I agree. 99% of the time on this program they start running the moment they see him and the cameras rolling up, or they get super aggressive and shout/swear at them instead of answering questions. It was nice to see this guy at least invite them to his office and answer questions, regardless of how I feel about him I can respect that.
I think this whole thing is kinda petty.. he has every right to buy domains, or design websites that are location or keyword based to try an increase his search exposure, even more if he’s paying for SEO campaigns to help rank his pages.. that’s exactly what the algorithm was design for, too beat.
I am a tradesman. Companies use "subcontractors" all over the country, same as taxi firms, bus companies and even Ryan Air. I think this companies ethics are wrong but not sure they are breaking any laws really.. I mean we have politicians making promises they do not even attempt to begin, never mind complete.
I like Watchdog and I rate Matt as one of the best presenters out there: his mind is very quick and he's very good on camera. But I think they got this one wrong. Yes the guy is perhaps running a business that is a little misleading. But I'm afraid it's 'buyer beware' and they are offering a service. It's expensive for the customer but it is a service. I admired the bloke for inviting them in, sitting down, and taking all the time in the world with them to do an interview. His answers made perfect sense to me and I think Watchdog, for once, have been clutching at straws on this one. He's not exactly a 'rogue trader' is he?
I agree. The part where Matt was getting it wrong is saying that people search "{city/area} Plumbers" are after a local business. No, they're after a business that can serve that location. There's a difference. Your assumptions are your own responsibility. This is common practice in tons of industries and is entirely legal and above board.
Agreed. They are doing the work of finding a local tradesperson - or one who services that area - and they are under no moral obligation to repeatedly inform customers that this is something they could do themselves. I mean, when you call the NRMA (or British equivalent) to come and change your flat tyre, they are not under any obligation to ask: "Do you realise this is something you can do yourself, you halfwit?". There are plenty of things we could all do ourselves, but we don't; we call someone else, because it's just easier sometimes. Does Dominoes have to tell you: "Hey dipshit, you can make a pizza yourself!". Sure, there is plenty of other shady stuff going on in this business, but this particular point seems to be lost on Matt, who is usually quite sharp.
all they are offering is to pick up the yellow pages or use the internet to find someone who does not work for them then demand 50% of the cost of the job as a fee. Almost as pointless and counterproductive as an employment agency :P
"Buyer Beware"? Isn't that the point of Rogue Traders ...to name and shame traders who provide poor quality service? Reading some of the blogs set up by former customers of ERG, it appears that the people this company provides are cowboys. who-called.co.uk/Number/01702567471 worldwidescams.wordpress.com/2016/12/18/emergency-response-group/comment-page-1/#comment-115
I don't condone what this company is doing, and as a tradesman I would not be interested in working for them, the hard fact is any tradesman who is any good will be booked up with work for weeks and whilst they will manage to fit in an emergency for one of their customers, they would not do it so a company like this can make money. That said, I have frequently been called out to jobs where the problem has not been described correctly by the customer or they simply don't have a clue where the problem is. Its not unusual to have to visit a second time with the correct equipment or parts once you have correctly diagnosed the fault. So does it make me a Rogue Trader if I charge for my time in going out initially and finding out what is actually wrong for them? The customer is paying for the expertise of the tradesman in being able to find the problem as well as being able to fix it. It's about time the BBC evened the score a little and made a few episodes of 'Rogue Customers'. People who call you out to quote for something so they can benefit from your knowledge to tell them what needs to be done so they can pop off to B&Q, buy the bits and do it themselves. People who ask you to do a job and then after you've quoted start adding on 'extras' for you to do, for which of course they don't feel they should pay because it only took you a few minutes as you were there anyway. People who let you do the work quoted and then don't pay. Honest tradesmen have a hard enough time without the BBC constantly putting out the message that they are all rip off merchants out to fleece you. They have overheads, insurances, accountants, vehicles, expensive tools which wear out as well as other expenses, no paid holidays, no income if they're too sick to work, pay for their own training courses and trade membership fees etc. People don't bat an eyelid when a solicitor charges them a couple of hundred pounds for an hour's work, but if a skilled tradesman charges £50 for a call out to fix a leak they think they've been robbed!
