To embarrass this Gardner?

[InsanelyPregnantAndSore]

DH and I were desperate to get a time sensitive item done to our garden. We posted on our village Facebook for recommendations and a local company were recommended and sent me a message. Told them our time scales...etc.

Guy came to quote said he’d be in touch but then nothing.
Chased - promised would send that day.
Still nothing, waited ages.
Chased (promised to send)
Nothing
Chased
Reposted on Facebook asking for other recommendations again. Locals ask if he wasn’t available?
Immediately receive a text from him having seen my post and clearly not wanting me to say anything that’ll look bad on him.

Receive the quote and agree it. Ask about timescales and he says he’ll call back tomorrow.
Nothing
Chase till blue in face.
He comes and does a very half hearted job (obviously wonky hedge) tries to claim DH didn’t give him clear instructions despite DH and I both being crystal clear.
Comes again and does job properly.

DH and I now need something else doing in garden. Got in touch with him offering the job (we are rural so not lots of choice and knew he’d see any Facebook posts) but he’s twice now said he’ll send over a quote on a specific day and hasn’t.

I keep being very direct but polite about his crap communication and still getting lots of promises that don’t materialise.

AIBU to re post asking for available Gardner's and sod him if he’s embarrassed that I’m asking for other recommendations locally because he’s flaky and non dependable?

YANBU. It sounds like he's coasting along on the back of his passable reputation ... given to him by some very complacent locals!

If someone ha sto be chased like this, they don't want to do that job.

I don't understand why would someone hire someone they ahd to push like this into a quote. Just find someone else

@HidingFromDD

Shed removal is probably handyman not gardener anyway.

My thoughts exactly.

My DSS and I demolished a decrepit shed in my garden, smashed it up and took it to the tip ourselves. It only took an hour or so. Pop in the local pub and ask if there are any handymen/odd-job men who would undertake the job.

I sometimes think tradesmen are reluctant to say something's not really their line of work.

Block him then he can’t see your Facebook posts even on the village page.

Good idea to block him.

I'm on my 4th attempt to get someone to lay a patio. Been trying for 2 years now. They come out, measure up, then disappear. Or the measure, email a quote and then disappear. This latest one has measured, quoted, given a date of 1st week of April and disappeared.

I just know I’ll get a lot of ‘oh is X not available then?’ And he’ll no doubt comment again offering his services so I’ll have to say something like ‘I can only assume he’s very busy atm as I struggle to get reliable communication despite chasing constantly’

Block him, ignore them. Or, if you want to wind them up, just say 'Please don't recommend Mr Gardner', but do not specify why'

Just be tactful. Post the job and ask for recommendations and if anyone suggests the unsatisfactory gardener say he isn't available atm. If he is as bad as you say he is people will read between the lines.

Gardeners are a minefield. IME anyone with access to a shovel and a lawnmower thinks they can set themselves up as a gardener and do a shit job. I've currently got someone reasonably knowledgeable and skilful who turns up when he says he will. He costs an arm and a leg but the sheer joy of not having to do it myself is priceless.

@SchrodingersImmigrant

If someone ha sto be chased like this, they don't want to do that job.

I don't understand why would someone hire someone they ahd to push like this into a quote. Just find someone else

You are quite right. As with boyfriends sometimes no communication sends a more truthful message than 100 communications.

Find/ask for someone else for sure. Ignore his fb replies like he's ignored yours!

Not sure why you used him in the first place tbh. Why employ somebody he demonstrates how unreliable he was before he's even started

Just ask around for someone who does fencing and property maintenance rather than gardening. Maybe the neighbours would know of someone?