Mixed Tapes & Maintenance

Came to repair my driveway which was cracking. He concreted over the existing cracks without breaking up the old. It has since all broken and peeled off. Also said he could rescreen by security screens, 90% did them then did not return, I had to replace all the security screens because the ones that had been “repaired” –; the mesh had been cut too short and frayed. Tradie (I use that term lightly) whom I got off Airtasker would return phone calls.

Yeah, I got scammed.

My fault for dealing with a fraud off Airtasker. Wasn’t getting anywhere on the platform with constant backwards & forward messages. Goes by fake name Joe M. in Airtasker & the one 5 star review is likely fake. There were red flags in the different profile name but I checked supplied ABN against his real name & then advanced payment for materials.

Dude turns up with stair rails/bannisters that he’d constructed out of 4 pieces of wood nailed together.

I literally sent him a link to the railing required so he could purchase before installing.

Also sent him photos of steel brackets & he brings some naff wooden brackets. So neither the bannister nor the brackets looked anything like photos supplied.

Obviously this was screaming dodgy but I let it roll. He then makes out that he’s finding wall studs with his mobile phone. I honestly could’ve done the whole job myself but a stud finder was one tool I didn’t have ($50 at Bunnings :o()

The comedy kept coming. He uses my saw & my saw horses to cut the bannister lengths. This was after saying he was going to use an angle grinder. I also offered a tape measure but he used his phone as it was ‘super accurate’….

He cut two lengths, making the cut in the middle of the bannister across two saw horses. Supposed to be 1m & 1.2m. He goes to his car parked down the road to get the other length & I measure the cut lengths- both less than 1m.

When he finally turned-up with the second bannister, I told him to turn around and take it & his gear away. With no protest, he grabbed his bag & left.

I followed with a couple of tools he’d left & attempted to ask him if he had any skills at all. Said he had a rough day & didn’t want to talk. I told him to enjoy the money he’d scammed me out of.

He’s got a heap of a vehicle & he’ll park it down the road. Clearly has no skills. Mobile number I have is different to that he uses for pay ID.