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AIBU?

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Original poster

"I'll be there around 2pm"

106 replies

ReyFinn · 03/08/2023 14:35

If a workman was attending for a quote and said he'd be there 'around 2pm' what bracket of time is acceptable to you?

OP posts:
DrinkFeckArseBrick · 03/08/2023 18:21

For a friend meeting me somewhere, usually 1.50 to 2.15.

For a tradesperson, I'd take that as any time that afternoon. Laughing at all the 'between 1.45 and 2.15' responses. Even the most organised tradesperson won't be able to plan their jobs and travel with that degree of accuracy unless they have a very predictable job e.g. assembling the same small range of flat pack furniture

UsingChangeofName · 03/08/2023 18:25

Carpediemmakeitcount · 03/08/2023 17:10

I would say a reasonable time for a trademark is between 5 and 6pm. They work for themselves and they can't just walk away from money that they know they will get. I would say after 5 but before 6pm.

So why wouldn't they make the appointment for that time ? Confused

Yes, it makes sense that that is a time that might be easier for them, so why not say "I'll come after work on Tuesday - it will be between 5 and 6, if that's alright ?" and everyone would know where they stood.

VisionsOfSplendour · 03/08/2023 18:32

ReyFinn · 03/08/2023 16:31

That's ridiculous.

If you had an appointment at 2pm you wouldn't turn up after 4pm.

Show quote history

Well no but the situations aren't the same annoying as it is dont most people accept that tradesmen mostly work on a different clock to their customers

DrunkenHandstand · 03/08/2023 18:40

Between 1:30 and 3:00

This is my experience. If they’re going to be later, they send a text to let me know. I’m fine with that, it’s sometimes hard for them to judge how long their jobs will take.

DRS1970 · 03/08/2023 18:43

It would be polite to be there 1345-1415 imho.

Maddy70 · 03/08/2023 18:49

I live in Spain. Around 2 means round up to the nearest week 🤣

Original poster
ReyFinn · 03/08/2023 19:30

He didn't turn up.

I did get a vague voicemail to say he got caught up sounded like he was in a pub he said he can make it tomorrow instead. I've said that's fine.

But I have a feeling I'm going to get caught up too and unfortunately I'll be out when (if) he comes.

OP posts:
readbooksdrinktea · 03/08/2023 19:36

"Around" suggests "within 30 minutes either way" to me.

This is what I would think. I wouldn't be expecting to wait until 3pm and certainly not 4pm.

Saw your update. Sounds like tradesmen in the UK can act how they like. It's strange to me.

Createwhatusername · 03/08/2023 19:39

ReyFinn · 03/08/2023 14:35

If a workman was attending for a quote and said he'd be there 'around 2pm' what bracket of time is acceptable to you?

If it's a tradie round here I'd say 5 days either side of 2pm.

Retrievemysanity · 03/08/2023 19:41

Avoid like the plague (speaking from bitter experience!).

SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 03/08/2023 19:44

Sometime next week I reckon

Xmasbaby11 · 03/08/2023 19:46

An hour before or after would be normal. Maybe even 2 l-3 hours afterwards.

the later in the day, the more likely they’ll be running late.

Original poster
ReyFinn · 03/08/2023 21:12

readbooksdrinktea · 03/08/2023 19:36

"Around" suggests "within 30 minutes either way" to me.

This is what I would think. I wouldn't be expecting to wait until 3pm and certainly not 4pm.

Saw your update. Sounds like tradesmen in the UK can act how they like. It's strange to me.

Agreed, it's very strange. Around 2pm, to me, is (being generous) anytime 1.45-2.30pm.

It's pointless agreeing a time otherwise, surely?

His loss; the job I need doing is very easy for the type of work and I have a healthy budget so was happy to pay over the odds for someone professional. Which he's clearly not!

OP posts:
WelshNerd · 03/08/2023 21:27

Bless you, OP. He won't care but hope it makes you feel better.

LookItsMeAgain · 03/08/2023 21:44

MyrtleSmurf · 03/08/2023 14:36

Between 1.45 and 2.15 I'd say!

This is when I would expect them.

Going back to read the thread to find out if the actually showed up at 9am or 4pm!

Daphnis156 · 03/08/2023 22:02

I'd not expect them ever, and if they turn up and seem trustworthy, it's a miracle.

coodawoodashooda · 03/08/2023 22:03

JaukiVexnoydi · 03/08/2023 14:39

In our most recent case, it means 17:30 the following day.

Yeah. I'll phone and arrange a time in the new year. That means a ball park of a decade.

Pineapples198 · 03/08/2023 22:48

If I was given an “around” time I would expect a text when they were on their way, however I am one of those obsessively punctual people! I would certainly expect them to be there between 1:45 and 2:15 unless I heard otherwise from them

UsingChangeofName · 03/08/2023 22:48

he said he can make it tomorrow instead. I've said that's fine.

But I have a feeling I'm going to get caught up too and unfortunately I'll be out when (if) he comes.

Your prerogative, of course, if you have a list of other people who can do the job, I can see it would be quite satisfying but in the current climate, trying to get a good tradesman is notoriously difficult, so it seems an odd, if not childish way to behave.

WhataPlaice · 03/08/2023 23:17

It usually means after 6 when they've finished the other job or sometime next week.

mondaytosunday · 03/08/2023 23:32

I had a guy cancel once and second time didn't show up. Then last chance and he called me at 7.30am to say he was on his way, I replied great I'll move my car (he was moving some furniture), waited a bit then he said traffic bad but should be there in 15. Well of course he never showed up! I work with trades a lot and they still surprise me at how they can never give any kind of accurate time or call to rearrange/cancel whatever.

BibbleandSqwauk · 03/08/2023 23:39

For those few people trying to make excuses for them citing the nature of the job etc, that's fine, but all most of us need is a heads up, which, in this day and age of mobile communication is absolutely doable. Absolutely no reason why they can't say I'll call when 30 mins away or after work on Wednesday, no earlier than 4pm or whatever.

Canisaysomething · 03/08/2023 23:56

I work with trades and it's totally feasible to give either a time to meet or a time frame like "between 1 and 2". If someone said "around" 2pm or "around" any time I'd assume they weren't that interested in the job and probably would only turn up if they could be arsed. Good tradesmen or women don't mess their clients around and make them wait home all afternoon for nothing.

Original poster
ReyFinn · 04/08/2023 07:32

WhataPlaice · 03/08/2023 23:17

It usually means after 6 when they've finished the other job or sometime next week.

Around 2pm does not mean 'after 6pm'. To anyone. For any reason.

He set the time, the day before. He said that around 2pm was the most convenient time for him.

Who on earth would say 2pm if they know they're working until 6pm?

He's now emailed as well as leaving another voicemail, apologising and is very keen to re-arrange. I think he couldn't be bothered yesterday but is now worried he's lost out. I haven't got back to him yet, still deciding whether to give him a 2nd chance or agree and purposefully be out.

OP posts:
readbooksdrinktea · 04/08/2023 07:39

Don’t purposefully be out, in my opinion. Just decide if getting a quote from this particular guy is worth the hassle. If you give it another chance, and he's late without notice, I wouldn't respond.

But admittedly, I'd probably respond and say the quote is no longer needed.