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Brits robing Brits

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 8:00pm
100 replies9612 views39 members subscribed
Tomb

Tomb

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Why Oh Why do Brits rip off us Brit newbies?!! I’ve come into contact with three so called tradespeople since buying a property in June 2018 In San Miguel and each and everyone as had me over! Can a page be started to name and shame these people with of course a good explanation as to why they should appear on the disgrace page 

Movingon

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 9:19pm

Movingon

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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 9:19pm

Shouldn't be a big surprise, a cowboy is a cowboy and many have decamped UK to set up shop here because they have run out of options there.

Caveat emptor always!

JennyT

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 9:43pm

JennyT

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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 9:43pm

I agree Tomb.  I ve been advised not to employ British builders because of this which is an awful shame for the decent British  ones trying to make a living .  I have also found some of the British trades people to be rude and aggressive when you say something isn't working that they've just supplied (or ripped you off for ).   They wouldn't act like that in UK so why act like it in Spain .    I threatened to take them to small claims and only then did they rectify fault which they wanted to charge me another 40 euros for .    

JennyT

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:45pm

JennyT

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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:45pm

Agree Ray .  I only got a response from mine as he thought his 'business ' would become known to the tax authorities I guess if I took him to small claims .  It is why they don't want you to transfer money to their bank accounts as it is evidence and want cash only .   I know of a genuine Briish handyman who does declares his taxes and business but is finding it difficult to compete with all those that don't as they can under cut him .  Proves the point that cheapest isn't always best !! 

paulsav

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:48pm

paulsav

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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:48pm

Tomb wrote on Sat Aug 11, 2018 8:00pm:

Why Oh Why do Brits rip off us Brit newbies?!! I’ve come into contact with three so called tradespeople since buying a property in June 2018 In San Miguel and each and everyone as had me over! Can a page be started to name and shame these people with of course a good explanation as to why they ...

...should appear on the disgrace page 

I agree it would be helpful if there was a Named and Shamed forum within this forum, but there is a seperate "Named and Shamed in Spain" forum (just google it). I too have been done over by several Brits, the Brit estate agent who sold our first spanish house, stole not only our tax money on selling but other peoples house deposits running into many thousands then scarpered Spain. We then had a translator who gave us false info from an architect causing us a 14,000€ fine just so her partner,s mate would get a building job, and leaving us still with part illegal build, and a Brit guy who came from this forum(no longer a member) to retile our hailstorm damaged solarium, who did such a bad job I,ve had to get it redone to the cost of 3000€ again. Its taken me 12yrs to find an honest Brit worker, but I,m sure there's still many more dishonest ones out there.

Pauline.

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dogsbody

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 3:25pm

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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 3:25pm

I know exactly what you mean.But sometimes the fault lies with the person wanting a service.I have had a legal business here until I retired.Why would you go to someone who doesn't have a business address & premises & issue you a receipt unless you think you can cut corners & get a cheap job done?When I have had work done I have always used a registered tradesman whether Spanish or any other nationality.Obviously "cash in hand" is being offered by those who don't pay their dues,not rocket science is it.

paulsav

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 6:17pm

paulsav

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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 6:17pm

I take offence with your opinion regarding "sometimes its the fault of the person requiring the service" and your assumption that people are trying to cut corners by employing rogue traders is ridiculous. Firstly my estate agent had an office had traded for several years, and was well recommended before he decided to become a thief. The architect also had an office, but the english translator who also came recommended, bent the truth to satisfy their needs, and the "builder" who came from this forum, by answerring my request for a builder as we couldnt get a recomendation from anyone local, wasnt asked to cut corners and payment was covered by our insurance. You seem fortunate in having gained experience with your having a business in Spain and language possibly not a problem for you, but as for the many Brits who like ourselves are new to the country, dont always live in an expat area, we are sitting ducks to the greedy through no fault of our own. As to getting a receipt, that only happens at the end of a job, too late then to discover they are not legal.

Pauline.

mal johnson

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 7:06pm

mal johnson

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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 7:06pm

Ive also found this when trying to get a kitchen renewed in my 3 bed Julia, there are only a total of 13 units required plus new oven hob and sink unit, however the quotes coming back from the english companies are ridiculous, and does not include the oven hob sink or the plumbing or electrics. ( thats all extra). Unfortunately I only get over a couple of times a year, so it looks like I will be taking quite a long time to do it myself whenever I'm over.

Anne330

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 7:46pm

Anne330

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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 7:46pm

paulsav wrote on Sun Aug 12, 2018 6:17pm:

I take offence with your opinion regarding "sometimes its the fault of the person requiring the service" and your assumption that people are trying to cut corners by employing rogue traders is ridiculous. Firstly my estate agent had an office had traded for several years, and was well recommended...

... before he decided to become a thief. The architect also had an office, but the english translator who also came recommended, bent the truth to satisfy their needs, and the "builder" who came from this forum, by answerring my request for a builder as we couldnt get a recomendation from anyone local, wasnt asked to cut corners and payment was covered by our insurance. You seem fortunate in having gained experience with your having a business in Spain and language possibly not a problem for you, but as for the many Brits who like ourselves are new to the country, dont always live in an expat area, we are sitting ducks to the greedy through no fault of our own. As to getting a receipt, that only happens at the end of a job, too late then to discover they are not legal.

Pauline.

Hi Pauline. Are you back in Spain ?? Was your estate agent English and had an office in Villena ?? Would be great to meet up. Anne 😎

JennyT

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 9:12pm

JennyT

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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 9:12pm

I too was not trying to cut corners as Pauline said .   The fact is that when you are new in a country and have a specific time to get your house sorted and no local contacts then you are vulnerable.   Nor would I knowingly  employ a tradesperson who was working under the radar .  I have been a lawyer in the UK and so not that naiive either .  In the UK they would have fallen foul of trading standards and been prosecuted .  Maybe this is why they've de camped to Spain.  It certainly is not the fault of those employing them as we do so in good faith and unaware of their working / licensing / tax background .

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