Paving Scam Alert

[darockwilder]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Am I the only one who is annoyed by the fact that more than one person has referenced Square feet of asphalt to fill a pothole?

I know it's nitpicky, but it's a pet peeve of mine. Volume = cubic feet.

That being said, even if it is a scam I fail to see the potential to make a lot of money off of it. Seriously even if you have a bunch of potholes that are all 1 cubic foot (that seems like a pretty big ass pothole) you're still only out a few bucks for each one.

The (allegedly) scam guy actually said "square feet". I used to test concrete so when he said square feet I thought that sounded strange.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Jedi Ninja

I'll offer you $3 a square foot to fix the pot holes in your parking lot.

Your parking lot is 100 x 100 = 10000 sq-feet. You owe me $30,000.


Thank you.

There you go, that could very well be the scam.

[Jason14h]

There you go, that could very well be the scam.

Yeah with no contract Im sure that would hold up reallllly well!

"I filled two potholes, gimme $30,000."
"FAK OFF! Here's $10"
"But,But,But"

[burn_this_city]

So is it just gravel spray painted black??

[4X4]

Well, I'm not at all versed in how much asphalt costs, but using concrete numbers it'd look something like this:

Crete is purchased by the cubic meter, but it's close to a cubic yard and cubic yard is easier to break down...

A cubic yard of crete costs around $200 - $250. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Therefore, a cubic foot costs about $9.
Assuming that asphalt costs less than that (I'll guess half), they're selling their ashpalt in excruciatingly small amounts for mere pennies of profit. Sounds like the only person getting scammed is the owner of the company who is not making any money.

I guess with the shifty eyes and whatnot, the real scam had probably yet to be tabled. I bet that had the OP agreed to get some work done, the "contractor" would have asked for payment up front or at least a deposit, and then never returned. Or else, like in the link posted earlier, the math would defy logic and the final tally would be alot more than the OP bargained for.

Either way, I think the OP used good judgement by telling the guy to beat it. I'd be super wary of anyone that knocks on my door to offer me something like that. I mean, maybe a roofer in a roofing truck with a company name on the side, as long as my shingles are curling up and visibly in need of repair. I might entertain an estimate from someone like that.

[csnarpy]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Well, I'm not at all versed in how much asphalt costs, but using concrete numbers it'd look something like this:

Crete is purchased by the cubic meter, but it's close to a cubic yard and cubic yard is easier to break down...

A cubic yard of crete costs around $200 - $250. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Therefore, a cubic foot costs about $9.

Assuming that asphalt costs less than that (I'll guess half), they're selling their ashpalt in excruciatingly small amounts for mere pennies of profit. Sounds like the only person getting scammed is the owner of the company who is not making any money.

I guess with the shifty eyes and whatnot, the real scam had probably yet to be tabled. I bet that had the OP agreed to get some work done, the "contractor" would have asked for payment up front or at least a deposit, and then never returned. Or else, like in the link posted earlier, the math would defy logic and the final tally would be alot more than the OP bargained for.

Either way, I think the OP used good judgement by telling the guy to beat it. I'd be super wary of anyone that knocks on my door to offer me something like that. I mean, maybe a roofer in a roofing truck with a company name on the side, as long as my shingles are curling up and visibly in need of repair. I might entertain an estimate from someone like that.

I would assume that the asphalt has already been paid for and this is just left over from a job. So, it would really be just a "cash job" for the paving dudes.

[MoneyGuy]

In another life I used to work in the concrete business and I'm telling you that it's difficult to unfailingly accurately calculate how much concrete a job will require. I assume it's similar with asphalt. You have to not only accurately know the dimensions of the area to be paved, but also the depth. A little too much or too little depth can kill you and you run out or have too much. Plus (big plus here), you're assuming they give you the right amount at the plant. Often they would throw in an extra quarter yard/metre and despite your best math you've got more than you need. See, this overage can happen due to no error on your own part. We also had times when we knew they had undercut us on the amount and you run out. I'm sure it would be similar with asphalt.

I'm an Oiler fan and would be pleased to fill your pot holes with broken dreams and shattered expectations. Gratuities accepted.

