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Original poster

What do you do about trades not turning up or returning calls?

27 replies

Wombat27A · 06/09/2022 10:35

I'm pretty good at property stuff, lots of experience, even qualifications but I really struggle with trades not turning up or calling back.

What do you do? What it is the proper grown up way of dealing with this?

I sort of feel I can't get another contractor in as I'm waiting on the initial contact to either come or call.

Ironically, I've had lots of tradesmen moaning about other trades for this, too, so I know it's not just me.

I am terrible with the phone (ND issues) but also wimpy.

OP posts:
Ladyof2022 · 06/09/2022 22:03

I have the same problem, though I am not terrible on the phone or wimpy.

Hope someone turns up to help!

underneaththeash · 06/09/2022 22:06

I tend to follow up phone bookings with a email: j look forward to seeing you on the xxx. Please note I will be taking the morning off work for your visit / if you cannot make it, you must let me know.

carefullycourageous · 06/09/2022 22:11

I book a few at the same time and if someone doesn't show I bin them.

Trespatch · 07/09/2022 07:03

I blacklist them in my mind!

PutinIsAWarCriminal · 07/09/2022 07:07

Sometimes it can just be a case of missing the appointment because of a diary mix up, wrong details logged or hold up on site, so its always worth following up with a phone call or email. Sometimes though they won't turn up because they don't want or can't do the work, in which case they should just tell you.

illiterato · 07/09/2022 07:10

I always get a mobile number and WhatsApp them on the morning. If they dont show up or respond to say they're not coming/ rearrange they're binned off and I'd get someone else.

Original poster
Wombat27A · 07/09/2022 08:06

Yep, this whinge was because these particular guys said they'd come, didn't show, then ignored my follow up call. It's tiring & annoying.

I have told DH he needs to start doing the calls, house is falling apart.

OP posts:
hannahcolobus · 07/09/2022 08:14

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

RidingMyBike · 07/09/2022 08:14

I get a mobile number and text the day before to confirm the time - have done this since we mixed the time up and nearly missed seeing the builder!

toooldtodate · 07/09/2022 08:18

Leave feedback on their Facebook pages like never turned up etc - on the local area social media pages where people are always looking for recommendations if the company gets mentioned tag them that they didn't turn up etc

ItsSnowJokes · 07/09/2022 08:20

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

I read it as she booked numerous for a quote not to do the job.

Snowiscold · 07/09/2022 08:23

ItsSnowJokes · 07/09/2022 08:20

I read it as she booked numerous for a quote not to do the job.

Show quote history

Yes, booking for someone to quote. Not do the actual job.

JustTheOneSwan · 07/09/2022 08:26

If they don't return a call, mess about too much with appointments or don't turn up I blacklist them.
if they can't do the basics to secure the job I don't trust them to do professional work.
which leaves looking for the needle in a haystack and is why my bathroom is still not done.

justaladyLOL · 07/09/2022 08:50

You ask what is the adult way of dealing with this
Then you say you cannot ring them which IS the adult way of dealing with it
Call them
What do you expect to happen if you do not ring them?
If you do not look after yourself no one else is going to
Ring them
If they do not tell you what you need to know get rid find someone else
How basic is this

Original poster
Wombat27A · 07/09/2022 09:33

justaladyLOL · 07/09/2022 08:50

You ask what is the adult way of dealing with this
Then you say you cannot ring them which IS the adult way of dealing with it
Call them
What do you expect to happen if you do not ring them?
If you do not look after yourself no one else is going to
Ring them
If they do not tell you what you need to know get rid find someone else
How basic is this

So I called twice, which is a big thing for me...

I was asking how other people deal with this and asking for a bit of support. I know there are people like you who find this stuff easy but trust me, I don't and so it helps to have a bit of moral or practical support.

I could put this on the neurodiverse page and everyone would just go "yeah, understand this..."

Like all things, most people know what to do, it's doing it that's the issue. But I was also wondering if there was some magic thing I was missing.

Well done! Google rejection sensitivity for your "ignorance in the age of information is a choice" adult learning experience for the day.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wombat27A · 07/09/2022 09:34

JustTheOneSwan · 07/09/2022 08:26

If they don't return a call, mess about too much with appointments or don't turn up I blacklist them.
if they can't do the basics to secure the job I don't trust them to do professional work.
which leaves looking for the needle in a haystack and is why my bathroom is still not done.

