What Made you Smile/What Ticked you off Today?

[Luke]

Get ready.

Frown: The heat went out on the first floor. The handle to my kitchen sink faucet (Kohler) broke off. That's how it begins.

I call the heating company that served us last* year and asked if they guarantee their work. "Yes, but for 90 days. We can't control the weather. It's $75 for a diagnosis, but if it's a control board issue you are looking at $400, max".

I told my wife to put on a sweater and wait since the temp will be in the 70's before you know it. But, she is the boss so I scheduled an appointment.

The technician arrived in minutes. Not only did we instantly connect, he taught me a lot about heating systems. He even changed my overly complex thermostat to save me some cash on my energy bill which is already about $400 a month. He replaced a valve that "wasn't bad, but it couldn't hurt" and also wires on the heaters control board.

It took him maybe an hour in total, and then we get to the writing of the bill. He said "$85". I thought that would be on top of the $75 diagnosis.

Nope. $85 total.

On the work description he noted "Changed thermostat settings". HVAC and A/C guys are notorious for ripping people off. This guy earned my business and I could not have been happier with his service. Guy cut me a huge break, taught me a lot, and had I had cash on me I would have given him a hefty tip that he would have more than likely have said "no thanks" to.

Wasn't so lucky with the faucet handle.

I called a welder and he and his buddy arrived at my house around three hours late. I'm going to call these guys Pookie and Peanut. Here's the deal, I said "$50 to weld the broken handle back together". After thirty minutes or so of looking at the handle and faucet, they decided they couldn't weld the piece back together. Pookie says "I have an idea. Let me run to Lowe's Hardware and I know of something that will work".

Now the entire time Pookie and Peanut weren't together. One or the other would wander off with their cell phone, scoping out my house. "Man, this is a nice house". I appreciated the compliment, but I was starting to feel uneasy and a bit pissed off that they spent as much time checking out my house and my wife as they did the faucet.

So as PSquared leave my house to go to Lowe's I tell them "I'm not paying you $50 to buy a $1 screw from Lowes" to which Pookie responded "A deal is a deal".

Well, that wasn't the deal.

Two hours later (I go to Lowe's often. I've purchased a washer and dryer and the round trip was less than 45 minutes) they finally show up.

I can smell people's bullshit. I did not like what these guys were up to. There is a reason Pookie brought Peanut, and it wasn't for his wit. I tell my wife, "Keep your cell phone handy and check out the window. I have a horrible feeling I may have to rumble". **

I walk out my front door (and shut it) to meet with Double P who greet me with arms in the "Wassup?" position. I would say maybe we were three inches or seven Oreo cookies apart. I do not like people trying to intimidate me or get "in my bubble". At this point I said, "You have three options. You can weld back the broken part as we agreed for $50. If you can fix the faucet without welding, I can offer you $20. Your third option is that I give you five bucks for gas and you be on your way. But I'm not paying $50 for a fifty cent screw. That wasn't the deal and I stand firm on that. No hard feelings, but take it or leave it. If you have a problem with that, I'm afraid you'll have to talk to my wife, and you and I don't want that".

Well, they couldn't weld the part, nor fix the handle. Pookie and Peanut left with $5.00 and a handshake.


So there you have it. I was so charmed with one professional, and more than disappointed at two clowns who claimed to be professionals.




*I previously wrote "The technician who came out last year", which sounded like a bad gay joke.


**I promise I may say "rumble" once a year.

[Blu]

I was half hoping you rumbled. Were you thinking they were going to pull a scam on you, or worse, rob you?

[dsheinem]

I was half hoping you rumbled. Were you thinking they were going to pull a scam on you, or worse, rob you?

I got the sense he thinks they may be back to rob him in the future...

[indecks]

I was half hoping you rumbled. Were you thinking they were going to pull a scam on you, or worse, rob you?

I got the sense he thinks they may be back to rob him in the future...

I agree here. If you have an alarm, make sure it's armed at all times.

[s1mplehumar]

^ That was entertaining. Good on you for not allowing "P&P" to hustle you. I've been in a similar scenario involving a plumber trying to nickel and dime me through the whole procedure. The upfront assessment from plumbers is bad enough.

[Luke]

I was half hoping you rumbled. Were you thinking they were going to pull a scam on you, or worse, rob you?

Me vs. Pookie? I could take him.

Me vs. Peanut? It would take some/a lot luck for me to win.

Me vs. Pookie and Peanut? I'd be in the hospital.

They definitely tried to pull one over on me. And I don't live in the Biltmore Mansion, but the guys were scoping out the place as if I did. Maybe not to rob, but to guess how much cash they could make out with. Their body language made me nervous to the point that I thought about telling my wife to take a drive.

These guys were wringing their hands, giving me what I like to call the "Ice Cube Eyebrows", crowding me, and they were always wandering off. And it wasn't just "Nice house", it was also "nice tv", "nice painting" and so on.

When they came back from Lowe's there was definitely a lot of physical intimidation. Two people in my face saying I'm "playing them", "a deal is a deal" and arms in the air. At a point I believe they expected me to flinch.

Homie don't play that. When I told them they would have to answer to my wife (not even 100 lbs. soaking wet), it totally diffused the situation.

But there will not be a day when a guy and his buddy try to physically intimidate me, in front of my own home no less.*

edit* Not trying to be a billy bad ass. My adrenaline was at a max and I worried for the safety of my wife.

[Luke]

I was half hoping you rumbled. Were you thinking they were going to pull a scam on you, or worse, rob you?

I got the sense he thinks they may be back to rob him in the future...

Highly unlikely, but they were dumb enough to think I wouldn't be hip to their ruse.

In the event someone does plan a break-in, if ADT or my pup Ripley doesn't scare them off I'm sure my Rugers and Colts will.

There's an uneasy feeling about shady strangers in your house that I can never shake.

[Luke]

^ That was entertaining. Good on you for not allowing "P&P" to hustle you. I've been in a similar scenario involving a plumber trying to nickel and dime me through the whole procedure. The upfront assessment from plumbers is bad enough.

It was closer to strong-arming than nickel and diming. But yeah, I'm glad that day is done.

Weird thing is, not at one point did I want to grab a sidearm. I figured "They can take my options, leave 'em, or stuff might go down" and although I was worried, the thought of arming myself never came to mind.

[Nintendork666]

Last night at work, my friend/boss surprised me with an NES Satellite!



I'll probably never use it - thing takes 6 C batteries - but it's the thought that counts right?

[BoringSupreez]

Last night at work, my friend/boss surprised me with an NES Satellite!



I'll probably never use it - thing takes 6 C batteries - but it's the thought that counts right?

Right. I have some N64 accessories I'm sure I'll never use, but they're cool anyway.