Go with your God given instincts. They were given to us for a reason.

You should also stop pay't on the first 2 checks. He could be seeing how many he can get from you before he deposits them all.

All you need is the FedEx tracking number to track the delivery on their website. Then you'll know if builder 1)sent the check and 2)Terry received the check.

Also, have you looked over builder's books on your job to see if two checks were even written?

Two problems here - first, your builder and the missing checks. That seems questionable.

Second, you're sending this guy $1,700 without any signed contract or invoice? That seems like an easy way to lose $1,700. I think you're right in suspecting that he's not being honest.

Even if you stop payments on the other checks, after six months the stop payment order expires and then he can still cash them. It's a little known law that catches people all the time. The cancelled check becomes valid after six months unless you issue a new request in writing to stop payment for another six months.

Now, technically, a personal check is only valid for six months. The bank has the option to accept it after that point or turn it down. But plenty of check cashing places would still accept it and many banks would, too. It's not illegal to cash it after six months, it's just that they then have the option to accept it in good faith or turn it down.

So he may very well be collecting checks for that purpose. It's hard to say. Without a contract or a signed invoice that he is accepting your 70% down payment for the work he is to do, you may very well end up shutterless and out $1,700 times three.

The builder said that he cancelled the first two checks. I havn't talked to him yet about the Fedexed check. I'll ask him for the tracking number.

I don't think my builder would show me his books.

I don't want to go with my God given instincts because I really want those shutters. He's the only person I found that would make arch top shutters without charging you literally twice the price of square top just because of the arch.

Other shutter makers would charge 2400 for 5 pair of arch tops and only 1700 for 5 pair of square top. Terry charges 1700 either way.

Wow kygirl! Thanks for the info. Now I feel really badly for the builder. He's going to have to stop payment on those checks in another six months. Amazing! You'd think that you'd only have to stop payment on them once.
This guy really must be a con artist. I feel so silly for trusting him.

your reply came in after my last post. i hate it when that happens. i would have never said that i still wanted the shutters after reading your reply. it bugs me when they are out of order.

anyway, thanks for the tip. I guess i'll be buying my shutters elsewhere.

Something is not right one way or another. Looking at the site I would avoid it just from the point that all I can find is an e-mail address (a yahoo one at that). Not an address or the PO Box you mentioned or a phone number. Have you checked the Better Business Bureau?

It could very well be legit and just a bad design with pasted together pictures of various millwork stuff, but I would definetly do some more checking out of things such as BBB and maybe even the local police department where the PO Box is to see if there are filed complaints anywhere.

Often when our gut tells us something, but we really really want it and choose to ignore that feeling then that is when we are taken.

Step back and do some more investigating to see what is up before continuing this. It may very well be legit, but something isn't right somewhere.

It always amazes me the risks people will take because they think they're getting a good deal. Why would anyone send a check to a stranger? If you're going to order from an unknown source, use a credit card so you have protection. If the place says they don't accept credit cards, find someplace else to give your money.

Kevin

bmh...Ricca's Architectural Salvage in New Orleans also makes reproduction shutters. I didn't inquire about the arch top shutters, but their prices on the square tops weren't bad. Sorry for the mess with the guy in Franklinton.

I don't think that everyone on these boards really understands how things often work here in South Louisiana. :) We have several people working on our house in Hammond that would be offended if we asked them to sign a contract with us although they have been in business for years and have excellent reputations. They just prefer to do business the old-fashioned way and believe that a person's word is good enough. The man who is making our hardwood floors does the best work that I have ever seen, but he doesn't even give out his phone number. If you want to deal with him, you have to drive over to his house!
It may not be the best way to do business in our litigous society, but if you want what they have - you have to do business their way...Good luck on finding your shutters.

