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French Artisans
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 02/10/2007, 20:33
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aj_dr
Joined on 23/08/2004
Posts 133
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Re: Be prepared to pay a deposit if you want work done in France
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Hoorah!!...re my posting of the 24/5....Guess what, he turned up. Four of them did a very good job on the roof in four days. It just shows that if they are any good, they are busy and you just have to wait for them. At least we will be OK for the winter.He was recommended by a local, our neighbour, and we had seen his work. He came a few days later with his facture and we gave him a cheque there and then even though it hadn't rained and therefore we hadn't been able to check if everything was waterproof . It has now rained and everything is OK.
We have now asked him for a devi for a new fosse and 2 new windows.....I wonder how long we will have to wait, not only for devi but the work.
aj
PS . Forgot to mention, the deposit cheque that we had given him in March he finally presented 1 week before he commenced the work.
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23/10/2007, 12:26
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Deimos
 
Joined on 15/11/2005
France
Posts 2,731
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Re: Be prepared to pay a deposit if you want work done in France
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I can appreciate the artisan wanting a
deposit. I can also appreciate so many of the "don't pay up
front" warnings. Interestingly, those artisans I have paid a
deposit to are those I really wished I had not bothered with. For
example, plumber wanted a deposit which I paid (after all he had to
order parts, etc.). When his bill came in I was not quick paying it
as it was 3 times the amount we agreed to on the signed devis. So I
had to wait for him to come round to discuss. I made it clear that I
would accept an increase if he could give me a reason (e.g.
unforeseeable problems beyond his control) - but there were none. So
I suggested he think again about his bill and there was scope for
movement but the "ball was in his court".
Funny how the reliable artisans don't
seem to worry about deposits, they just turn-up, do the work, submit
a bill (as agreed) and get paid - easy really. If an artisan winds
you up, does poor work, starts late, expects you to believe all sorts
of crap excuses, etc. it does not surprise me people don't rush to
pay.
I have no problem paying a deposit but
think it should be easier to get the deposit back and cancel the
devis should the work not be started when agreed (it works both ways)
Ian
Copyright Deimos. All rights reserved
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08/11/2007, 16:24
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Llwyncelyn
Joined on 14/06/2006
Posts 703
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Re: Be prepared to pay a deposit if you want work done in France
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Val_2
As a lawyer I can quite understand your position but as to the bank's comments 'too many people are taking longer' what exactly does that mean.
From my standpoint when I first came to France then of course I understood the need for a deposit say towards materials but nothing more. Now being firmly established here I do not expect and do not witness any request for upfront payment. What does happen however is that the moment the job is finished I get the facture down to the study and a cheque there and then. I have always used local French artisans for I believe I am supporting the local community etc and word gets around that you are at least putting your money where you mouth is.
So in the height of the winter if something goes wrong at least I have some form of lever.
Now to the other side if and as other contributors say you give 30% perhaps six months ago why should our money support a business that quite easily takes the deposit but does nothing until pressure comes to play?
Again I would be unhappy in paying substantial deposits without some form of guarantee. You would know better than I but consumer credit law here is bluntly non-existant when compared to the UK. And certainly in the UK I can get judgment within twenty one days and on-line and for as little as £50.
Perhaps the major bank you mention would be prepared to offer a guarantee that the artisan will commence on time and if he does not then they will guarantee either the work to be completed or the return of the deposit.
Once I worked in corporate finance and we had a client who wanted some leasing funds in excess of £25m problem was that the kit was on the high seas between USA and Scotland thus not in our clients possession and thus the deal was worthless. I said I would do the deal with the guarantee of the Bank of Scotland. Guess what I got it. CA or CM here would not entertain such a positioning.
Val two sides to every story.
I can imagine their response.
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08/11/2007, 18:08
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Georgina
Joined on 23/08/2004
29
Posts 599
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Re: Be prepared to pay a deposit if you want work done in France
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We paid a registered French artisan a few days before he finished with the job, it was only cosmetic to do, but guess what, he did not come back: his friend got ill and he had to go to hospital, his friend died, he got hospitalised, he and his girlfriend split, he went out of business - he still works but never came back. Excuses I have heard them all from French and English alike. Still, not a great deal out of pocket but a lesson nonetheless.
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11/11/2007, 15:04
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sharkhunter
Joined on 20/11/2004
24 riberac
Posts 269
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Re: Be prepared to pay a deposit if you want work done in France
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I have been in this business for many years and have learned a few harsh lessons, from customers i might add. I have done several jobs where no money was forthcoming after the work was finished. If you do work for someone and there is no materials to buy and you get shafted by non payment then you can write it off to experience however, if there are materials to buy and you buy them then you lose not only time, but your own personal money that you spent buying someone else's materials.
I am at this moment trying to get money i am owed by clients who agreed to pay a deposit, the work was carried out to their standards ( and mine ) the stage payments/work were met ........until the final 3rd plus the agreed 5% held back for snagging. Unfortunately for me the work was finished, because we had built up a trust gained mutually from the time spent working there, i worked on at my expense to finish the job.
Lesson learned here, although i am sure i shall get what i am owed but still a warning shot over the bows. I tell you this just to let you know that it does cut both ways and that there are unscrupulous clients out there as well as builders.
Just to compound the facts, i done some work for a guy who moved here from the south, first money i received/ was offered in US dollars, brand new and sequential in number ?????? he then payed me some cash in Euros, as the agreed currency, i should have walked then but didn't. To cut a long story short we eventually left the job early after being refused another payment but it was obvious from the start that this guy was out to get as much for as little as possible.
A dark night in a dark alley would be a grateful wish come true.
www.renovations24dordogne.com
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12/11/2007, 10:20
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cooperlola
Joined on 05/05/2006
72 - Sarthe - home of les 24 heures du Mans
Posts 6,285
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Re: Be prepared to pay a deposit if you want work done in France
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We were asked for a deposit for our very extesive works and like you, t/w, we didn't think this was altogether unreasonable. Also, the cheque wasn't cashed until the very day that they arrived on site, so although 30% may look steep, they were very honest about it and the money remained in our own bank until the builders needed it to start buying materials and paying staff.
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France Forum » Owning/Running ... » French Artisans » Be prepared to pay a deposit if you want work done in France
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