Have ya been shopped AFTER getting a verbal commitment?

[Freedom77]

You can get it cheap or you can get right. Generally you can't have it both ways. I'd let the guy pound sand and also tell him that I would contact everybody doing boat work in the to steer clear. Word of mouth will hurt him more than you. Fair winds...

 

[gettinthere]

bad mouthing others has a way of coming back and biting you.

Just quietly move on.

 

[kenn]

A signed commitment and a down payment is the minimum terms when the parties don't really know each other.

The marine engine shop I occasionally work for also takes VISA numbers and charges the down payment right away on phone or email orders. It's not a perfect system, but it seems to warn the scammers and lowlifes away.

 

[CharlieCobra]

I just couldn't make myself do it. I did talk to him and informed him that Baggett & Sons could not do any work on his boat now or in the future. I said "We had a verbal agreement, witnessed by others, which is binding in the state of Washington. You broke that agreement and the trust entailed. I cannot in good conscience work for someone I can't trust. Good luck with your paint work.". That was it.....

I cannot be associated with a boat that looks like crap. That's MY reputation on the line, whether I did the Topcoat or not...

 

[CharlieCobra]

bad mouthing others has a way of coming back and biting you.

Just quietly move on.

Maybe, if I'm naming names, boats or whatever. I didn't and won't. I won't even tell the other contractors to watch out for this guy.

 

[Ross]

I told someone that I had done some work for"X" and he asked if I had gotten paid. I said that I had and was told that I was lucky. Keep your ears open and your mouth shut.

 

[RAD]

I just couldn't make myself do it. I did talk to him and informed him that Baggett & Sons could not do any work on his boat now or in the future. I said "We had a verbal agreement, witnessed by others, which is binding in the state of Washington. You broke that agreement and the trust entailed. I cannot in good conscience work for someone I can't trust. Good luck with your paint work.". That was it.....

I cannot be associated with a boat that looks like crap. That's MY reputation on the line, whether I did the Topcoat or not...

Atta Boy.......I'm glad you did cause my gut feeling was this guys trouble and being in the contracting business for over 30 years my gut never lies

 

[sinnettc]

Good for you!

 

[petersea]

"Saturday he came over and committed to us doing the complete job and I lined up a spot in a building and extra crew to do the gig."

Maybe I am missing something here but if you lined up a spot in the building and I'm assuming it is your bill why would you left another "trades person" (aka the young'un)
work in you rented space? Does he (and you for that matter) have workers comp insurance ? Would appear that the owner and the kid are getting a free ride on your overhead. Or am i misunderstanding ??
As far as the owner not giving you all the work agreed you are correct to re estimate your original quote or walk away from the job after explaining your position as you did.

 

[CharlieCobra]

The yard has a couple of buildings with space available. This is a contractor only yard and various contractors either maintain shop space, rent space as needed or both. I have a shop with a restoration project currently in it and arranged to take space in another available building. I hadn't actually taken that space yet. Yes, we have Worker's Comp, 2 mil Liability etc. I have no clue what they have. This "kid" works with his Pops and they are approved contractors from what I gather or at least his Pops is. I've not seen them around and can't make a call on the quality of their work. It's not the new contractor's fault that the owner called them up for a bid and they were "hungrier" than I or have "zero" overhead. Frankly, having done one paint job for 3K on a 40' boat, I will never do that again, no matter HOW much we need the cash flow.

 

[BobT]

Charlie, you absolutely did the right thing. None of us needs a bad customer, and this guy played his hand just in time. Custom work has taught me to worry less about losing a job by quoting too high and more about getting a job that I've quoted too low! It still happens, of course, or I'd be retired on a boat by now. HaHa!