Why not be honest?

[DorisFlies]

I have been trying to get a plumber to sort out an issue at my elderly parents house. Have had three now respond when I contacted them but all flaked - one visited and then said he would pop by but never did (or responded to messages) the second didn't turn up and then also failed to turn up to a rearranged time and the third said he was interested but wouldn't commit to a time. My parents are vulnerable so I have to be there which means time off work if during the day. Why not be honest and just say they aren't interested in the work or too busy? Grrrr!!!

I don't know. It drives me nuts.

I tend to get workmen by word of mouth. The problem is that the good ones are booked up for months.

I’ve never had an issue getting plumbers in our area but for other stuff, this is a problem. I genuinely don’t understand why they just don’t decline the work or say they aren’t interested. Really, really weird.

The three I tried were recommended when I asked on the local Facebook page.

Then when they actually turn up, don't bother to quote 🙄

We've had similar, either not responding to messages at all, not turning up to arranged appointments to quote, or being really keen over text till I ask them when they're available. I can be very flexible on when I can be in and we are getting a lot of work done so it'snot as if I'm being difficult.

Found one tradesman by seeing his van out and about, he replied to all messages promptly, came to quote and was very reasonably priced. We both liked him, so he's got the work.

If the others had said they're too busy, or weren't interested all they had to do was say but to leave us waiting either for replies or for appointments meant I now won't even consider them. It's so annoying, and does none of them any favours.

This drives me mad. It's always the independent small businesses that do it. Our dog groomer has never seen me at the time she said she would. It's hardly a good way to run a business!

In their defense, I just had a plumber in my house to replace a broken tap. The job should have taken him about an hour to do, but due to the age and nature of the tap and the tiny bathroom it took him almost 3 hours to do, so he ended up very late for his next booked job.

He still honoured the quote, too.

It's not always easy for them to stick to a time if they want to complete their jobs, and do them well.

This! I used to do scheduling for a plumbing firm and it was a nightmare to arrange their schedules because you had no idea how long a job would take because customers were unable to give details, which is the nature of these problems sadly. If it's a small job then they will generally try to fix it there and then because it's more cost effective to do it straight away.

If you work nearby can you ask them to let you know 30 minutes or so before they head over? That way you only leave the office when they are heading to yours.

Thanks, I totally understand about the issue re length of job. It is the ghosting I find hard to deal with!

We had a plumber fit our bathroom. Insurance job so not chosen by us. There's now a fault that needs fixing. (His fault) I've waited in 6 times for the plumber which involves working from home or arranging for dh to wfh or asking someone to wait at our house. He never shows, two hours after arrival time I will ring and he will either ignore me or have an excuse such as van broke down (twice) or traffic or random injury. I go back to insurance company and they re book him 😡