Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
PLUMBER TO AVOID - NEIL PROTHEROE
Neil Protheroe is the type of plumber that gives the trade a bad name. Not at all interested in revisiting his work if the initial repair fails. Promises to come, then simply fails to turn up, and doesn’t respond to repeated calls. Wanted me to pay twice for a part he himself sourced and fitted, but which failed immediately. Broke his promise to return to replace faulty part.
Despite the widespread use of card readers, he refused payment by credit card (which gives us payment protection in the event of disputes), and wanted cash / cheque only, which is a red flag in itself when even market traders accept cards.
I Googled his name and found that Companies House listed Neil James Protheroe, a plumber born June 1970, as the director of P H PLUMBING & HEATING (GLOBAL) LTD, Company number 09491870. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers.... The company was compulsorily struck-off Companies House in 2017, with “all property and rights vested in, or held in trust for, the company are deemed to be bona vacantia, and accordingly wil belong to the crown”, and voluntarily struck off in 2020. Note: his name at Companies House was changed from ‘Niel’ to ‘Neil’ in 2019.
Subjective reviews and objective facts both suggest Neil James Protheroe, plumber and born June 1970, has a troubled work background. My experience with him echoes that of many others. The Protheroe modus operandi is: offer an attractive price to secure the first work. If that goes well, fine, he will do more for you. If it goes badly, he’ll be evasive, make excuses, promise to come, then simply not turn up, and leave all messages unanswered.
I would suggest that anyone tempted to use him (or any other tradesperson) ask him:
- to accept payment by debit or credit card; and failing that
- to provide evidence of his full name (eg driving licence) and evidence of his home address (eg council tax bill) and ideally an email address; and
- to sign a physical receipt (containing his full name and address, and the nature of the work the payment is for) of cash payment for his work, so that should a legal claim subsequently need to be made against him it can be properly served, and there is evidence of the cash payment being made to him and accepted by him for the work done.
These measures will go a long way to protect your money by ensuring you can take dispute a payment or take legal action against him (eg small claims court) to recover it in the event of subsequent dispute.
If he (or other tradespeople) refuses to comply with these requirements, walk away. The measures will flush him out. Cheap is not always best. Honest tradespeople will have no problem with accepting card payment, or providing background information about themselves, and offering receipts for their work or of accepting cash payment.
Tags for Forum Posts: Neil, neil, plumber, plumbing, protheroe
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Apple on
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Multiple sets of friends have had similar experiences with him. Avoid avoid avoid..
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Thank you, Fez, for such a well researched, and considered review. I 've also used Neil and did not have a good experience. Your advice regarding paying for services is very helpful, you're quite right " cheap is not always best".
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Permalink Reply by tigha on
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Ah that’s sad to hear. I’ve been using him for years, and yes you have to chase him sometimes, pretty much as you have to it seems for all hamdymen
But found his work really good, and he has sorted out my problems multiple times, last time being a few months ago. and he has also helped my friends and not even charged them. Although to be fair my plumbing issues haven’t been anything complicated
So i will definitely continue to use him, as he has often come round at short notice when I’ve had problems like no heating etc
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I’ve used Neil several times and he also helped a friend of mine who was in dire financial difficulties ( he did not charge her) , I’ve always found him very good and very honest. I once called him and had to cancel at last minute, he was very gracious about it, not wanting any payment although he was already on his way to me. He has always responded promptly. I don’t find him cheap, he uses good quality stuff and in fact warned me about some cheap radiator valves I insisted on having and he was right.
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Permalink Reply by arsenal delight on
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I would also like to say that I have used Neil Protheroe for a number of years now and have always found him very helpful and trustworthy.
Paying by bank transfer and receiving an invoice. He is someone that I will continue to use and I am sorry that you had a bad experience.
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Permalink Reply by Charlie
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Bipolar Neil strikes again. Love to receive the annual long winded complaint offset by his legions of fans.
Id say he either likes you or doesn't. If he does then he'll go the extra mile. If he doesn't he walks away. Its that simple. Honestly most tradesmen will not return to work with people they don't like. They are self employed so why would they?
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