Bleedin' roofers!

[MORELLO]

I recently had my gutters done by a seemingly decent guy who's now being a right pain ( I'm limiting my language due to site restrictions!) He seemed OK and kept the cost down by doing it cash in hand, which I know is a bit dodgy, but as I said he seemed alright and I questioned him about a guarantee which he said was no problem as I had his home number... Yeah right. So gutters are leaking and he says he'll be round... still leaking, "leave it with me"... Now he's not answering his phone, returning my call the one time I got through to his wife, and basically just taking the ****. I know if I had a receipt I'd have him over a barrell (my fault I know) but what else can I do? - I've been to his house - no answer. Why can't some people do things and act the right way. Any ideas???

[trevHCS]

Might be worth reporting him to Trading Standards as payment in cash isn't illegal, it's upto him to declare this to the Inland Revenue. Actually they might also be very interested as it's no doubt a tax fiddle in reality and might even be a benefits fraud case.

As for what else you can do - get someone reputable who doesn't ask for cash in hand and learn the lesson the hard way as even if he fixes it, it'll probably be a bodged job.

I'd also be a little bit careful about going to his house as he might claim you're harrassing him - these people know how to work the system. Insane admittidly, but the Inland Revenue might well get your own back for you.