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CLARE Williams is sick of people taking advantage of her – or more accurately, her deafness.
Hackenthorpe resident Clare Williams with the unfinished shower. Action walsh
CLARE Williams is sick of people taking advantage of her – or more accurately, her deafness.
The 39-year-old mum-of-four says she’s an easy target for dishonest traders who often quote one price and then hike it half way through the job knowing she will struggle to argue.
But caving in means she has repeatedly paid extra, especially for work on her house.
She has also been unable to get her bathroom finished.
Clare, of Silkstone Road, Hackenthorpe, is profoundly deaf in one ear and has a cochlear implant in the other – but she says it doesn’t work well on the phone.
She added: “I’m sick of people taking advantage of me.
“It just seems it’s getting ridiculous these days, I’m finding it difficult to trust people.
“Someone will say an item is £10 and when I get my purse out the price goes up.
“It’s so difficult to argue I’ll pay up.”
It’s also very difficult to ring round for a quote or make a complaint on the phone.
ACTION Desk appeals to an honest bathroom fitter to do the work at Clare’s house for an honest rate – in return for coverage in The Star. Call the number at the top of the page.
Kate Bushen, of Deaf Advice Service Sheffield, said: “Unfortunately it is a common story. We encourage deaf people to ask for quotes or any communication to be written down, then there is some proof of the original ‘contract’.
“We deal with many deaf people who have poor literacy skills because of their deafness who have been targeted because of their vulnerability and have felt pressurised into signing documents of which they have no idea of the content.
“We would argue it is the service provider’s responsibility to ensure people who use their services understand clearly and fully what the agreement will be. If they are not prepared to do this stay well clear.”
Go to www.deafadvice.org.uk or voice 0114 2536710 or Minicom 0114 2536711.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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