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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that houses do not come with an after sales service??

240 replies

TiaMariaandDietCoke · 13/10/2011 13:42

I'll try to keep this short. We sold our old house and the buyer moved in at the end of June. He's a single guy, just a couple of years younger than us. During the run up to the sale he was a bit of a PITA, we had to do lots of hand holding etc and his parents kept coming to the house to 'measure up' (never measured a damn thing) and would spend HOURS chatting with me and not showing any interest in the house at all.

We put up with it because he was willing to wait for our new build to be ready before he moved in, so that saved us the cost and hassle of renting. We also felt a bit sorry for him as he's just starting out for the first time, so left him quite a lot of extras not included in the sale of the house to help him out, chased up his solicitor for him when things stalled because he 'didn't know how to', left him loads of info about the area, who his neighbours are, when the bins are collected, left him food and a welcome to your new home present and card - basically anything we thought would help him settle in - he was very pleased!

Now I'm begining to wonder if being so nice was a mistake. He has my mobile number and has sent texts on and off all summer asking daft questions about the house, all of which I've answered and have even called him to talk explain stuff in more detail when he's been confused. He's also turned up unannounced at our new home which we didnt give him the address of and we dont know how he knows where it is for no particular reason, dropping off junk mail that he 'thinks is for us' Confused so far, irritating, but no big deal really.

until monday night, when his mother turned up at our house unannounced and barged in asking me to come and sort out his bloody heating! Shock There's nothing wrong with the heating, just he's not sure how to programme it to suit his working shifts.

me: "didn't he read the manual?"
her: "there is no manual"
me "err, yes there is - we handed it to you along with everything else - and I left written instructions because you asked for them - and there are instructions on the control unit itself"
her "oh, yes, so there is - well, can you come and do it anyway?"

now, this woman was not taking no for an answer so I stupidly agreed that DH and I would nip down for 10 MINUTES tonight to sort it. This was after me offering several days that I could come down and her saying that no, that time/day wouldn't suit. He wanted me to come then and there, or preferably on saturday evening, because that would suit her best. When I told her I had plans this weekend and couldnt come, her response was "well, that's not very convenient for poor DS" Confused ffs!!

The house, by the way is in great condition, heating system is only a few years old as as simple as they come - its not like he's struggling in some old run down house with quirky appliances!

AIBU to think they are extracting the urine, or am I just being a bit of a Caah? I'm of a mind to set the damn timer for him and then make it crystal clear that we will not be coming back and he needs to sort things out himself from here on in - what do the MN jury think?

OP posts:
Original poster
TiaMariaandDietCoke · 13/10/2011 16:00

I see where you're coming from Kungfu, but I don't want to leave the door open for them to ask again - I'm planning on going, demonstrating how to push the three buttons on the controls programme the heating and then leave - forever!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
TiaMariaandDietCoke · 13/10/2011 16:04

Arf at Snorbs! I've just half choked to death on my tea at that! I can just imagine her face Grin - is it very, very sad that I'm now kinda looking forward to don't really mind going any more?

OP posts:
BattyDevineIntervention · 13/10/2011 16:05

Get Kung Fu to tell you about how solicitors charge/invoice in 6 minute blocks Grin

KatieMortician · 13/10/2011 16:21

If even the man-child can't be bothered to be there I don't see why you should!

They'll want you back in two weeks when the clocks change, at Christmas when he's on holiday for a week (and presumably returns to the literal bosom of his mother), then in the New Year when he goes back to work, in March when the clocks change, in April when the weather warms up, then back in May when there's an unexpected cold snap, repeat April/May fannying until September, then back to here this time next year!

Type up Kungfu's letter and hand deliver it to his mother. Stay long enough for her to read it, register the look on her face before turning on your heel and leaving.

catchafallingstar · 13/10/2011 16:22

Why on earth are you going round????!!!!!!!

You're not their landlord, as has been pointed out.
It's nothing to do with you.

Don't turn up.
If they contact you again, hand them the yellow pages!
I would be severely annoyed and would contact a lawyer about the on-going relationship your buyer wants to have with you (perhaps he fancies you![hgrin])

TRY TO ENJOY YOUR NEW HOME!

TandB · 13/10/2011 16:22

Yes, but Batty, I am a legal aid lawyer. We operate on fixed fees these days. And often the legal aid board just decides they don't fancy paying and ignores our bills.

[looks suspiciously at tiamaria and wonders if she is in fact our legal aid contract manager]

starfishmummy · 13/10/2011 16:24

Katie I was just thinking about the clock change too - so thats twice a year until he moves out/buys a new boiler plus all the other times he needs to change the controls.....

Original poster
TiaMariaandDietCoke · 13/10/2011 16:32

I can assure you I will not be going back after tonight, not even when the clocks change! Grin

Catcha - I don't think he fancies me oh god I hope not but I'll have my DH with me just in case haha!

