- Tonight ` big promises, subpar delivery, or no delivery at all. I go looking for answers and results. If the work was right in the first place, this wouldn't happen. - I don't want anyone else having to deal with this. - And they promised bags that could be replaced 'for good', so is it good enough that the offer has expired? - I said to the person on the counter, 'Hey, this is worn out. Can I have another one?' And she said, 'I don't think we're doing that any more.' - Plus ` hassle-free holidays. Top tips for buying airbeds, booking holiday homes, and saving petrol. - Try to control your speed so you don't have to use the brakes as much. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2023 - Tena koutou katoa. Welcome to the show. Well, summer's coming. Time to get those small building jobs ticked off. But be careful. You might be short on time or money, but the last thing you want is to pick a tradie short on standards. - Yet that's what happened to a group of people down South. I paid a visit and found some wrongs to put right and a lesson we could all do with learning. (WATER BUBBLES) - It's become a regular catch-up, a chance to get things off their chest. - You want to just not have anything to do with him again. - It's just the lying. - Two women from different towns bonding over a bad tradie and finding out they're not alone. - We've met other people who've also had a bad experience. - He says that he can do a job. He can't actually do it. - This is what they expected from his Facebook page. - They looked like luxury home kind of jobs. - But this is what they got. - (SNICKERS) They're very different. - So Bridgette and Tash thought, we'll take action. A call to arms to get lots of customers to come to Fair Go. - I don't want anyone else having to deal with this. (LINE RINGS) - And Fair Go went straight to the tradesmen himself, who wasn't happy we were investigating his work. If the work was right in the first place, these things wouldn't happen, would they? - His story means we're not naming him, even though he's run several companies into the ground. More on that later. But first, the story told by his customers. - 17 no-shows. - Took him about five times to get the size right. That's when I came up with the name the tortoise ` that we had a tortoise. - CHUCKLES: Do you have a nickname for him? - Tash from Queenstown wanted two doorways done. Bridgette from Wanaka was after a new deck. So, this is the deck that Bridgette's talking about. The workmanship looks perfect, but that's because Bridgette had to get another builder to finish it off. She was told even the basics were wrong. - A couple of things that weren't to code, so there needed to be an extra step. And the post just over there was actually not straight. The pile's not been concreted into the ground for the steps. - Never mind the time it was taking. - If you say it's gonna take two weeks, then yeah, sure, there's a bit of a leeway with that. But, like, I don't think it should take nine months. - For nearly $10,000, Bridgette got shoddy work and endless excuses. In Queenstown, Tash paid $3500 upfront for re-plastering this doorway. - Then he put up the barn slider rail, and it was, like, why would you put up the rail when you haven't even got the framing right? - The money was also supposed to cover... I kept saying, 'Have you ordered the outside ranch slider door?' And he just kept, 'Oh, yeah. I must follow that through.' And one day I just decided to ring around a couple of companies, and she just said, we don't have an order for that. - No order, but plenty of reasons. - Tested positive for COVID, fractured thumb, has just been backed into in the car park in Mitre, getting stitches out. Yeah, I don't know. And you know, I genuinely felt sorry for the guy. I was, like, God, he's having a bad run, until I had this heart-sinking feeling that I was that person that had been scammed. - Buckle up, because we're on a whistle-stop tour of the South. Next stop ` Cromwell, where an unhappy customer doesn't want her identity shown. - She wanted a garage conversion, but got an unfinished project and a legal dispute. - Two years later, she's still owed $8500 because her lawyer advised her to let it go. - Yeah. We're off again, tracking the trauma right across Otago, including here in Otepoti Dunedin, in Playfair Street, where there's been no sign of fair play after the builder was asked to replace a fence. - And he wasn't turning up, and already the excuses were starting. You know, the phone falling off the back of the ute. - He was her husband's choice. - I said, 'I hope that he's not a cowboy.' - Megan, who's a whiz in the kitchen, got busy, and at first, so did the builder. He demoed the old fence and put it in a skip. But there it stayed, and work just stopped. - Then he stopped replying to my husband's text messages and phone calls. - So, from a number he wouldn't recognise... - So I sent him a message to say I'm just inquiring about a job, and he rang me straight back. - But he never came back, despite $3000 having been paid. - At that point I was, like, I can't. We're just gonna have to cut our losses. - Have you ever said, 