I hate being lied to.

[mongoluehring]

No updates lately because I've been focused more on getting Spaah! ready for Valentine's Day (biggest time of the year for us).

One thing that's being especially problematic is the hot water situation.

Comments

[eryn_]

I think that has gone on long enough and you should be calling them regardless... Especially given the long delays you had the first time.

[mongoluehring]

Well, I'll wait til this last bit of work is done before I raise hell with BBB, etc. I figure if I narc on him now, he might get pissy with me and drop the project altogether.

He did show up this morning to get the key, and was acting all hurt and stuff. He said "I figured you could get along without it until Valentine's Day." Grrr.

I don't remember ever going that postal on anyone before, but at least it got him to turn up this time.

[thestral944]

It's not his job to tell you when and what you have. You are the customer and you told him that you wanted the larger more cost efficient heaters. I would have told him to get rid of them immediately. And good for you to do the hourly harrassing calls. I would have been beating down his door personaly. He has no right to be "hurt"- you told him what you wanted and he didn't do it. It's his job to fix it immediately. If you wanted a giant plaster pink elephant in your lobby then you should have gotten it- you were paying the bill.

I'd be more the a little postal! Good for you! I'm proud!!

[eryn_]

I second this. Both the part about you being the customer and about being proud of you for finally doing it.

And I will note that I understand most contractors are like this one, where they do a half-assed job, try to charge for the full ass, and take long enough for an elephant to grow a second one.

[mongoluehring]

I think it's even worse down here than in Chicago with contractors. Up there, they had plenty of competition, so it would be easy to just dump one guy and go with someone else who was hungrier for the work. Down here, they're a bit sparser. I'll check with one guy that I used for something else and see if he's willing to do any other work I need. I would have used him this time, but he said the scale of building the whole new facility was more than he could handle.

[mongoluehring]

Yeah, I've been thinking that if I treated MY clients like that, I wouldn't have stayed in business very long. I plan on calling his ass tomorrow at 7 am and finding out if he's gotten started on the installation yet.

[stormwolfavatar]

I have to agree with the others, Donna; you've been entirely too lenient. The first time this guy told you what you wanted--as opposed to filling out the order you requested--he should've been out the door, and you needed a new contractor. What this was is a whole other category of irresponsible. If he had an incredibly valid reason why he didn't get the gas heaters--like, say, safety concerns--then he should've stated as much.

Get the job done, since you must, then find another contractor. Get the word out so he faces financial pressure to do his job right the first time, or find something more suited to his skills...like janitorial service. I'd say food service, but I'm not sure I'd want a guy like him fixing anything I eat.

[kedemel]

I agree. Possibly mention to him that since you have lost so many customers due to *his* incompetance, he should re-pay you a set amount to cover for the business you lost.

Then, tell him to fuck off, talk to the BBB, see if there is a local contractor's group, complain to them, then find a new contractor!

[mongoluehring]

I've told him it's costing me about $200 a week in lost business, not to mention the fact that I personally have to take all of the dirty laundry to the laundromat on Saturday and Sunday and sit there all day, feeding quarters into the machines because we don't have enough hot water to do both the laundry and fill the tubs. Grrrr.

Good idea about the local contractor's group. I'll make sure to write up a nice written, factual summary of this case for them too.

[kedemel]

*nods* Good luck with everything...*cookies and milk*

[starbb]

I am sorry, Donna. I agree with the others, but I think I would have behaved as you have. It's hard to be mean and you shouldn't have to push him to do the job you paid him for. Good for you for looking out for yourself and forcing him to follow through. He has been extremely unprofessional and I think you should report him to the BBB as soon as he takes care of what was originally promised. Maybe someone else won't have to put up with his unconcerned attitude for what is basically their lifeline. Good for you again!! *squeeze*

[mongoluehring]

*huggles Narb* Thanks, sweetie. I've got his cell phone number and will call him at 7 am tomorrow to make sure he's on the job. I've also got some sick fantasies about what to say if he asks me for payment. "Oh, sure. I'll get a check in the mail TODAY!" (then not mail one, ever). :p

[limbomonkey]

I concur with the others. You are a lot more patient than me. I would have just given up sooner. I'm too passive to get angry for myself. Good luck.

[mongoluehring]

It felt strange, but satisfying. Tony looked totally cowed when he showed up to get the key on Friday. I whupped him! :)