Would you text to ask if they're still coming?

[BusyCM]

Tradesman was due to come and give a quote today, their suggestion on day and time but they haven't come. I want to go out and enjoy the weekend, shall I text or just assume not coming? I don't want to pee them off because I really need them to do the job! Over an hour late....

I wish I knew. I've had a number of tradesmen either not turn up to quote or come and assess then I never hear from them again. I live in Pembrokeshire and it's known as "The Pembrokeshire Promise". Worse since pandemic.

Fair enough. Like I said, it was a reasonably sized job for his trade and he posts on SM the jobs that he does so it didn't seem unreasonable to think he might be able to do this.

I'll just accept that this how it is then and that I won't be able to get this task done. Shame as it's very much needed!

It was rude and inconsiderate and very unprofessional

Right up their with 'the dog ate my homework'

Van breaking down is another tried and tested.
"Might be a few days while I do this other job before they get the part in."

They lie and lie.

Don't believe the dog story.

Yeah he never messaged back to rearrange. I was so nice and polite too, and very flexible on dates. Very disappointed..

A likely story.

He clearly didn’t want to do the work

Happens all the time.
If he is that good then he can take his pick of jobs.

He could have just been honest but they never are.

It is so difficult to get reliable trades.

Because they make appointments like this, then drop you if they find a higher value project with a more valued customer, e.g a corporate customer who gives them work regularly.

Why not just say? Why ghost me?

I'm a childminder and if I can't or don't want to do a job then I say so, could you imagine if I just started this malarkey?

I don't know why they can't be honest, but they never are. All I can think is that they get a kick out of annoying people.

I'm finding them a nightmare since covid and you definitely need to keep chasing them. Now I just say 'please let me know if the job's too small and I'll get someone else' - it sometimes works.
The one other thing apart from them being selfish twats, is that I do know the incessant rain has out behind many outside jobs ie roofing and painting.

I agree, but this is what they do. I guess it's easier.

@abracadabra1980 I agree. I've sometimes said "are you going to commit to doing this job on this day and not drop it for something else, because I need to arrange time off work". I've also said "you weren't reliable, so I've found someone else". It doesn't hurt to let them know you know. I used to deal with contractors for work, and I'm prepared to be just as firm with them when it's for my home.

I have often puzzled over how and why it is that many tradesmen can treat their customers so appallingly.

I get into a bit of a state when I have to be dealing with this. I don't trust or believe a word they say when the inevitable no-shows and lies begin...the false reassurances, utter pish. And believe me, they feel perfectly entitled to do it...get salty AF if you question it.

It's a rotten dynamic to live and work by. I can't stand the fuckers.

Update!

He never got back to me.

However I contacted another handyman. He responded immediately, charged less and stuck to the appointment. He also went above and beyond by going to the shop and getting me a stronger bracket than the one that came with the product and coming back to finish it the next day, no extra charge. I'll definitely use him for more jobs.

So this story ended on a positive!