Why won't they show up?

[RitaZ.]

I'm sooooooooo tired of this... You want/need to hire a person/company to do some work on your house/property, they say they'll be here at whatever time and they never show up. It's so frustrating!!!!!!!

 

[maps]

I feel your pain. I have a hole in my yard that's waiting to be built up. It's been there almost 6 mths and everytime I call the builder "we'll be there next week"

This is the second builder we're on and it amazes me how busy they are. I'm obviously in the wrong line of work.

 

[Brianne]

We had that problem in one town we lived in. It got to the point where we'd just call it "<nameoftown> time"; it was like the entire town would go fishing all at once. Drove me crazy!

 

[bicker]

We had a plumber in a few months ago, after having problems pile up for about a year (because we're so supicious of plumbers, in general, given how poor their previous work has been in the past). So they guy finally shows, rebuilds toilets #1 and #2 for the third time each (keep in mind that our house is only 7 years old), installs the new sink faucet, but then says he can't fix our bathroom faucet, because he doesn't have a part. Nope, he can't go get the part. Nope, he can't come back to do such a small job.

 

[SetzKitten]

It got to the point where we'd just call it "<nameoftown> time"; it was like the entire town would go fishing all at once

Exactly. When I lived in New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, I used to call it "the Land of Manana" because they always said, I'll be there tomorrow. Of course, tomorrow never arrives and neither do the workers.

 

[delilah]

A couple years ago, we went to Home Depot to see about ordering built in bookcases for our living room--probably as many cabinets as a medium sized kitchen. We gave our phone number to the person in the custom cabinet design department, who told us we would be called in about two weeks. Two months passed. No phone call. So, I bought cabinets somewhere else. Didn't even call Home Depot back, and probably never will.

 

[Jynohn]

I feel your pain. I have a hole in my yard that's waiting to be built up. It's been there almost 6 mths and everytime I call the builder "we'll be there next week"

We're having the exact same problem. We're buying my in-laws house and adding an in-law apartment for them to live in. We were promised this spring that it would be done in time for my husband's homecoming from Iraq. Needless to say, he's home now and the addition's no where near being done. We're staying in a hotel in the meantime. They finally broke ground two weeks ago, three months behind schedule, then never showed up again.

DH called them Saturday and said, "either you come and pour the foundation or come and fill in the gaping hole in my yard. Either way, I will see you here first thing Monday" (he tossed in a few words I can't repeat here on the DIS for good measure). Looks like that must have done the trick because they were there Monday morning with the cement truck. So glad he's home!

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Exactly. When I lived in New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, I used to call it "the Land of Manana" because they always said, I'll be there tomorrow. Of course, tomorrow never arrives and neither do the workers.

Not to get off topic, but where in New Mexico did you live? I'm from Roswell, N.M. and use to live in Albuquerque for a few years.

 

[stevenpensacola]

I remember hearing a morning radio show talking about this issue. They blamed it on the cell phone. Years ago, when someone left to do a job, they went to do a job....and were not constantly being called to quote this and that.

I get the feeling that these contractors are so greedy that they'll say anything in order to get a job....regardless if they can deliver what they promise. They might miss out on making a penny if they tell someone they're too busy.

 

[LindaR]

OMG! I live in New Mexico, too!!!!!!!!!!! Everything is "tomorrow". Annoys the doo-doo out of me! I just call, let them know they are late, didn't show up, or whatever, and remind them that I am PAYING for this service/repair, not asking for a free gift..........if they don't want my business, just say so. I don't BEG anyone to come and take my money. Consequently, I have a couple of places that "know" me and know that I am a witch if they mess up, so they usually don't! I am as sweet as sugar until someone ticks me off!