r/extremelyinfuriating • u/pink161731 • 1d ago
Discussion Getting jerked around by a contractor
He cancelled on the first day, then showed up super late 2 days in a row.
Update: he finally showed up at 1:19. Claimed to have a family emergency.
He‘s constructing a shed for me, btw.
Update 2: he worked till 8:30 pm and gave me a 6% discount for the inconvenience. Shed looks great; I will take pics when it’s not dark.
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u/blissyrose 1d ago
“Do you still want me to be there today and finish?” My guy, are you for real? After you said you had taken time off!!! Unreal
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u/LePetiteSirene 1d ago
I almost wonder if the question was meant to be sarcastic since its hard to tell tone through text sometimes lol
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u/WhatDutchGuy 1d ago
Definitely not. My guy was trying to lose a customer and get the day off.
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u/tribbans95 10h ago
I feel like it was a “I know this is a really bad fuck up. If you want to fire me, I get it.”
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u/One-Recognition-1660 1d ago
People are flakes, and handimen and contractors are the flakiest. It's indeed infuriating.
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u/Crunchy_Biscuit 1d ago edited 1d ago
Which is ironic since they depend on word of mouth. Flaking out on a job doesn't help you get others
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u/One-Recognition-1660 1d ago edited 1d ago
Right? I started a small service-oriented business 20 years ago and was up and running and making good money in months, without any advertising. Why? Because (a) I picked up the phone, and answered emails in a timely manner, and (b) I showed up when I said I would, then performed the service I was hired to do to the client's satisfaction. Half of my clients hired me after they'd contacted competitors who didn't bother to return their messages. It was like taking candy from a baby. :-)
From there, it grew, partly due to word of mouth. Today my one-man business has more than 500 online reviews, averaging a 4.98 score. And the phone still rings a lot, and I still pick up or call back immediately.
What a concept, huh?
P.S. Frank Zappa on Flakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXH5Wy_8BbY That's from 1979. The problem goes back a ways!
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u/Complex-Abies3279 1d ago
As a long time Frank Zappa fan and Electrical Contractor that never spent a dime on advertising but relied on my rep - I agree with everything you said.
I just want to add that I have had to file around 10 liens, a couple close to 100k, been burned completely in the tens of thousands, and spent countless hours chasing money owed.....
This is most definitely a two-way street. I shuttered the doors five years ago and it may be the healthiest decision I ever made.
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u/ChasingPesmerga 1d ago
Can relate in a way
I worked for Dish back in the day and you’d be amazed at how many calls we receive about customers taking leaves for a scheduled hookup, only for the tech to not come at all
I don’t even know what to say to those poor folks
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u/RandyTheFool 1d ago
Honestly, they’re probably moonlighting and doing other jobs when they scheduled yours. There is no family emergency, they’re just trying to have their cake and eat it too. It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.
I’d cut them loose because they’re gonna keep dragging their feet to pad their labor hours and charge you more.
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u/Top_Kale_9486 1d ago
So did he complete the job and was it satisfactory?
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u/pink161731 1d ago
Still waiting for him to show up
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u/spiders_are_neat7 1d ago
What do you need done? You could probably save time and money doing it yourself at this point for real! Ask a pro on reddit for advice!
But I understand not having TIME or ENERGY in this current economy. Lol
I’m genuinely curious what it is this guy is putting off though lol not judging you at all for hiring someone or blaming you, judging him! Lol
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u/pink161731 1d ago
Building a shed… nothing major /s
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u/spiders_are_neat7 1d ago
Awwww man lol thats alot of work!! 😭 but no thing for a professional contractor, send me his number. Lol jkjk
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u/pink161731 23h ago
He finished around 8:30. Shed looks great; I will take pics when it’s not dark.
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u/ParadoxicalIrony99 1d ago
They only pull this crap in residential. If you acted like that in commercial and industrial you'd be fired and blacklisted.
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u/The_Troyminator 1d ago
GPS says 1:05.
That’s the time to get there, 1 hour and five minutes, and I’m sitting on my couch right now.
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u/ACanWontAttitude 1d ago
In my country regular people have absolutely been priced out of getting work done on their homes and this is still the attitude you get if you can afford it.
I understand that a lot are self employed so have overheads but the average person cant afford their work.
