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AIBU?

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Original poster

To put a comment on plumber’s Facebook page?

93 replies

Bagamoyo1 · 30/04/2021 00:00

I had a plumber booked to install a shower on Tuesday this week. It’s been a nightmare getting someone - they’re all so busy.
I texted him on Sunday to confirm and clarify timings. No reply till Monday when he said his van was in the garage and he couldn’t come. Since then I’ve chased him repeatedly, he only replies occasionally, just to tell me that he can’t get through to the garage and he still doesn’t have his van back. He claims he can’t do any work at all without his van.
It’s clearly all a lie, I know that, just because it sounds so ridiculous. But I’ve been polite, haven’t called him out on it, because I want him to do the work.
Anyway I’ve just found him on Facebook. Earlier today he posted several photos of a new bathroom he’s kitted out, saying “some of this week’s work”. I’m so tempted to post “but I thought you couldn’t work this week”, or something similar. Would that be terribly petty? I’m just really pissed off at being messed around. If I could tell him to forget it, I would - but it’s taken me 6 months to even get a quote, so if I cancel I’m back to square one.

OP posts:
mn81987 · 30/04/2021 07:03

Stop waiting for him, he doesn't want the job and won't ever come.

Hopdathelf · 30/04/2021 07:27

You don’t know the job wasn’t substantially finished last week and just needed a finishing touch.

You don’t know the post wasn’t artificially spaced out. This is advised to keep up regular engagement rather than have lots of posts while they do little jobs then a big gap while they undertake a big job, have holiday, etc.

Unless you are in possession of ALL the facts, don’t call him out online.

sweetchillidumplings · 30/04/2021 07:32

@ButtonMoony

Stop chasing him.

He has work coming out of his ears, he will get round to people when he can.

Customers who chase repeatedly just go to the bottom of the pile in the hope they will go away completely in my experience.

Eh? He will get round to people when he can? Why book it on for Tuesday then? I can't believe you think that everyone can just have work done whenever he gets round to it. Most people would have to plan it and take time off work. Why do we (not me.. royal we) let tradespeople get away with this bollocks Hmm
GiveTheGirlAGun · 30/04/2021 07:38

I would continue to book him. Then when he turns up, turn him away. Say you have changed your mind about using him.

Besom · 30/04/2021 07:43

He's a liar though. I wouldn't want him now. Keep looking for someone else. I wouldn't post on his page though just send him a personal message that you are moving on.

Weeedonkey · 30/04/2021 07:48

So I'd write a comment and then I'd sack him off and find a new plumber.

This

Original poster
Bagamoyo1 · 30/04/2021 07:49

The problem is, he claims to have ordered all the bits for the shower, so if I find someone else he might want to charge me for those.

He’s just sent me a message rambling about the van’s clutch and gearbox. I’ve asked if it would be better if I found someone else, and bought the shower/pipes etc from him. But of course he won’t reply for at least 24 hours.
If it was easy to find someone else, then I would do. But it’s taken me 6 months to get this far!
He wasn’t recommended as such - he approached me after I posted on the local Facebook site looking for recommendations. He has lots of positive reviews on his page though, so I thought he’d be OK.
I’m so sick of this crap. Why can’t tradesmen just be honest? If they’re too busy, then they shouldn’t take on the work. And they can’t claim they need to take on work “just in case”, because as far as I can tell they’re always crazy busy, so they don’t need to fear leaner times. Some of them act as if they’re the only people whose time matters.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bagamoyo1 · 30/04/2021 07:54

@Theunamedcat

Have you paid him anything yet?
No I haven’t. And actually, I haven’t paid the electrician he sent either, because I wanted to ensure the shower worked before parting with money. So the electrician isn’t too happy either. They’re blaming each other, because the electrician cancelled a day too, thereby delaying the plumber, who is now saying “if the sparky had done his bit on the day he was meant to, I’d have finished the job by now”. They’re mates, who pass work between each other. I’ve never paid a bill late in my life, but I really don’t want to pay the electrician until I know that what he’s done is actually functional, and I can’t test that till the shower is fitted. And the electrician wasn’t the easiest to pin down either!
OP posts:
Weeedonkey · 30/04/2021 07:58

I’d call him out on it OP. When he is prattling on about the van I’d say you’ve seen work he’s done this week.

I had contacted a window cleaner (had to WhatsApp him) got all my details to him he said he was free during X week and that he get a date to me closer to the time. Seemed good. Week before this week I messaged and he read it but no reply. That week came and went, radio silence. Then out of the blue I got a message (a month or so later) no sorry just ‘I can do tomorrow’ 🙄🤬 I just left it on read. If he’s have turned up and washed the windows I wouldn’t have paid as nothing was agreed. So I get your frustration OP, their time is far more precious obviously

Carolduckingbaskin · 30/04/2021 08:02

There is every chance that he schedules his Facebook posts in advance (or pays someone to do so). Totally normal thing to do.

Lubiluxe · 30/04/2021 08:07

He could be posting the pics late. Just for promotion. Give him the benefit of the doubt.

