Problem with French Plumber

[Fitzsie]

Has anyone had a problem with a local tradesman ? We engaged a French  plumber( who had been recommended to us by some friends) to install a new boiler and radiators. 5 hrs after he had left, the boiler stopped running and we were left without heating and hot water.This was four weeks ago, when we do get hold of him,he promises to come round and fix it but never turns up.

 We feel that the only way to get his attention is to go after him legally can anyone advise us as to the steps we should take over here. 

                                                                         Desperate :

 

[Ian Hoare<br>All the best<br>Ian<br>La Souvigne Corrèze<br>http:www.souvigne.com]

Hi

He sounds just like Jean-Marc Farges not far from our first house in the area. As a plumber he was a great motocross driver.

What we used to do in the end, was to take the car down to his house at around 1.45pn and park it across his drive, saying that we weren't prepared to move until he promised to follow us up straight after lunch.

Plumbers in France are often wonderful, but sadly they aren't all like that. They are one of the reason it's necessary to make an effort to learn French. Like some electricians, they seem to buy special one way phones. You can always leave a message, but they seem to to be able to call you back.

Welcome to France. Be persistant, very firm and (fairly)polite. You cannot win taking them to court.

[Deby]

Yep, I would be rather persistent and incredibly polite and the thing I have learned about France in these situations is NOT to get angry and abusive - this NEVER works!

Quite like the idea of sitting outside his house at the end of lunchtime to stop him leaving.  This can only be done very calmly whilst seething inside.

So do try and what about speaking to the Maire he might be able to have a word in the plumbers shell-like and you might achieve some succes, but it will not do you any harm.

Good luck!