- Report: #1236148
Complaint Review: Jack Simmons -
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Author Confirmed
Why?
Jack Simmons
USA
Phone:
832-420-3166
Web:
www.craigslist.com
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Business Rating:
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Jack Simmons Simonds Bait and Switch Houston Texas
I'm writing this more as a "watch out."
My husband and I advertised on Craigslist for a general home improvement/construction worker, willing to work alongside another person, for 14 days. The ad clearly stated we were "underwater" on the house to be rehabbed and we were paying $13 / hour.
A man calling himself Jack Simmons responded to the ad. Here is his email, with the exception that I am deleting the phone numbers he gave for reference.
My name is Jack Simmons I'm a 26 year old male in great shape and health condition.
I'm a carpenter by trade and looking for work as I've recently immigrated to the US from England. I can also do some plumbing, tiling, electrical, sheetrock etc, a jack of all trades if you will!
I have hand tools and power tools and have 9 years experience using them.
I currently drive a very reliable 2008 Saturn Vue at this moment and time.
References:
Johnny Ziomek 713 575 ....
Paul Drummond 713 562....
Johnny Ziomek 713 575 ....
Paul Drummond 713 562....
If you'd consider me for the position then please call me on 832 420 3166.
Thanks,
Jack
Jack
He is VERY well spoken, very professional on the phone. He stated he does it all, a jack of all trades, which I believe. He stated he could start in a week or two, because he had some jobs he was finishing. I asked him what he usually gets per hour, because we are only offering $13. I asked him why he would take the job with all that experience.
He said that he usually gets $25, but was willing to do this because he is here on a work Visa from England and is looking for good references.
It was a good fit for us because we don't have any more money, and we would be willing to help him, of course. He agreed, and we said he could start in a little over a week. There was absolutely no mention that we would pay him $25 per hour. I believe this young man realizes that if he "hooks" you, you won't look for anyone else, and then he gets you "over a barrel" so to speak.
At the end of the second week, he called and said he was setting up his jobs for the week. I sent him a list of tasks and the "general" order by email. He responded by text, not email, and I think this is because he did not want me to have his email address, which was obscured by the Craigslist mail relay exchange.
By text on our phone, very well spelled and very well laid out, he asked a few questions and asked very professional questions. Then he said: (Direct transcription below.)
"as far as my wage, I have to stay firm at $25/hr. I don't tend to work for an hourly rate and my minimum daily rate to anyone is $200."
Remember, he had responded to an ad stating $13, and per hour, and never said his minimum rate was $200 by phone. At all. This cost us an entire week, because we did not look for anyone else. Time is money. I am transcribing the rest of the text message verbatim, so you decide what you think.
Me: Why did you answer an ad for $13? You also spoke to me and said you were willing verbally, for reference. I'm just saying, it appears to be bait and switch."
Jack: "I spoke to you two weeks ago and told you my minimum wage demands verbally."
Me: (Willing to let it go) "I won't need your services. Please don't contact again."
Jack: Too right!
Me: "You just earned a post to ripoff.com." "Let me repeat, no contact."
Jack: "Cheers, I hope you liked the work I DIDN'T do for you. Stop harassing ME please."
He really knows how to turn it around. If you are thinking of hiring him, make sure you get initial quotes in writing. ALso expect that he is aggressive and acts a little bit like a scammer, so you would want to watch him on the job. We are tired of contractors taking advantage of people and this post is just to alert other poor folks out there.