'I told you so'? - Yep. Yeah, I have, if I'm honest. - (CHUCKLES) You get the picture. So why did they take this builder on? - It was probably the price. - I asked him if he was a registered builder, and he actually said he was. Now I know he's not. - But they didn't check reviews. - I have definitely learned my lesson, that's for sure. - I wish I'd done a bit more research into his name. - This is all it takes. Review sites can save you so much trouble. And here's someone who knows that only too well. - I'm Bruce Lindsay, and I'm from NoCowboys. - For 20 years, the NoCowboys site's allowed reviews to be posted, with trust being key. - We are able to track, and we do, where the reviews are coming from, and we watch for duplications to make sure that there's no fake reviews being added. Now, also the businesses can actually reply with their side of the story. - Which brings us to a little bit more of this builder's story. We tell it like his customers see it. You know, getting unprofessional quotes, the work being substandard, ghosting them. - That's absolutely fine. NoCowboys welcomes tradies taking positive action to balance their overall rating, and this builder said he'd make this happen on their site. - He can put it right. All he has to do is approach the hundreds, as he says, of positive customers he has, that have loved his work, get them to leave reviews. - He managed a couple, and put us on to one who said his work was OK. But most reviews are bad, and they don't mince their words. The builder wanted them gone, even threatening legal action. - The emails that we sent to him, many of them had requests for evidence, along the lines of, I did that job, and I did it well, and I've got pictures to prove it. Please send it through. But never. It was just blank, then. - Lots of questions piling up. So time for another phone call. That's right. Coming up ` I chase those payments and put some questions to the builder to get to the bottom of what's been going on. I was just checking out on Company Records, and it looks like just this month that you started another company. - And we ask why these supposedly eternal bags will soon cease to exist. - I'm really disappointed. You would think a company the size of Countdown would honour their promise that they've put on the bag. - Kia ora. Nau mai, hoki mai. Welcome back. Now, before the break, we heard from several people, all fed up with the shoddy work done ` or not done ` by the same tradesman. - That's right. Fed up and out of pocket. It's time to speak to the man responsible. These three women all have an axe to grind as customers of an odd job builder. They've put up with poor workmanship and months of no-shows. They want nothing more to do with him, so we'll ask the questions about what's been going on, starting with the photos on his Facebook page. There are some pictures on there that don't appear to be your work. - Ah, that could be a little misleading. And what about the money he still owes? In some cases, it's true, but it wasn't easy. Bridgette had to threaten legal action before getting $2000 for repairs out of the $10,000 she paid. - Probably one of the most stressful times trying to deal with all of this. - Tash had a false start with a transaction screenshot. - And I showed it to my 14-year-old son, who looked at it, and he went, 'Mum, that's a set-up future payment, and it's not it's not been confirmed.' I was, like, 'Oh my God. you're right. How could I`' (CHUCKLES) 'Yeah, you're right.' And so, that really infuriated me. - She channelled that anger, setting up an insulting Facebook page. Then he paid her back. Well, minus $500. - I made it inactive of that night. - But his Cromwell customer, who is owed $8500, wasn't so lucky. She's never seen that money, and you had 15 days to pay it. - We'll come back to that, but first, what's his explanation for letting so many customers down? - His doctor confirmed he's had several years of a mental health condition, yet what his customers see is someone who's still running businesses, still causing them to suffer. - I was very low, and I felt really ashamed. - They still want to be able to warn other people against using his companies. Do you think that that's fair, justified? - It's fair, and it is justified. I mean, we all have consequences we face in life. It doesn't give him an excuse to do this to the other people. - It's a really hard call for Fair Go, but on the advice of the builder's doctor, we're not using his name. So we ask him for assurance his days of running his own business are over. - So what will you do in the future? - Which is a little confusing. I was just checking out on Companies Records, and it looks like just this month that you've started another company. - But then why would you set up a company? - We do get a guarantee in writing ` no more running his own business. We also remind him he still owes money, and, well, I didn't see this coming. - Oh, amazing. So a nice surprise for his customer in Cromwell. After getting proof, we break the news he's transferred her $8500. - How are you gonna use it? - Something nice, I hope. - These two are disappointed his name's