Right, despite the fact I can probably be marked for life as a clear loon for doing it, I'm going tonight but will be limiting it to 10 minutes and will be making it very clear that I won't be back. I'll be back online when i get home so will update you then!

OP posts:
GetOrfMo1Land · 13/10/2011 16:34

Haha what a bunch of loons.

Tell them to go away.

I love threads like this. People are barking. When I bought a house years ago (in a small town) we kept on seeing the vendors, and they always asked about the house. We had some work done on it and when they saw us once they mentioned that they saw painters and decorators vans outside, asked what room we had changed and said 'I hope it's not the dining room it took us ages to paint that' (and yes it was, it was painted yellow, jade green and blue with aztec carpet Hmm)

KatieMortician · 13/10/2011 16:36

Or his mother fancies you.

Snorbs · 13/10/2011 16:39

I really would make it very clear to them that you would be happy to act as a heating consultant for them in the future and that you charge by the hour to do so. Similarly, any production of training materials (eg, manuals) can be arranged at extortionate reasonable cost.

I'm an IT geek by trade and I often get asked to fix people's computer problems. Most of the time I do it as a favour but if anyone tries to take the mickey then I tell them my hourly rate. Funnily enough they generally find someone else to pester.

Tigresswoods · 13/10/2011 16:44

Do not go round. Are you mad?!? So not your problem!

KatieMortician · 13/10/2011 16:45

The vendors we bought from are lovely people. Really, really nice but they did appear at the door one Saturday afternoon after I'd been working and was having a kip on the sofa.

She was very interested in the paint tins and wanted to see what we had been doing. I was less than keen (because the place was a tip). She then went on and on about how the kitchen in the new place was terrible. Not at all like the kitchen they had put in the house that was wonderfully spacious and light.

I am now going to post a picture of that kitchen on my profile for you to marvel.

soandsosmummy · 13/10/2011 16:45

This should make him think!

Dear Buyer

Thank you for your valued custom. I hope you have enjoyed your free warranty service. Unfortunately, I must advise you that, your new home is now out of warranty.

I am delighted to tell you though that the warranty may be extended for one year at only 10% of the purchase price. If you wish to avail yourself of this excellent offer, please complete the enclosed form and return with a cheque of £x.

I wish you every continued happiness in your new home and look forward to continuing to offer you a service following receipt of your payment.

Yours sincerely

Tia Maria

PS this warranty applies to the named buyer only and not to members of his extended family.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 13/10/2011 16:45

I so want you to send them kungfupannda's letter, and then tell us the response, tiamaria - pllllleeeeeeeease do!

And I will join kungfu's fan club, having enjoyed her command of language on this and many other threads.

soandsosmummy · 13/10/2011 16:48

agree kungfu's letter is great Grin (wouldn't like to receive it though!)

WilsonFrickett · 13/10/2011 16:49

Bonkers. Quite, quite bonkers.

I will soooooo be checking back later OP so you better update!

thederkinsdame · 13/10/2011 16:49

don't you dare go round there, Tia. If you do, you are enabling their behaviour. Block their phone no and print out kungfu's letter. If they turn up again, pass it to them, smile politely and close the door.

Hullygully · 13/10/2011 16:52

Or...Go round there and really come on to the ds in a scary big time way. (This won't work if you are gorgeous though. It might backfire quite badly).

ScarahStratton · 13/10/2011 16:57

There's plenty of them out there. I sold my house in Essex, moved up here and promptly went away for a month. Got back, switched my mobile on and was inundated with furious messages from my buyer. Couldn't get the television to work apparently.

She rang again that evening. I pointed out that the reason she couldn't get her television to work was because she hadn't tuned the bloody thing in.

Could I go round and tune it in for her? No please, just 'When can you come round?'

Err, that will be never, I live in Lincolnshire now you daft bint. And it's your bloody television, and your house now.

She rang about the heating, too. It's probably the same woman.

HerScaryness · 13/10/2011 17:12

" don't you dare go round there, Tia. If you do, you are enabling their behaviour. Block their phone no and print out kungfu's letter. If they turn up again, pass it to them, smile politely and close the door"

THIS Do THIS^ (please)

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 13/10/2011 17:19

Oh this is brilliant! I love loons.

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 13/10/2011 17:21

Shock at Scarah's TV loon.

BOOareHaunting · 13/10/2011 17:22

kung-fo have you made it your personal quest to meet all the loons of the world? Grin Love your letter.

tiaMaria YADNBU, or a caah. Your normal, this woman and her son are far from it.

Anyone wish the son will be there to find out exactly what he thinks of his overbearing mother?

ScarahStratton · 13/10/2011 17:30

Ohh it would be fab if Mummy turned up on here