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Post by tomplum on Dec 18, 2020 20:33:50 GMT
an old custerd phoned and asked, " are you still doing bits of things Tom", My reply was, " I dunno mate, what is it you want" " oh just a hob taking out, then refit it tomorrow when the new tops are on",, " ok mate see you tomorrow, I went up and took the hob out, never asked any questions just bantered with him about general stuff, so this morning I went back to refit the hob, Which i did in less time it took to knock down a small whiskey, So Said, " ok Nick that do for you", expecting a quick £60 and offshie, BUT the old ' while you're her' remark entered the mix, He's had new worktops designed and made in one piece, then mirrored wall tiles fitting all around but, the sink is now unplumbed by the custerd with no thought at all about being reconnected, the sink position has been moved and its near on impossible to get at any pipes at the back, So I've had a right struggle getting the taps on and plumbed and wasted, I was there all day and he went out for the materials as I had to cut holes in the sink back to get to the pipes and waste connection, what a fuckin' nightmare, I did finaly win ( as plumbers always do) but his chin hit the floor when I told him I wanted £150, he did't grumble but i could read his body language, that is my last job ever, and i mean it this time,  |
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Post by endfeed on Dec 18, 2020 20:46:11 GMT
Your a plumolic tom! I had similar situation on Thurs,X2 fill valves to change on job description, "whilst your here mate can you tighten the tap up in the disabled toilet" basin was so small and tight the basin had to come of the wall! I call um shit sandwich jobs😁😁😁
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Post by tomplum on Dec 18, 2020 21:01:23 GMT
there is no cure endfeed, be afraid, be very afraid , get tested and if you have it, your life will become overtook, it will be short, very busy and most enjoyable BUT learn from my mistake, which is , STOP means STOP,  |
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Post by DIYDafty on Dec 18, 2020 21:35:03 GMT
That sounds like a grim story - I'd have been dancing round the room paying you as fast as possible and asking if your wife would like a bottle of wine as well for doing such a good job. (And I've been in that situation some years ago)
But really, I think the bottom line is surely you agree the price ahead of time? I suppose its harder when you're retired but when they plead with you on the phone and you want to help could you not say "....well ok but I will need to charge my daily rate......yes its £250 per day but from what you say it should only take an hour.....we can confirm when I see the job..."
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Post by endfeed on Dec 18, 2020 22:23:12 GMT
I've never been self employed,I'm thinking when I hit 60ish I'm gonna semi retired and fix the odd toilet or rad, taps to top up pension 😎
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Post by cluelesskarl on Dec 19, 2020 1:15:00 GMT
I've no idea how much that job would "normaly" be Tom. but since he tried to use you, which he did!, £150 is too low! He'll regret losing a decent chap like you!
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Post by crowsfoot on Dec 19, 2020 9:36:30 GMT
It's so hard to say "NO" to this plumbing lark and often you are tempted by a easy looking final job for an old customer, however like tom's was it's often just an introduction to a much more difficult job that you didn't want yet you now feel obliged to do it.
Other tactics used are to start the job anyway and then get it into a mess before ringing a retired plumber to help out an old friend who now has no water.
"Can you suggest someone who can do the job then if you've now retired please"? Is another one to bait the plumber with.
About 40 years ago an old plumber retired from work and one year later on he had died in the bathroom repairing an old friends bath taps.
I know we've all got to go sometime but I'm determined not to do an "Horace" (which was his name), yet if a friend rang up out of the blue with a similar type of job I would probably still say yes just for old times sake.
Perhaps it's the price of being a lifelong plumber?
One thing tom is that you didn't do it on the cheap so he won't be back if he only wanted to pay you ten bob and a rabbit for doing it, nor will he now pass you on to his friends as a cheap job doer.
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Post by clart on Dec 19, 2020 13:54:53 GMT
We all need to practice...
Just say...No!
I've been guilty of it myself many times, now I say No to most things LOL
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Post by rocketmanbkk on Dec 19, 2020 16:02:08 GMT
Good job
Money just in time for tier 4 lockdown!
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