I had a similar problem yesterday, I gave my car to my regular mechanic for fixing...I use him every time Without fail take both my cars to him and have spent thousands with him, this time my car was to get a new Nearside lower arm ball joint fitted, when I went to collect car after the work was done I wasn’t able to pay as my phone had died he was cool for me to pay when I got home via bank transfer we’ve done this before and we’ve built up a relationship of enough trust where it wasn’t an issue, I then drove off and noticed the car was making a funny rattling noise where he had done work but I couldn’t take the car back as I had to pick my dog up from the vet and couldn’t call him as my phone had died by time I got home that night it was 10pm had a nightmare day and thought I’ll phone him tomorrow, long story short I called him he got all worked up and wanted me to bring the car to him but I was able to at that time as I had work commitments so he was persisting to come out to the car and check it over at my place as my gf was home,he said I’ll check the car but if nothings wrong with my work I’ll have to charge you for my time... I’m like I’ll bring the car to you then there’s no rush I just want to make sure it’s safe to drive... as it sounds like the wheels about to fall off or as if there’s something rattling in the bonnet, he still insists if his works fine he will have to charge me for the time, I told him I’m not keen on paying a charge as the car didn’t have this problem when I handed it in too you all I want you to do is check it over if it’s something unrelated that’s cool I’ll either get the work done and pay you for that or I’ll get it done a later date he starts telling me to come to his house and speak to him like this to his face implying he wants a fight lol The situation escalated a bit in the end but my question is do you think that’s fair and I was being unreasonable? I just can’t see how as my car wasn’t making this crazy juddering rattling noise before I gave it to him, I’d think it’s only rational to then call him and expect him to check it over free off charge. He seemed to be but hurt even after me having to pet his ego and tell him I’m not questioning his integrity or competence with fixing cars as he kept asking me what I know about cars If I was for situations sake a spark and came to your house to fit a circuit board and you called me back next again day saying you’re power kept cutting out I would be like np I’ll be round to have a look as soon as I can I wouldn’t be interested in charging you for call out if it turned out you had a problem with your light bulb I’d just assure you my work is done to standard and if it makes you comfortable call out another company to look over the work but they may charge you for their time
Stephen Robbins - it’s a back to front situation of yours lol I’d be fully expecting to pay someone to come out and identify a problem and to shed some knowledge on something I know little to nothing about
It’s quite amazing that the BBC shows programmes about companies that bully the customer and take money through threatening behaviour while directors live the high life, I wonder when they will do one on themselves and the ridiculous wages that we are forced to contribute to
Yes but Id imagine you dont charge the customer twice for the same job because the first sub contractor isnt able to do the job. Im sure you also dont lie to customers about reasons for lateness etc. The subcontracting isnt the issue, its the smoke and mirrors.
If you think he's the only person doing this you are very naïve. Since the workplace pension came in, employers have been subcontracting staff as self employed to get around it.
@@DES1GN3R007 The difference is that an Engineer in the US is in a licensed profession and usually requires a University degree. Personally I completed a five year apprenticeship combined with a four year block release degree course here in UK to qualify for the title "Engineer" but the title does not have the legal security that it enjoys in the US..
Just eat aren’t charging the customers though. Just eat take a cut of the restaurants profits. The delivery charge is the standard for what the restaurant would charge without just eat.
This is standard practice for these businesses. Pretty much every business online advertises as if they are in different areas. It's the way Internet advertising works for any large business. Bit naive on Watchdog's part.
Sam I know they said hat but I don't understand what they mean. It's a free country, you can trade anywhere you like, you don't need premises. If I want to start a business on the other side of the country, what's to stop me?
I think WD should have focussed more on why that slice was taking top money from punters then not paying all the tradesmen their cut. He was on his 3rd business whilst the tradesmen are out of pocket having supplied materials and labour........its borderline legal theft.
I worked with them unknowingly. I'm an electrician and gas engineer, when I visited the property I was not aware of anything. When customer explained how she came about me visiting she called ERG and told them she wants to cancel her contract with them. For me it was awkward and embarrassing but I told her the truth. I don't like how these companies work, but credit to him for talking about it, he's earnt some respect. I have since been sent an email to send my qualifications and insurance details to update their systems. So they have out better measures in place it seems. Bizzby is another similar company
Total BS about not charging a customer for a problem that isn't fixed. I had a leaking tap in my bathroom, engineer came out had a look and told me that he didnt had the right tool for the job and would come back and finish it tomorrow. I was charged £125 plus VAT for that visit.
Call me sad, but the first bit was a Triumph tiger, the shot of him rolling down the road is a Yamaha Tenere and then he jumps of a Ktm 1050 adventure? Err, I wish I had a shape-shifting motorcycle haha.
Why didn't they mentioned charging twice for a call out that should be fine first time not charging the customer for 2 call outs because the first guy couldn't do it. That's more of an issue than them saying they are a local company when not . I think the boss was very mature there he didn't run . But j don't agree with the double chatting that is day light robbery
They’re still going this lot, I’m a gas engineer in the south west and they found me on the register, I did two gas safety inspections and certificates at an agreed price of £200. Invoiced them and they said payment terms were 30 days, nearly 3 months gone by now and nothing. When I rang to chase it up they said they had no records of the two jobs and no records that I’d carried it out. So I went round to the two houses of the landlords and both were charged £150 plus vat, so basically they get paid themselves and just knock tradesmen they use. So if you don’t mind working for free, they’re a superb company.
Me too I'm an Electrician still waiting payment for 2 jobs wish I new a way to block this company - anybody out there feels the same we're need to all get together and report them to fair trading standards
@@paulmills6957 sorry to hear this mate. 8 months on from that comment I posted I’ve still seen nothing and they even have the audacity to still ring me from time to time to ask if I’m available for jobs for them. The last person I spoke to did actually acknowledge that previous work was carried out by me and hadn’t been paid so they did have a record of it, but he just said he’ll have the payment team ring me straight back and also email me to have this dealt with asap. Problem is they have no “payment department” at all and they have a very high staff turnover so anyone new there would perform a gas safe search in my area and call me when they find jobs near me. Think the best thing us tradesman can do is spread the word to any family and friends within the trades and make sure they don’t fall victim to it just like we have. Take a look at their trust pilot reviews, you’ll see some stinging reviews from tradesmen there, myself included, and they either get them blocked or write a pathetic reply. Shouldn’t be allowed but you live and you learn I guess. Good luck mate hope the same never happens to you again.
