Neighbours take the p!ss

[Nostrum]

Final straw for me tonight. An old lady across the road has just phoned me up.

I've done loads of odd bits and bobs for her, she's one of these needy old tarts that needs things doing yesterday before her nervous disposition ruins her life type of people. Fixed a few leaks, a bit of plumbing work which I don't normally do (stick to heating) and a repair on her 10 year old vaillant turbomax, recharged the expansion vessel and replaced the PRV. Probably earned £25 quid a visit as I knew she was short on cash and let her take a few weeks to pay me as that sort of money can wait if it helps.

anyway, I've got my PAS2030 assessment tomorrow so last time I was around I said to her she'll be entitled to a new boiler under ECO. I said its going to be a few months but I'll put you on the list. Great she said..... You can see where this is heading.

So I get the call tonight 'sorry to bother you dear, I can't work out how to use my controls'

O.K?

'They've fitted the new boiler but the new controls are different' she says





.....





'are you still there?'

You've had a new boiler fitted?

'Yes, dear well the old one kept on breaking down, your not angry are you'?

umm, well you better get the installers back then to explain how to use them?

'but I..'

Sorry, but I'm not coming over to sort out the controls on your NEW boiler that someone else has just fitted, you better get them back

'Its really cold dear and I don..'

they had better get a move on then, bye!

I'm so fecked off you wouldn't believe, fair enough if they'd out priced me but its a fecking free boiler you impatient bint! And to have the cheek to expect me to hot foot over there and save the day, especially when she lied saying it kept breaking, it fecking didn't because I was the one who would have fixed it you silly tart.

so rant over, I've now decided never to work for neighbours or friends again, it's just not worth the fecking hassle.

 

[Ray Stafford]

and breathe...

 

[Leo21]

I feel your pain. Good deeds never go unpunished.

 

[Nostrum]

I know, so angry had to let off some steam, misses just been staring in the opposite direction while I throw a hisse fit, shouting extremities and making a cup of tea in an aggressive manner ( slam fridge, lob spoon in sink type way)

cant even vent foam the flue, its a vertical.

 

[Leo21]

I know, so angry had to let off some steam, misses just been staring in the opposite direction while I throw a hisse fit, shouting extremities and making a cup of tea in an aggressive manner ( slam fridge, lob spoon in sink type way)

cant even vent foam the flue, its a vertical.

Go over and AR it, there's very few with enough gos to the inlet!

 

[SimonG]

I don't work for neighbours and they know. I don't want people knocking on the door at all hours. My house is my castle and everyone else can foxtrot Oscar.

 

[tamz]

I stopped doing work for neighbours years ago to the point where no one in the street will ask me anymore as i just point blank refuse to do it.

 

[julesverne]

feel your pain same happened to me neighbour well 250 yards up the road. kept there crappy sime boiler going through last winter on the promise they were getting it replaced in the summer by me. went to price removing a rad and fitting a new one in different place in september. spyed new boiler in the kitchen. ok get them to fit your new rad then. i wouldnt mind there's no way they fit the criteria for a free boiler they both work and drive decent cars. i have now vowed never to do cheap rates for any one other than my immediate family they all take the pysh

 

[Leo21]

I just did my Dads boiler free, just cost of boiler which was very cheap through a member.
My sisters got two rentals, and I've priced it reasonably. But my brother in law the cheeky sh@t has been on the phone to my dad to see how long it took!
Take it or leave it and when it goes **** up let them sort it!

 

[Nostrum]

I thought I'd twigged on to most of the scabs I know as well, my mates a mechanic , he was supposed to be servicing my van for about 9 months, in the end the mot ran out so I got it serviced at the same time! Then all of a sudden 'I'll do your van next week mate, oh and by the way, mother in law needs a radiator moving if you can squeeze it in..' Yeah jog on cock jockey.

or the neighbour that ignores you for 4 years then all of a sudden decides to stop and chat in the road for 5 minutes before dropping the usual 'your a plumber aren't you?' Go jump.

ill go out of the way to help anyone out if I can, but there's always someone trying to exploit your generosity. I can see why old men are miserable feckers now, not because they're old, they've just wised up to the rest of them who take the p!ss (tamz) :50:

 

[tamz]

Parents and kids are the only ones who get things done for free. The rest of them can pay the going rate or get someone else.
They never ask any more either :smile:

 

[Kyle87]

feel your pain same happened to me neighbour well 250 yards up the road. kept there crappy sime boiler going through last winter on the promise they were getting it replaced in the summer by me. went to price removing a rad and fitting a new one in different place in september. spyed new boiler in the kitchen. ok get them to fit your new rad then. i wouldnt mind there's no way they fit the criteria for a free boiler they both work and drive decent cars. i have now vowed never to do cheap rates for any one other than my immediate family they all take the pysh

I was going to swap a bathroom for 300. Including a rad swap for someone two streets over.

