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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Utterly fed up of tradespeople not showing up

54 replies

DizzyFizzyLizzy · 08/02/2017 11:19

Asked a painter/decorator to come and give me a quote. Set up for 9am today. He even texted on Sunday to double check stil suited. No sign of him yet 🙄 No reply to my text as yet. Now I don't want to go out in case he turns up. DD (2) climbing walls.

Not the first time this has happened. About six months ago we needed a plumber. Phoned two in the local area and neither turned up when they said they would, texting later to apologise.

Is it me?! I don't get it!

OP posts:

coughsandsneezes · 08/02/2017 11:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

user892 · 08/02/2017 11:22

Go out. It's not your fault he doesn't really want the work. It's not just you - I've had a few no shows and I never heard from them again. Bloody rudeness.

user892 · 08/02/2017 11:23

Find someone else - even if this one doesn't get back to you. It's a shit start and can only get worse.

Original poster

DizzyFizzyLizzy · 08/02/2017 11:24

I agree user but I really really want the quote. It desperately needs done.

OP posts:

ElsieMc · 08/02/2017 11:25

I email first and if they don't reply, then I am glad I dodged a bullet and wouldn't bother with them again. Reliability is as important as a good job.

To be fair, those that have been recommended by others have tended to get back to me usually up to a week later and then turned up bang on time. I tend to go with word of mouth only now.

It is really annoying, but view it as avoiding a shit tradesman.

JurysOutt · 08/02/2017 11:27

Ha!ha! How about plasterer that comes, looks at job discusses it and promises to send quote, 2 days later sends quote a agreed and sets date to fix job. Date arrives timed 9am. Me all up next ready by 8am and cleared out floor for work. No plasterer at 9.30, gives him a quick call, not picking up, 4 phone calls later by 1pm I realise plastere is not coming.

Wondering if something horrible has happened to him and not giving up, I leave a message asking if he's okay and we're still expecting ha m for the job. He has never shown up nor replied any of the messages.

BlahBlahBlahEtc · 08/02/2017 11:41

My DP is a tradesman and never does this... however we have had several to the house for one thing or another (rented) and it happens constantly! Drives me insane. If my DP can manage why can't other people?!

user892 · 08/02/2017 12:07

Dizzy - you should always get at least 3 quotes for work that needs doing anyway.

Original poster

DizzyFizzyLizzy · 08/02/2017 12:07

Jury's that's terrible! Is there a trip advisor for tradespeople because there should be

OP posts:

Dearlittleflo · 08/02/2017 12:11

They do it because a bigger job comes up. It's infuriating and short-sighted, as they not only lose your business this time but all the potential next times.

OrangeSquashTallGlass · 08/02/2017 12:14

Urgh I had this with a moving company. They wanted to come round to price up and then the day comes and they don't turn up! Not only that but they also don't reply to my phone calls emails despite us originally emailing back and forth to sort the day/time. I can see they're still advertising and trading so why are they blanking me!?

Aeroflotgirl · 08/02/2017 12:19

It is unacceptable, this has happened to me in the past, got all manner of excuses why the plumber could not finish the work. Its piss poor, and they will loose business if they keep doing this, and no recommendation or word of mouth.

arbrighton · 08/02/2017 12:21

Doing my head in- man who's already looked at our roof but needs to do so again said he'd come yesterday afternoon. Didn't show so now I have to chase him.

Can't actually get hold of electrician full stop just now.

Plumber never showed last year.

Chimney sweep an hour late (if i'd have known he would be, i'd have walked the hyperactive dog....... )

Aeroflotgirl · 08/02/2017 12:33

I telephoned a few tradespeople, they were honest, and told me that they coulden't do the job as they were too busy, that's fine, fair enough, but to arrange something and string the customer on, is unacceptable.

jerryfudd · 08/02/2017 12:37

I have two now that have quoted for a job, we've accepted and agreed start date and they just haven't shown up - work was thousands of pounds too! When we need work doing my heart sinks a little unless we are dealing with firms we've previously used

ginnybag · 08/02/2017 12:39

I could have written this post myself today, and, in fact, almost did.

We're on attempt three for a chap to sort our guttering.

Came out and gave us a quote, all fine, booked him in, got the whole house up early. Didn't show, eventually answered a message an hour later.

Rearranged - got everyone up. No show. Eventually (an hour and a half after due) sent a message to say his mate had hurt himself the day before so wouldn't be able to help and its a two man job.

Okay, but why not tell me that the day before? Or even that morning? Or, y'know, at any point before your customer got you out of bed after the night before and you had to make up an excuse explain.

In theory, its being done today. I'm not holding my breath.

I'd've binned him off altogether after attempt two, but it's taken me 6 months to get this far!!

amammabear · 08/02/2017 13:05

Yes yes and a million times yes! Even someone I consider(ed) a friend has messed me around and I'm utterly fed up of it.

Aeroflotgirl · 08/02/2017 13:06

It seems as though it is so hard to get a decent reliable trades person. As well as being able to do the job well, they need extensive customer service training whilst they are studying their trade at college or what not!

Catdogcat · 08/02/2017 13:21

I feel your pain.
Been waiting since 8am for an electrician to come and fit some lights.

I thought it would be ok because I've used him before, still waiting.

I'm going to go out on principle now.

Catdogcat · 08/02/2017 13:21

Oh and I only arranged yesterday afternoon somnit like he had time to forget

BadKnee · 08/02/2017 13:26

Agree that it is infuriating - and worse - I have taken unpaid leave to wait for someone.

I more or less only go by word of mouth now but even that isn't foolproof.

I admit it is difficult to schedule work sometimes but communicaiton is key.

I had to have a boiler replaced before Xmas - the plumber was so busy and I really needed it done. I waited in one day but he texted and explained that he was dealing with a big leak that had turned out to be far more serious than he'd been led to expect - so we rescheduled. He was polite and kept me in the picture - and I got my boiler fixed on Xmas Eve!!

Why can't they all be like that. (But then why can't all customers be like that too? The "Always get three quotes for every job" rule means two thirds of your time is likely to be wasted quoting for jobs you know you won't get. If margins are tight it isn't worth it).

Aeroflotgirl · 08/02/2017 13:29

Badknee you have to get quotes, you want the best tradesperson for the job, and within a reasonable price. If they don't have time, say sorry I am busy.

GoodGirlGoneWrong · 08/02/2017 13:33

I am still awaiting 5 people to call me back only one of the 13 people I have contacted have actually turned up and given me a quote

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 08/02/2017 13:34

We usually try to go through Checkatrade. I found an ace plumber through them. Small job, came round straight away because he knew it wouldn't take long, fixed it and was apologetic for charging the minimum £50 fee. I didn't mind, because it was fixed.

He had just started up on his own though, so probably looking for work.

FunnysInLaJardin · 08/02/2017 13:38

drives me bonkers. I am still waiting for 2 quotes for bathroom work which we had completed in the summer! 2 plumbers actually came round and looked at the work but never bothered quoting. It was about £3k of work for a new shower and bath.

Luckily though for actual work I just leave a key out, and still 9 times out of 10 they don't turn up. Its like a constant 'guess whether the tradesman's been' when we get home

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