“Yeah, We Got a Business Reference, Seemed Fine…”

The Lazy Man’s Guide to Getting Ripped Off in Business (And How Not To)

Asking for a business reference feels like doing proper due diligence. Like you’ve ticked the sensible grown-up box. You picked up the phone, spoke to someone called "Steve," and he said,

“Top-notch, never missed a deadline, would trust them with my Nan.”

And that’s it. You’re sold.

Contract signed...Deposit paid... No further questions...

You’ve done your ‘research’ the business equivalent of checking TripAdvisor, seeing one 5-star review from “Sandra1972,” and assuming the restaurant definitely won’t give you food poisoning.

Business References: The Polished Turd of Due Diligence

Let’s not mess around, when you ask for a reference, you’re not getting the full picture. You’re getting a highlight reel, curated and packaged like a property listing:

• “Cosy home with character” = house is tiny and possibly haunted.

• “Worked with us on a complex project” = project went sideways but they eventually showed up.

• “Would use again” = if no one else on earth was available.

No one’s handing you the number of Alan from Aberdeen, who threatened legal action, left a one-star review, and still spits when your supplier’s name is mentioned.

The Kev Catastrophe: A Real-World Reference Disaster

Let me tell you about my mate Kev. Runs a cracking little engineering firm. Kev needed a subcontractor for a big job. Found someone online, seemed decent. Asked for a reference. Got a name. Called the bloke.

“Oh yeah, brilliant team. Nailed it. Even helped fix the printer.”

So Kev goes ahead. Pays a deposit. Week one: nothing turns up. Week two: blokes arrive, clearly winging it. Week three: wiring looks like a failed game of Tetris, the toilet flushes upwards, and someone’s been eating tuna in the server room.

Turns out the reference was the contractor’s cousin, who hadn’t used them since 2014… because they built a stud wall in front of his fire escape.

Lazy Due Diligence: Why It’ll Bite You in the Assets

Here’s the big issue: A good reference isn’t proof of quality, it’s proof they know how to pick the right person to say the right things.

And if that’s your only filter for making a major business decision? You’re not being savvy. You’re being sloppy.

Because a glowing reference doesn’t mean they’ll deliver. It could means someone’s been well-briefed… or well-paid… or is trying to flog a favour in return.

The Stuff That Actually Matters

Forget the shiny testimonial. Watch what they do, not what someone else says. Ask yourself:

• Did they respond quickly? If they take days to reply to an enquiry, imagine how fast they’ll be when you’ve already paid.

• Is their proposal in writing, clear, and professional? Or is it full of vague waffle, half-baked pricing, and written in Comic Sans?

• How long have they been trading? A quick look at Companies House might reveal they change names more often than they change socks.

• Do they have real reviews? Real photos? Real clients? Or just “Mike, UK” saying they were great, with no proof he exists?

• Are they suspiciously cheap? If they undercut everyone by 40% and want a big cash deposit up front, just assume the job’s already halfway to a skip.

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The Gut Feel Test

Here’s the bit no one talks about: Your instincts are usually bang on.

That funny feeling when someone seems too slick… or too pushy… or calls you “mate” five times before giving you a price? That’s your subconscious yelling, “This smells dodgy!” while your inbox whispers, “Just get it done.”

Listen to the yelling. It’s almost always right.

Ask Smarter Questions

Still want to speak to a reference? Fine, but stop asking daft questions like:

“Would you use them again?”

Instead, try:

• “What went wrong?” (Something always goes wrong and how they fix it tells you more than anything else.)

• “What did the process actually look like?”

• “Was the final cost what you expected?”

• “Were you dealing with the same person throughout or passed around like a dodgy parcel?”

If the reference sounds too smooth, too polished, too perfect, it probably is.

Put Everything in Writing Or Prepare to Cry into Your Ledger

Even if the supplier’s your brother-in-law’s mate from darts, don’t rely on a handshake.

Get it in writing. The scope. The timeline. The costs. The who’s-doing-what.

Because when things go wrong (and they might), saying,

“But Gavin said you were great,” won’t stop the bills from stacking up or the job from crumbling.

Final Word Over a Pint

Here’s the deal: References are fine. But they’re not enough.

They’re a feel-good tick-box. A little comfort blanket. But relying on one glowing review is the business version of saying,

“Well, they seemed alright in the pub.”

So yes, ask for a reference. But then dig deeper. Run checks. Ask awkward questions. Trust your gut. And don’t ignore red flags just because someone said they “would definitely recommend.”

Because if all you do is call one happy client and skip the rest? Well, don’t be surprised when the ceiling falls in and the invoice doubles.

Cheers.

About “My Mate Down The Pub”

We’re not lawyers, consultants or gurus, we’re the sarcastic voice in your head that kicks in just after you’ve said, “Yeah, go on then, let’s do it.”

We bust business myths, call out dodgy advice, and remind you that not everything your mate down the pub says is gospel (especially after two pints and a packet of Scampi Fries).

Take what’s useful, laugh at the rest, and always read the small print, ideally before you sign it.