not out there. - I just don't want anybody else to have that experience. It was just exhausting. - But their friendship has done some good ` a debt repaid, and a reminder that review sites have to be the first place to go. - Well, it's ultimate. You really have to do it. It's not just NoCowboys. It's all of the review sites. And don't ever bypass that. Always do your due diligence. - Look, I know without a name, you can't check this builder out, but the point is to check the reviews of any person you're hiring. And hopefully this guy won't be a problem any more because we have it in writing he won't run a business direct to customers again. And I'm sure you'll let us know if he does. - (CHUCKLES) You will. Nice work, Gill, and great tips. There's lessons we can learn from that. - And speaking of tips, I'm reliably informed that what we're experiencing right now is spring, which means (SCOFFS) hopefully summer's not too far away. - Come on, summer. Yes, time to start thinking about making the most of the upcoming summer holidays. So Alistar's put together a couple of top tips to make your plans go that little bit smoother. - We've had a look back at the sort of holiday issues we've covered over the last couple of years and found some stories that suggest ways that you can save on money, but also the hassle, starting with something that we know gobbles up a lot of the holiday budget ` petrol. The Fair Go team chipped in with ways to reduce our fuel use. - I think it is about 36psi in the front. - Make sure your tyres are inflated to the right pressure. This means less work for your car. Put your windows up so your car glides through the air without resistance. When you stop, you can put them down. - Lucky it's not too hot today. - Ah! I definitely do not need all this. - Try not to carry unnecessary baggage in your car. Remember, more items means more drag, which means more gas. If petrol prices are out of control, we can change gear on our driving habits. - If you've got something relaxing on, perhaps you're gonna drive relaxing. I know with my own experience, if I put a bit of AC/DC on, I turn into a different driver. - Sorry friends, that means no pedal to the metal. Try to control your speed so you don't have to use the brakes as much. Now, if you're thinking of going off-road this summer, camping or glamping, or just getting out in nature, then you may already be thinking about what a terrible time you had last summer with that blow-up mattress, right? Luckily, Katie's on to this one. Here she is. - Well, I'd say good morning, but I don't even know if I even went to sleep last night. - Katie tested three top air bed brands by leaving them overnight with weights on them. And then she tried them for real, also overnight. What a trooper. Katie's winner was not the most expensive airbed; it was the widest of the three. It's all about roll room. - I have slept right through. - But perhaps the best advice in the story came from a campsite manager. - Probably the most common mistake people make is when they store it, they fold it up, and it gets a hole put in it, because it's been stored against the barbecue on the drive home, sort of thing, and it's never used again until they turn up. - Probably the biggest holiday gripe we've had over the last couple of years has been about booking hotels and rooms online, and finding out when we get there, things are not as they should be. - Oh, you've gotta be kidding me. - So what rights do you have if your holiday rental turns out to be a dud? - By law, under the Fair Trading Act, accommodation providers cannot be misleading people about what they're actually promising and what is, in fact, delivered. - But Consumer New Zealand's Gemma Rasmussen says people need to be reasonable. - If you're looking at a completely different set-up from the photo that has been represented to you or the house is a lot dirtier, then you do have grounds for complaint. - So here's some options if things go wrong. Contact the owner or host straight away, and if that doesn't work, get in touch with the third party you booked with as soon as possible and take lots of photos as proof. As a last resort, there is the Disputes Tribunal, or if you're fast, you can get a chargeback from your bank. And you might be able to save yourself some grief by reading the listing carefully and asking the host all the right questions before you book. So that's it. And... fingers crossed the weather turns out. - So it's all about checking this week. Do your due diligence. - Mm, that's right. E haere ake nei ` coming up ` which reusable shopping bags can you rely on? - I think it would be the most responsible thing for a retailer to providing bags that are not going to break in the first place. Where to from here, New Zealand? To amazing places, places of opportunity, technology, possibility, sustainability, every ability, places that are for all to enjoy ` yeah, everyone. Let's enjoy the path forged by those that came before us but also find new ones, maybe better ones. Life is our journey. Aotearoa ` our magnificent waka. - Kia ora. Nau mai, hoki mai. Welcome back. Now, last week we spoke about