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Original poster

Why do tradesmen lie?

66 replies

Squaretiles · 05/10/2023 23:01

I was due a plumber for tomorrow morning. He said he will confirm Thursday but he never got back to me.

This isn't the first time a tradesperson said he will do work and then not do it.

My own father own his own trade business and I saw him lie through his teeth. He used to lie and take on work without ever having a notion of turning up and doing the work and he said it was easier to turn people down like that. Basically just string them along instead of being honest with someone.

No doubt other people would have similar experiences of tradesmen not turning up.

I know there was a pandemic in recent years and people can genuinely be sick but this is usually my experience and perception of tradesmen too. Their default position is to take on work and not turn up.

I think the government should get on board and create a registrar of Tradesmen and there should be a 10 strike rule. There should be a system in place where people can report trademen who do not turn up to carry out work Similar to driving penalty points and create a 10 strike rule.

OP posts:

ichundich · 05/10/2023 23:08

I love that idea, especially after I've been chasing a carpenter and a plumber since May! Have even paid half of the deposit already.

VeniVidiWeeWee · 05/10/2023 23:55

@ichundich

Well, if you've only paid half the deposit that's probably the reason.

Deposits need to be paid in full.

treacledan71 · 06/10/2023 03:49

It's frustrating. I blocked 3 tradesmans' posts on the next door app that constantly keep saying when people asked if anyone can do some work they will quote people or say how wonderful their work is as they have either come out and quoted me and never come back to me or ignored asking for a quote. Not seeing their posts stops me wanting to say how come you have not come out to me then and give bad feedback. Sure they don't really care though!

weaselwords · 06/10/2023 04:00

Three times over the past week and a half, a roofer has not turned up to give us a quote. If your not in interested, why string us along?

Oblomov23 · 06/10/2023 05:44

I find a lot of businessmen and tradesman are like this, lying because it's easier than telling the truth. Yes I'm coming Tuesday. Yes your job will be ready Thursday. (When they haven't even started the job yet). All lies. I can't grasp why people do this. What do they think it achieves? Loads of people do it though.

Palmasailor · 06/10/2023 06:02

I’m a tradesman and I don't know why they say they’ll show and don’t. I just say that “sorry I can’t get to you”

I must admit that if I do go to see them and I don’t want to work for them then I just don’t follow through with a quote which is definitely a better idea than saying that I don’t want the job. Most people get very very stroppy when you say that and it’s not worth it.

Hygeelady · 06/10/2023 06:05

They always lie! I've only had 1 that's been 100% reliable and used him for 2 house renovations.

I've lost count of how many times their van has 'broken down'. On our kitchen install day our electrician that we had booked and paid 3k for along with others to coincide phoned and said oh I heard you coughing yesterday so I don't want to come. Husband called him out on it and he admitted he was lying and booked 2 jobs. Husband was really annoyed and he did turn up for 2 hours in the end but its horrible!

terraced · 06/10/2023 06:24

Im a tradesperson and I just say "we're full at the moment and have a waiting list. We could do the job around x (at the moment it's December). If that timescale works then great but if not then that's fine". I then try and recommend someone else who may be able to help if we can't. Not all tradespeople lie but I understand your frustration when they do.

Bearsinmotion · 06/10/2023 06:49

I was very impressed with a plumber in our village when there was a hole in the bathroom floor. He told me he was too busy straight up and still came round to check it was safe, told me exactly what needed to be done and recommended another company who did end up doing it. So NATALT 😁

PickledPurplePickle · 06/10/2023 06:51

Use check-a-trade

decionsdecisions62 · 06/10/2023 07:14

They lie because they are not professional and do not have to conform to a professional body.

They do it because they are cowardly and regard it in the same way as dating. It's a form of ghosting but just in a work capacity.

Most of these men have a low educational level and don't evaluate the implications or importance of their actions.

ichundich · 06/10/2023 07:14

VeniVidiWeeWee · 05/10/2023 23:55

@ichundich

Well, if you've only paid half the deposit that's probably the reason.

Deposits need to be paid in full.

Sorry, meant half the price as a deposit. So I've paid £450 for a £900 job, which they still haven't started.

SweetOldFanny · 06/10/2023 07:18

I think the nature of self employment attracts unreliable people because they aren't as answerable.

chuffachuffchuff · 06/10/2023 07:26

Yep same problem. I have found a very reliable man who comes and quotes on time and does the work on time. He said he doesn't have much work though as he isn't on social media and doesn't have a website. He's just an old guy with lots of experience just wants to do a few hours a week.

CeaselesslyIntoThePast · 06/10/2023 07:28

Most self employed people can't seem to get a real job I suppose. Many are poorly educated and have learned ways to lie to make money. It's why we have companies like check a trade to try find the odd decent one. Sad but true.

