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Paid a guy to fix my chimney, I find out a month later all he did was spray paint it and took a picture where the crack wasn't to make it appear he did something. Should I drag him to small claims for $375, he's obviously a psychopath that knows where I live. He could come back some night and do some vandal revenge costing me 10 times that much easily. Then again, he needs to be outed.

The kicker is Better Business Bureau recommended the guy!

Paid a guy to fix my chimney, I find out a month later all he did was spray paint it and took a picture where the crack wasn't to make it appear he did something. Should I drag him to small claims for $375, he's obviously a psychopath that knows where I live. He could come back some night and do some vandal revenge costing me 10 times that much easily. Then again, he needs to be outed. The kicker is Better Business Bureau recommended the guy!

(post is archived)

[–] • 13 pts

The BBB is a pay-to-play scam. It is not a consumer protection entity. They give favorable recommendations to businesses that pay the annual fee.

Write it off. He can do more harm than it's worth.

[–] • 1 pt

This is correct, I've been a member for over thirty years and have won many 'awards.'

They're basically just a business like anything else, it's an incestuous operation.

[–] • 0 pt

When I bought an Amana portable air conditioner from Amazon (back when I used to deal with Bezos' BS), they did not include any of the window fitments it was supposed to come with. Amazon flipped me off, and repeated email bitchings to Amana were ignored. I contacted the BBB in the city Amana is headquartered, and filed a complaint. A month later all my emails to Amana was suddenly answered all at once, the window accoutrements was sent, and in the last email the company spokesman asked if I would pretty please tell the BBB that the case was closed. I cannot say if that was an anomaly, but the BBB came through for me.

[–] • 4 pts

I remember I made a complaint to the better Business bureau about a dentist. They f***** up my mouth and I didn't know what recourse I had I definitely couldn't afford to sue them because I'm sure I would have lost. So I flamed him pretty hard and then we got into this pissing match they insulted me I insulted them. I didn't realize what the BBB was it's no better than Google reviews. Ah the things you learn.

[–] • 3 pts

Be grateful you were only taken for $350 and move on. Try to determine what caused you to make the mistake of hiring a cheat in the first place and formulate a plan to ensure the likelihood of that is reduced in the future.

By striking back and sabotaging his property you might be doing little more than opening the first salvo in a seriously destructive shared engagement between the both of you.

But enjoy whatever path you choose to walk, brother.

[–] • 2 pts

File a complaint with your state's contractor licensing board, or equivalent. They're much less likely to fuck around than the BBB.

[–] • 0 pt

I'd say this is the correct answer, but you know he's not licensed or bonded.

[+] [deleted] • 1 pt
[–] • 1 pt

I know a guy whose house was burned down by a vengeful contractor. Not worth it.

[–] • 1 pt

The good thing about contractors is you know where they live, too. And where they work. And you have the power to affect their licensing by working through your state's contractor licensing board. Turn about is a bitch.

[–] • 1 pt

Right off the loss, or bash him in the head by behind with a baseball bat. He probably has a lot of enemies

[–] • 0 pt

I'm thinking I could easily vandalize his house [drill a few holes in his chimney?] he would have no clue who did it.

[–] [deleted] • 2 pts

Go fuck his wife and his dog.

[–] • 0 pt

By the looks of the guy I doubt his wife or dog are pretty.

[–] • 1 pt

Attacking his chimney is little on the nose

[–] • 1 pt

I agree, it's petty, doesn't get me my $ back and could get me in more trouble.

[–] • 1 pt

You could always pay a hobo 50 bucks to smash a beer bottle across the contractors face.

[–] • 1 pt

Write it off. If you take it to court you'd have to hire an 'expert' to inspect and then testify that he did a shit job. He could claim the paint was a sealant or some crap that is 'the best' repair.

[–] • 1 pt

My opposite story. Found a chimney sweep on CL. Swept and cleaned just fine. Lady boss says some cracks need fixed. Spent some time talking with her, she’d been in the biz for a long time. No skeezy vibes. Fixed cracks, cleaned exterior brick, repaired the metal cover. Since I was a return customer, she said she’d email the bill. Never heard another peep. Ever. Me vs. them, swung my way that day. P.s. if you have shitty books, you’ll lose in the end.

[–] • 0 pt

I've had that happen, I contacted them and paid them, don't want that karma over my head.

[–] • 1 pt

Leave reviews on Google and whatever other classified ad sites are popular in your area. It's as much about letting other people know as getting revenge, so make it to the point and don't come off sounding like a whiny bitch. Otherwise $375 is nothing in the big scheme of things so chalk it up to experience and move on.

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