A Mesa grandmother says she was left frustrated and disappointed after a contractor she hired to build a special project for her grandchildren allegedly took materials and then stopped communicating with her. The situation has raised concerns about contractor reliability and serves as a reminder for consumers to take precautions when hiring for home projects.
Lisa Boshears, who has four grandsons and one granddaughter between the ages of 2 and 9, came up with the idea after watching how much her grandchildren love professional wrestling. She said the kids often imitate wrestling moves inside the house, which has led to damage and wear on furniture as they jump and play.
Wanting to give them a safer and more appropriate place to play, Boshears decided to create a mini, padded wrestling ring. She planned out where it would go and how it would look, hoping to surprise her grandchildren with something special and memorable.
To bring the idea to life, she hired a contractor who was recommended to her through a friend of a friend and who worked in construction. Boshears purchased approximately $500 worth of materials for the project and delivered them to the contractor so the work could begin.
However, as time passed and the holidays came and went, Boshears said the contractor stopped responding to her messages. She described the experience as being “ghosted,” explaining that she has not been able to get in contact with the individual or recover the materials she paid for.
Despite the frustration, Boshears said her main concern is for her grandchildren, noting that they had nothing to do with the situation and expressing hope that the project could still be completed someday.
Efforts were made to contact the contractor for a response, but no reply was received. Situations like this are not uncommon, according to consumer protection advocates.
Consumer experts warn that cases involving contractors disappearing or failing to complete work happen frequently. They recommend several steps to help avoid similar situations, including thoroughly reading contracts before signing, ensuring all agreements are documented in writing, and using payment methods like credit cards that offer better protection.
Other advice includes always requesting detailed receipts, monitoring financial accounts for any irregular charges, and understanding consumer rights, such as cancellation periods and protections under certain laws. Experts also stress the importance of verifying that contractors are properly licensed and registered before hiring them.
Researching a contractor’s reputation is another key step. Checking reviews, ratings, and records through various organizations can help identify potential red flags before committing to a project. Getting multiple quotes for larger jobs is also recommended to compare pricing and services.
Consumers are also advised to be cautious of unsolicited offers or high-pressure sales tactics and to avoid sharing sensitive personal or financial information with unknown individuals. Scams involving unusual payment methods, such as gift cards or cryptocurrency, should be treated as warning signs.
Experts also suggest documenting everything related to a project, including taking notes on conversations, saving receipts and contracts, and capturing photos before and after work begins. Keeping thorough records can help protect consumers if issues arise later.
For now, Boshears says she is still searching for someone she can trust to complete the wrestling ring project, hoping to eventually give her grandchildren the safe play space she originally envisioned.
Source: ABC15
