Interest and then silence from trades

[RrogerD]

One for the tradees here.

I posted a query on FB and had lots of replies. A few companies even contacted me direct, asking me to send details, saying they had availability and "could have a look straightaway".
I emailed but made the rookie error of cc everyone in rather than bcc. Everyone could who else was being asked to quote.
I've since had zero replies back. Even when I DM message them back, "did you receive my email?", I am ignored. Silence! Why?

Everyone knows that it's sensible to get a number of quotes on a job. Why then, does the trades-person/s go silent when they see it in black and white that I am asking others? What's the psychology going on here? Does everyone really think that they're the only one being asked?

It's bloomin' frustrating to say the least.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

You messed up there! To be honest I doubt the CC thing is the issue, they're probably reading it on a phone and haven't even noticed. Were your demands over-demanding? If you write a long list of requirements then they'll find someone less nit-picky to work for. Yes, they're competing for your custom but also, as you've found out, customers are also competing to get the trades to want to work for them.

Well it's a DIY forum. Fancy saving a few quid and learning some skills?

 

[RrogerD]

You messed up there! To be honest I doubt the CC thing is the issue, they're probably reading it on a phone and haven't even noticed. Were your demands over-demanding? If you write a long list of requirements then they'll find someone less nit-picky to work for. Yes, they're competing for your custom but also, as you've found out, customers are also competing to get the trades to want to work for them.

Well it's a DIY forum. Fancy saving a few quid and learning some skills?

I guess that you're probably right on all counts.
I refurbed the property myself and know what's needed with this bit, in quite some detail. I'm wanting a trade in now as I need it doing properly and with minimum disturbance to the occupants. I do tend to take a looong time when I do things myself. Yes, I did articulate it quite a bit. I suspect they've read-between the lines "this one's trouble", lol!

 

[Murdochcat]

You really need to find somebody who’s really busy

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

I'm in the same boat. I'm a perfectionist, and get obsessed about everything I do. I do lots of DIY but sometimes you need trades. I've learnt to keep my mouth shut and keep things simple. Tell them what needs doing and play dumb. You can subtly work out whether they know what the heck they're doing without grilling them.

Start again, ask for quotes without the wall of requirements.

 

[simplesteve]

If I get a ' mass produced' e-mail or text, and they havnt even bothered to personalise it, even a wee bit, with my name or whatever, then I don't reply :-

It's either someone just doing a ' Dutch auction' and looking for the lowest bidder ( which I never intend to be )
Or it's someone who can't get anyone to work for them because they are a known ' pain in the posterior '

If it starts with " Hi Steve, I got your number from...... " that will be treated properly

 

[^woody^]

Everyone has availability until they get the job details and then realise they have easier/more profitable jobs.

 

[RrogerD]

I guess I am guilty, of all of the above.
It is a bit of a 'difficult' job.

 

[cdbe]

I wouldn't touch Facebook with yours, never mind mine.

I asked for quotes to build me a nuclear power station - got 15 quotes back from people who normally clean gutters but were happy to have a go.

 

[opps]

With respect, I do not understand why you would turn to Facebook in the hope of getting realistic or trustworthy quotes.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

I wouldn't know where to start looking. I once thought Checkatrade was respectable, but that just became a cowboy directory.

Do councils recommend local respectable traders? I think I'm right in saying there isn't any official regulation of trades in the UK at all, any "Guild of" or whatever type of bodies are basically businesses where they pay a fee for advertising.

Where would people suggest looking?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Do councils recommend local respectable traders? I think I'm right in saying there isn't any official regulation of trades in the UK at all, any "Guild of" or whatever type of bodies are basically businesses where they pay a fee for advertising.

No experience, but I believe some councils do operate such a scheme.

 

[RrogerD]

With respect, I do not understand why you would turn to Facebook in the hope of getting realistic or trustworthy quotes.

It is used as a starting point. You ask on the local board, who has had similar done and would recommend. Obvs you get everyone replying with their own company, which I ignore and / or visit their profile pages, check reviews etc.
You have to start somewhere.
I used to use MyBuilder until I was informed that the trader had to pay a fee just to respond and so many no long bother, especially if they can see that I have asked a few.