Is there a secret code or handshake...

[foundbird]

... That I don't know about that's required to get a plumber to actually turn up when promised for a walk-around ahead of a quote?

I'm sitting here like a numpty for the *second* time because someone hasn't been bothered to turn up nor contact to let me know they won't be coming.

What a right royal PITA

I know it's a rhetorical question (or at least I *hope* so!) but it does boggle my mind that two out of the three plumbers we've asked to come give us a quote have turned into ghosts.

Sorry. I don't know if we're allowed to vent here (neither of these plumbers came from here. One was found because their van was in the neighbourhood and the second, today's, was from a tradesman rating website).

If this isn't allowed or welcomed, please do delete the post and give me a slap.

 

[doitall]

Try and avoid rating sites, and stick to recommendations if you can, as you mention there's a few in your area on the forum.

I had the same problem with a computer specialist, phoned 8 different and left a message to get back.

Not one did, so I ended up DIYing with help from the forum.

 

[blondey]

I have found that people I have used from the Checkatrade site pretty much always show up for quotes, but I might just be lucky. I have also found that recommendations from estate agents lettings' departments for tradesmen have been good.

 

[Dean744PiN5]

PM sent

 

[Agile]

I see part of the problem that you are expecting a free visit to "give a quote".

In reality these are usually only just wanting free advice about how to do it and then they will get a cheap East European to do the work.

Then there are the quote collecters who expect a free visit from 6-7 people to do a job valued at just £60!

Even so they should not have made an appointment and not turned up without telling you. But remember that you are able to call them back. They7 may just have mislaid your details.

I get over that problem by giving budgetary quotes over the phone and only visiting when they have been accepted.

Tony

 

[gigz]

Or a lot of the time we end up taking longer than expected on the job we're on, but i would always phone to let the person know i would be late/not able to attend.

 

[Dextraneous]

So, would you advocate a (say) £20 call out charge for a quote which would be reimbursed upon the event of you landing the contract?

 

[Agile]

Most customers will never pay that because there are so many of the less good people who don't have enough work and they have time to rush out to give a quote!

But they are usually the least good people!

The better people have plenty of work by personal recommendation.

 

[Andy4444]

This is one of the few industries where installers spend their free time sometimes up to 2 hours including travelling in the evening to a complete time-waster who is looking to pay peanuts. Yes there are exceptions but I can detect them from 600 paces. I will only quote for existing customers. If you're looking for a quote from A N Other and not someone who is a known quantity and recommended then do expect to have your time wasted.

The same people moaning about installers not showing up are the same who do not have the courtesy to inform an installer that they did not get the work.