Sue

Sue, I live in a very small town, too, so I understand that a person's word is often considered good enough on small projects. But I worry because Bridget hasn't even met this guy. It was an online purchase and she never met him, just talked to him on the phone. He doesn't live in her town. That's why his way of doing business worries me. I agree that in a small town it is different. If everyone knows someone and you know they do great work and you hire them then a contract would be an insult to them in some instances. But this isn't who she's dealing with. She doesn't know this guy.

Bridget, good luck to you. I hope you don't lose any money over this deal. This guy sounds definitely fishy.

I would rather do business with a handshake (which by the way I would never do) than send 2 checks for 1700.00 each to a complete stranger that I met on-line. So far to save 700 bucks you have sent this man 3400.00. And what do you have to show for it...a bunch of headaches and no shutters.

Run Forest Run!

Sue,

I don't have a problem doing handshake deals with people I know or have met, especially if the person tells me where they live. In Bridget's case, the person is a stranger, doesn't live in the town, and wants checks sent to a PO Box. That's way too trusting for my blood.

Kevin

I agree with you guys that the shutter guy didn't sound legit. I just wanted to present the other side in Bridget's defense.

Bridget...Franklinton is a relatively small town where everyone knows everyone else's business. You could call the city hall and ask the secretary if they know anything about the guy. You can believe that if he is legit...they will be able to tell you about him. If he's not, they probably know that too. LOL

Bridget, did you track the shipment via FedEx? That will tell you if he did receive it or not. I agree with Kevin -- pay via credit card and you'll be covered. If he doesn't accept cc's, I'd pass and buy thru someone else. Good luck!

I wouldn't do business with anyone that wanted 70% down. We had a few vendors require 50% down, and I always used a credit card. If they don't want to play by those rules, I don't use them.

He doesn't take credit cards. I will call around Franklinton to check him out. Also, I havn't sent him any money. My builder has or at least i think he has. if he did send the checks, and this guy is a scam, i will feel terrible for my builder. i'll mark the dates on my calendar so I can remind him to stop payment on the checks in six months.

i e-mailed Terry this morning telling him that I want a signed contract stating the price of each shutter and that they'll be delivered by April 31st etc. I told him what I learned about checks and that I wished I didn't need a contract, but in today's world, you just can't trust strangers etc. If he gets defensive, then he's probably a con artist.

sue, you are right about the way people do business around here. any time there is a problem between the builder and myself. most people on the forum ask, "what's in the contract?" I'm like, "basically nothing and the contract expired on Feb 15th!"

However, if we ever build again, I will have a very thorough contract that stipulates flat drywall, brick finish, hinge finish, gas stove etc. It will save me a great deal of headaches.

I'll let y'all know how it all turns out.

What does "shipping around the country" have to do with invoices? Since both of you are in Louisiana, legally he has to charge you LA sales tax. If I bought from him (I'm in MS), I would not have to pay sales tax as long as the shutters were shipped.

If he's having problems keeping track of his incoming mail/checks, is he going to do a good job on your shutters? I'd find someone else.

carterinms there are a lot of people that do great workmanship that has some issues with being organized or keeping track of paperwork but they still do great work. I woulnd't hold that against anybody.

Bridget, glad to see you doing some checking first to see what is going on. He could very well be legit, just something in your story makes something not seem right.

An invoice or a signed contract is worth the paper it's written on if you cannot find the guy. And as far as that Louisiana handshake...might work if the guy had given you his address up front. If he gives you one now I wouldn't trust that it was actually his address and,
you can't much do a handshake with a PO Box.

latest update: builder tells me that the fedexed check was returned to him with "return to sender" on it. He said he'd try to fed ex it again. I told him that he could be a scam artist and he laughed and said that he's probably just ADD and strange living up on hill all by himself--just him, his wood, and his dogs.

there was an issue with him living high on a hill with a gate and the gate had to be opened for Fedex to deliver. Apparently the gate was closed when fedex passed.

I'm not sure what I think now. I still havn't called Franklinton. I'm supposed to be packing up to move out and instead I'm looking at magazines and worrying about shutter drama.

