I had my house power washed, and the guy finished the front and two sides and left for the day. He was supposed to return on Sunday, but didn't show. Didn't respond to texts. I texted him today and after some back and forth he said that he was too busy to come back to finish. I told him that I would pay him for what he did-- $200 of a $300 job-- but I would also leave a factual review on Angies List. His response was: "If that is how you are, you are getting visitors."

I texted back, "Is that a threat?" (Obviously it is a threat.) No response from him.

Should I notify the police? If something does happen, that would get my info "out there" before anything happened.

What is the forum wisdom? What should I do?

Yes get it on record!!!

Call it in. My guess would be he is well known, has priors and may even be wanted.

I'd be reluctant to pay him anything until the job is completed. I would consider making a police report, and text him and ask for his address so you can send him a copy. Installing a decent security camera system might also be in your near future if you can afford it.

File a police report and send him his own visitors.

Jesus yes you should call the police

Well, the text messages already have him on record should anything happen.

I'd also hit your Attorney General's consumer advocacy / contractor fraud group or whatever its called in your state.

Do you have a gas leak also?

quote:

Originally posted by ulsterman:
Do you have a gas leak also?

I thought you were Italian. ??????

My only question for you is: What did the police say when you called?

I called and they dispatched a police officer who was here in about ten minutes. He took a screen shot of the text messages, as well as the guy's name, business name and address. Said he would report to his superior. He doubted that charges could be brought because the threat was a bit vague. (He agreed that-- no question-- it was a threat. But it was not specific enough for charges, probably.)

The officer said that he would call this nutcase and ask him about what happened. That should be enough to keep him away, but crazy people do crazy shit.

I sent the guy a text saying I would put a check for $200 in the mail to him for the work he did.

Anyway, the whole thing is clearly on record with the local police. I hope he has sense enough to take the $200 and stay away. I'm not worried about his showing up when I'm home, but I'm not always here.... That is what concerns me.

Weird how threats can just materialize out of nowhere....

Man, how hard is it to power wash a house in a single day?

I think after him not responding, and not returning I would’ve just not worried about it. Waited until he called me to discuss payment for the job he didn’t complete as agreed.

My take is you went out of your way to pay him $200 that he didn’t seem too interested in.

Good on you for not paying up front though as a lot of folks get scammed into.

Just wondering if this person is one of these young millennials that do not have any work ethics and think they are entitled to everything. God Bless

No, he is an older guy. He sent a text saying he couldn't do the work today because it's too cold. Temp is almost 50. Then he said that he was coming right over to do the work. Then he sent a text saying that he just looked at his watch and it's 12:40 and he doesn't have time to finish the job. Then that he is all booked up for two weeks so he can't finish the job at all. -- So, yeah, I suspect drugs. Which of course makes it much worse.

I got his name off Angie's List where he had an "A" rating with a bunch of good reviews.

I would of called the police as well and at least document it. Good job doing that but I'd say still be alert as you never know what he could do.

I also agree with 911boss - I wouldn't of paid a penny until the job was completed either.

Good on calling the cops, but I wouldn't have paid him a dime until the job was done.

quote:

Originally posted by 911Boss:
I think after him not responding, and not returning I would’ve just not worried about it. Waited until he called me to discuss payment for the job he didn’t complete as agreed.

My take too.
I would have not paid anything until he completes the job.

Seems that all the "review" threats just made things worse.

My take is that I would NOT call the cops.
This is such a little problem and calling the PO PO is just a bit overkill, IMO.
Let them work on real crimes.