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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be furious with workmen?

128 replies

Moocherbot · 09/01/2017 15:45

My mother (mid 70s) had workmen in from Carpetright laying vinyl. 3 of them turned up. They told her they had run out of silicon and made her go out to a DIY shop to buy more, leaving them alone in the house.
She has told me this now and is clearly feeling guilty that she didn't put a stop to it at the time, so she's backtracking and telling me maybe this is normal.
Normal to get an elderly woman to go out to buy supplies (which she knows nothing about) that you ought to have brought, when there are 3 of you, and leaving you alone in her house?
I think it's outrageous, I want to complain about it, but she doesn't want to. I really want her to understand that you can say no to people or make an excuse but it's so hard to get through to her.
Any tips or advice please?

OP posts:
ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 09/01/2017 15:46

YANBU. I would be making sure that nothing has been stolen, and would be making a complaint to Carpet right...

Jinglebells99 · 09/01/2017 15:47

That's terribleShock I think you need to complain.

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 09/01/2017 15:48

It was the fault for not having enough supplies.
I would be complaining to the company. They were out of order.

FruJustFru · 09/01/2017 15:51

Under no circumstances would any decent tradesperson 'send' their client out to buy supplies. If they had run out, or not had enough with them, then one of them should have gone out themselves.

FondantNancy · 09/01/2017 15:52

Whaaat? That is crazy. Out of the three of them they couldn't send one person to the store?

Definitely complain.

cx5221 · 09/01/2017 15:53

I would complain about it. Also at risk of sounding cynical has she checked if anything is missing?

MerryMarigold · 09/01/2017 15:54

That is well out of order. Even if nothing is stolen NOW (that would be a bit silly), they could have had a good nose around for another time.

Soubriquet · 09/01/2017 15:54

I wouldn't be happy with that

Complain for sure

What decent company doesn't turn up with the right equipment and then sends the client out to get it?

No

DireTires · 09/01/2017 15:54

YANBU that is bizarre.

MerryMarigold · 09/01/2017 15:54

But check all the importants - jewellery and passports and spare keys.

cx5221 · 09/01/2017 15:54

MerryMarigold I thought that too.

lurkinghusband · 09/01/2017 15:55

She should send them an invoice for her time ....

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/01/2017 15:55

Sounds dodgy and I would be checking the house.

FondantNancy · 09/01/2017 15:55

If she doesn't want to complain can you do so on her behalf?

I really doubt they would've done this if it had been a young, male client, for example. They took advantage of your elderly mum.

DailyMailDontStealMyThread · 09/01/2017 15:56

That's not right at all!

mm81 · 09/01/2017 15:56

No decent tradesman would ever do that! This smells fishy. Check the house and make sure nothing's missing then complain to carpetshite.

Cookingongas · 09/01/2017 15:57

Complain. I'm a tradeswoman and manage a few teams. I'd go mental if any of my teams did this.

If nothing else it means they don't value their materials- just use any old shit (and in silicone cheap crap is just that)
It's disrespectful to the customer and may compromise their employers public liability insurance.

BumWad · 09/01/2017 15:58

I am Shock at this.

Sounds really dodgy actually...

xStefx · 09/01/2017 15:59

That's discusting, call the store manager as they wont use them again if they are getting bad complaints.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 09/01/2017 16:00

That is really odd, especially since they're working for a large company. It will inevitably get back to Carpetright if they continue that carry on. Confused
Unless your mum offered or insisted she went to get the materials? Really odd.

Make sure you have the right company. It could be a small independent cowboy trader going under a similar name? E.g. carpet rite?

Katinkka · 09/01/2017 16:00

Wtf. Not on and they need pulling up on this. Agree with checking nothing's missing

Allthewaves · 09/01/2017 16:01

Are you sure they havnt robbed her?

suchafuss · 09/01/2017 16:02

While I understand that you are furious (as I would be) if she doesnt want to complain then I think its up to her

mumonashoestring · 09/01/2017 16:03

Definitely help her check/inventory her jewellery, any cash she keeps in the house, other valuables, spare keys, important paperwork etc. If anything's missing, inform the police and get them round to take a statement. And tear a strip off the company supplying the vinyl/hiring the workmen - not normal, not acceptable.

mistermagpie · 09/01/2017 16:04

This is definitely fishy. i've had loads of workmen in and they have always brought the right euipment themselves or gone out to the suppliers to get it if something is missing/runs out.

I'm with the PP's - there might be nothing missing now (they would be a bit stupid if there is) but they could have been scouting for another 'visit', and if not they definitely took advantage of your mum.

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