To put a comment on plumber’s Facebook page?

[Bagamoyo1]

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.

@8dpwoah

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.

This is a good response I think 👍🏻

@Daphnise

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!

It’s taken me 6 months to find a plumber who would reply to a message, give a quote, agree to the work and set a date. He also claims he’s ordered all the parts. So I’m wary of starting all over again. Especially as he might invoice me for the stuff he’s allegedly ordered. I’ve asked him if I should find someone else, and he hasn’t replied.

I feel for you Op. I have no solution but have been in a similar situation. Floor tiler was due to do my floor then cancelled repeatedly, after starting the job. Claimed his van had failed MOT. Plus a host of other excuses. Said he had bought underlay which was being delivered to me. Underlay never turned up and after 10 re-schedules I finally sacked him. I think it is probably time for you to find someone else....

@Bagamoyo1 I think you’re well within your rights to refuse to pay if he invoices you!

I get why your pissed off OP. I would be too.

I get these people can pick or choose the work they do and we're in a period where homeowners maybe have time and£ to get jobs done as they aren't spending it on holidays too. But honestly treating potential customers like this is pretty disrespectful. I mean, what's so difficult about being honest and upfront and possibly forwarding the work in to a fellow trusted professional?

If I was you I'd ask around on FB (or NextDoor if you have that) and ask for recommendations .... may take a few phone calls but hopefully you'll get someone else.

If you did have this guy I'd worry his Twat like attitude would extend to his work quality.

@PegasusReturns

Leave him a message to say you really want him to do the job, he came highly recommended but you appreciate he must be really busy so if he can recommend someone else that would be great and see how it goes.

The problem is trades have work coming out of their ears at the moment, a combination of people having more money; jobs backing up during lock down and people working from home do can easily get work done.

So you could try another plumber but chances are same issue.

Agree with this but there's a professional way to manage the situation. His was not.

Also agree with the many posters saying sit on your hands and bite your tongue ... step away from the FB comments route! It could get messy and nasty and you will look like the bad guy.

But if your ever asked fir a recommendation yourself you can advise people avoid him at all costs.

Does no one ever call these days? If he’s off the road he should be available to phone and discuss where you go from here.
My late husband was a gas engineer and he was rubbish at messages and that included to me! He would always phone customers.

Try it and see if you can pin him down, Citing what you gave in your last message.

I sometimes wonder if a very busy tradesperson isn't actually an indication that they're good but a result of people accepting below par work/crap service because they think getting someone new in is too much hassle. Especially elderly customers or very busy families.

@TopBlogger

"glad your van is sorted" is the most id say. He can suss what you mean

I love this!

I am having similar issues.
Job 1. New conservatory glass and roof. First visit last July. Said would be November. Rang Feb, "next on the list, I'll come down in a couple of weeks time." Still waiting, rang yesterday, had to just leave a message. If you can't do it, tell us.

Job 2. Gutter issues. Came round, quoted, "next week" that was 11 March. Still not done. One text yesterday, if no reply will go elsewhere. (Have had an ill/died MIL in that time period)

Job 3. Re-pointing. Came round. "Oooh big job, get you a quote." No quote, no contact. (Same as above)

It is frustrating as I am waiting for people who have said they will do the work, but they are just stringing me along. At what point do I just say "feck it."

100% call him out on it

Hardly damaging his reputation and livelihood when he's clearly happy to mess potential customers around and serves as a warning to other customers

I wonder if we used the same plumber. I had one out for a leak, I'd paid but he didn't fix it properly and then all of a sudden his van was in the garage exactly as yours, a week of following up and he kept on giving me excuses and still didn't fix. I had to get someone else out.
I debated leaving a bad review but I instead just deleted the nice review I'd left.

Don't comment on the photo but do it in the review bit.

I think you've done the right thing asking him if you should find someone else - it will either get him to come and do your job or lack of response will tell you he is never coming back!

This tactic got my plasterers who were messing about & delaying round to do the job

I am also trying to get quotes for bathrooms - not easy & people are taking ages to get back to me! You are also right to have not handed over cash in advance. Hopefully you can find someone else - and if we are allowed to travel perhaps people will start spending money on holidays instead :)

Most take ppl put posts up like that to get work in i have my own business and keep images and work back and post them spaced out he has more then likely done this and has an issue with his van,

PS - ask EVERYONE you know if they know a bathroom fitter/plumber, including any decent reliable tradesmen who have done work for you

Getting the reccos from previous customers is what counts. Can you ask neighbours, or local friends, & ask them to ask their friends?

A good tradesman is worth waiting for, although I respect people more if they say they can't come for 3 months rather than getting my hopes up
If you feel you can't trust him, start looking around. I wouldn't ask on Facebook as you just get their mates replying. Ask your friends and neighbours

@Backupthebus

Does no one ever call these days? If he’s off the road he should be available to phone and discuss where you go from here. My late husband was a gas engineer and he was rubbish at messages and that included to me! He would always phone customers. Try it and see if you can pin him down, Citing what you gave in your last message.

It’s weird when I was looking for a window cleaner, they would only WhatsApp (now I know it’s because they can just ignore you!) 🤣

Do it. Part of the problem is he’s probably not being challenged enough, like a lot of workmen then he thinks he can do what he likes. I wouldn’t be having him do the work now anyway, if he ever bothers to show up then he may well flake out with some random excuse

The bathroom was most likely half done, he could have left tools there. For him, which is annoying for you it's likely a small job and will try do jobs that are worth more and fit this in between bigger jobs. I wouldn't comment, I'd be pissed off but if you do he's very unlikely to be happy and the work may not be to the best standard. 6 months to get a quote seems an awfully long time as well.

I've had the same issues finding trade people recently. Try mybuilder.com lots of local trades people rated by their customers.

Yes leave a comment to warn others & then step away & find someone else. Try looking a bit further afield, we were in this same situation & plumbers from the next town were very grateful for the work & no bad attitude like they are doing you a favour as too many were locally

Take this as a warning, if he can't be arsed with good communication & honesty now. No way in hell do you really want this guy working for you

Oh and loving the comments about you being “entitled”. He agreed to do it and set a date. He wasn’t forced to do those things

Facebook algorithm also mean it's better to post regularly so potentially could have been done months ago and is just looking for engagement to try get additional Customers.