I turned up to start and he didn't answer the door. I rang him and he said he's got so wine else to do it. Someone who will do the tiling aswel so overall it's cheaper.

No more cheap quotes because they ain't worth it. I was just going to do it over 2 evenings for some quick cash.

 

[Dotty]

Next door neighbour, boiler burst, Good quote including callout, dealt with her insurance company, opened the curtains one saturday morning her husband and her dad were putting a new one in.

week later she's blonde and smiley and bouncing her boobs over the fence at me..... "Boiler doesn't work John, will you......"

"NO! get your boy back in who fitted it!"

Mrs Croppie said her face was a picture!

 

[julesverne]

my old man is the only one i will do free stuff for and even then he always insists on paying me.

 

[julesverne]

it wouldn't be so bad if any of my neighbours had a useful skill that i was able to call upon now and again. but no they all have to have day jobs. useless the lot of them

 

[julesverne]

although the lady neighbour next door has a nice pair of knorks that get a good outing in the summer

 

[tamz]

it wouldn't be so bad if any of my neighbours had a useful skill that i was able to call upon now and again. but no they all have to have day jobs. useless the lot of them

I had a neighbour when i lived at my ma's who had a very useful skill and she never wanted any work done in return.
Unfortunately i had to knock that one on the head as her man would have killed me if he'd found out :smile:

 

[Dotty]

I caught my first wife entertaining the next door neighbour. End of both marriages.

Couple of months later I went to see how his ex was getting on and have a mutual bitching session.

Let's just say revenge was had several times that night...........

 

[Kyle87]

I caught my first wife entertaining the next door neighbour. End of both marriages.

Couple of months later I went to see how his ex was getting on and have a mutual bitching session.

Let's just say revenge was had several times that night...........

Did you kick his bum?

 

[julesverne]

I caught my first wife entertaining the next door neighbour. End of both marriages.

Couple of months later I went to see how his ex was getting on and have a mutual bitching session.

Let's just say revenge was had several times that night...........

ya dirty little slapper

 

[Dotty]

ya dirty little slapper

If you'd have seen her that night you would've too!

 

[Dotty]

Did you kick his bum?

Not his bum, no...... And not kick either!

Though when I caught them they were connected. I think I kicked his balls in so deep she must have felt them in her ****........

 

[lame plumber]

I despise the Sunday knock on the door/phone call from passing aquaintances who ask "have you one of these in your van, I cant be bothered to drive to B&Q?"............................................

 

[Kyle87]

Not his bum, no...... And not kick either!

Though when I caught them they were connected. I think I kicked his balls in so deep she must have felt them in her ****........

Bahahahahahahahahahah

 

[tamz]

I despise the Sunday knock on the door/phone call from passing aquaintances who ask "have you one of these in your van, I cant be bothered to drive to B&Q?"............................................

Tape a list price list to the inside of the back door

 

[armyash]

I enjoy reading these type of threads. Don't get me wrong I feel bad for everyone who gets screwed over but it's good to know what people are like. I haven't had the chance to come across it myself yet.

 

[LPC]

I once got a knock on the door at 10pm on a Sunday night once from my neighbour. Went to look at his boiler and told him his diverter valve had gone. He didn't offer me any money and I went home.

Didn't hear anything until around 8pm about 2 days later, when I had the his wifes dad at the door, asking me to come round and help because he's fitting the new diverter valve and has gotten himself into a pickle. I went round and fitted the diverter for them. He didn't offer me any money and I went home. It was late and at this point I couldn't care.

A couple of weeks later I see the van of a rival firm on his drive, fitting him a new boiler. The firm in question are well known locally for chucking crap boilers at the wall for very cheap.

When he sees me in the street, he doesn't even say hello to me.

If he ever knocks on my door again, I will physically assault him.

 

[Toxic Ted]

Makes me laugh...if you knocked on their door on a sunday and asked a work related question, i wonder how accomodating they would be....

 

[SimonG]

This evenings call, 'I was given your number and I need a tap washer changing', 'well I'm absolutely chocka block, but if you can wait I can sort something out', 'well it's only a two minute job and I'm in the town', 'good for you and if it's so easy then crack on'.

 

[helpsy]

Had one last week. Got a little half hour job for you fitting a shower tray.....i'd do it myself but I've got no time!

 

[PlumbersMate]

Anyone else getting the right hump reading this thread?! I hate the "oh it's an easy job" ones!

one of my most satisfying emergency call outs ever was a DIY hero doing some of his own plumbing put a nail through a pipe when putting boards back down. I got there to find him with his finger over the hole soaking wet looking very sheepish, £100 and 15mins later I was gone, chuffed to bits

 

[SimonG]

Not a neighbour but bathroom I started today. Bath out, nice shower going in, multi panels, tiling, new wc, new basin all supplied by customer. Stripped everything out, floor up and sort out routes for new pipework. Getting near to going home so I decided to check all the bits. First thing was the shower pump, opens box and it's a single impellor, wc's next and it's fully shrouded, shame that the soil pipes internal and in the corner of the room, despite me putting the pan into position the half wit couldn't understand the problem. Then to top it off the basin waste was unslotted, yet the basin has an overflow. I love my job.