PicnicBunny · 06/10/2023 07:31

I’ve only worked with tradesmen recommended by other tradesmen which seems to work better for me. If you can find one person that you trust, they tend to have a network of other tradesmen, electricians and carpenters and plumbers they all know and work with - and keep their words to each other, rather than to the client maybe?
Also have had some plumbers that have just come round to check (free) and even one last year that helped me by me sending pictures of boiler, pilot light and he talked me through what to do (free)
Was really lovely.

But I agree with you. They can be unreliable and have heard awful stories of no shows or money taken and shoddy work done. I keep a handy list of people that I share with neighbours, friends and family.

I think it’s because they are self employed and take on lots of jobs, and then decide where the big money is?

C1N1C · 06/10/2023 07:31

The sneaky thing our local garage does is to send 'timed' messages via WhatsApp so they get deleted after a certain amount of time. ALL of them. Basically tells you what sort of business it is...

daffodilandtulip · 06/10/2023 08:00

I've got to the point where I don't wait for quotes now, if you actually turn up then you can have the job.

It took me six months to get a new window sorted because no one wants to turn up for a "small job". Similar for guttering, as everyone said it's only worth them doing full houses - I'm a town house so only have front and back.

AlwaysFreezing · 06/10/2023 08:04

decionsdecisions62 · 06/10/2023 07:14

They lie because they are not professional and do not have to conform to a professional body.

They do it because they are cowardly and regard it in the same way as dating. It's a form of ghosting but just in a work capacity.

Most of these men have a low educational level and don't evaluate the implications or importance of their actions.

I mean, I hate the way you're saying tradesmen are thick, but the merit in your post is absolutely seeking out those tradespeople with professional accreditations is the best idea.

LittleBrownJug · 06/10/2023 08:18

Short termism, they’ve got a job now, they’ll do it half-arsed & then move on. As a PP said poor education, poor decision-making skills, and some people are just generally thick let’s face it. No idea of how to build a loyal customer base. Just one job to the next, fuck the consequences or the word or mouth because there’ll always be some sucker to hire them.

I’ve found one excellent carpenter and I’m so happy, he’s brilliant & honest to a fault. Anything do do with plumbing / electrics though or a large job — my heart sinks. Can never get anyone.

CurlsandCurves · 06/10/2023 08:25

CeaselesslyIntoThePast · 06/10/2023 07:28

‘Cant seem to get a real job’. Is a plumber, carpenter, electrician not a ‘real job’?

’poorly educated’. As an example, have you any idea of the time and level of education it takes to train to become a gas heating engineer? Engineering, mathematics, physics is all involved. Hardly poorly educated. They also have to be reassessed in these qualifications every so many years. Same with many other trades. You can’t just dive in and give it a go, although I don’t doubt some do!

But yeah, they just work out how to lie to make money.

Original poster

Squaretiles · 06/10/2023 08:26

I was supposed to have a plumber call to me today. He said he will confirm on Thursday. I did send him a message last night asking him what's the story for today but he didn't respond. Am I to take it he's not coming now.

I hate this position because I don't know if I should find someone else (who also didn't pick up his phone) or if I should wait and see if the plumber will still call.

The face he was only asking for cash on the phone as well, I am tempted to report the fucker to the tax man now too for stringing me along. It's only manners to reply back to someone.

Do these trades people know the trouble we are generally having. I have a leak that needs repairing and I had to organise my demented mother who gets a fright easily and step out of my job and my life for today in preparation for him visiting.

This is wrong a d it has to stop. He's not the first person to string a potential customer along and he won't be the last but it's wrong and there should be a registrar where they eventually get struck off when they do it enough times.

OP posts:

fuckssaaaaake · 06/10/2023 08:39

decionsdecisions62 · 06/10/2023 07:14

They lie because they are not professional and do not have to conform to a professional body.

They do it because they are cowardly and regard it in the same way as dating. It's a form of ghosting but just in a work capacity.

Most of these men have a low educational level and don't evaluate the implications or importance of their actions.

This is really harsh but also true 😂

chopc · 06/10/2023 09:08

@Squaretiles why did your father think it was easier to string people along? Did he have poor communication skills?

And for the tradesperson who doesn't quote if the job is too small - why don't you try and be upfront next time? You would usually have an idea of how big the job is before you go right?

Next time I would name and shame on e locka Facebook groups or nextdoor

SerendipityJane · 06/10/2023 09:18

And who'd pay for that ?

We already have "Checkatrade" "RatedPeople" and a plethora of local community type listings. None of which are worth the paper they are printed on.

There is an old phrase "They who pay the piper". And in all cases the tradesman pays the listings body and therefore the listings body only cares about tradesmen. As I discovered many years ago when a top-rated roofer could not have fucked up our roof more if they had bombed it.

I now have a list of gateway questions for any tradesmen. Which is why I have been doing it myself ever since.

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