Isn't this almost exactly what uber and airbnb do. Business owner wasn't wrong on many parts, it's just the lying to the consumer bit that they need to get sorted
Mat's really out of his element when he can't just hammer someone with question after question, standing in their car door without giving them as much as a second to answer. I would have pissed myself if I was him and got invited for a nice sit-down discussion knowing I'm pretty much firing loud blanks.
Does it ever win? Close company open up in another name,using it as a 'front' so they can make real money behind the curtains(ahem drugs) just saying....
I worked for this company a couple years ago, i had an old catholic lady who needed electric for her medical equipment, she had none and i couldnt get someone out to her (in the middle of exiter) the team leader pushed me to make her wait til monday even though it had been a few days and she was clearly struggling. Later on a man rang me explaining how the company works and there corrupt morale. I quit the next day 👍 I got someone out for Saturday instead of monday for the lady as my last task before i clocked out
Try not getting paid for one there are thousands of trades men out there that have completed jobs on good faith & never been paid now in 2023 still going
Oh cmon, I'm not defending not paying invoices, but at most the company is shoddy, not fraudulent. Everyone does whatever they can for SEO, everyone projects a super professional image whereas the look on the ground can be different. That holds true for every business I have ever worked with and a number of government agencies.
Paying co-presenter Dan almost 2000 GBP per day for driving Matt around on his bike was a far bigger rip-off. But it probably doesn't count if it's the tax payer who got ripped off.
I’m a plumber and I get companies like this calling me all the time, I blame Google because the more money you pump into Google ads the higher on the search you appear
Glad I outsmarted these scumbags. I cancelled my card as soon as I saw this video. They tried to withdraw hundreds from my bank account AFTER I had cancelled the job.
It was actually an Apprenticeship 3-4 years ago now! Got started from there, learnt basics in the workplace and had college days throughout my year! :)
I do it full time yeah. But, our director does more of the display advert stuff. I'm more about the optimisation of the website, making it better design for the user etc :)
This kind of thing happens more than you'd think - and from reputable companies. Just one example.....over the years, I've had a bunch of classic cars, and with my insurances came breakdown cover, with RAC, AA, Green Flag etc. etc. And I had cause to use them (as you'd expect, from old cars), but I can only recall ONE occasion, when it was an official operator (in this case, the RAC). ALL of the others, were punted out to local operators under license. But unlike the ONE official encounter, who actually got the car going again (reliably, too), all the others were only interested in 'recovering the vehicle to the home address' (/quote). And this is because it meant a bigger, lucrative invoice being sent to the parent company. I know this having spoken to the various freelance Operators.
I'm a qualified l fabricator/ Welder and nearly every single job I have had is due to agency's cold calling me with no checks and sending me to the jobs. Sometimes I get sent to jobs I'm not qualified to do dispite the fact that I tell them what I can and can't do but they send me anyway. For example I can tig weld Aluminium but I'm not very good at it so I won't waist anyone's time. But agency's send me anyway. Last few times this has happened I have gone back to the company and let them know. Big problem in the UK.
As a real Engineer, I hate it that all of these people claim the title that they haven't earned. They are Technicians, not Engineers. There's no such thing as a plumbing Engineer. An Electrical Engineer doesn't wire your house. A Mechanical Engineer doesn't fix your car.
"You're saying I should just get a job in McDonalds" They won't want you either. He should have run away like all the others instead of being stupid and arrogant enough to think he could talk his way out of it.
Any type of emergency is stressful and can give you sleepless nights.....sorry the BBC got this BADLY WRONG the owner didn’t deserve being humiliated this way and the fact he let them in his office and really listened to what Matt had to say impressed me and he didn’t even argue with Matt. My brother has been working for them for 5 years, he may get a call anytime even at midnight and is asked if he will do a job for them, sometimes he might be the 20th person they have called to get them to do a job, usually he gets paid £75 for call out and the same for every hour as long as the customer approves this. He said 9/10 call outs he fixes the problem within the hour the customer is always left happy even tho they have paid over £180 on average to ERG. His even gone to dripping taps jobs that take 30 mins to do..........the customers always say I just want it done so I don’t have to think about it. Customer makes the phone call, they pay the money customer problems are solved they get peace of mind. “SIMPLES”
My friend said to her piano teacher that her aunt had died because they hadn’t been their for weeks and she didn’t want to go. Maybe worse than the Cat had died
I think I may be missing something here does anyone mind explaining the relevancy of where the business is located? Contracting traders you don’t know I understand, but if you’re sending out one of their 7000 hired traders why does the location of the call centre matter?
The BBC were wrong on this one. Most companies come up as local even though they are national. I had someone come to fix my garage door. He came from 40 miles away, so what !, he fixed it the next day.
6:00 There will always be lazy people out there coming up with greedy ways to get paid for other peoples hard work. It is sickening to think that the local tradesmen/women who actually do the work are giving up to 50% ( or more ) of the profit to greedy leech sitting on their arse at the other end of the country.
This guy is a crook, and should be charged with fraud by false representation. He is selling a service that you can do yourself at the end of the day and misleading people.
How can anyone say this isn’t rogue trading? The whole premise of the operation is based upon deception, it operating procedures used by the staff are deception, not to mention the ripped off punters and unpaid trades people. If that’s normal honest business practice to anyone God help you. The lawyer explains it clearly enough.
