slander??

[sara3]

I had my bathroom make-over last year, cost me quite a lot of money which I managed to pull together.
the shower pump packed in 2 months ago, I contacted the boss my text, email, letter and more phone calls than I can count, all of which were unanswered.
under threat of legal action, he finally sent round one of his men to replace the shower pump (without making any contact with me), and to cut the story short there is more work that now needs doing. the warped bath panel has stood on my landing for about 4 weeks now, water is leaking from the shower on to the plug socket for the water pump. he won't answer any communications.

so, the friend who recommended him contacted his father (the business is still in the father's name), who she's known for about 30 years. he has spoken to his son, and his son has said I owe him £300 and he's not going to come back to me. this is a complete lie.. I owe him nothing. he's never asked for anything else from me as I paid in full at the time. he made up some great story about a confrontation on my doorstep where I said I couldn't afford to pay him.

I am really upset about this as I do value my integrity highly! is it slander? can I do anything about this?

[jackthehat]

Have you any receipts, etc. confirming just what you paid?

[cazzz1975]

I would take pictures of the problems to verify the poor workmanship

[Pinkypie]

I'd agree with cazzz1975 - take photos for evidence and possibly write down a timeline of what has been happening.

I'm pretty sure that if you spoke to citizens advice or a consumer group they would tell you to put your request in writing and give them a date that you wish the work to be completed by. If they don't do anything, I think you can take it further then.

I know this happened when a company didn't come to finish my driveway and I had to make my requests official by putting in writing.

[Barmaid]

Technically, yes, it is slander. But doing anything about it will prove extraordinarily costly for little, if any, benefit (given that you know of only one person to whom this was said your loss of reputation is minimal). By that I mean its not as if he has published it in some well read rag!

I think you should deal with the underlying problem of having your bathroom finished. I would send him a formal letter before action telling him where the faults are and requiring he fix them, or alternatively you will have them fixed and sue him for the costs of doing so. You could mention that the lies he is peddling are refuted and if he persists in besmirching your good name you will also take advice with a view to pursuing him for damages. If no response slap him with a set of proceedings in the small claims court.

[plautus]

You would have to prove some sort of loss as a direct result of the slander, unlike libel, where no loss need be proved.

[sara3]

thanks all, you're too quick for me!
honestly, I can't remember him signing anything to say he'd received the money from me.. stupid, I know. I will did out the paperwork, but I really don't think I got anything signed.. lesson learned :o(
I intend dropping off another official letter to his business premises (a small, grotty looking shop, it's always closed) telling him what I want done and by when, and will pay someone else and take him to court if necessary.
I was just steaming mad about his lies. I may text they guy who replaced the pump to see if he thinks I owe money to the boss.

[sara3]

really plautus? I assumed slander was more about damaging your reputation.

[jackthehat]

OK.
Now do what you are intending to do with the letter AND get your friend to pass a second copy to this chump's father which includes the photographs, as per cazzz's suggestion........apologising that it will be *his* good name which will be dragged through the mud and appear in the paper.

No matter how old you are, a bit of the 'hair-dryer' treatment from your dad can work wonders. :o)

[sara3]

hairdryer treatment????!

my friend said the father is quite scary, but very defensive of his precious son. she thinks the son is scared of him and dared not admit that he's just ignored me for 2 months, especially as the business is in the father's name.

[Pinkypie]

Sounds like they could be tricky. So my advice is do everything by the book and the rights will be on your side. Put it in writing and remember to keep your own copies of everything.

slowly slowly catch a monkey!

[jackthehat]

Tut........do you know nothing about cultural references? :o)
It is a full-bodied lecture delivered at a large number of decibels right into the face of the intended recipient. Alex Ferguson is the best-known 'hair-drier'.

There you have it!
Get to the son through the father..........or use that threat on the son, in the first instance.

[scotman]

If things have gone this far I would do everything in writing from now on. Keep copies and use recorded delivery.
Agree about photos of the scene. Find and keep as much paperwork as you can.

[sara3]

ahhh.. I get you now, lol! thanks to all for your advice. I'm leaving this til I'm back from my hols as I'm too much of a stressy head right now.

but when I get back, I'm gonna get him!

[danni]

Your shower installation sounds highly lethal let alone anything else. Get a qualified electrician in immediately for correction and advice and the rest will probably resolve itself. All best