recycling, and your response was enthusiastic. - Yes, it's clear many of you want to do the right thing when it comes to sustainability ` like lovely Joan in our next story, who's been doing her bit for the planet by using reusable bags from Countdown. - But Joan came to Fair Go with a problem. She says Countdown is not living up to its side of the bargain. Here's Carolyn Robinson. (SLOW HIP-HOP MUSIC) - Joan Goddard is a thoughtful shopper. She stocks up once a month on essentials for herself and Doris... - That's a good girl. - ...and always remembers her bags. - Absolutely. I mean, the bags were brought in to replace the plastic bags, which are damaging the planet, so, you know, why would I not? - But recently, things have come undone. Joan, I see your reusable bag's looking a bit worse for wear. Tell us what happened. - What's happened is it's worn out. - But this bag is no ordinary bag. - And on these bags, it says, 'Bag for Good. Use this bag again and again. 'If it wears out, simply bring it back, and we'll replace it for free.' I said to the person on the counter, 'Hey, this is worn out. Can I have another one?' And she said, 'I don't think we're doing that any more.' And she went off and checked with a supervisor and came back and said, 'Sorry, no, we're not doing that any more.' And I was surprised, to say the least. - So, what's your understanding of the phrase 'for good'? - 'For good' means forever, you know. And I don't think I'm the only person that would think like that. - Indeed, she's not. What do the words 'for good' mean to you? So, like, if I was saying` - For good. Forever. - Forever? - Yeah. - That means, like, forever. You're done. - I'd say it would mean forever. - Permanent. - Well, forever. Well, just` That's it. I'm done. (LOUNGE MUSIC) - Would you like a lolly? - Oh no. No, thanks, Rewi. I'm actually off the sugar, for good. Even Google agrees ` the phrase translating to... So we asked Countdown how these supposedly eternal bags have seemingly ceased to exist. The supermarket, which is currently rebranding to Woolworths, told us ` - We've been steadily running down our 'Bag for Good' totes for a few months and have none left. To take its place, we've introduced a sturdy, new-look tote made in China from 70% recycled material. Customers can replace their 'Bag for Good' totes with our new tote bags for free if they break, but we won't be continuing free replacement on the new bags. - Essentially, the 'Bag for Good' promise has expired. How do you feel about this? - I'm really disappointed. You would think a company the size of Countdown would honour their promise that they've put on the bag. - I think it would be the most responsible thing for a retailer to be providing bags that are not going to break in the first place. - Kim Renshaw is the co-founder of Reuse Aotearoa. - I'm not surprised that Joan's bag broke. Look, my one's already splitting as well. It's made of a woven polypropylene, it's lightweight, and it's just not really very robust in its construction. - She says bags need to be better. - Joan's bags are not repairable. They're not built to be repairable. What we really need is durable bags made of thoughtful materials that are light on the planet and light on emissions in terms of their construction. It would be wonderful if bags could be repairable as well. So if you got a hole in it, it could just be repaired either back at the supermarket or something you could do yourself at home. - What kind of reusable shopping bags do you like to use? - Not paper. Like, the canvas-y ones. - No paper bag. They're terrible. - I like canvas ones. I feel like they're... You can easily wash them. - Sort of, recycled, really. And something that's quite strong, that can just last me a long time so I don't have to worry about replacing them. - Kim reckons reusable bags are the answer, but the way we use them needs to change. - Best reusable bag is the one you've already got. - Kim sees a future where customers can borrow and return bags from a bag library at the supermarket. - We would have enough to get us all by without ever having to buy any more. - As for Joan, she's hoping for her own sweetener. - I just want another bag ` the same as that one. - I think they should be giving Joan a robust bag that's made of, yeah, something like the jute or something like that, that's gonna last for her so she doesn't have this problem again. - Countdown's offered Joan their new-look tote. It's not jute, it's not a 'Bag for Good', but sometimes our very best intentions fall a wee bit short. (BOTH CHUCKLE) - I don't blame Caro one bit. That donut looked delicious. - Ooh. So good. Right. That's it from us, but if you only caught part of the show, you can catch all of it on the Fair Go page on TVNZ+, whenever you want. - That's right. Our programme is all about you, and your consumer aches and pains, so please do get in touch. - Mm-hm. You can get us on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. Our webpage is ` Email us ` Write to us ` And don't forget to include your phone number. - So, thanks for watching, and don't forget to do your checks. Until next week... - BOTH: ...po marie.