[Madman]

Just a small update on this thread:

http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alber...84436-sun.html

[Jason14h]

I still don't understand why you would pay "Thousands of Dollars" without any form of contract. Essentially the "Paver" would need to prove you agreed to a contract you fully understood and with full disclosure. Not to mention the court would have to agree the compensation for the work is "fair" if there was no contract.

Why don't the businesses just tell this guy to screw off and sue them if they want!

[cealms]

Glad you posted this. A guy with an english accent came to our home - same story, leftover asphalt, great deal, no GST. I called a local guy for an estimate (same price as the "great deal") and he cautioned me about this type of scam. Then I found out the contractor didn't have a business license and the address on his card is for Mailboxes Etc. Can't say it's a scam -- he did work for some folks in our community, only time will tell if it stands up to any wear -- but it is suspicious. So just be careful folks.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by cealms

Glad you posted this. A guy with an english accent came to our home - same story, leftover asphalt, great deal, no GST. I called a local guy for an estimate (same price as the "great deal") and he cautioned me about this type of scam. Then I found out the contractor didn't have a business license and the address on his card is for Mailboxes Etc. Can't say it's a scam -- he did work for some folks in our community, only time will tell if it stands up to any wear -- but it is suspicious. So just be careful folks.

Did he leave a business card and or contact info?

[jolinar of malkshor]

Asphalt scam paved way for deportation: border agency

It's the end of the road for a group of alleged scam artists offering cheap paving, according to the Canada Border Services Agency, which announced Tuesday it had arrested and deported seven people.
The men, most of whom were from Ireland, had been working without visas and were arrested June 19 in Regina after a number of complaints were made about unscrupulous paving work being carried out throughout the province.
According to the CBSA, homeowners reported being approached by men who claimed to have asphalt left over from a previous job.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewa...-deported.html

Looks like these guys were a bunch of illegal workers doing sub par work. I suspect there will be more deportations.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Damn immagants! Send em back to where they came from!

[V]

Not to sound racist, but you can never trust someone with an English accent.

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by V

Not to sound racist, but you can never trust someone with an English accent.

Sarcasm notwithstanding, my customers all trust me, and rightly so, I do what I say I'm going to do and then some. We have many many satisfied customers. And, guess what, I have an English accent.

[onetwo_threefour]

Originally Posted by V

Not to sound racist, but you can never trust someone with an English accent.

Especially if they're Irish!!

(I'm sure the English race won't take offence )

[Bagor]

Been chuckling about this all day. See post #2.

We've got an English friend staying at the moment and I basically told her the news reported above that there were a few Irishmen deported for a scam. Guess what the scam was I asked?

Uhhh ... Tarmac she replied.

So many stories and run ins ...... just one ... my father had a contracting paving, kerbing, duct laying business which my brother now runs which we all worked on when we were teens and we had numerous run-ins and fights with them. Always trying to steal scrap, tools and machinery.

One involved them trying to steal a roller. Yes a bloody aspalt roller whilst we were in the middle of a job. Loading it up on their trailer. We caught them, outnumbered them and put all the windows in and smashed up their van with shovels. Cops were called and were going to press charges against my brother.

My father just asked for the cops name and told him to be his guest, go ahead and press charges as he would welcome it and the media attention he would ensure that would go with it. And that's just one story.

[Bibtin Tex]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I thought are pretty good at knowing exactly how much they needed?

A few years ago I had a neighbour who hauled asphalt and he was saying how 20 years ago they would have overages and be able to pave someone's lane with the extra, but now they are usually less than a yard off.

Originally Posted by Boblobla

Huh?

English plz.

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I thought are pretty good at knowing exactly how much asphalt they need?

Originally Posted by red sky

Keep trying

Hahahahhahahah

[bcb]

Originally Posted by Jedi Ninja

http://www.servicealberta.ca/997.cfm

It is a common "scam" across the country.

I want to know what the deal is with the guy going door to door selling meat.

Ever wonder why hitchhiking is discouraged?

[bcb]

Recently I saw a cop and he too had a British accent. I bet he was just an asphalt salesman in disguise.