Beware of Wolfs in Sheeps Clothing Cont...

Rupert and Sharon were waiting when I arrived, i could see from there facial expressions that they were not happy, Well i said, how does it look, Not too good, Rupert replied, It looks patchy, thats what i said last night, i replied, well what would you propose we do then, Rupert replied. I would opt for cutting it back with a fine disc and re-applying some more coloured wax, which may smooth out the patchyness. Why have we got wax on these floors anyway, Rupert said. Because that is what you asked for Rupert, i replied, But we wanted something that would be tough and maintenance free, Sharon said. But you asked for Hardwax, I told you the pro's and cons and you agreed that was what you wanted. i explained. May i suggest re-sanding both floors and having a matt lacquer, Rupert replied. We did not want hardwax. But hold on i said, we went through this, the sample i showed you was hardwax. Well Rupert replied, The sample is not the same as what we have on this floor, So we would like it Stained Dark and Matt Lacquer put on. But that means a re-sand. I said which i can't do right now as i have other commitments and besides it will cut down the life span of the floor. Thats Ok, Rupert said, It is ok to sand again, Yes i replied but i wouldn't give it a heavy sand, Just a light one starting with a 50 grit, what about the walnut floor downstairs. I asked, Yes we would like lacquer on that also, Rupert replied. Right i said. Well we can reschedule for some time next week i explained. No it has to be done by the end of this week. Rupert replied. We have guest coming to stay and we need both rooms ready for Friday. Wow i said, Its just not possible, Unless i call in another sander to carry out the prep and i can finish it. Yes can we do that Rupert replied. ill see what i can do, I said.

I walked out of the house in disbelief, I could believe that they denied wanting Hardwax at all, Blatently lying to my face, I was half expecting them to laugh out loud tell me not really and pay me up, Now i had been given the job of footing the bill to Re-sand and Lacquer both floors when i was only coming to collect what money was left owing to me.

This was the point when i shoud have backed out. Forgotten my pride and just taken the loss, besides it was peanuts left owing to me, In fact the whole job was being done for peanuts. I wished then that i had never started this job. Something told me at the time we first met that this guy was too friendly, my collegue had also commented at the time.

Damage limitation had me calling a guy i knew, to find out if he could help me out, He could. Great we needed to nip this in the bud and get out fast as these customers were turning very awkward. I phoned Rupert and told him my Guy would be with him at 830 am, Rupert thanked me.

I met Rob at the Job the following day, He ushered me to the side and said. What the hells going on here, why are we re-sanding this. I told him and he frowned. look i said, I messed up the effect on the waxing and now they want Lacquer so we give them lacquer. Ok Rob said, Ill have both ready to coat by 5 oclock. Great i said, Ill see you back here then. Cool He said.

I returned at 5 to see Rupert having a smoke with Rob outside the front door, I joined them. We will need to do a stain test to see if your happy with this stain colour Rupert. i said. Yes. Ok Rupert replied. I quicky finished my fag and shot upstairs to see how the floors were looking. All good. Great i thought, Just need to stain and 3 coats of Varnish then i can put this to bed.
I put a test patch down, waited 20 mins for the solvent burned off and called Rupert and Sharon. They entered the room took 1 look at the stain and both said. Yes, thats the colour. Yes. Rupert seemed to approve everything thing with sharp. Yes. Great i replied ' Lets stain it up'. Luke gave me a hand buffing off as i applied the stain. Rob then went down and proceeded to coat up the walnut floor with polyurethane Lacquer. Both floors needed de-nibbing on all but last coats, but that was pretty standard stuff and all in all the final coat seemed to go on very nice.

By the time i had put the final coat on the Oak floor Rob had already packed away all the machines and tools, It just left the roller and trough that were in my hand, Rupert was watching closely as he had since i got there, Sharon i assumed had gone to bed. Right Rupert thats us done i said, finally. It was now about 11:15 pm. OK then Rupert replied, I guess we'll have a meeting tomorrow and see if we are happy. Right i said, but i really need some sort of payment now, i have to pay Rob he's been here all day, well i would like to see the floor, Look i said i need to pay Rob, you give me half of what you owe, Have your friends come and stay at the weekend, Ill call you in a couple of weeks and if there's any more problems ill glady put them right, if not ill collect the remainder of my money then. Right, Yes, OK Rupert said, But my money is in my safe, which is on the other side of the walnut floor. The floors OK to go across a voice said, It was Rob. In socks you'll be OK now, he explained. OK Rupert said. He counted me out 50% of the final amount. We bid him goodnight and drove home, Walking to the van Rob said. Reckon you should take that and forget the rest. No Mate im sure it'll be OK the jobs good, it looked the business. Yeh it did. We agreed, I said, Bet the guys gonna want his money back next. Or a new floor. Rob said, We both laughed.

Continued