Thanks, that's the thing. All the people I rang last week didn't turn or call back, so I'm exhausted! :-)

OP posts:
Original poster
Wombat27A · 07/09/2022 09:37

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

I generally only get one person to quote as I hate wasting people's time and I know the going rate for most jobs. So it's really disappointing to be left hanging. It's this lack of respect on both sides that means everyone loses.

OP posts:
littlegingerone · 07/09/2022 09:44

My partner is a trade and he never just doesn't turn up or get back to people. He does however regularly have a job booked in which then cancels on the morning, usually caused by things like the decorating isn't finished yet (things that would have been known a bit further in advance). He is extremely busy and a job cancelling on the day like that is so frustrating because he could have arranged other work in with notice, he can fill it if any of his other jobs can have him there earlier but it can potentially mean a day's missed pay.

Another regular thing is people having the work done then asking if they can pay next month

So, it definitely goes both ways there are a lot of unreliable customers out there!

Snowiscold · 07/09/2022 10:56

justaladyLOL · 07/09/2022 08:50

You ask what is the adult way of dealing with this
Then you say you cannot ring them which IS the adult way of dealing with it
Call them
What do you expect to happen if you do not ring them?
If you do not look after yourself no one else is going to
Ring them
If they do not tell you what you need to know get rid find someone else
How basic is this

What might sound “easy” and “basic” to you actually isn’t for a lot of people.

mondaytosunday · 07/09/2022 11:24

I lucked out with an excellent builder this time and all the trades did turn up!
But I once had a guy who said he'd move some furniture for me - he didn't turn up twice (once he says a job over ran) and I was desperate and we exchanged texts that morning with him saying he was on his way, me saying I had bagged a parking space right out front, he replied 'great thanks'.... he never showed!!
What is wrong with these people!!!???

MyBuggyIsOutToGetMe · 07/09/2022 12:33

I really identify with this - and the phone issue! I tend to use either WhatsApp or Messenger to arrange things unless unavoidable.

I hate chasing people for quotes - we had some work done on trees a few years ago, I contacted three people for quotes, all responded, two came to look, and only one followed up with a quote! I don’t understand why you would come and look, but not quote for the job - surely that’s a waste of your time unless you don’t want the work?

I also line up more than one quote for any big job (ideally three) as costs can be very variable and I don’t always know what stuff will cost - and there’s a hit rate. For our extension I contacted eight people, expecting four to respond and two to actually provide quotes. Think six responded and five followed through with quotes, which I was quite pleased with.

I think it’s fine to get multiple quotes as long as you’re courteous enough to let them know you’ve decided to go with someone else (which I find easier by email/WhatsApp but most quotes are in writing so you can reply that way anyway).

BeenToldComputerSaysNo · 07/09/2022 12:40

I hate this, along with - popping out to get some materials, back in half an hour and turn up days later. It's a waste of everyone's time. If you've called them and there's still no response, there's not much you can do except find someone else.

BlueMongoose · 08/09/2022 21:02

We find most trades are so busy that getting a call back quickly is a bonus. We now know our favourite people, and they're all different. Some prefer email, others texts are the only thing they respond to, another one prefers phone calls. Electricians- always get back to us pronto and communications are excellent- but it's a big company. Plasterers, takes a while to reply to an intial call, but the boss always does get back to us, and they arrrive on the dot once a time is arranged to quote or work. They're just incredibly busy and gets many calls every day. Another takes a few days to reply to an initial (non-urgent) call, but always gets back to us and comes out quickly after that, and doesn't like being nagged in between. Now we know he will always call back, we don't chase him up. Yet another, prompt and efficient, though he's the only one-man band of the lot. Last one, sometime takes time to communicate, and also doesn't like being nagged, but is excellent when he comes, as they all are (we have weeded out the ones who aren't as good now). It's easy to underestimate how many calls they may be getting. One I know can get dozens of calls a day, if he replied to them all as they came in, he'd never get any work done. And a roofer, for example, can't be answering calls when busy cutting slates on a roof.

jinglejanglemorning · 08/09/2022 21:14

I contact once ,chase once, then move onto someone else. It's annoying and as some who was previously self employed (although in a totally different profession) I find it hard to understand.

People not turning up when booked to do a job get added to my shit list (nb this only exists in my head 😄) and if anyone asks for a recommendation I'll tell them that they didn't turn up.

Ladyof2022 · 08/09/2022 21:38

Six hours ago I rang two roofers who advertise a 24 hour emergency service, and told each that there was copious rainwater pouring into a bedroom and the house needed urgent attention. I was told by each that someone would call me back ASAP. I also left my address in case they just wanted to come without calling first.

It's now 9.30pm and nobody has even rang.