AIBU

Megram I thought it was just me thank you I was getting quite paronoid

Oh yes, I've had this trouble with plumbers. They book a date and time then don't show up. The last one had these excuses - double booked me, job before running late, emergency call out, car broken down, and hadn't brought his diary so didn't have my details! [Shakes head sadly!] I could to with one again for a small job but I can't be bothered with all the hassle!

Every new area I've lived in I've found one tradesperson on recommendation from a neighbour/work colleague. Once I have used (and now trust) them, I get them to recommend the next person (from a different trade). I always then push the 'X recommended you' bit.

A lot of skilled tradesmen prefer to work on new build properties now. If people don't ring back we move on to someone else,

Chewbacca, try the company 'Kitchen Restoration'. They are based in Birmingham but have local agents who price up and give estimates. They are brilliant and reasonable too. They will use your present kitchen frames and fit new doors, tops and fittings so the kitchen looks new at a fraction of the price or they will do units from scratch and to measure. We have had both done by them and couldn't be more pleased. They used proper cabinet makers to do the work who are skilled workmen and they make a lovely job of it.

DS has been trying to get details of changes to the bus route because of ongoing road works. After a series of phone calls, to people who promised to call back but didn't, he gave up and called the construction company which is based a couple of hundred miles away. Surprise, surprise Someone clled him straight back with the answer. Why is this beyond the bus company that is bsed just down the road?

Oh Gillybob, I would be furious !! It's just so frustrating especially when you have done everything that you were asked to. You have my sympathies.

Apologies, I meant to sympathise with the exhorbitant cost, but got button happy.

Charleygirl, not London, but Royal Berkshire. Posh eh?

Auntieflo all I can say is that I would be skipping if all we had to pay was £60. I have paid £36 (January sale!) for May- early October grass cutting collection. It is nearly £80 for annual fortnightly service. This is London.

Gillybob, our green waste collection from a brown bin, is £60.00 per annum. It used to be free, with garden waste going into tough green plastic bags. I paid up the first year, and as the bin is so huge, only really used it 3/4 times. The council say it is uneconomical to collect unwanted bins, so we now have a useless container taking up space. We can buy strong brown paper bags, for about £1.00 each, that are collected fortnightly, and they do hold a lot. But now we have artificial grass, there is no need for a regular collection. I think £60 per year is taking the proverbial......

I agree with you Megram. Our LA now charges £30 per year to empty our green bins (garden waste). I reluctantly paid up.

The bin is in the correct position, with the handle pointing outwards and the PAID collection sticker is clearly in view. (so many rules, you would think they didn't want to do it )

First collection date April 4th. No collection. Rang up and complained that bin is full and they did not collect only to be told that "they will collect it tomorrow" they didn't.

Second collection date April 18th.... No collection. Rang up again. Complained, that the bin is still full and DH has had to make trips to the tip to dispose of grass cuttings etc. A service that I am paying them to do !

Fobbed off again with... "oh they are just getting used to the various rounds and must've overlooked your collection..... I will make a note to make sure they come on 2nd May"

I said that this was their last chance and that if they do not collect on 2nd May I want a full refund. I was told that they do not have a refund policy ! WHAT????????

So basically I pay for a sevice, they do not perform the service and I can't get a refund? They must be having a laugh. Bloody council.

Well, I'm glad it's not just me, but rather sad that this is the level of service nowadays. I have just rung the firm again for the third time to be told that they couldn't find me in their system.This is despite giving them my number twice,as well as to the fitter who seems to freelance. Couldn't they have owned the problem and rung me back? I'm now having to wait at least another ten days as the goods hadn't even been ordered. I could scream!

I have a new gas boiler waiting to be installed. The old boiler is on its last legs but still working. My DH arranged a date in January with a local engineer. The new boiler is still in my dining room! The summer is coming so fortunately we may not need the heating on much longer. The engineer's mother lives next door, and we're quite friendly, perhaps that has something to do with it.

Checkatrade is a big con. Check them out on Moneysavingexpert.

Not just me then. I've been trying without any success to find someone to come and replace my kitchen cupboard doors, worktops, sink and taps. I've contacted local tradesmen; Trusted trader; Checkatrade and they either promise to come and "have a look at it", and then never turn up, or they do turn up, promise to send a quote and then I never heard from them again. I don't want a complete new kitchen because there's nothing wrong with the carcass, or the layout, it just needs updating. Really frustrating.

No I totally agree with you. I always use Checkatrade when I need some work doing in the house but I've lost count of the number of times the phone hasn't been answered so I've left a message but nobody calls back. Like you I assume they have so much work they can pick and choose the jobs they want to do. My daughter recently phoned a gardener to revamp her garden and was told unless it is going to cost more than £10, 000 I'm not interested!

Poor customer service is unfortunately not uncommon, it's like some businesses don't need the income. It's not just you.