As a tradesmen I get phone-call offers from companies like this. usually just waste their time while doing mine work. Fact is that no competent trader would work on these kind of terms. The only tradesmen who would work on these terms are those who cant get work normally and not even on traders website. Competent traders need none of those. SO their traders will really be the worse of the worse.
I used these guys through an online add due to plumbing emergency - guy they sent had no ID, and said he “ didn’t do showers” was a complete idiot and did f all. When I complained they were very nice and said they were shocked as everyone on their ‘Database’ is checked out for qualifications, disclosure, etc etc and that job goes up on a database to their plumbing team who then pick up the job closest to them if they are available so they have full details of any job prior to deciding whether to take it on ....... bullshit. And for last 2 moths they have repeatedly (over 30 times) tried to take payment of over £300 for a job that was never done.
Fact a good builder will not need to advertise because he is so busy doing good jobs for people so don't trust any one who advertises so much because thay are cowboys simple thay need to get new costemers and thay rip u off be careful ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Conmen need locking up after been giving a severe beating. Their property should be sold and those who have been ripped off should be paid with interest. Obviously we know that doesn’t happen. These filthy conmen are allowed to get away Scott free.
Usually on their side with this but nah, this is a smart business model. They need to have contingencies for when all of the tradesmen they have on file are booked, if the law is that they've to turn customers away that's nonsense. Especially when it comes to the Gas Safe Register. The guy running it is a jobby admittedly, but Matt doesn't have a good point.
Fair pay to him for sitting down and talking... Can't knock that
Didn't have a choice - there was video of the control centre training OOF!
I agree. 99% of the time on this program they start running the moment they see him and the cameras rolling up, or they get super aggressive and shout/swear at them instead of answering questions. It was nice to see this guy at least invite them to his office and answer questions, regardless of how I feel about him I can respect that.
Was going to say the same. Whatever your view, guy invites them into office and talks pretty well actually.
I think this whole thing is kinda petty.. he has every right to buy domains, or design websites that are location or keyword based to try an increase his search exposure, even more if he’s paying for SEO campaigns to help rank his pages.. that’s exactly what the algorithm was design for, too beat.
Darren Porter yeah being lying thieves is fine as long as it’s not your money.
This is the first rouge traders that I’ve seen were the shady boss actually invites him in the building for a talk rather than just quickly run away
This is the first Rouge Traders I've seen. Seen plenty of Rogue Traders though.
😂😂
I've seen them do it before with Dominic Littlewood on Cowboy builders. Rare though, they normally scurry away like the slithering snakes they are.
still doing the same shit though the plumber left things worse than before he started now havin problems getting them to put it right.
And you know what, at least they choose Gas Safe engineers for gas jobs.
shame he didn't show him the footage of the call centre lying and charging customers for uncompleted work and engineers who cant do the job
I am a tradesman. Companies use "subcontractors" all over the country, same as taxi firms, bus companies and even Ryan Air. I think this companies ethics are wrong but not sure they are breaking any laws really.. I mean we have politicians making promises they do not even attempt to begin, never mind complete.
You're probably a thief too
Give him credit for inviting the crew in and holding a proper conversation rather than shying away. Hopefully the policies has been changed.
Agreed, although that may be a tactic to look more reasonable/not as sketchy, though at least he sat down and had the conversation, better than most.
I miss the days when the BBC channels were awesome with these programmes....now the humour has gone and the good programme's 😭
I like Watchdog and I rate Matt as one of the best presenters out there: his mind is very quick and he's very good on camera. But I think they got this one wrong. Yes the guy is perhaps running a business that is a little misleading. But I'm afraid it's 'buyer beware' and they are offering a service. It's expensive for the customer but it is a service. I admired the bloke for inviting them in, sitting down, and taking all the time in the world with them to do an interview. His answers made perfect sense to me and I think Watchdog, for once, have been clutching at straws on this one. He's not exactly a 'rogue trader' is he?
I agree. The part where Matt was getting it wrong is saying that people search "{city/area} Plumbers" are after a local business. No, they're after a business that can serve that location. There's a difference. Your assumptions are your own responsibility. This is common practice in tons of industries and is entirely legal and above board.
Agreed. They are doing the work of finding a local tradesperson - or one who services that area - and they are under no moral obligation to repeatedly inform customers that this is something they could do themselves.
I mean, when you call the NRMA (or British equivalent) to come and change your flat tyre, they are not under any obligation to ask: "Do you realise this is something you can do yourself, you halfwit?". There are plenty of things we could all do ourselves, but we don't; we call someone else, because it's just easier sometimes. Does Dominoes have to tell you: "Hey dipshit, you can make a pizza yourself!".
Sure, there is plenty of other shady stuff going on in this business, but this particular point seems to be lost on Matt, who is usually quite sharp.
Well it's the charges when the wrong contractor is sent out that should stop. That female phone operator didn't seem to care
all they are offering is to pick up the yellow pages or use the internet to find someone who does not work for them then demand 50% of the cost of the job as a fee. Almost as pointless and counterproductive as an employment agency :P
"Buyer Beware"? Isn't that the point of Rogue Traders ...to name and shame traders who provide poor quality service? Reading some of the blogs set up by former customers of ERG, it appears that the people this company provides are cowboys.
who-called.co.uk/Number/01702567471
worldwidescams.wordpress.com/2016/12/18/emergency-response-group/comment-page-1/#comment-115
Watching this in July 2020 and they are still doing exactly the same things.
