Is this repair man taking the mick?

[HarryPotterFan21]

Booked a repair man to come out on Tuesday to look at my washing machine.
All was fine until 9pm at night he messages saying he's away that day and wants to come today instead. Was rather annoyed as took the morning off work but gave him the benefit of the doubt. He messages me late last night again asking if he can come during the school run time. I told him no as I have to take my kids to school and he's moaning saying he's really busy today and struggling to fit me in.
AIBU to cancel and find someone else? Is it me or are they being extremely unprofessional messaging late at night? I also asked for a quote and they couldn't give me one. he came recommended so not a cowboy.

He is , not unexpected for self employed people . They can do the fixing but forget organisation is part of the job as well.

I'd be wondering why he booked your job in if he's now struggling to fit you in.
Moaning about not being able to come during the school run makes me think of opportunistic thief as well. Some people would want their washer done desperately and the chopping and changing might make them just say whatever since they'll not be too long.

See if he can rearrange and stick to it one last time if you really want to try him, otherwise I'd just look elsewhere.
Hes flaky.

Had this just last night. Electrician wanted to come to my rented flat to do some "maintenance" the next day with less than 14 hours notice because he was doing next door anyway. Even though I work shifts and would normally be asleep.

Then last night he asked to come again, texted at 9pm, wanted to come this morning. I said I couldn't and I'm getting annoyed about the presumptive late night texts and less than 24 hours notice. He asked when I could do next week and I gave him two days but would be flexible with times... he hasn't bothered to reply.

Pp is right that mostly male traders completely fail at admin and back office organisation.

I has this last week with a guy who was supposed to sweep my chimney, he kept chopping and changing and in the end I told him not to bother and I found someone else. There is nothing worse than chasing tradesmen

Realistically he cant quote until he knows what's wrong, but he should be able to confirm his call out fee.

Chopping and changing sounds unprofessional so would cancel and look for someone else.

@Sparklfairy I'm not sure it's that unreasonable to check of he can come if hes going to be next door, you don't have to agree obviously. Surely it could be a convenient time for you and would get it done sooner, but he won't know unless he asks.

I booked someone a couple of weeks ago who said he can only come one day this week and “can squeeze us in before 11”. Stayed at home from
work, organised the school run accordingly, he texted “coming 1-2”, then rocked up at 3 pm (just in time for the afternoon school run which I said I would do because DH did both morning ones I was at home waiting for this guy).

What I’m saying is, you should take such prior behaviour into consideration when booking, and punish it by taking your business elsewhere. But it’s a traders’ market and you might not get better behaviour elsewhere

Yes that's what I mean I don't even know his call out fee or anything. I don't have any money on me as I don't know how much it'll cost, do they even take card payment now?
Just very annoying, I understand it's hard being self employed and having lots of little jobs but if he had messaged me a few hours earlier I could of arranged someone to take the kids to school. We'll see if he turns up if not I'll go elsewhere as I'm rather annoyed now. The last message he sent was at 11.38pm!

What’s the problem with the washing machine?

I've never had problems with tradesmen before. Always turned up on time whenever I've booked so didn't consider it.
Will be in the future though and asking for a firm time slot or take my business elsewhere.

@GoWalkabout

@Cissyandflora

What’s the problem with the washing machine?

It's locked itself and won't spin to unlock and my clothes are stuck. I'm no good with DIY haven't got the foggiest what I'm doing otherwise I'd of done it myself.

Have you tried switching it off at the plug? And you could also try draining any remaining water out of the little hose thing into a tub.

I'd Google it. I bet this is a problem you can solve yourself.

I had similar once and just had to empty the filter to get the excess water out. Until I googled I had no idea there even was a filter!

It seems to be the nature of the beast I'm afraid. They seem to have so much work they can juggle it to suit them and aren't bothered about the odd cancellation - which probably doesn't actually happen most of the time as people are desperate to get their repair done and finding an alternative tradesman is easier said than done.

Sorry, wrong thread 🙏

@DDiva no but it was the late night texts and lack of notice and organisation that has annoyed me. Its not emergency maintenance so he would have known before 9pm last night when he texted.

Tbh the letting agent manages half my street and most of my city anyway so it won't be long before he has another job round the corner. I told him before that I work nights and stuff like this I have to rearrange my sleeping pattern. It was just annoying.

Sorry only just saw you had replied to me OP. That’s fixable. Did you pay someone yet?

Is the child lock on by accident. Google how to release it. Take 10 seconds to release?

Op, put a towel down, twist open the twist bit at the front.

I'm betting its a blockage from one the kids pockets not being emptied- happens in our house every few months!

Water will spill out, put your hand in, might be excess fluff and hair, might even be a face mask, a drier sheet, small small sticks we had one time. Once removed put the machine back on to spin.

You might find it's all in working order again

Just don't forget to put the twisty cap thing back in, and do it up tight! DH forgot once and flooded the kitchen.

But no deffo not BU with the repair man. He's changed the appt already its a bit shit of him to expect to do it again

Usually press and hold the star button to a count of ten till you hear a click but depends on make.

Start button

Or if it had locked once the cycle has finished you can Google the fault and the make and model of your machine... for some reason I added in that it was stuck and full of water... think I just made it into the problem I usually have! (Apologies!)

But if it is just stuck on child lock it'll be an easy fix.

I had one that previously did it. The repair man came out and pressed the pause/play button for about 15 seconds and it unlocked.