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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is a bit pushy and weird?

65 replies

Lily2811 · 02/09/2019 11:05

I put a notice out a couple of days ago online for a builder to do some work in my house. A local builder has now rang me seven times in a row (I work 14 hour shifts so haven't called him back as I've only been able to talk before 7am or after 10pm) and text me! AIBU to think this is a bit pushy and weird?!

OP posts:
GammaStingRay · 02/09/2019 11:10

Yeah that’s absolutely nuts and a glaring red flag. Has he left voicemails or sent any texts?

I’d not even consider him to do the work personally based on this.

dollydaydream114 · 02/09/2019 11:12

Do you mean you had seven missed calls, or seven voicemails? If it’s the former, that’s fine - he’s just trying a few times in case you’d left your phone in another room or something and couldn’t get to it quick enough to pick up. And it makes sense to text someone if they haven’t answered your call.

You’ve asked for someone to contact you about a building job. A builder has tried to do so. Obviously he’s going to make an effort to get through.

Most of the time on Mumsnet people complain that tradespeople never get back to them Confused

InterestingView · 02/09/2019 11:13

You posted an ad and someone replied to you and you are annoyed? If you can only speak every day before 7am and after 10pm I dont think you'll have much luck. Maybe put in the ad that email is best for future responses.

NoDontLookAtMeImShy · 02/09/2019 11:13

I went to test drive a car recently in a sales garage.
I said I would call him pay the deposit when the house has completed.

He called and called.

I said we lost our buyer, it's back on the market and I will call him and not to worry about calling me.

I said that three times.

He called and called and called and left messages and called.

I blocked his number eventually.

So now the house is near completion, I won't be buying a car from him. I felt harassed!

NoDontLookAtMeImShy · 02/09/2019 11:14

In other words YANBU don't use his service

dollydaydream114 · 02/09/2019 11:14

And if you’re only available before 7am and after 10pm, you might find it quite hard to have a conversation as that’s way outside most people’s working hours. Builders have a family life too, you know.

NoDontLookAtMeImShy · 02/09/2019 11:15

You posted an ad and someone replied to you and you are annoyed?

That's not what happened though, is it? Are you confused about what actually happened?

dollydaydream114 · 02/09/2019 11:17

That's not what happened though, is it?

The OP says she placed an ad asking for builders to contact her, and a builder contacted her. She didn’t answer the phone because she is only available before 7am and after 10pm (ie when most people aren’t making work calls) so he kept trying on the grounds that she had asked to be contacted.

So I’d say that is what happened.

GammaStingRay · 02/09/2019 11:20

A few times? Ringing seven times because you haven’t had a call back is rude and shows a total lack of boundaries. Wouldn’t want to enter any kind of professional exchange with someone who thinks that’s a normal way to act tbh.

TixieLix · 02/09/2019 11:20

The builder is obviously keen to get the work and if you never pick up your phone I can understand why they kept trying. I'd check out the company online to see what reviews they've received from recent customers before making my mind up whether they're weird just from some repeat attempts at trying to reach you.

GammaStingRay · 02/09/2019 11:22

It’s rude to just keep ringing someone over and over again. Two, three max missed calls is okay. Seven is so far over the line.

It’s normal etiquette to ring a couple times and leave a voicemail or send a message so the other person can respond when they’re able to. Not to just keep calling again and again. Red flag city.

PleasedToSeeYou · 02/09/2019 11:22

does he know you can only talk at those times , otherwise its a bit extreme

InterestingView · 02/09/2019 11:23

😂😂 mumsnet is a crazy place sometimes. Good luck with your building work OP!

sillysmiles · 02/09/2019 11:24

YABU - text him to let me know you can't speak. Why would you put up an ad that you can't take calls for.

HennyPennyHorror · 02/09/2019 11:32

He needs the work. Instead of calling him pushy and weird, why don't you consider that he may be desperate? And call him determined and ambitious instead?

Things aren't great for tradesmen in the UK at the moment. Call him back and stop gloating.

Idontwanttotalk · 02/09/2019 11:38

I don't know why you would even bother placing an ad when you aren't going to be available to take calls from builders between 7 a.m. and 10 a. m. You are being weird and YABVU.

I don't think the builder is being pushy and weird. He probably wonders why he can't get hold of you.

Myriade · 02/09/2019 11:42

As a sole trader, if someone asks for my work, i get back to them once. If no anser, I do ring them again a second time then I just leave it.

7 times is excessive.

Myriade · 02/09/2019 11:43

HennyPennyHorror, I think i would actually avoid a builder who is desperate for work.
Because that would tell me he doesnt have much work so I would question how good he is.

Juells · 02/09/2019 11:44

I've only been able to talk before 7am or after 10pm

How is anyone supposed to contact you at those hours?

Myriade · 02/09/2019 11:45

@Lily2811, btw, I do know how hard it can be to contact a customer, you leave a message. They might ring you at a time you cant asnwer etc....

Thats wy I would advise you to send a quick text to confirm youve had their message as well as a indication of hen you could have a chat.

(I would still wonder if this s a god idea to do with that particular builder)

Butchyrestingface · 02/09/2019 11:46

@Lily2811 How did you ask prospectives to contact you - by phone or email?

If the former, did you state that you can only speak to people at these times?

Beesandcheese · 02/09/2019 11:46

Outright tell him that due to the harraunging pressure you'll be going elsewhere.

Butchyrestingface · 02/09/2019 11:47

Outright tell him that due to the harraunging pressure you'll be going elsewhere

What harraunging pressure? He’s tried to call her and not go through.

InterestingView · 02/09/2019 11:48

😂 pressure? From some missed calls?

Honeyroar · 02/09/2019 11:52

I'm 50/50 here. It's weird to put an advert up then not answer calls, but it's a bit desperate to keep ringing!