I don't condone what this company is doing, and as a tradesman I would not be interested in working for them, the hard fact is any tradesman who is any good will be booked up with work for weeks and whilst they will manage to fit in an emergency for one of their customers, they would not do it so a company like this can make money.
That said, I have frequently been called out to jobs where the problem has not been described correctly by the customer or they simply don't have a clue where the problem is. Its not unusual to have to visit a second time with the correct equipment or parts once you have correctly diagnosed the fault. So does it make me a Rogue Trader if I charge for my time in going out initially and finding out what is actually wrong for them? The customer is paying for the expertise of the tradesman in being able to find the problem as well as being able to fix it.
It's about time the BBC evened the score a little and made a few episodes of 'Rogue Customers'. People who call you out to quote for something so they can benefit from your knowledge to tell them what needs to be done so they can pop off to B&Q, buy the bits and do it themselves. People who ask you to do a job and then after you've quoted start adding on 'extras' for you to do, for which of course they don't feel they should pay because it only took you a few minutes as you were there anyway. People who let you do the work quoted and then don't pay.
Honest tradesmen have a hard enough time without the BBC constantly putting out the message that they are all rip off merchants out to fleece you. They have overheads, insurances, accountants, vehicles, expensive tools which wear out as well as other expenses, no paid holidays, no income if they're too sick to work, pay for their own training courses and trade membership fees etc. People don't bat an eyelid when a solicitor charges them a couple of hundred pounds for an hour's work, but if a skilled tradesman charges £50 for a call out to fix a leak they think they've been robbed!
Stephen Robbins Very well put. It is not easy being self-employed.
I booked this guy I'm still waiting
I agree brother 👍🏻
I had a similar problem yesterday, I gave my car to my regular mechanic for fixing...I use him every time Without fail take both my cars to him and have spent thousands with him, this time my car was to get a new Nearside lower arm ball joint fitted, when I went to collect car after the work was done I wasn’t able to pay as my phone had died he was cool for me to pay when I got home via bank transfer we’ve done this before and we’ve built up a relationship of enough trust where it wasn’t an issue, I then drove off and noticed the car was making a funny rattling noise where he had done work but I couldn’t take the car back as I had to pick my dog up from the vet and couldn’t call him as my phone had died by time I got home that night it was 10pm had a nightmare day and thought I’ll phone him tomorrow, long story short I called him he got all worked up and wanted me to bring the car to him but I was able to at that time as I had work commitments so he was persisting to come out to the car and check it over at my place as my gf was home,he said I’ll check the car but if nothings wrong with my work I’ll have to charge you for my time... I’m like I’ll bring the car to you then there’s no rush I just want to make sure it’s safe to drive... as it sounds like the wheels about to fall off or as if there’s something rattling in the bonnet, he still insists if his works fine he will have to charge me for the time, I told him I’m not keen on paying a charge as the car didn’t have this problem when I handed it in too you all I want you to do is check it over if it’s something unrelated that’s cool I’ll either get the work done and pay you for that or I’ll get it done a later date he starts telling me to come to his house and speak to him like this to his face implying he wants a fight lol The situation escalated a bit in the end but my question is do you think that’s fair and I was being unreasonable? I just can’t see how as my car wasn’t making this crazy juddering rattling noise before I gave it to him, I’d think it’s only rational to then call him and expect him to check it over free off charge. He seemed to be but hurt even after me having to pet his ego and tell him I’m not questioning his integrity or competence with fixing cars as he kept asking me what I know about cars
If I was for situations sake a spark and came to your house to fit a circuit board and you called me back next again day saying you’re power kept cutting out I would be like np I’ll be round to have a look as soon as I can I wouldn’t be interested in charging you for call out if it turned out you had a problem with your light bulb I’d just assure you my work is done to standard and if it makes you comfortable call out another company to look over the work but they may charge you for their time
Stephen Robbins - it’s a back to front situation of yours lol I’d be fully expecting to pay someone to come out and identify a problem and to shed some knowledge on something I know little to nothing about
It’s quite amazing that the BBC shows programmes about companies that bully the customer and take money through threatening behaviour while directors live the high life, I wonder when they will do one on themselves and the ridiculous wages that we are forced to contribute to
Brilliant comment
Here here!
The host really likes to show his motorcycle in every episode multiple times
And what?😂
He's doing what all builders do, just on a massive scale. I use sub contractors all the time
Yes but Id imagine you dont charge the customer twice for the same job because the first sub contractor isnt able to do the job. Im sure you also dont lie to customers about reasons for lateness etc.
The subcontracting isnt the issue, its the smoke and mirrors.
Fair play to that guy for inviting them in. Despite his faults at least he gave them time to talk it out.
Still trading - ripping more customers off & no payment to plumbers - electricians around the country and still getting away with it
If you think he's the only person doing this you are very naïve. Since the workplace pension came in, employers have been subcontracting staff as self employed to get around it.
The term engineer gets thrown around very willy nilly these days
not in the US
Meme ḍǿƗJPG Most people in the US can't spell it that's why.
@@weg5856 ha...ha...ha..
