Another Thank Goodness for Home Depot and the DIY trend

[John Willis]

On Sun, 13 Mar 2005 21:20:03 GMT, "Travis Jordan" scribbled this interesting note:

That ain't just in Florida anymore...

-- John Willis (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)

[johnny]

"ggg" wrote

The technic the professionals use to get rid of tire kickers like you and your mother is, you simply don't waste valuable time and walk away. You explained it about right.

[ggg]

? The estimators all did followups and seemed to expect to get the job but this client doesn't need a soothing manner, she needs specifics. I think they don't talk to all their potential customers this way. Well, we've been pretty lucky with contractors outside the home so we don't hate contractors and plumbers. We think our ones are great.

Do people really trust HD staff for advice? That seems dangerous. I only got advice about paint type (eggshell and he was right on the money.)

[johnny]

"ggg" wrote

It's too bad you didn't seek medical attention for their disease, neurosis is treatable. I'll bet the place looks like a dump, that's sad.

They probably figured you weren't serious, and the dump is to be condemned shortly. You can't blame them for not wasting their time with a tire kicker.

[ggg]

I thought so too for one of them but then why did we get followup calls and letters from them about getting the job? My mother said they sounded surprised that they hadn't heard from her. She repeated that she would like to know square footage and materials used.

Commercially, it is absolutely standard to get estimates listing materials and square footage as the basic price with the caveat that add ons are allowed if they discover problems. In case anyone else has this problem and googles for the answer, I have to take a position that it is not normal to ignore this in the estimate that a customer is expected to sign.

[ggg]

You might win that bet.

I've said to tenants before that it looks a lot worse than the building she sank all her money in. She's proud of herself for doing that.

You know who would give her a fair price - the immigrant contractors. That's who we used and got most of the estimates for the commercial jobs. Not one Indian or Pakistani needed to resubmit a bid for not putting down specific materials. They usually don't take residential jobs though so she looked for people locally who have been around for years. Do they do a shoddier job because they are immigrants? not ever in our experience, our shoddy jobs at home weren't by people born overseas.

[Travis Jordan]

In Florida, the most respected roofing workers seem to be Mexican.

[ameijers]

As long as they do the work properly, in a timely fashion, and for a fair price, I really don't give a damn where they come from.

aem sends...

[rnr_construction]

A Immagrant Paki you say? I wouldnt trust one of those theiving lieing bastards