 

[Destroyer2813]

Put simply Simon customers are idiots

 

[Ray Stafford]

Put simply Simon customers are idiots

You have no idea how loudly I laughed when I read that! 🙂

 

[lame plumber]

another plumber sidled up to me today and commented that he understood I told his customer to go forth an procreate on the phone after they asked for a written quote to fit a cooker hose, he said I wouldnt have much work if I carried on like that. From memory it was a telephone call at 9:30 on a saturday evening and they wanted the job done on the tuesday after they had seen a written quote, seems they caught me at a bad moment 🙂

 

[SimonG]

another plumber sidled up to me today and commented that he understood I told his customer to go forth an procreate on the phone after they asked for a written quote to fit a cooker hose, he said I wouldnt have much work if I carried on like that. From memory it was a telephone call at 9:30 on a saturday evening and they wanted the job done on the tuesday after they had seen a written quote, seems they caught me at a bad moment 🙂

I'd be giving him the same advice 🙂

 

[SimonG]

You have no idea how loudly I laughed when I read that! 🙂

Written by a man who has plenty of experience dealing with customers 🙂 Trouble is that your customers should (tongue in cheek) know what they are on about.

 

[Destroyer2813]

Written by a man who has plenty of experience dealing with customers 🙂 Trouble is that your customers should (tongue in cheek) know what they are on about.

Emphasis on the should but how many times do you go in with a blank mind saying I need a thingy to vet from this to that

 

[SimonG]

My mind goes blank whenever I go anywhere. I've started to write everything down now, what a difference.

 

[Destroyer2813]

Plus I had 1 on the phone the other day asking if I could do a llsc on a property she don't even own yet :banghead:

 

[tamz]

Never but lots of times go in the merchants and think wtf am i in here for? I'll start with a coffee while i try to remember :lol:

 

[tamz]

My mind goes blank whenever I go anywhere. I've started to write everything down now, what a difference.

That old works until you forget where you put the pen or throw the *** packet out the van window :smile:

 

[SimonG]

Plus I had 1 on the phone the other day asking if I could do a llsc on a property she don't even own yet :banghead:

Went to look at a job last Wednesday in a pub. Gents and ladies toilets refurb and new bathroom in flat upstairs. Young lad there who let me in. Didn't know what they wanted. So I just measured up and left. Still don't know what they want. They were chasing me yesterday for the price. They've had one estimate of 10k, I said I could beat it, just. Gents has 4 urinals, basin and two traps, ladies has basin and two traps.

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Nostrum,

I'm fecked of for you.

Puss takers, I've taken a couple of puss taking knocks but am tougher now.

Forget her or if she wants someone else doing, charge her right. You don't owe her anything.

Feckers.

 

[Ermintrude]

How many times have u finished a system and then it's been trouble free for over a year..... Get a call loosing pressure or rads don't work. DIY or cowboy been in and fitted new kitchen or bathroom and some rads......... The system has a 10year warranty ?? Yeh only if we work on it!!

 

[Toxic Ted]

Nostrum,

I'm fecked of for you.

Puss takers, I've taken a couple of puss taking knocks but am tougher now.

Forget her or if she wants someone else doing, charge her right. You don't owe her anything.

Feckers.

Oooooooohhh..........hark at you..... getting tuff lol

 

[Leo21]

I had a guy on, bought a flat and wanted a cp12. Anyway it's brand new, so I told him he's exempt for twelve months. So he says what of I give you £25 to check it over. Laugh! Nearly bought a round.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Written by a man who has plenty of experience dealing with customers 🙂 Trouble is that your customers should (tongue in cheek) know what they are on about.

Yeah. Right. Know what they are on about? Sure they do. 🙂

 

[rocketmanbkk]

I am Toxic!! A lot of wasters and people wanting things for free. Not a problem if your my wife or mother but if I've never spoke/seen you before then feck off !!!

 

[SimonG]

Not a neighbour but bathroom I started today. Bath out, nice shower going in, multi panels, tiling, new wc, new basin all supplied by customer. Stripped everything out, floor up and sort out routes for new pipework. Getting near to going home so I decided to check all the bits. First thing was the shower pump, opens box and it's a single impellor, wc's next and it's fully shrouded, shame that the soil pipes internal and in the corner of the room, despite me putting the pan into position the half wit couldn't understand the problem. Then to top it off the basin waste was unslotted, yet the basin has an overflow. I love my job.

The bathroom gets better, they've had to return the shower as it was made up of two showers and I drag the three multi panels upstairs to find that there's no corner trim. Corner trims coming Thursday, my last day, gonna be a long one 🙂