Do you think I was right in asking for a deposit.

[John Benton]

If you are supplying materials you MUST get a deposit. There is nothing wrong in that, it shows commitment from the customer and potentially stops them backing out of the work to be done.

If I have a job particularly when I'm supplying tiles I get them to forward a cheque/bank transfer and make sure it is cleared before I even order tiles. That way I will never be out of pocket. Materials such as addy etc can always be used. 20-30m of tiles sat in your garage are not something you can sell easily, obviously they are not to everybodys taste. If they back out before the job is done, unlikely, because I don't get them delivered until maybe a day into the job when I'm ripping out. They're not going to lose maybe £6-700 of tiles at that point.

 

[AliGage]

I always ask for a deposit. As above. shows their commitment to you.

 

[thompsonbrown]

Always go with your gut feelings, no point getting a job if you dont get paid.
A customer who threatens to ruin you is someone you should be pleased you didnt work for.
Keep the text messages, your the guy who lost work over this idiot, dont doubt yourself.

 

[High Peak Tiling]

With a customer like that I would have taken the other floors being done as a slight insult, people like that get no discount off materials and get a fat quote... If they are stupid enough to take the quote then I'll do the job with a smile 😀

 

[High Peak Tiling]

I also ask for a deposit on large jobs normally for materials and always take a deposit for commercial.

 

[On one]

I had a one in December that didnt quite smell right as well. When I said I didn't have the time to go and get the tiles(60 mile round trip for 3m2) she backed out blaming XYZ.....
Then this week out of the blue she rings up and asks when can I start!
I ask....have you got the tiles ......................''No''
have you got the Electrician sorted......''No''

 

[Andy Allen]

I had the same happen to me on a 50m2 floor just before Christmas, priced the job , had it all booked in, then he rang me wanting me to get the tiles for him with my discount, told him I wanted a deposit, he said he would drop it round on the Friday, as I was starting the job on monday nothing appeared so that was it, cancel the job, can't be doing chasing people for money, and like you something didn't add up with him, I found out later he was down the tile suppliers trying to use my trade discount, he had a right go at me on the phone too, as he had to get the floor done to get the kitchen fitted, this was all 2 weeks before Christmas..lol all water off a ducks back to me, I wouldn't let it worry you....just forget about him and move on to the next job...

 

[White Room]

Absolutely your right to ask for a deposit, sometimes that gut feeling is spot on....

 

[lizzardtong]

I have now found out that he might have used my discount in Tile giant to get the adhesive and grout for the two floors that were done without my knowledge.

how did they let him to use your discount?
usually i have a phone call from tile shop if someone wants to use my discount.

 

[White Room]

Topps let one of my customers use mine, I know nothing was the reply when questioned...