Is it ethical to stop a check in this case?

[Jumpem]

Had a new furnace installed yesterday morning. They had ro put a propane conversion kit (the furnaces all come from the factory for natural gas) in it, and the furnace seems to run well enough.

The installer said that a service tech need to come out and check/calibrate some pressures related to the propane kit. I waited all afternoon yesterday and no one came. Our sales guy called last night and said someone would be out today. Waited all day again.

And no one is returning messages left either at their office, or cell phones.

Should I stop payment on the check?

 

[her209]

I would.

 

[Kev]

I'm no legal expert but I would think that is illegal..

 

[postmortemIA]

they have performed the service... so you owe them money

 

[sandorski]

What time frame do you have? If you have a couple more days to do it, threaten these guys with it first and see if that gets them finishing the Job.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: Kev
I'm no legal expert but I would think that is illegal..

How so? They aren't finishing the job. I should have only paid half or something yesterday. I'm too trusting.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA
they have performed the service... so you owe them money

They have not finished performing the service.

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: sandorski
What time frame do you have? If you have a couple more days to do it, threaten these guys with it first and see if that gets them finishing the Job.

Sounds good.

Postmortem, they have not completed the service.

 

[gwrober]

Originally posted by: sandorski
What time frame do you have? If you have a couple more days to do it, threaten these guys with it first and see if that gets them finishing the Job.

And mention a lawyer, but really find one, just in case. I use Pre-Paid Legal, and they've helped me a ton.

 

[Capt Caveman]

It's saturday. Wait til monday for a response or for someone to come out.

 

[rudeguy]

Its working right?

 

[Jumpem]

Well it looks like one of the messages we left earlier with their answering service got through. Someone called and said they would be out tonight.

 

[hclarkjr]

patience grasshopper

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
Well it looks like one of the messages we left earlier with their answering service got through. Someone called and said they would be out tonight.

Hope it works out.

 

[GregGreen]

I'd turn your furnace off before I stopped the check... a Natural Gas furnace with LP is only going to fuck your shit up (they probably haven't switched out the nozzles or orifice yet quite frankly)

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: postmortemIA
they have performed the service... so you owe them money

They have not finished performing the service.

If you stop payment on the check they will come and remove the furnace.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: sandorski
What time frame do you have? If you have a couple more days to do it, threaten these guys with it first and see if that gets them finishing the Job.

Stopping payment on a check won't do any good if they deposit it the same day he stops payment. Threatening would accomplish nothing, because then they'd just deposit the check.

Stopping payment on the check would probably be illegal.

 

[sandorski]

Couple days passed, was the Work done?

 

[DayLaPaul]

Stopping payment on a check is not a form of dispute resolution. A check is a legally binding marker which when you sign, you guarantee that the money is good. The only good reason to stop a check is if it is lost or stolen. If you have a dispute about services not being rendered, you should pursue other legal channels. I know the "easy" thing to do would be to stop payment on the check, but that's not what the system is meant for.

 

[erub]

This is why they invented credit cards. Don't use a check like a credit card.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: sandorski
Couple days passed, was the Work done?

We stopped payment on the check first thing this morning, and called the company to let them know again. One of the head service guys called my wife apologizing profusely, and came out tonight to perform the needed checks of the propane kit. Gave him a new check.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: DayLaPaul
Stopping payment on a check is not a form of dispute resolution. A check is a legally binding marker which when you sign, you guarantee that the money is good. The only good reason to stop a check is if it is lost or stolen. If you have a dispute about services not being rendered, you should pursue other legal channels. I know the "easy" thing to do would be to stop payment on the check, but that's not what the system is meant for.

/thread