When someone says they’ll turn up “about 10”…

[SadlyNotATroll]

What time would you expect them to arrive? I was expecting someone to clean my oven this morning at “about 10”. It’s now half 11 and he’s not arrived yet. I reckon he’s forgotten, DH says he never gave a firm time so he might still show up. I’ve messaged him but had no reply. I don’t want to sit in all day waiting for him but not sure if going out would BU?

I have no issue with that. What I do have an issue with is the complete lack of communication. A quick text saying "I'm running late on the job before yours. I'll text you when I'm on the way" is all I want. In 35 years of home ownership and many, many tradespeople, I have only ever had one who did that. I love him and just wish his trade was one I need more frequently.

We have someone come to clean our oven every couple of years and have never been asked to pay any kind of deposit up front.

So true. Best work ethic ever.

I'd ask for my deposit back!

I’d be telling him to confirm a definite time for tomorrow refund your deposit. Does he have a “real” registered company, or just a Facebook one?

Like fuck did his car break down. That's right up there with, "There was a problem with the van." as trotted out by no-show tradesman.

Get your deposit back and go elsewhere.

I'm sorry to hear this
Unless some emergencies have come up, I think this worker who's left you in limbo for an hour & 1/2 is being disrespectful & unreasonable
If someone told me they'd meet me at about 10 in the morning, I'd most likely give them until 11 but longer if they forewarned me they were sorry but will be later than anticipated
I hope this gets sorted for you soon 🙏

Has he contacted you to re-book? Have you asked for your deposit back?

I’d give half an hour either way and would expect a call or a message if they were going to be later.
I was expecting a handyman before Christmas at 10. I told him I had to leave home no later than 11.10. He didn’t show, I left, got fuel and had to drive past my house to get back to the main road…. and there he was ringing my doorbell. He messaged later to say he’d stopped by and I wasn’t in….

Did he turn up?

Very unprofessional for a tradesman to even confirm an appointment for 'around xx o'clock'. Alarm bells would have been ringing for me when that was said.

Working as a community therapist I give people an approximate time. I ant exactly be on time due to how log my previous visit takes and traffic. If people know an approximate time to expect me they can complain when I'm not dot on the time.

9.55-10 15

Massively depends on context. Some workmen, British gas for example give like 4 hour slots. For a workman id expect about 10 to be 9.45 - 10.30. By 11 id phone him

When my parents moved to Cornwall, they soon learned the meaning of 'will be there directly/dreckly'. Said by window cleaners, tradesmen and the like. Mum and dad thought be there in an hour or day or two but no, it meant the opposite, be sometime in the future but not straight away.
Different pace of life which.. would drive me up the wall!

I'd always ask for a specific time or if another job could run over give a time slot for example between 10 & 12 am .
If no show by then and no email or text go and out carry on with your day.. they should keep you updated but if you didn't push for the above they won't prioritise your time ( rude).

I’d expect someone either side of 10am by half an hour. So anytime between 9:30 and 10:30.

I too would think they forgot if have such poor communication skills that they can’t be bothered to communicate timing. It would have been better if they just gave you a morning appointment say, arrival anytime from 10 up to noon. But you’ll you a time and not come us not on. I wouldnt use them again.

Between 9.50am and 10.10am

By 10:30 latest

I’m pretty sure there’s a Book of Excuses for some tradespeople and ‘car broken down’ is one of the favourites. The best one I ever had was, ‘my phone fell out a window and I couldn’t contact anyone’. Doesn’t explain why he didn’t turn up though! (He’d been to quote so knew where we lived).

Defo get your deposit back!