Gumtree Fridge Technician a Scam?

newbiesh on 12/06/2020 - 14:39
Last edited 12/06/2020 - 15:37 by 1 other user

So got a fridge issue, called a technician off Gumtree to come have a look. Came around and charged $100 for coming by. Before he started I asked him if he had all parts ready? Said yes.

Then troubleshooted by looking at it and said it could be sensor and will have to order it, charged me $100. I sent a text asking how long for the shipping etc. He called, said I Googled it, is gas issue and I don't have the tools to refill it. I suggest Googling finding someone to refill it.

What are your thoughts and experience?

Home & Garden

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Comments

    • newbiesh on 13/06/2020 - 19:19
      +1

      pleasure, he said hes busy all week and got limited time, so much money others are paying…

  • zealmax on 13/06/2020 - 19:50
    +2

    Who pays before a job is finished?

    • BestofOZB on 13/06/2020 - 20:45

      It's called call out fee, they turn up, they get paid. Not much you can do about it.

      • zealmax on 13/06/2020 - 21:28
        +1

        Not concerned about paying the call out fee. I only pay the call out fee and any other fees incurred during the repair once the job is finished.

        • gromit on 14/06/2020 - 09:20

          Most nowadays require you to pay on the day of the callout regardless of whether it is completed that day or not. Probably too many bad payers, good luck seeing anyone but a debt collector if you refuse on the day.

          • profeeder55 on 14/06/2020 - 10:04

            @gromit: Just tough luck if the "Technician" comes over and gets paid the call out fee but does nothing practically useful

            • gromit on 14/06/2020 - 10:11

              @profeeder55: Its why you try and hire reputable people that aren't going to screw you ovver, not Randoms from gumtree. It isn't physically possible for a technician to carry all parts for every possible scenario so unless it is a common part or fix without parts there is always a good chance of requiring a second visit.

  • lltravel on 13/06/2020 - 20:58
    +2

    lol @ gumtree technician.

  • The Value on 13/06/2020 - 23:48

    First thing I do when I have issues with appliances is to Google the issue.

    My fridge wasn't cold but my freezer was. Did some googling, found out it's a common issue with the fans freezing and not circulating the air properly. Found a video guide on Youtube to take apart the cover of the fans, broke off the ice, bada bing bada boom! Back in business!

  • Meowcat on 14/06/2020 - 00:03

    I thought you had to have at least an restricted electrical licence to perform appliance repair on 230v apparatus in qld?

    Can anyone deny or confirm?

  • TheBird on 14/06/2020 - 01:22

    Did he give you a tax invoice?

    • newbiesh on 14/06/2020 - 01:27

      Yea I requested it

      • JelIyfish on 14/06/2020 - 08:37

        and did you get it?

        • newbiesh on 14/06/2020 - 10:10

          yea

          • TheBird on 16/06/2020 - 15:52

            @newbiesh: Small claims court is probably your best bet.

            Not sure if it's worth your time.

  • Dreamcast on 14/06/2020 - 07:04
    -1

    Plot twist:

    You didn't get a Gumtree fridge technician. Your fridge stopped working and you thought "what sob story can I tell where I'll get some free advice on what the issue maybe, therefore I'll fix it myself." Also you now know what you can get away with as a Gumtree technician/Tradie.

    You'll now be able to talk the talk and pass yourself off as a technician/tradie on Gumtree and be able to scam people, knowing too well you can get away with it.

    • newbiesh on 14/06/2020 - 10:08

      nah i called two people both mentioned on call and txt that there will outcall fee of 100$ or some 140, that's their fixed fee with or without fix.

  • Logical on 14/06/2020 - 12:26
    +2

    Lets set a trap for this gumtree dude. I will call him over to a house nearby and we ambush him and get all cash back.. Maybe even a bit more if we do it right.

  • aerona on 14/06/2020 - 17:33

    I rented an apartment once and had a washing machine problem. So I contacted my the property manager. They had organised someone to come and have a look sometime.

    The problem: The washing machine had a huge amount of clothes lint post-wash even with no washing machine dry setting on.

    First time the guy came and looked at the bowl and didn't even open anything up. He just looked in the bowl and recommended it leave bleach and hot water overnight.

    He later told the property manager nothing was wrong. But after having tried his solution I insisted there was a problem as nothing changed. So the property manager says okay he understands and will prepare another technician to come. I said OK.

    Later comes and the I get the call on the intercom and it's the same dude. He comes up and checks out and doesn't do anything but looks at the bowl again and says its probably just an old washing machine and its meant to be like this. To my surprise, if he didn't need to check out anything and knew the answer, why did he keep coming.

    Later I found out he was getting paid for every call out fee.

  • mezje on 14/06/2020 - 19:46

    I can come back and refill for $100, actually it's a different gas I'll need to order it, send me $100 for the gas

  • cloudy on 14/06/2020 - 19:56
    +1

    There’s a sucker born every day

    • newbiesh on 14/06/2020 - 21:06

      Getting rekt m8

      • cloudy on 14/06/2020 - 21:12

        I know you are, I feel ya bro

  • DrRalph on 14/06/2020 - 22:53

    'called a technician off Gumtree to come have a look' There's your mistake.

  • Cave Fire on 14/06/2020 - 23:01

    Also had that model fridge replacement from Samsung. Did you ring them at all? Managed to get the receipt from the store we bought the fridge from in 2011. The repairers they use might be a bit better. He looked at our fridge and after about five minutes had it booked for a replacement. A common fault problem is due to icing, you need to defrost or manually break the ice down. You can feel it if you open the fridge and push the back "skin". Youtube video

  • funnysht on 15/06/2020 - 08:24

    Next time use ontheflare or one of those site…

  • hikaru78 on 15/06/2020 - 11:38

    At the risk of getting flamed the op has unrealistic expectations.

    No service person, I don't care how good they are can guarantee they have the parts required before inspection.

    I imagine it went down hill from there

    • newbiesh on 15/06/2020 - 12:04

      ive asked him before he started,he said yes i have all parts but not the electronic chip.

  • Bonsaichop on 15/06/2020 - 19:31

    The poor man pays twice.

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