MrsTulipTattsyrup · 30/04/2021 08:09

I think that, because your job is a small one, you’re being ‘bumped’ for emergencies and bigger jobs. How long has he indicated your work will take? Our excellent local plumbers (who’ve responded very quickly to three emergencies over the last 15 years) have to jigsaw jobs, fitting in half-day or less jobs in between larger ones to keep an even work flow. They can’t afford to have a part-day where they don’t work. A couple of times a small, non-emergency job for us has been shifted at the last minute because of an emergency job, or one that has over-run, elsewhere, and I don’t mind because they’ve done the same for us when needed.

However, the big difference is that they are honest with us in these situations. I’d maybe try once more to have a conversation with this man, and then tell him that you aren’t happy that he’s not being truthful so will be finding someone else. It’s good you haven’t paid for anything yet; he’ll just have to keep those parts for a future customer.

drpet49 · 30/04/2021 08:11

** Stop chasing him.

He has work coming out of his ears, he will get round to people when he can.

Customers who chase repeatedly just go to the bottom of the pile in the hope they will go away completely in my experience.**

^I couldn’t care less. What do we put up with shit customer service from the trades? Why are they the only profession that are allowed to be late, not communicate and lie and people are happy to accept it?

Yes I would post a message. Too many people allow shoddy tradesmen to get away with their behaviour.

drpet49 · 30/04/2021 08:12

If he doesn’t want the work why can’t he just say so!!!!!!!

8dpwoah · 30/04/2021 08:13

What about a private message to him to say "I can see you've been really busy with jobs lately, would it be better for me to find a new plumber if I need to get this work done soon or are you still ok to come next week?" Polite, he knows you've seen the photos but you aren't being rude about it. Plus he should then give you an honest answer as you've asked directly.

Demelza82 · 30/04/2021 08:13

Going back to square one is better than giving money to someone like this. If you make a public comment on Facebook it is more likely to cause aggression and probably a pile-on/harrasment from their mates

AbsolutelyPatsy · 30/04/2021 08:13

no dont comment, it makes you look bad

Neonprint · 30/04/2021 08:15

Leave him alone. How entitled. You're prepared to damage someone's livelihood because they aren't getting back to you quickly enough? How important do you think you are?

TopBlogger · 30/04/2021 08:20

Can someone actually BE "entitled" when they are the one paying? Entitled to not be messed about I suppose Hmm

WeatherwaxOn · 30/04/2021 08:58

What I don't understand with tradespeople is why they can't just day that they are busy, or don't have time to take on your job
I'd rather that than someone who keeps making excuses as the latter just makes them look unreliable.
Personally I would find someone else who would commit to doing the job (probably easier said than done) and then cancel the other guy.
If that's not possible then I would go back to him and say that you can see he has a lot going on, you would like him to do the job and can be confirm when...but also if he is too busy you would appreciate him telling you so that you can make other arrangements as you need the job completed by xx (date).

Original poster
Bagamoyo1 · 30/04/2021 09:06

@Neonprint

Leave him alone. How entitled. You're prepared to damage someone's livelihood because they aren't getting back to you quickly enough? How important do you think you are?
You have a strange attitude to contracted work. I posted on Facebook asking for plumber recommendations. He contacted me, ascertained what the job was, and chose to take it. No one forced him. And you are aware that I’m planning to pay him? I’m not being “entitled” - at least, no more “entitled” than anyone else is when they’re paying for something. If I pay for a hair cut I’m think I’m entitled to a haircut. He chose to do the job, said he could do it, and is now clearly lying because he’s probably in the middle of a bigger job. It’s not the speed at which he’s getting back to me that bothers me, (although that is frustrating, especially as he claims he’s sitting at home doing nothing!), it’s the fact that he’s not turned up when he said he would, won’t give me another date, is telling an obvious pack of lies, and not having the decency to tell me he no longer wants the job. Meanwhile I have wires sticking out of my bathroom wall and an electrician (who he arranged) to pay, and a plumber who is messing me around. Do you seriously think I’m expecting too much?! And for the record, I won’t post on his Facebook page because I’d feel bad about it, but if I did, and his livelihood was damaged, then he’d only have himself to blame. There was no need for him to take the piss in the way that he is.
OP posts:
TheLastLotus · 30/04/2021 09:09

Given your update you should probably post something 😂
Since he approached you and is still messaging you

drpet49 · 30/04/2021 09:12

* He chose to do the job, said he could do it, and is now clearly lying because he’s probably in the middle of a bigger job. It’s not the speed at which he’s getting back to me that bothers me, (although that is frustrating, especially as he claims he’s sitting at home doing nothing!), it’s the fact that he’s not turned up when he said he would, won’t give me another date, is telling an obvious pack of lies, and not having the decency to tell me he no longer wants the job.*

^Without a doubt post a message OP and then find someone else.

Daphnise · 30/04/2021 09:15

As he's lied about the van, what else would he lie about?

Though it's hard, best to find another plumber- there are others- you do seem to be a bit fixated on this one!

Weeedonkey · 30/04/2021 09:21

@Neonprint

Leave him alone. How entitled. You're prepared to damage someone's livelihood because they aren't getting back to you quickly enough? How important do you think you are?
No that’s not the case. OP asked him if he could do work he lied and said his van was in the garage when he has posted about doing work ‘this week’ OP’s issue is that he’s dishonest and could’ve just said he was busy.
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