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Finding it difficult to find people

(23 Posts)
ExDancer Fri 12-Jul-24 11:59:50

I'm beginning to realise the problems we're going to have when the old telephone system is finally scrapped.
My lawnmower has died and I cannot afford to replace it. At 85 I've had enough of hard labour anyway, so am looking for a gardener.
I know of a local man who who mows lawns, but don't know where he lives.
He's not in my newest telephone directory (which is 2018 I think) - so how do I get in touch?
This kind of problem is going to get worse.

Theexwife Fri 12-Jul-24 12:04:16

Have you tried looking him up on Facebook? or just google his name and see what comes up.

Sarnia Fri 12-Jul-24 12:05:06

Where I live we have a local Facebook page. People post a message, eg. wanting a gardener and interested people will reply and you can go from there. As a fellow older person I see where you are coming from but for good or bad, technology is here to stay. You obviously have a computer of some sort so try Facebook.

crazyH Fri 12-Jul-24 12:15:57

When you see one of your neighbour’s lawns being mowed, just walk up to them and ask them if they had time to do yours and what they charge

tanith Fri 12-Jul-24 12:51:58

Could you go to the house where you've seen him working then knock and ask for his number.

HettyBetty Fri 12-Jul-24 13:55:19

If you don't use Facebook, ask a neighbour to do it for you.

Our local Facebook page is very strictly monitored, there is no unpleasantness. Just people wanting window cleaners, plumbers etc, and lots of lost cats.

kircubbin2000 Fri 12-Jul-24 13:59:13

Next Door is another site that has contacts.

BlueBelle Fri 12-Jul-24 14:06:36

I ve not seen a telephone directory for many many years
Google him as you obviously know his name as you say you can’t find him in your directory you might find him that way or word of mouth or a FB local page 📃

JaneJudge Fri 12-Jul-24 14:10:50

do trust a trader have gardeners?
I've just googled 'gardeners in X' X being where I live and it came up with a load
otherwise facebook seems popular

Debbi58 Fri 12-Jul-24 14:43:44

Not seen a yellow pages for years , remember how big they used to be . Couldn't believe it when my Mum had one the other day . It was tiny , my inlaws got their gardener from a advert in their local post office

Charleygirl5 Fri 12-Jul-24 15:08:47

I got my gardener from the local NextDoor. My cleaner also.

EkwaNimitee Fri 12-Jul-24 15:14:53

There’s Yellow Pages online. I’ve used it for other trades.

M0nica Fri 12-Jul-24 15:26:00

parish magazines or local advertising magazines are also a good source of local tradesmen.

fancythat Fri 12-Jul-24 15:26:03

Gardeners are in short supply around here as well.
Someone said a few years ago "there is always demand for a gardner".

I do wonder what they do for the other 6 months of the year though.

Jaxjacky Fri 12-Jul-24 15:32:45

A proper gardener prunes, plants and weeds fancythat not just grass cutting, so they’re busy longer that six months.

sassysaysso Fri 12-Jul-24 15:52:18

My local online forum has been brilliant for finding recommended tradesmen from roof repairs to washing machine repairs and if they do a bad job there is always the possibility it will be posted on the forum. Couldn't go back to yellow pages.

Cossy Fri 12-Jul-24 15:56:21

We have another community site called Next Door, see if you have one in your local area as they will have all sorts of recommendations about local workmen and services

BlueSapphire Fri 12-Jul-24 16:02:02

I got my lovely gardener from FaceBook I messaged him and he replied within minutes fixing a date.

ExDancer Fri 12-Jul-24 18:10:25

Thanks for all the tips on finding a gardener.

I was actually commenting on how easy it used to be to get in touch with someone when we all had land lines. smile
And I did try Google and Facebook, but this chap has the same name as a TV personality so I came up with pages and pages of info on him!

pascal30 Fri 12-Jul-24 18:18:13

You could ask on Nextdoor if anyone has his contact details as you know his name.. I always find that people are helpful on there..

avitorl Fri 12-Jul-24 21:05:51

I thought that I had found 2 good tradespeople via Next Door then googled them and found both had dodgy backgrounds. Always double check exactly who they are.
I'm thinking of trying Age Concern Handypersons scheme.

Jaxjacky Fri 12-Jul-24 21:41:28

Ask at any groups you belong too, neighbours, church maybe for recommendations.

PamelaJ1 Sat 13-Jul-24 07:59:27

You have to network.
We found our hedge cutter at the village sausage sizzle.