| Unique Vision Homes |
| Unique Vision Homes Scott Russell Booked for small reno, that has now been cancelled, cash deposit of $1,770.00 was promised to be returned, but hasn' |
| 15th of Mar, 2011 by User653295 |
I had booked Unique Vision Homes (Scott Russell) to do a small renovation in our house. He was was booked to start Jan 31,2011.
A cash deposit of $!,770.00 was paid back in December, 2010, as a retainer for the job. I have a signed contract with his initials for the deposit. He showed up on the 2nd of Feb, to drop off tools and start the job the following day. He did call a few days ahead to say that he would be starting the job late, because he was running behind the job he was at. I agreed, that this was fine. When he showed up, he said he was unable to start the job, because we had just recently refinished the floors, and they hadn't cured properly. The floors had been done a week prior to his arrival, and it was his idea to have the floors done first , and then have him come in to do the job after. The floors were done by his Dad, who referred Scott Russell (son) to us. He promised to thoroughly protect the floors. He knew when the floors were being done as it was his idea, and we had been in contact with him prior to start of the floor refinishing job.
He didn't want to take a chance on damaging the floors and thought we should wait a little bit longer, and he left. He went home to check his schedule, and was supposed to call me to re arrange an alternate date, and he was going to stop by within the next few days with an electrician. There was electrical work to be done as well, and he wanted to double check with the electrician. He probably should have done this while he was giving us the quote, not when he was ready to start the job.
He has not returned. After calling him for 2 weeks, and having heard nothing, I canceled the job. I managed to finally speak to him on the phone, on Feb 16. I told him I wanted to cancel the job. I no longer trusted him, and and I wanted my money in the full amount back. He said he was going to pay the money but he didn't have it because he used it to pay his employees. Employees who were working on another job, with my money. That money was supposed to be used for my job not someone else. He also noted that he could not take the money out of his business account, because the money was paid in cash, it was unaccounted for. Not only did he rip me off, he is also in the process of ripping off the Canadian government. I kept phoning over and over, to find out when he was planning on paying back my money. Again, I am unable to get a hold of him, as he does not respond to voice mail or email.
I finally spoke with him on Feb. 23. He mentioned, that technically he didn't have to return the money, but would because it was good business. Technically he has money for a job he didn't do, and that money is owed back to me.
He said he was waiting for a job that paid him cash so he could pay me with it. Again, he didn't want to take the money out of his account, because he doesn't want to get in trouble with the government, but I am not protecting him anymore.
There was someone that was supposed to make a cash payment on the 24th or 25th, and he stated that as soon as they paid him, he was going to stop by within the next few days, and pay the entire amount.
Once again, I actually believed he was going to stop by. It is now March 16,, 2011, and I have not heard from him since. I have left several email, and voice mail, some not so polite. I have threatened to take legal action. This probably works in his favour, as it buys him more time to pay it back. His website has also been removed.
I was told to send a demand letter from a lawyer, to put a bit of fear into him. The letter costs money, and it won't guarantee that he is going to pay.
The same theory applies to taking him to small claims court, all he has to do is tell the judge he doesn't have the money, and the judge will allow him to pay it off in small increments, which will take years. I'm sure he knows this. Again it works in his favor not mine.
Maybe a report from you will get him moving. He can borrow the money from someone and pay me back. It may not sound like a lot of money, but it takes a long time to save that kind of money, and it is owed back to me. |
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An update to this complaint which was originally posted at Ripped off.com
$1500.00 of the original $1770.00 was paid in cash on April 21, 2011. The money was paid in cash, via an agreement through a 3rd party. The money has been received, and the case is now closed. The complaint will remain posted, with an update, which was also part of a 3rd party agreement.
This does not change my view of the company or its work ethics, nor will I ever recommend them. |
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