@@weg5856 my point was we dont use "engineer" for "tradesman"
@@DES1GN3R007 The difference is that an Engineer in the US is in a licensed profession and usually requires a University degree. Personally I completed a five year apprenticeship combined with a four year block release degree course here in UK to qualify for the title "Engineer" but the title does not have the legal security that it enjoys in the US..
The fact that he talks to the owner gives the owner a lot of credibility
2:52 I can't believe they scammed that poor woman. She's a local celebrity. Her young lad, Gollum, was in a whole bunch of movies.
Like Justeat for plumbing!
Just eat aren’t charging the customers though. Just eat take a cut of the restaurants profits. The delivery charge is the standard for what the restaurant would charge without just eat.
I find the blatant dishonesty and scamming disgusting. They should be questioned\interrogated.
This is standard practice for these businesses. Pretty much every business online advertises as if they are in different areas. It's the way Internet advertising works for any large business. Bit naive on Watchdog's part.
Errrrr, not all companies. You are not meant to do it, and you get told of for it.
Sam I know they said hat but I don't understand what they mean. It's a free country, you can trade anywhere you like, you don't need premises. If I want to start a business on the other side of the country, what's to stop me?
J Foard nah ur OK. Just pointing out that they're not really doing anything that misleading
J Foard I'm a tradesman too. I'm not saying they're a great company. Rouges gallery seems a bit unfair though.
12:00 - londontrada... How would you feel if you were one of these tradesmen.....?
I think WD should have focussed more on why that slice was taking top money from punters then not paying all the tradesmen their cut. He was on his 3rd business whilst the tradesmen are out of pocket having supplied materials and labour........its borderline legal theft.
I worked with them unknowingly. I'm an electrician and gas engineer, when I visited the property I was not aware of anything. When customer explained how she came about me visiting she called ERG and told them she wants to cancel her contract with them. For me it was awkward and embarrassing but I told her the truth. I don't like how these companies work, but credit to him for talking about it, he's earnt some respect. I have since been sent an email to send my qualifications and insurance details to update their systems. So they have out better measures in place it seems. Bizzby is another similar company
Did you eventually get paid
Total BS about not charging a customer for a problem that isn't fixed.
I had a leaking tap in my bathroom, engineer came out had a look and told me that he didnt had the right tool for the job and would come back and finish it tomorrow. I was charged £125 plus VAT for that visit.
Fair play for not running. Everything is subcontracted these days, it's business. From taxi to ambulances, everything is subcontracted.
Is this not just kinda like dropshipping but for actual services?
Yeah, true
Call me sad, but the first bit was a Triumph tiger, the shot of him rolling down the road is a Yamaha Tenere and then he jumps of a Ktm 1050 adventure? Err, I wish I had a shape-shifting motorcycle haha.
losslessification sad.
losslessification sad
He owns both so probably filmed the day after he got on the yamaha or something
Sad
The moral of the story just go on the internet and ring a plumber, electrician, etc yourself because that all these are doing.
How is that the moral of the story? That's what someone HAS done and found this company first as they rank high on the search list and used them.
I wish these programs were still around ❤️
Programmes*
Why didn't they mentioned charging twice for a call out that should be fine first time not charging the customer for 2 call outs because the first guy couldn't do it. That's more of an issue than them saying they are a local company when not . I think the boss was very mature there he didn't run . But j don't agree with the double chatting that is day light robbery
They’re still going this lot, I’m a gas engineer in the south west and they found me on the register, I did two gas safety inspections and certificates at an agreed price of £200. Invoiced them and they said payment terms were 30 days, nearly 3 months gone by now and nothing. When I rang to chase it up they said they had no records of the two jobs and no records that I’d carried it out. So I went round to the two houses of the landlords and both were charged £150 plus vat, so basically they get paid themselves and just knock tradesmen they use. So if you don’t mind working for free, they’re a superb company.
Me too I'm an Electrician still waiting payment for 2 jobs wish I new a way to block this company - anybody out there feels the same we're need to all get together and report them to fair trading standards
@@paulmills6957 sorry to hear this mate. 8 months on from that comment I posted I’ve still seen nothing and they even have the audacity to still ring me from time to time to ask if I’m available for jobs for them. The last person I spoke to did actually acknowledge that previous work was carried out by me and hadn’t been paid so they did have a record of it, but he just said he’ll have the payment team ring me straight back and also email me to have this dealt with asap. Problem is they have no “payment department” at all and they have a very high staff turnover so anyone new there would perform a gas safe search in my area and call me when they find jobs near me.
Think the best thing us tradesman can do is spread the word to any family and friends within the trades and make sure they don’t fall victim to it just like we have. Take a look at their trust pilot reviews, you’ll see some stinging reviews from tradesmen there, myself included, and they either get them blocked or write a pathetic reply. Shouldn’t be allowed but you live and you learn I guess. Good luck mate hope the same never happens to you again.
It's often these middle man type companies that are dodgy. I personally never use them.
Why didn’t he mention them blatantly lying and all their excuses, that was shady af
Isn't this almost exactly what uber and airbnb do. Business owner wasn't wrong on many parts, it's just the lying to the consumer bit that they need to get sorted
I actually had my dog eat my homework once about 25 years ago.
