[SiXeVeN]

Some may have seen my recent post about having my boat detailed. Well, it may be a moot point. The detailer was supposed to show up today to begin the job. No show and no call.

I am really beginning to get fed up with people and their poor service/values/character. If you are going to do something.... DO IT. If something comes up and you can't keep a commitment.... Inform the involved parties and handle it like a professional. I'm sick of this BS no call, no information, no keeping your word crap.

I could assemble a list a hundred people long of all the various trade/craftsman/repairman that have flaked out while performing some sort of job/service for me. I am amazed some of these people can stay in business. Whatever happened to pride in what you did and character in how you behave???

Sorry... Damn frustrated right now.

 

[sailingdog]

Unfortunately, this seems to be pretty common in the marine trades...more common than not.

 

[k1vsk]

it's not limited to the marine trade -it appears to me to be parental incompetence. Some people never bothered to teach their kids have to spell accountability.

 

[sailingdog]

Accountability, responsibility, honesty and integrity, are all missing from a lot of people today...

it's not limited to the marine trade -it appears to me to be parental incompetence. Some people never bothered to teach their kids have to spell accountability.

 

[bljones]

SiX, I feel your pain.
Have you noticed that every "professional" has a business card covered with contact info- 800#, local #, cell # website, e-mail address... but amazingly, none of those seem to be capable of OUTGOING communications. I have no beef with someone's schedule getting FUBAR'd, but if you can't do what you say you're going to do, when you say you are going to do it, let me know. In this age of instant communication, there is no excuse for not manning up and dropping a dime.

 

[boatpoker]

the following is an intro to an item on my website.

KUDOS

Everybody has a horror story about how they were mistreated by a marine contractor. The whole industry seems to have a reputation of being unreliable. Some of this reputation is undeserved and caused by our own poor planning. You must remember that here in Ontario there is a very small window for these guys to make their living and weather can completely destroy their schedule. It also doesn’t help that we all want the work done in the first three weeks of May or the last three weeks of October.
Nonetheless there are people in the business who go above and beyond and I believe they deserve some credit. I would like all of you who have had a particularly good experience to send me the names of contractors who have gone above and beyond for you and I will publish them on this list.

Such a list might be helpful on this forum

 

[merc2dogs]

I am really beginning to get fed up with people and their poor service/values/character. If you are going to do something.... DO IT. If something comes up and you can't keep a commitment.... Inform the involved parties and handle it like a professional. I'm sick of this BS no call, no information, no keeping your word crap.

Sorry... Damn frustrated right now.

Comes from the bottom line mentality. Too many companies get rid of experienced workers and hire in those who don't give a crap about what they do simply to protect the bottom line, so that's what the customer is left to deal with.
Left a company a while ago because they started getting rid of the guys who knew what they were doing and giving me people who - needed - to use 'easy read' tapes.

My advice, in the future don't go with lowest advertised price. Lowest advertised price will ALWAYS get you a warranty that reads "10 years or the first problem detected"

Ken.

 

[SVlagniappe]

For a bit of balance...

I've owned lagniappe for the past 9 months, and have needed a few things taken care of during that time. Every contractor I've hired, showed up on time, did the work requested, charged a fair price (well, that's up for debate) and felt like they took good care of my boat.

Makes me wonder if the Clear Lake, TX area is an oddity?!

Better get everything I want installed here before heading off...

 

[hellosailor]

Six, it is a national norm these days. Friend hired a house painter, the guy never showed up. Friend asked for fence estimates at a home show--none of them showed up. Friend asked for a contractor...another no show. Friend hired a new worker--come Monday, no one showed up, the guy got a better offer and didn't waste the dime calling. I know two diesel mechanics who'll make housecalls (in multiple years of checking around) but one is usually booked up a month ahead of time, and the other will work on engines--but doesn't do machine work work, you have to send that out separately. Oddly enough Bottom cleaners show up, but they come and go without anyone ever seeing them. Hmmmm....

It isn't just you or me, there's a whole chorus out there having the same problem. Try signing up for "Angie's List" on the web, although I'm sure there must be shills in theory every contractor recommended on there is recommended by other list members, for list members.

Lookout Steve, we're all moving to Clear Lake!

 

[Fstbttms]

Oddly enough Bottom cleaners show up, but they come and go without anyone ever seeing them. Hmmmm...

Yeah, it's pretty tough to tell if your bottom has been cleaned or not...

 

[hellosailor]

No, fst, it really is a mystery. You never see the guys at work--but you certainly CAN tell that the bottom has been cleaned.

Would you cleaners all be related to the wee folk that fix shoes and the like, unseen and unheard, when I leave the old shoes and a tot of uisbeaga out on the porch overnight? (G)

 

[Fstbttms]

Would you cleaners all be related to the wee folk that fix shoes and the like, unseen and unheard, when I leave the old shoes and a tot of uisbeaga out on the porch overnight? (G)

No, we're the guys responsible when you're certain your wife is faithful but she turns up pregnant anyway.

 

[Valiente]

Reminds me of the joke about the red-haired milkman...which indicates how incredibly old the joke is.