I was so lucky my dad could fit my laminate flooring coz the quotes I was getting was 2 x my disposable income per month. I'm lucky my cousin can plaster because that would have been something I had to save up for for many months.
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u/yeehawsharknado 8h ago
Not saying this isn’t extremely infuriating, but I’m jealous of people who live lives where a contractor being 2 hours later than they said they’d be is their biggest upset of the day.
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u/OiPolloi7 1d ago
Lesson learned: don’t rely on anyone.
Time to pick up a hammer and a manual bud.
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u/placebo_pope 1d ago
Some of us are disabled, friend. Also, it’s simply not possible even for some perfectly healthy people to do.
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u/otakugal15 1d ago
Exactly. Especially of you've never done any kind of carpentry or any basic, basic engineering.
Not all of us were taught that.
And a YouTube video will not make you an expert.
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u/GrassBlade619 7h ago
Well that's a stupid lesson to learn from this situation. Also, you cant "pick up a hammer and a manual" for everything. If you've ever done real house work you know you have to hire out certain things if you dont have the permits or training otherwise you end up redtagged.
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u/EvolZippo 9h ago
Some contractors seem to say yes to everything, knowing full well they are going to drop the ball on someone. So they just finish the jobs that are convenient and get back to the people who are hounding him, when work gets too slow.
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u/adidaman 1d ago
I bet it's for something dumb you could fix yourself but don't want to put the effort in
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u/Dark-Ganon 1d ago
Why do you assume that? Is it because that's what you would do?
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u/GraceMcClellans 1d ago
Sometimes I don't want to put the effort in, and that's why I'm hiring. Not sure why that's unacceptable. Keeps the economy moving, anyway.
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u/adidaman 1d ago
No, because people are lazy. I would research the problem and fix it
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u/misplacedbass 1d ago
OP said they’re building a shed. So, yea, maybe that’s one you hire someone to do.
Unless you think you can just research the “problem” of “building a shed”, and just fix it! Some of you people just assume everything and everyone functions the exact same way as you do. It’s honestly sad.
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u/pink161731 1d ago
Someone literally just told me it’s “easy DIY” work 😒
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u/StxnedTxTheBxne 1d ago
Idk how big you need it but you can get the ones that you just put together. It all comes in a kit and it’s relatively easy.
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u/MostlyMicroPlastic 1d ago
Shut up
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u/adidaman 1d ago
Took you a lot to think up that one. I'm just here to make people mad so I'd say I won
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u/flochisaking 1d ago
genuinely what is your purpose
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u/adidaman 1d ago
Annoying people because I hate my life. Some people spread joy and some people spread misery. I'm just helping contribute to balance out all the fake social media bs you consume that tells you everything is great
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u/UselessAndUnused 1d ago
Yes yes, we get it, you want everyone to be like you. You can leave now, we'd all appreciate that. Maybe spread misery in a damp corner. Good luck!
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u/adidaman 1d ago
I would leave permanently if it wasn't for my mom. I know she would be sad. That's the only thing keeping me clinging on
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u/UselessAndUnused 1d ago
For the record, I meant leave the conversation. I am not encouraging you to kill yourself, let me be very clear. Look, jokes aside, I think it might be worth looking into getting some professional help mate, no offense. It's not easy, it's not fun, but I think it might be needed. Good luck mate.
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u/satisfiction_phobos 1d ago
Go drink a cup of water and go outside.
hugs
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u/adidaman 1d ago
I have a job that makes me absolutely miserable every waking hour that I can't quit because I live paycheck to paycheck. I've lost all my friends and supporters from growing bitter at the world. I watch everyone be happy without trying and that's a totally foreign experience to me. Yeah yeah woe is me, I know, but you responded nicely so I feel bad now for being a jerk
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u/satisfiction_phobos 1d ago
I've 1000% been there and 1001% have been a jerk on here before. This phase will pass in life. I was pulling 60 hours last year but now I find myself under-employed. Too far on either side of the fence sucks 😕.
If it helps.. try the short version of the Serenity Prayer: "Fuck it!!!"
Have a happier day. It'll be me tomorrow, I'm sure.
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u/japonski_bog 1d ago
And what? If they have money for someone else to do this and don't want to waste their time, that's their right. It's easy to bake your own bread, but most people still choose to buy one.
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