But, does a Siret number protect the client?

[Monika]

Does an Artisan having a Siret Number protect the client?

In August we signed a devis (and paid a £300 deposit) with an English Artisan to fit some shutters. After many telephone calls he promised to fit them before Christmas. On or arrival no work had been done and both his Mobile and his Home telephone are no longer in use. We know that he had some problems with divorce etc. and in a way we feel sorry for him, but what should we do now? Should we threaten him with the Chamber de Metier (he has a Siret number) with a registered letter? Will his Siret number be of any use to us? 

[Val_2]

No in all reality. A SIRET number is just a registration number and anyone with any type of business here has to have one. You must get his insurance details which are more important if there are any claims for bad workmanship etc. In a case such as this the best way forward is to send a letter by AR (registered) asking for your money back or the work to be completed satisfactorily within a certain period of time otherwise you will file an official complaint to the local gendarmerie for fraud by taking money without receiving the goods. You can also report him to the local Chambre de Metiers but they would only use it to strike him from their records not do anything legal. His personal life should not affect his clients and if he cannot do the work he should then inform you, return the money and move on with his life. Also threaten him with les Impôts, URSSAF and contacting his bank if he does not respond to the first letter and finally issue a warning that you will instruct a huissier to start legal proceedings although in reality it will cost you treble than what you hope to reclaim.

[Will]

As Val says, a SIRET does not in itself, unfortunately, imply any degree of competence or fair dealing. It's one of those things that, if a business does not have one, you should ask questions, and preferably go elsewhere. But if it does have one, all it proves is that the business is registered to trade in France, and, in most cases, charge and recover TVA.

Val gives very good advice. Perhaps the most effective threat is to contact URSSAF. Even the most respectable pillar of the community in France indulges in a little unofficial activity - such is the nature of an economy stifled by high charges and bureaucracy - and URSSAF have a reputation for getting their teeth into people and not letting go until they find an irregularity, so nobody wants to fall foul of them.

Moreover, Chambres des Metiers are regional bodies and have no clear national policies on these matters. Although some are good at preserving their reputation by protecting the customer against dodgy tradesmen, others may have a different philosophy and will close ranks to protect their members in the event of complaints.

[Monika]

Thanks to you Will and Val, as usual very helpful advice. So not all ist lost yet!

[Cassis]

The French Consumers Association site gives details of various steps you can take in order to seek redress from a provider of goods or services whom you believe to be at fault:

http://www.finances.gouv.fr/DGCCRF/04_dossiers/consommation/ficonso/d01.htm