Tradespeople who don't show! (how much, water heater, contractors)

[TexasRedneck]

I hear you Bog, I really do - and understand the frustration. Funny thing is....some of the "big guys" are my best salesmen - because I get it from folks in spades about how they don't show up, etc. Guess it's one of those "find a good one, and never let 'em go" type things, eh?<G>

[Paul56]

Originally Posted by GEM-Texas

Just a rant. It has happened so many times. You need repairs or an estimate - from tree folk, painters, masons, roofers. You make an appointment and they never show.

Sigh - yes - you can post about them on various sites but I just don't understand the mentality.

I've heard it explained that lots of the independent guys work till they have enough money for a bit and then laze around till they run out.

Rant over.

Everyone has a life... including those people.

Perhaps some emergency came up or perhaps they had trouble with
their vehicle.

I will call them 20 minutes after the defined appointment time to see
what is up. If there is no defined appointment time I will call them the
next day.

If an alternate arrangement is made and they strike out twice I place
them on my personal "do not call" list and move on to someone who can
better manage their time and potential customers.

[sa dave]

Bump....
Three times this week, I have called flooring [tile] specialists that let me know an hour past the appointment that they can't show up.

Tile person number three gave me the whole, I left my phone in the car, I was working late and I'm not sure when I can stop by. I finally told him, look buddy...its close to the holidays, its a one day job with a good payout. It should be worth your while. But if its not - no big deal; there's another guy out there that wants to buy his kids gifts. Snarky and condescending is not my style, but it was brewing in me the whole week.

Even though I'm not an apple eater, I understand that it takes just a few bad apples to spoil the bunch. The best one can do is stay positive, not over-generalize, and don't take it personal....

[skeet09]

SaDave: I have a number of someone who did a good job on my laminate flooring and I also have pics of the tile work he's done. He's independent and lives near Potranco and 151 if you are interested.
All you would need to do is buy the materials (tile, grout bags) and he will install.

[HillCountryHotRodMan]

Shoot, I can't even get the Jackhats at Alamo Ranch Lowe's to schedule a darned measure for the work we're doing in the bathrooms which I paid for last week!

[skeet09]

Originally Posted by HillCountryHotRodMan

Shoot, I can't even get the Jackhats at Alamo Ranch Lowe's to schedule a darned measure for the work we're doing in the bathrooms which I paid for last week!

I had drama with Lowe's too regarding the garage door opener installation. They had the best price and I had a coupon from a new move in packet (10% off). Shudder... at least it got done.

[sa dave]

Thanks skeet..that's very nice of you. I finally lucked into someone after posting my rant. I wanted to rep you some pixie dust, but I got a message saying I'm all outta of it.

[skeet09]

Originally Posted by sa dave

Thanks skeet..that's very nice of you. I finally lucked into someone after posting my rant. I wanted to rep you some pixie dust, but I got a message saying I'm all outta of it.

Sure thing! I know of an electrician who works for Central Electric who does work on the side too, in case you're looking, lol.
Hope it all works out for you.
Love me some pixie dust!

[wCat]

Originally Posted by elnina

I don’t think that’s the point of this thread.
I think that OP is talking about calling “tree folk, painters, masons, roofers” etc. making an appointment (both parties agree to the date and time), then waiting, and waiting… but they never show up.



How do they know if someone will not want to pay, or haggle the price, or complain - if they never show up to give the "free" estimate in the first place.



Nono... we are talking about people that were at home on the appointment day and time, maybe even took off from work and waited for nothing.

I have to agree with the two way street. As a small business owner I used to wear ALL the hats, receptionist, designer, billing department, research, marketing, and the dreaded bill collector. I also learned not to take jobs without referrals...even several. Showing up and no one is home and no one bothered to call to say they were running late, dead baby sitter, or they moved. Then there are the folks that LOVE all your ideas and hire their brother in law or someone ELSE to do all the work. I had to limit consultations to 30 mins and charge after that. It weeds out the dead beats.

Having a small business does give lazy slobs the freedom to stand up customers, but the small businesses with integrity pay a price too. It's a trade off.....a LOT more responsibility or work by someone else's rules.

[elnina]

I could write a book the size of Encyclopedia about that !