I have to empty all the drawers in the house and them I'm done boxing!!!! Yeah!

"Also, I havn't sent him any money. My builder has or at least i think he has. if he did send the checks, and this guy is a scam, i will feel terrible for my builder."

I don't get it? If this guy is a scam artist, you will owe your builder what he sent out on your behalf! You are the one that directed your builder to send the checks to a supplier that you found and approved.

Sorry, Bridget, but this one will be on you as well, if the guy walks with the money...not your builder.

Let's put all of this "shutter drama" into perspective shall we? LOL There are thousands, maybe millions, of people that only wish they had the problem of picking out shutters for their brand new home. This so called drama pales in comparison to real life problems don't ya think?

I've started reminding myself of this when I start freaking out over tile colors and wood stains. Believe it or not, it's made this process a whole lot more enjoyable. :)

BTW - I vote for forgetting about this guy and moving on...just in case I wasn't clear on that earlier.;)

I'd also make sure the contract says April 30 and not April 31 otherwise you may be waiting a long time. LOL

"...and this guy is a scam, i will feel terrible for my builder..."

Why? You will have to pay your builder the money he is out since you insisted that he used this guy.

Is there some reason you can't find a legitimate place to make shutters? I would imagine there are numerous people who make them. Or are you getting a "great deal" from this guy? Remember, it's not a good deal unless he delivers and they meet your expectations.

charliedawg, to be fair, I think for the OP to be upset over her shutters and possibly losing $1,700 is completely appropriate. yes, there are things to be appreciative of, but that doesn't mean that she can't be upset when something negative happens. there is always someone who has it worse off. but that doesn't make something negative happening to you mean that you shouldn't get upset if that's how you feel.

bizarre comparison, but consider someone whose house has blown away in a tornado. of course they're thankful that they didn't die in the tornado, but that doesn't mean they aren't allowed to be upset for losing their home.

or say I lose your wallet while I'm shopping and I'm out $200. yes, I'm lucky that I have another $200 in the bank. But does that mean I can't be upset for losing $200?

lol. me losing YOUR wallet. I need to learn how to type.

So that's where I lost the dang thing!

My heart is in mouth when I order online despite how many positive reviews I've seen. But sending off cheques to a recluse up the hill whose only reference is someone claiming to be a south Lousiana pol do shur beat all. Mais, jamais d'la vie!

We do business here in South Etobicoke on a handshake too. But payment still comes after the jobs's done.

I would call his town and check up on him before resending the checl

or I would pay the extra 700 and use a real place. You are not saving that much for your aggravation

BTW, can anyone recommend an inexpensive place to get plain rectangular or square panel wood shutters? I am in the NE but would order online if necessary

KYgirl - you didn't read my post in the spirit it was intended.

Yes things happen that we don't like along the way. But it is always a good thing to realize that it is not the end of the world when something does not go perfectly in our build. It's just part of it. It happens to everybody. I have yet to see a single person say that their build went 100% perfectly from start to finish. So we pick our battles, cross our fingers,say a prayer and hope for the best and most definitely don't do things to bring the drama to us. It has a way of finding us all on it's own.

I've fretted over really stupid decisions and already look back and laugh at it. Did I really need to lose 2 nights sleep thinking of tile color. Did I really need to argue w/ dh over brick color.....NO! I've changed my outlook and now I'm having more fun than ever.

BMH - If my post sounded like I was making fun of you, I sincerely wasn't. I was just trying to add a little humor...

sorry charliedawg. sometimes it's hard to read the intended meaning behind a post. you're so lucky to be having fun in your build. I'm so jealous!!! :)

No problem Kygirl, It's pretty much impossible to gauge a persons typing tone LOL.

Bridget...just wondering how your shutter situation turned out. We are about to order shutters and are looking for a good price also. We are planning to order from Ricca's, but wanted to check with your guy first if you were pleased with his work.

Thanks...Sue