Artisans - do they work any more?
Discussion
I've been in France 11 years, speak french fluently and know my way around. But it seems that getting someone to actually give you an estimate and do the work is almost impossible, now matter how much they complain about the economy and so on.
Earlier this year we went on a rally, flipped the keys to a friend who was going to repaint the main lounge and corridor and kitchen, the latter with a hint of yellow. Result was he did the kitchen in white and the corridor but didn'y touch the main room, despite having three weeks to do it all. He hasn't been paid, needless to say. So we contact another and two months later he hasn't gbeen near us, despite leaving messages.
It's the same with the garden. Tried getting a paysagiste lately? If it is a simple job, like trimming hedges, they'll do it. Get more complicated like levelling, bringing in terre vegetale and seeding for a new lawn where we have ripped out lots of brush - forget it. Too much like hard work.
I thought after all this time I knew enough people, and as they say, had enough "tuyaus" to get things done, but no. Are you or have you had similar experiences?
Earlier this year we went on a rally, flipped the keys to a friend who was going to repaint the main lounge and corridor and kitchen, the latter with a hint of yellow. Result was he did the kitchen in white and the corridor but didn'y touch the main room, despite having three weeks to do it all. He hasn't been paid, needless to say. So we contact another and two months later he hasn't gbeen near us, despite leaving messages.
It's the same with the garden. Tried getting a paysagiste lately? If it is a simple job, like trimming hedges, they'll do it. Get more complicated like levelling, bringing in terre vegetale and seeding for a new lawn where we have ripped out lots of brush - forget it. Too much like hard work.
I thought after all this time I knew enough people, and as they say, had enough "tuyaus" to get things done, but no. Are you or have you had similar experiences?
Lowdrag, we have relatives in Normandy who have had the same problems, this time regarding a small conservatory. Turned up, provided an estimate and organised a date. Materials delivered and a start made and then disappeared for a few weeks. It turned out that they had a few jobs on the go at the same time and cleared off to continue with one already on the go. Could be that's what has happened to you, more of too much work and not enough time than can't be bothered.
Exactly the same problem here! We have had to BEG people to come and build our stone wall. One guy came round three times and then just silence.
I phoned him and asked him if he wanted the job or not and he assured me he did, just "didn't have time to do the quote".
One week later, still no quote, I told him if no quote by end of the week I would understand that he didn't the job. End of the week , no quote.
Also if you have a big house you just know that as soon azs they see it they're going to bump the price right up. Makes me mad
I phoned him and asked him if he wanted the job or not and he assured me he did, just "didn't have time to do the quote".
One week later, still no quote, I told him if no quote by end of the week I would understand that he didn't the job. End of the week , no quote.
Also if you have a big house you just know that as soon azs they see it they're going to bump the price right up. Makes me mad
OH IT MAKES ME MAD !!! Reminds me of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwZaqZaRe78
Skip to 4minutes in
Skip to 4minutes in
Driller said:
Exactly the same problem here! We have had to BEG people to come and build our stone wall. One guy came round three times and then just silence.
I phoned him and asked him if he wanted the job or not and he assured me he did, just "didn't have time to do the quote".
One week later, still no quote, I told him if no quote by end of the week I would understand that he didn't the job. End of the week , no quote.
Also if you have a big house you just know that as soon azs they see it they're going to bump the price right up. Makes me mad
I phoned him and asked him if he wanted the job or not and he assured me he did, just "didn't have time to do the quote".
One week later, still no quote, I told him if no quote by end of the week I would understand that he didn't the job. End of the week , no quote.
Also if you have a big house you just know that as soon azs they see it they're going to bump the price right up. Makes me mad
Tony. My father in law is a plumber by trade, but can do brickwork, electrics, carlage, roofing. Landscape gardner, probably not though. Located in Luceau near Chateau du Loir. Plenty of people at the Bounty that could do some labouring for you (customers etc).
lowdrag said:
I've been in France 11 years, speak french fluently and know my way around. But it seems that getting someone to actually give you an estimate and do the work is almost impossible, now matter how much they complain about the economy and so on.
Earlier this year we went on a rally, flipped the keys to a friend who was going to repaint the main lounge and corridor and kitchen, the latter with a hint of yellow. Result was he did the kitchen in white and the corridor but didn'y touch the main room, despite having three weeks to do it all. He hasn't been paid, needless to say. So we contact another and two months later he hasn't gbeen near us, despite leaving messages.
It's the same with the garden. Tried getting a paysagiste lately? If it is a simple job, like trimming hedges, they'll do it. Get more complicated like levelling, bringing in terre vegetale and seeding for a new lawn where we have ripped out lots of brush - forget it. Too much like hard work.
I thought after all this time I knew enough people, and as they say, had enough "tuyaus" to get things done, but no. Are you or have you had similar experiences?
Earlier this year we went on a rally, flipped the keys to a friend who was going to repaint the main lounge and corridor and kitchen, the latter with a hint of yellow. Result was he did the kitchen in white and the corridor but didn'y touch the main room, despite having three weeks to do it all. He hasn't been paid, needless to say. So we contact another and two months later he hasn't gbeen near us, despite leaving messages.
It's the same with the garden. Tried getting a paysagiste lately? If it is a simple job, like trimming hedges, they'll do it. Get more complicated like levelling, bringing in terre vegetale and seeding for a new lawn where we have ripped out lots of brush - forget it. Too much like hard work.
I thought after all this time I knew enough people, and as they say, had enough "tuyaus" to get things done, but no. Are you or have you had similar experiences?
eddie man said:
OH IT MAKES ME MAD !!! Reminds me of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwZaqZaRe78
Skip to 4minutes in
I don't even need to look at that link. Monty Python dirty fork sketch right? Skip to 4minutes in
Driller said:
Exactly the same problem here! We have had to BEG people to come and build our stone wall. One guy came round three times and then just silence.
I phoned him and asked him if he wanted the job or not and he assured me he did, just "didn't have time to do the quote".
One week later, still no quote, I told him if no quote by end of the week I would understand that he didn't the job. End of the week , no quote.
Also if you have a big house you just know that as soon azs they see it they're going to bump the price right up. Makes me mad
I phoned him and asked him if he wanted the job or not and he assured me he did, just "didn't have time to do the quote".
One week later, still no quote, I told him if no quote by end of the week I would understand that he didn't the job. End of the week , no quote.
Also if you have a big house you just know that as soon azs they see it they're going to bump the price right up. Makes me mad
"Ooh, it makes me maaaaaaad!"
"Lucky I didn't tell him about the dirty knife!"
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