So I’m literally on my last phase of my cabin build. Was looking forward to some great summer fun with the family this summer. So I contacted with a guy to build my kitchen in November, suppose to be built and ready to install by end of December. Well here I am. Yes I thought I did my homework but thinking I’ve been scammed because I gave him $3000 to get started. Don’t believe he had any intentions on doing them and after doing a google search ( yeh a little late) it looks like he’s done this before but for a lot more money.

Option 1 : get a bunch of guys together for a blanket party

Option 2 : small claims court

Well I told him this is not gonna end well for him and told him unlike him my word is gold!
Small claims here in Ohio is pretty worthless, I’ll of course win the claim but then it’s up to me to collect?

I don’t pay anyone first…payment on completion of the job. I also only use local folks here. They don’t do their job and things don’t work out well for them. I can’t stand a thief!

I own my own buissness and in todays world at least once a week i measure a job were the people got beet
It is a shame we have to live in fear today
My motto is start one job finish and start the next one we never take a deposit until we a re ready to start just bad buissness in my opinion

Been a plumbing contractor for 18 years. Worked on more new homes than I can remember, Never asked for a deposit as I wait until the underground is intalled before requesting 1/3red of the bid. Has worked for me.

Chris

Talk to your local sheriff. Some locales call that theft by deception and can be a felony offense.

Best place to check out a contractor is his material supplier!

Last fall we broke ground on our cabin as well. Got the concrete guy and plumber lined up. Both did their jobs and were paid. Got a letter from the concrete plant that the were reserving the right to put a lien on our landfor none payment for concrete. Long story short. They didn't put a lien onto our land and took contractor to court and got a judgement. He stiffed the concrete plant for 6 or 8 jobs.

Chances of them actually being able to lein was very slim in MN. I got screwed for almost 4k by a pool contractor I worked for, to put Leins on his customers who he also screwed just didn't feel right.

Yep small claims is not the way to go in Ohio.
Sue for deception , and $ 3000 is a felony thief in Ohio.

Yeh today is his last day to pony up. I’ve researched it some and I guess it’s up to the prosecutors office whether they will press charges after my initial police report! The thing is I’ve lost seven months now and fuming over my stupidity but he was good and it was only about 20% down

Sorry for the bad luck.

Bad deal

I've lost before too

Small claims here is a moral win only the Judge even says he’s not going to put money in anybody’s pocket in the end that seems kind of pointless to me.

Yeah, went through that dog and pony show years ago. All they do is treat you like the crook did, tell you you got a judgement, and you still have nothing. Two wrongs still don’t make a right!

In oregon they won't do anything, they say it's a civil matter. We made a loan to our ex daughter in law to start a little Cafe. She made 1 payment and quit paying. We let it go for 10 months because of our grandson. Found out she had stiffed several of the suppliers so we filed a small claim against her. The max you can file was 10k. Got a judgment but never got a dime back. They said it's up to us to collect

A buddy of mine hired a guy to finish his basement. Gave him 10g up front. When he showed up he asked buddy if he’s goy any nails he could borrow …lol. That was a red flag. Showed up once and never came back. Run his name and it turns out he’s being sued by a bunch of people, domestic battery….the list goes on. He learned an expensive lesson.

Yep they lock them up here.