Painting / decorator company terrible job - comeback?

Is it possible to cancel a cheque that was issued as payment for decorating? It was paid by an elderly person but the job done was really terrible (created a problem rather than solved one) and the person only paid because they felt vulnerable in refusing. I am stepping in to try and get the job fixed up a bit, really this company doesn't deserve any payment though. Can we cancel the cheque and say we'll reissue when the address the problems?

Same thing happened to my father. Guy calls to door and says he is painting his neighbours house would he like his done as well. My father agrees despite being warned about these type of scammers. Dreadful job, paint everywhere. One coat and you can see old coat underneath.
Unfortunately when you are dealing with an elderly person they will go in to a type of denial that this really happened at all to save face.
At least your relative paid by cheque. My father thought that he was "doing a deal" and paid in cash. Said he would never do this type of thing again. Then he pays a guy to power hose his cement driveway. Same thing all over again.

I would stop the cheque and see what happens but be aware that the eldely person might just want the whole thing to go away.

Odea said:

I would stop the cheque and see what happens but be aware that the eldely person might just want the whole thing to go away.

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Yes, they are against cancelling the cheque and are afraid that the men will lose their jobs as a result of our complaint. If it was up to me I wouldn't give them a penny. This company is always advertising and I hate to think of other people falling prey to them, but I understand that what is needed is just to get it fixed up without any more stress.

I will just get somone else in to fix it and note that this person needs more support in choosing and supervising workmen. Since chatting to friends about it I hear that lots of elderly are being taken in by unqualified tradesmen putting stuff through the door.

This is actually a ltd company though who claim to have 150 vetted workmen. I wonder is there any point in taking pictures and sending them to the consumer agency and could I do it without causing any further stress to the old person involved?

If it were me I would cancel the cheque, followed up with a phone call to the company telling them why. I would pay for the job without quibble when it was done to a satisfactory standard.

If the elderly couple don't want to cancel the cheque you may have to follow their wishes. There is also the fear that they may receive a phone call or visit from the company regarding the cancelled cheque while you are not present. Elderly folk can find this kind of confrontation difficult to deal with. Why not phone the company and asked to speak with a manager and explain the situation to him. Invite him to come to the property and see the workmanship for himself. Ask for his advice and what he thinks you should do to help the couple. Don't mention cancelling the cheque.