Can someone explain something to me? Why are contractors unable to make appointments? Is it really that difficult to figure out when you will arrive somewhere and then arrive at that time?
If you don't know what I'm talking about, think about the last time you had a problem with your cable, or you hired someone to do some repairs around your house, or you had furniture delivered. In all of these cases, they don't tell you when they'll be there, they give you a range of time. I've had situations where that range of time is as long as six hours. They expect you to sit there and wait for them for six hours.
Imagine how unacceptable that would be in any other venue.
Let's say you ask a cute girl on a date.
You: Can I buy you dinner?
Cute Girl: Sure, what time?
You: Meet me at the restaurant between 5:00 and 8:00.
Cute Girl: I don't understand, what time should I be there?
You: Be there at 5:00, just in case I decide to show up at that time.
Cute Girl: Are you going to be there at 5?
You: Probably not. But you should definitely be there. I'm more likely to show up at about 7:55. But definitely be there at 5, just in case.
News flash: You're not going on a date with that girl.
This morning, I was meeting a contractor at our rental property. He said he would arrive sometime between 8 and 8:30 AM. Naturally, he arrived at 9:01. He got lost and had trouble finding the house. Never mind that he could have googled it the night before to make sure he knew where he was going. I understand that people get lost and it makes them late. But, he was clearly planning on being there at 8:30 and it took him an extra half hour to find it. But he made sure I was there at 8 just in case he decided to get up extra early. And I got to sit in my car for an hour.
In my own industry, I don't generally have to meet with people in person. However, I get on conference calls with clients all the time. Imagine if I treated my clients the way general contractors treat theirs.
Client: When is a good time to get on the phone with you to discuss an upcoming project?
Me: I will be available some time between 10 AM and 4 PM.
Client: I can be available in that time period. What time should I call in to the conference?
Me: Definitely call in at 10. I'll join the conference before 4.
Client: You want me to sit on the conference call for 6 hours just in case you call in?
Me: Yes, definitely. Don't ever get up and leave your desk, either. If you're not there when I call in we'll have to reschedule for a different day.
Client: I have other things I need to do. I can't just sit and wait for you all day.
Me: Haven't you ever heard that the consultant is always right? You pay the bills. That means you should bend to my every need and whim.
Client: I thought the customer was always right. Perhaps I'll take my money else where.
That is what any self respecting client would say to something that ridiculous. Yet, somehow it's totally okay that contractors treat us that way.
I don't see it changing any time soon. I understand there is come complexity in trying to predict when one job will be complete and how long it takes to get to the next. (Though that doesn't have any bearing on an 8 AM appointment.) I mostly just needed to rant, and I have achieved that objective. Thanks for participating in my ranting.
One Year Later
7 months ago