Blind, this resident of Tonneins tells how a company in Gironde scammed him

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It all started with a phone call in May 2024. This resident of Tonneins (Lot-et-Garonne) was offered a completely free inspection of his attic by a company in Gironde. After signing the quote, he said he was scammed and filed a complaint.

“During the phone call, I understood that it was a state operation and since it’s free, I accept,” he confides.

A quote of €7,400 for the Tonneinquais

Blind, the Tonneinquais who we will call François* is not used to trusting so easily. As evidenced by this fifty numbers blocked on his mobile phone.

But he decides to take the plunge and says: “Three people came to ring my doorbell. I led the three craftsmen towards my attic. After carrying out all the checks, they came back down and told me that my frame is infested with pests. Woodworms, capricorns and maybe even termites. I'm in shock. »

Obviously very worried, François does not think and signs a quote of €7,400. “It represented three days of work for three people. »

An expert comes

To his great surprise, a few days later, the Tonneinquais only received one craftsman.

Already there, I tell myself that this is very strange. But I heard him working. I hear he's getting his hands dirty. He drilled several beams to insert jiggers. He also injected xylophen. So he did the job. But he only stayed for 4.5 hours, no more. For three days of work planned. Straight away, I told myself that I had been fooled.

Therefore, he regrets having paid so early. “But if you don’t pay, they threaten to take you to the Tribunal… »

The Tonneinquais then decides to make an appointment with an expert approved by the courts. We were able to consult the cabinet report.

This indicates: “We see a traditional frame in softwood […] We observe that this framework does not present no insect attack with xylophagous larvae of the tendril or house capricorn type. Only the wood of the framework of the living area was treated. »

The expert continues: “Regarding the cost of this invoiced service, it seems to us very excessive due to work carried out outside the rules of the art. Given this situation, we believe the actual cost of the work at an amount including tax of €1,815. »

He therefore estimates that the Gironde company should reimburse François €5,646.

Legal action

The report of cabinet Centrex signed, the alleged victim decides to call on a lawyer and then file a complaint based on all the elements collected. Contacted to find out more about the progress of the preliminary investigation, Me Roul did not respond to our requests.

We were able to consult the minutes of François' hearing, dated June 11, 2024. The complaint was filed in Tonneins and the report confirms the comments made by Tonneinquais.

By giving this testimony, I simply hope that other people do not fall victim to this type of scam. I met a friend again the other day who signed a quote for €2,500 with this same company.

Contacted, the director of the Gironde company replied: “We had agreed to a meeting with this gentleman following the work so that I could come and see what had happened. This one finally canceled this appointment two days before. Since then, I have had no news. And I have not received any complaint or any summons. »

*At the request of the alleged victim, we have changed her first name.

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