Mat's really out of his element when he can't just hammer someone with question after question, standing in their car door without giving them as much as a second to answer. I would have pissed myself if I was him and got invited for a nice sit-down discussion knowing I'm pretty much firing loud blanks.
imagine if 999 operators used excuses
999 whats your emergency
caller: theres a guy robbing me
999:officers are having a tea break
999? The fuck?
I think watchdog lost this time.
Does it ever win? Close company open up in another name,using it as a 'front' so they can make real money behind the curtains(ahem drugs) just saying....
As soon as he invited them up I knew he had ammo
Shaky episode, granted, but they still had well founded grounds, rewatch the first part of the episode and take that in again.
I used to work for the company, they haven't even touched the surface of that company 😂😂😭😭
dont think u might hurt urself
I worked for this company a couple years ago, i had an old catholic lady who needed electric for her medical equipment, she had none and i couldnt get someone out to her (in the middle of exiter) the team leader pushed me to make her wait til monday even though it had been a few days and she was clearly struggling. Later on a man rang me explaining how the company works and there corrupt morale. I quit the next day 👍 I got someone out for Saturday instead of monday for the lady as my last task before i clocked out
First time ive seen one of these cowboys actually invite him in, sit and talk to him 😂
I do not see this as a rogue trader. I do not see what he did wrong, I am afraid this one was clutching at straws!
I take it you run a similar business.
You can’t see what there doing wrong?????? Bell end
Try not getting paid for one there are thousands of trades men out there that have completed jobs on good faith & never been paid now in 2023 still going
Oh cmon, I'm not defending not paying invoices, but at most the company is shoddy, not fraudulent. Everyone does whatever they can for SEO, everyone projects a super professional image whereas the look on the ground can be different. That holds true for every business I have ever worked with and a number of government agencies.
Always read the bad reviews first on any company! The good ones are usually phoney
Competitors can leave phoney bad reviews also
Usually? Source: your arse
Can you look into the BBC license fee next please Matt 👍
TV license is a bloody scam!!!
This is classic Arthur Daley! Ahhhhh he'd be so proud of you son.
Paying co-presenter Dan almost 2000 GBP per day for driving Matt around on his bike was a far bigger rip-off. But it probably doesn't count if it's the tax payer who got ripped off.
settle down sweetheart
Good thing Rogue Traders isn't funded by taxes then, isn't it? It's funded by the TV license.
@@MuchWhittering Since when is the tv license fee not a tax? Do you have autism?
Dan isn’t ripping people off and conning them though is he you melt
I don't understand why this guys gimmick is riding a motorbike, its really unnecessary lol
him doing that selfie shit is really fucking annoying too.
Matt is the king of dad jokes
I’m a plumber and I get companies like this calling me all the time,
I blame Google because the more money you pump into Google ads the higher on the search you appear
Hah we in the BT have a group called ERT which stands for Emergency Response Team
Glad I outsmarted these scumbags. I cancelled my card as soon as I saw this video. They tried to withdraw hundreds from my bank account AFTER I had cancelled the job.
Thank you so much for new rogue traders!
I work in SEO... he's actually pretty much right
And all the same it's beside the point.
how did u get started in it, fam? wna get into digital ads, but shits complicated
It was actually an Apprenticeship 3-4 years ago now! Got started from there, learnt basics in the workplace and had college days throughout my year! :)
hows it goin now? doin it full time?
I do it full time yeah. But, our director does more of the display advert stuff. I'm more about the optimisation of the website, making it better design for the user etc :)
This kind of thing happens more than you'd think - and from reputable companies.
Just one example.....over the years, I've had a bunch of classic cars, and with my insurances came breakdown cover, with RAC, AA, Green Flag etc. etc. And I had cause to use them (as you'd expect, from old cars), but I can only recall ONE occasion, when it was an official operator (in this case, the RAC). ALL of the others, were punted out to local operators under license. But unlike the ONE official encounter, who actually got the car going again (reliably, too), all the others were only interested in 'recovering the vehicle to the home address' (/quote). And this is because it meant a bigger, lucrative invoice being sent to the parent company.
I know this having spoken to the various freelance Operators.
Windows 7 AND Windows 10?
Wow I'm supprised they don't still use xp
I'm a qualified l fabricator/ Welder and nearly every single job I have had is due to agency's cold calling me with no checks and sending me to the jobs. Sometimes I get sent to jobs I'm not qualified to do dispite the fact that I tell them what I can and can't do but they send me anyway. For example I can tig weld Aluminium but I'm not very good at it so I won't waist anyone's time. But agency's send me anyway. Last few times this has happened I have gone back to the company and let them know. Big problem in the UK.
Why are you going if you're not qualified? Presumably they tell you what you're going to
that's how most company's work actually that's how most of UK works lolol
Exactly. Royal family claims to be british though they're actually german.
As a real Engineer, I hate it that all of these people claim the title that they haven't earned. They are Technicians, not Engineers. There's no such thing as a plumbing Engineer. An Electrical Engineer doesn't wire your house. A Mechanical Engineer doesn't fix your car.
"You're saying I should just get a job in McDonalds" They won't want you either. He should have run away like all the others instead of being stupid and arrogant enough to think he could talk his way out of it.
Hes a contractor subbing all the work. Not illegal. Hes just using shitty subs
Now, it could literally be the video quality, but it seems ERG's door combination contains a 6 and a 9, and maybe 4 and 8 too. Hmm.
