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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:
MrsFezziwig · 02/09/2019 11:54

7 calls is a lot - either he may be rubbish and has no work, or it may be that he is good and has been let down on another job and is keen to fit you in before his next job starts.
Equally I can’t imagine why you would give your number out for someone to call but be totally unavailable to take that call. That’s really annoying. Why didn’t you text him after the first time he rang & suggest when he could ring you?

Butchyrestingface · 02/09/2019 11:54

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!

I had to call my colleague 5 times t’other day before we were finally able to have a conversation. 🤷‍♀️

We both have shite signals in the house.

SerendipityJane · 02/09/2019 11:56

Meanwhile, in another corner of Mumsnet, someone will be grumbling about tradesmen that never get back to you.

ReTooth · 02/09/2019 11:56

If he just called then I don’t think it’s pushy or weird. If he left 7 voicemails then that’s weird.

HeadintheiClouds · 02/09/2019 11:57

Did you explain in your advert that you weren’t available during the normal working day? You can’t work 14 hour shifts back to back, surely?

LagunaBubbles · 02/09/2019 12:00

Did you make it clear in the advert when people could get hold of you?

Tonnerre · 02/09/2019 12:01

Ringing seven times because you haven’t had a call back is rude and shows a total lack of boundaries.

I don't think that's correct over a period of 14 hours. The builder may simply have thought it was worth trying in case OP had not had her phone on her earlier, or was in meetings or something.

AutumnCrow · 02/09/2019 12:05

My OH is in the building trade. One of the biggest complaints he hears from prospective customers is that previous builders who were contacted didn't get back to the customer, weren't keen to quote, didn't seem bothered about getting the job, 'disappeared', etc.

Builders also have to timetable their jobs as efficiently as possible. A good builder wants to work with the customer on this directly.

So I'm a bit 50:50 on this, like pp ^^

Original poster
Lily2811 · 02/09/2019 12:06

No, I don't work 14 hour shifts every day I obviously have days off.

OP posts:
BeerandBiscuits · 02/09/2019 12:19

He's unlikely to phone before 7am or after 10pm if you don't tell him to.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 02/09/2019 12:21

The builder is obviously keen to get the work

Make that "desperate" Hmm

I know we all complain - and quite rightly - about tradesmen who never get back, but seven calls is just ridiculous if he was able to leave a message in the first place

Definitely one to avoid, OP

LillithsFamiliar · 02/09/2019 12:40

But it doesn't say he left 7 messages. He's tried the number at different times because he's trying to get them to answer.
I don't think that's odd. Depending on the size of the building company, there could be a member of staff who just chases leads. Of course, they're going to keep calling until they find out the detail of the job, get to bid, etc.

Apolloanddaphne · 02/09/2019 12:52

You can't have it both ways. You need someone to do your work. He is trying to contact you as he can probably do the work for you. You are not available during normal working hours. He is probably frustrated at trying to contact you and getting no answer.

Brefugee · 02/09/2019 13:18

YABU for not making it clear when you're available or not to take his calls.

Builders, like most other tradespeople, are desperate for work. It would be kind to call him back in your lunchbreak (can you do that?) and tell him when you can talk.

DontCallMeShitley · 02/09/2019 13:25

A while ago there was a poster who said that her partner was trying to get his business started, a builder or handyman, not sure which. His customers were happy with his work but people were reluctant to take him on because he was new. He might be trying hard even now to get work.

There are many builders out there, and lots of competition.

sasparilla1 · 02/09/2019 13:29

I'm also 50:50 on this.

My dh is a roofer and, as above, speaks to lots of people that complain about trades not calling back. So he does make a point of calling people back, but I do think this is a little excessive. On the other hand, the guy in question may have a day or so to fill, and so is keen to get this booked in.

Dh is lucky, he's pretty well respected so actually has more work than he can get to. He's worked all weekend!

AlrightOkNow · 02/09/2019 13:42

Yes, I had this once from Rated People when I put up an ad for work in our bathroom. The builder was so pushy, multiple texts, calls etc. after I had already told him I'd have to check the very low (unbelievable, in fact) price he'd given me with my DH. When he persisted, I reiterated this again and that I can't answer or rush this as I had a very young baby at the time. I later saw he was removed from the site from breaking their code of conduct. God knows whether he did something worse to someone else but I would steer clear!

HCHQ · 02/09/2019 13:42

If you posted the ad on something like ratedpeople.com then the tradespeople have to pay a fee to get your contact details - might explain why he's so keen to get hold of you - nobody likes to waste money.

SheChoseDown · 02/09/2019 13:42

You had time to write this post but not to call or txt him? OK Confused

HeadintheiClouds · 02/09/2019 14:14

Just ring the poor sod back, instead of moaning that he called between the hours of 7am and 10pm, which is what most normal people would do.

Original poster
Lily2811 · 02/09/2019 14:46

I've just had an abusive message from the person in question so can for sure know I wasn't being unreasonable!!

OP posts:
GammaStingRay · 02/09/2019 14:49

Oh sorry to hear that OP! Hope you’re okay.

No doubt someone will find a way to make it your fault for not replying. I’m very surprised anyone would think seven calls one after the other is in any way justified or not a raging red flag.

HennyPennyHorror · 02/09/2019 15:33

Oh well then. I suppose we can assume all overly keen tradesmen are nutters then.

HeadintheiClouds · 02/09/2019 15:38

Why didn’t you just ring him back? You were being unreasonable.
I don’t believe for a second that he send an abusive message to someone he’d never spoken to before, how very convenient.
Maybe you should contact the police, they take abusive messages quite seriously, I believe...

Original poster
Lily2811 · 02/09/2019 15:46

I think your head might be a bit in the clouds. Why would I lie Hmm

OP posts:
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