Among Friends

[Mominohio]

It takes some years of experience and wisdom (and a firm back bone) to do what you did. 

And I'm happy to say I'm at that point myself. 

I have had the same experience with contractors, one was a roofer, and by the time I got  'the vibe' it was too late and half my roof was torn off. He owned the company, and stood and screamed and swore at his workers non stop. I sensed even during the first meeting with him, that I should look elsewhere, but my roof was leaking, it was November in Ohio, and all other calls I'd made to many other companies went unanswered. I felt I was in a rough spot, with the ceilings already getting wet, and had to take him.

It won't ever happen again (I hope to never be that desperate again!). 

Since then, I move them on out, regardless of the stage of the job, when I don't get what I feel I'm paying for. 

Kudos to you. If more people did this, we'd have less work to do in finding good help....they'd wash right out of the business.

[chrystaltree]

You didn't like the guy and I suspect it wasn't about any "negativity".  Whatever "negativity" there was came ALL from you.  Of course, you couldn't tell the company your real reason for wanting them to send someone else.  

[Bird mama]

I am able to sense negativity, bad mojo, someone on the muscle, tension,  you name it at like 20 yards.  

I subscribe to the appliance repair plan offered by my gas company.  I've had guys out to service my old dryer before.  Never got bad vibes from these guys.  When my washer started leaking, I called for service and they contracted with some new company.  The guy who came out looked like a college professor.  Crisp pants, button down shirt, sweater vest.  I saw him exit his van and walk up my driveway and I'm telling you it was like someone spilled cold water down my spine.

I let him in the house (against my better judgement, lol).  Everything is computer driven these days so he was typing all kinds of stuff in his little tablet all the while asking questions about me being alone, where was my husband - quap like that.   By then the hair on my neck was standing up.  I can't remember if he even looked at the machine properly.  He said he wasn't sure if it was a main seal or if the plan would cover it but he would let me know.

Now, normally I would ask a dozen questions.  I looked at him at said, okay then, thank you for coming, let me show you out.  I almost ran him up the stairs and out the door.

I have never been the type of woman who went through life thinking, yea that man wants me.  So it wasn't that.

I was thinking of Dateline, 48 hours, Criminal Minds and the clean cut serial killers who pan fry your liver in your own house after they do away with you.

[Jackhound Mom]

@GingerPeachI feel for you!  Years ago I sold furniture & carpet.  Our main installer could do things with carpet that I couldn't even do with fabric, he was amazing!

You are correct about pre-cutting carpet in the warehouse before bringing it to your home!  RReynolds (installer) was the best natured, polite and talented person and I hope you get someone just like him to do your job!

Our last home we had carpet "installed."  They came and took out all our old carpet & pad so the tack strip was exposed and left for lunch!  When they came back the had the wrong color & type of carpet and when we caught the mistake their store's answer was "it's Friday so we won't be able to bring you the right carpet until Monday!!!"

We had an old dog at the time and she would have hurt herself on the tack so, we let them install it.  They actually put half of it in the wrong direction!!!  The owner came out and admitted this also but did nothing for us!!!  He did get alot of free advertizment from us.

[Sweetbay magnolia]

 Yes.

I work in a "hands-on" field.  Given that an estimate had already been done, the job should be performed well, and graciously.

I wil delay work if I can not find the right person.  It is my house and that is important.

[phoenixbrd]

Yes, I can sense negatively.

[jeanlake]

I hear ya, and yes (birdmama) bad mojo is a great description. Attitude is energy and some people are carriers of bad energy. They may not even know it. I do believe we have power over bad energy because light and dark cannot exist in the same space. Let your light shine.

Once we find individuals we enjoy doing business with we bring them repeat business. We've carpeted, hard floored and tiled with a young man named Justin for the past ten years on two of our homes. He's a gem. We keep looking until we find the right person. 

[jeanlake]

I love the story about jumping off the physician's table. I left a female dentist (support women, but not this one) because she talked awful to her staff. Husband stayed with dentist because he didn't notice anything like that. Fair enough. Last year he had enough of dentist scolding him as if he was a little boy. Um huh. Different POVs but her negativity shined through.

[LTT1]

@GingerPeach

Yes! It has happened to me.

If I doubt my perceptions, the job gets done usually poorly or is just wrong.

It happened twice with contractors and once with a specialist doctor.

I was supposed to have an internal sonogram of the intestines and pancreas. In walked a doctor in sandals, long hair and a dismissive attitude. Out he went.

My primary GI doctor set me up with another doctor and I had complete confidence in him too.

As far as the contractor, he was a Pita and could not subtract properly. The countertop is permanently “off.”

[GingerPeach]

As a contrast, the painter I had at my home a couple of weeks ago was someone anyone would want in their home - from start to finish.  A few words here and there, and then attention to his job.  He came prepared, and was professional.

I offered him food/drink but he turned it down.  (He did have his own thermos/water bottle.)

He even came late but it wasn't an issue because he was able to explain waiting for his one-year old son's babysitter.

He's already hired to come back to install the upgraded baseboards once the carpet is finally in.  

I wish I could send you all his card.