Any type of emergency is stressful and can give you sleepless nights.....sorry the BBC got this BADLY WRONG the owner didn’t deserve being humiliated this way and the fact he let them in his office and really listened to what Matt had to say impressed me and he didn’t even argue with Matt.
My brother has been working for them for 5 years, he may get a call anytime even at midnight and is asked if he will do a job for them, sometimes he might be the 20th person they have called to get them to do a job, usually he gets paid £75 for call out and the same for every hour as long as the customer approves this. He said 9/10 call outs he fixes the problem within the hour the customer is always left happy even tho they have paid over £180 on average to ERG. His even gone to dripping taps jobs that take 30 mins to do..........the customers always say I just want it done so I don’t have to think about it. Customer makes the phone call, they pay the money customer problems are solved they get peace of mind. “SIMPLES”
About as dishonest as every big corporation out there, wet episode
They charged me £200 and all I have is a butchered cupboard to show for it. Don't touch with a barge pole
If you're watching this miss u and love u x
Lol
17.00 Matt does Terry Savalas impression
My friend said to her piano teacher that her aunt had died because they hadn’t been their for weeks and she didn’t want to go. Maybe worse than the Cat had died
Matt Allwright is hilarious.
I think I may be missing something here does anyone mind explaining the relevancy of where the business is located? Contracting traders you don’t know I understand, but if you’re sending out one of their 7000 hired traders why does the location of the call centre matter?
nearly 9 pm with skies like that, i miss the summer time
@12:32
@graham moore wholesome reply, cant wait
Respect to you he faced the music ......
@17:02 nice transition 😂
The BBC were wrong on this one. Most companies come up as local even though they are national.
I had someone come to fix my garage door. He came from 40 miles away, so what !, he fixed it the next day.
If subcontractors only receive 50% or less of customer charge, they might inflate job by 100% so they receive what they're used to.
I suggest the rogue trader votes for Brexit. Why? They favour minimum regs and dislike scrutiny.
Do BBC tell us what they do with our money.... I need to investigate
Hes a staff provider. That's not illegal
Good work, every time I want to rank my website on google, they just taking over every time.
Basically what those travel sites are and also uber and airbnb. It's all Racketeering.
Fair play to this guy.sounds like he’s got his head screwed on
Yay more RT. What channel does Watchdog come on?
BBC One
Which means I can view it here in The Netherlands too, awesome!
What site is the best for finding more episodes? Checked Daily motion, they usually have more but not for this series.
I'd say try Google
Andras Karsai iplayer
6:00 There will always be lazy people out there coming up with greedy ways to get paid for other peoples hard work.
It is sickening to think that the local tradesmen/women who actually do the work are giving up to 50% ( or more ) of the profit to greedy leech sitting on their arse at the other end of the country.
And people wonder why call centres are no longer trusted.
ERG FACILITIES are still operating and still number 1 position on GOOGLE
How do they sleep !!!!
This guy is a crook, and should be charged with fraud by false representation.
He is selling a service that you can do yourself at the end of the day and misleading people.
Then do it yourself?
@@matthewiles2660 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
How can anyone say this isn’t rogue trading? The whole premise of the operation is based upon deception, it operating procedures used by the staff are deception, not to mention the ripped off punters and unpaid trades people. If that’s normal honest business practice to anyone God help you. The lawyer explains it clearly enough.
interesting body language of the boss - talk about defensive [arms / legs crossed etc.]
As a tradesmen I get phone-call offers from companies like this. usually just waste their time while doing mine work. Fact is that no competent trader would work on these kind of terms. The only tradesmen who would work on these terms are those who cant get work normally and not even on traders website.
Competent traders need none of those. SO their traders will really be the worse of the worse.
Currently trying to claim money back from this phony company. Wanting to replace a part that was working perfectly fine.
I used these guys through an online add due to plumbing emergency - guy they sent had no ID, and said he “ didn’t do showers” was a complete idiot and did f all. When I complained they were very nice and said they were shocked as everyone on their ‘Database’ is checked out for qualifications, disclosure, etc etc and that job goes up on a database to their plumbing team who then pick up the job closest to them if they are available so they have full details of any job prior to deciding whether to take it on ....... bullshit. And for last 2 moths they have repeatedly (over 30 times) tried to take payment of over £300 for a job that was never done.
Fact a good builder will not need to advertise because he is so busy doing good jobs for people so don't trust any one who advertises so much because thay are cowboys simple thay need to get new costemers and thay rip u off be careful ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Conmen need locking up after been giving a severe beating. Their property should be sold and those who have been ripped off should be paid with interest. Obviously we know that doesn’t happen. These filthy conmen are allowed to get away Scott free.
Day what you would the man stood his ground, well done
Ah least he didn't run sorta good on him for facing it, but still obviously some rouge business practice going on
Usually on their side with this but nah, this is a smart business model. They need to have contingencies for when all of the tradesmen they have on file are booked, if the law is that they've to turn customers away that's nonsense. Especially when it comes to the Gas Safe Register. The guy running it is a jobby admittedly, but Matt doesn't have a good point.
No one is forcing customers to pick them
This guy would have a field day in Canada lol.
Rogue traders should do one on BBC who force entry to houses that dont even use bbc
Whatever happened to the dan that Portuguese guy
Matt is a nice guy. He's Allwright ;)