases where a HO hires an unlicensed contractor they know the guy is unlicensed but don't care, that is until they get ripped off, then they start crying.

Gus Dering said:

I had the idea while doing the yard work a minute ago that if he could get some money out of him then that could be our pay day.

It would be nice to see some positive results for doing a good deed. But I also think that when this story runs again it would be best that there was a good cabinet shop in it.

I would also like to see the other shops on the street mentioned as well even though they may not be involved. That is if they were willing for me to pimp for them.

I just hate these stories and it gives us all a bad name. This one is awfully close to home though.

Feel free to play Devil's advocate here and show me some down side I may not see. Seems like we may do a job for nothing and get no real publicity for it. I could live with that as it is not my sole purpose for exploring it.

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Gus,
The only downside I can see is that within a few months/years people may not differenciate between the two of you.
Just a thought,considering the fact that the both of you are in such close proximaty.

Edit: Also what Bwalley said.

If you wanted to improve the image of the local cabinetmakers,see if they are willing to pitch in and offer help to lighten the burden on your company.
Seeing that this tarnishes the whole trade,why should you shoulder all of the burden.

As Mellison stated;The only downside I can see is that within a few months/years people may not differenciate between the two of you

This way your investment would be limited but the benefit would be widespread.

I think the concept is brilliant. Yet there is much to consider.

First, ALL the guys on the block contributing would make for a better news story.

Accept the probability that this whole thing will mean little to the general public within a matter of weeks... either way.

Find out EXACTLY who you may be dealing with.

If you do not thouroughly learn all you can about the poor customer (who, incidentially, was obviously very instrumental in involving the media) before you stick your neck (and the necks of your friends) into the same noose, you may be in for a surprise.

Remember, you only have the "facts" from one perspective at this moment. The truth often lies somewhere in between the two opposing reports.

Just some rhetorical question to help you examine your motives.

Had the other cabinet owners shop been 20, 100, 1000 miles away instead of right across the way....would you still feel the need to intervene?

If you could help the owner get his cabinets but nobody could know it was you that helped...would you still feel the need to intervene?

It doesn't matter what "I" think. I'm only trying to help you determine what YOU think. These questions don't require a response.

Gus, is the guys' shop who supposedly 'took' this poor customer still open? Have you asked him what is going on? If he locked his doors, that's one thing. If he's still around, you may be getting the wrong end of the story. I would be careful jumping in until you know more.

Could be the HO is at fault and got the PR jump on your competition. You jump in and it could mean you are screwing the guy across the street who may not deserve it and helping the HO get free cabs.

Sounds good on it's face, - - but until knowing the whole story, - - I'm with Mike(VA), - - seems like most homeowner's I've ever dealt with that have 'contractor horror stories' turn out to be problem customers.

The newspaper may have jumped on the story because bad contractor stories are one of the general public's favorites to read, - - and as Mike says, they may have only heard one side.

Sounds like a good idea. Not immediately profitable, but possible a good news story. If you do present it to the HO make sure that your company name gets plastered in the upcoming story otherwise it is of no real use to you except for the good feeling you get.

But I feel this is really none of your never mind. This one act will not change the fact that some of the contractors out there are scum.

I also put fault on the HO. Parting with such large chunks of money always come with risk. I wonder what kind of references he got before using this contractor. Especially in CA where the $1000/10% whichever is less rule is in effect. I know that is only for getting on the list to have work done and as soon as the work starts he can request whatever the contract states.

He went against his instinct and saw that little was done on his project and gave him another $14K. Not a very bright person. And not the way they show him on the news broadcast.

Personally Gus. I would just stay away from it. I see very little good coming from it, and potentially something blowing up in your face. I'm not sure who said it in this thread but it is likely that this guy is a problem customer to begin with. He said the contractor kept asking for more information. I only ask for more info when I don't have it.

It would be a good will project though Gus.

Leo G said:

Personally Gus. I would just stay away from it. I see very little good coming from it, and potentially something blowing up in your face. I'm not sure who said it in this thread but it is likely that this guy is a problem customer to begin with. He said the contractor kept asking for more information. I only ask for more info when I don't have it.

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Yep, yep and yep. Agreed, the immediate kneejerk reaction is to help the guy out, but that story set off my alarms regarding both parties.

If you do decide to do something, Gus, make sure you CYA very well.

I will not trash this guy in an open forum or in private.

He is no longer in business and we had a front row seat to the demise. His tools and equipment seemed to be sold for back rent by the landlord (also a cabinetmaker). Like I said, I have done business with him and eventually got paid in full for all services and material. But all the signs are there that this story is more true than not.

As I let this settle in and read what you all have to say, I don't see as much up side as I did initially. I would love to think that the news station would run a piece that throws some weight on the other side of the scale. But I also know that good news does not sell as well as bad.

I would like to meet with the HO and see for myself if he is manageable or not before committing to anything. The big question is if just meeting with him hitches this wagon to my horse or not.

I hate these stories more than I can describe. Why is it so hard for some to do what they agree to do? It makes selling every job a little harder for all of us that this kind of crap takes place. :furious:

I talked to my partner about lending a hand. He seems to be aligned with me. He would like to help but only if we keep mud out of our eyes.

neolitic said:

Of the 3% of people who saw the story
and registered the shop location,
how many would know Cotati well enough
to associate that address with yours?

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As always you make a good point. I dunna no. Cotati is a very small town in Sonoma County. Most of the good work is one County south in Marin County which is right over the Golden gate from San Fransisco. Those clients think we all live out in the country. I'm mostly concerned with anyone associating Cotati with a cabinet nightmere. And maybe I should just stand aside, I am not sure. Thats why we are talking about it.

PA woodbutcher said:

There is also the possibility of everyone that see the story and your name comes calling, crying the blues about how they got ripped off too. Sometimes there is bad advertisement. Good idea and I think your heart is in the right place, but I would look at all side before offering myself up.

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That was one of my first thoughts about the downside. I figured I can always say no. I am good at that. But people that call would think that we run a clean shop.

This is getting more difficult than I hoped. We'll figure out something together, all of you included, or we will do nothing.