If one phones a tradesman in the hope of getting a job done, why do so many sound keen, promise to phone back 'next week', and never do? Our last attempt was builders who advertise that they do small jobs, to ask if they were interested in replacing outside steps with a porch and a ramp, and also modification to make indoor stairs safer. Two so far have said yes, no problem. When no phone call received, phoned again. Oh yes, very sorry. Definitely next week. Once again, no phone call. I get that they are probably very busy, but if they don't want the work, why not just say so, so that we can move on. If I promise someone I will phone back, for whatever reason, I do so. If there is a reason I haven't done what I said I would, I explain why I haven't. It's just common courtesy. Why do so many people seem to lack this very basic quality these days?
hound31,
Apr 23, 11:10pm
Some do, some don't. The ones that do that to me don't get a second chance. It doesn't take much to make a call, or at least say sorry, too busy you'll have to try someone else. Unfortunately all the tradies seem to be flat out at the moment, but that's no excuse. Some forget that when the big jobs dry up it's the small stuff that might get them through.
androth2,
Apr 23, 11:37pm
I tried to get my tall hedge cut,I rang several who said they would look and get back,texted a few ,only one replied "as too busy" One gave a email quote without looking of $600 but never showed any more interest. One was clearing the next door neighbours sold property section and trimmed their side and offered to do mine but disappeared.They were paid $1000 to clear the other property so obviously were not interested in mine
wind.turbine,
Apr 24, 1:58am
I could say the same from a tradies point of view this as well, why do peaople get a tradie around to do a free quote on a job to then after getting said quote decide not to go ahead with the job, and not say a word until said tradie calls to find out of they wanted to go ahead or not. it goes both ways.
problem is here, the tradie misses out because they have lost time and money in organizing a quote where then knew all along they probably could not afford it.
lythande1,
Apr 24, 2:39am
Too busy. That's why Builderscrack is better, you'll get responses from the interested ones.
rpvr,
Apr 24, 2:46am
Agreed it goes both ways. But you seem to be saying it's ok for tradespeople to do that because some of their customers are scumbags. But of course customers who feel let down are inclined to tell others. But I can't figure some people out. For example, my partner wanted a small cupboard made to go on the wall of the laundry, and asked a cabinet maker we had used before if he wanted to do the job. She actually said it was probably too small a job for him to be interested, but he said no, he would do it. Came around and measured, gave a quote, which she accepted. Then nothing. Several phone calls over the following weeks were not returned. I just don't understand some people.
nicc4,
Apr 24, 3:32am
My rather gruff late father in law was a builder. A sign at the entry to his workshop read "Courteous service available on request".
megan109,
Apr 24, 4:13am
Good idea!
m16d,
Apr 24, 4:59am
Builderscrack. you'll die of oxygen starvation waiting for a reply from there.
rpvr,
Apr 24, 6:47am
Yep. I've tried that. Have had replies, say they will come for a look, then don't.
rpvr,
Apr 24, 6:50am
I get that people are busy, but why is that a reason to say you will come, or phone back, then don't? For goodness sake, what is so hard about courteously saying you are too busy to do it at this time?
wind.turbine,
Apr 24, 6:05pm
no not saying that at all, it does go both ways for sure but at least the customer doesn't loose out, if they don't call back then just look elsewhere
athena2,
Apr 24, 6:16pm
Trouble with Builderscrack is that all the good tradesmen are busy at the moment and so if tradies on there are not busy, there's usually a reason. I've found that out to my cost!
lythande1,
Apr 24, 6:18pm
I've used it a lot. Always had replies, in this area, not as many but then less tradespeole and they're a lot busier now. But always. Be patient.
holly-rocks,
Apr 24, 7:21pm
Had similar with plumbers. We wanted our old fire out and a new one put in. 1 came out for a quote, but never got back after that. Rung around several others, waited a couple of weeks, rung again, nothing. So put the fire in ourselves. Saved a couple of grand too.
tegretol,
Apr 24, 8:14pm
How did you find the DCC when it came to getting the compliance certificate?
daz1968,
Apr 25, 5:32am
yeah but when we quote jobs, very very rarely no one gets back to you and says thanks for the quote but we are going elswhere , its just silence. so it goes both ways really. when I quote a job if Im not interested I will email or text the prospective client and say Im to busy or the job isnt for me.
holly-rocks,
Apr 26, 1:51am
He just did a few measurements, checked fire alarms and that was it. The fire passed, no problems. :)
christin,
Apr 26, 6:43am
I have my house being rewired. Taking months. Mkerps coming back random days and doing some, then more later etc. and when I say I want it finished he said it will be done by such and such day, ie last week he said he’d come Wednesday and finish snd tidy up on Friday, Came Wednesday, no one on Friday.
I don’t know what else to do to speed it ho except ask and moan a little, ugh, nice guy, but no organisation and sick of coming home from work to find stuff moved around on random days!
rpvr,
Apr 26, 7:21pm
A rewiring of a whole house is a large enough job to have a proper contract, which of course includes a completion date.
reeb,
May 1, 8:06pm
tradie coming round to do a quote usually means waste of time, unless you are cheap. and cheap means bugger all money to be made. esp with low incomers. another with asians, oh they are tight as fishes ars.
mcgolly,
May 6, 10:06pm
If you get a tradesman recommended by word of mouth and they do the trick pass the news on. I've had to call on local favourite plumber several times and sometimes it was urgent. They were always good to their word and sometimes went beyond what I asked. Likewize the treetrimmer. On the other hand little jobs for a carpenter/ handyman seem to be not popular and I've not had such luck with them.
trade4us2,
Jul 27, 4:42pm
I have not used tradesmen for 30 years apart from one electrician. I have learned how to fix everything myself. This is a DIY group after all!
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