Thursday, 2nd October 2008
Untrustworthy carpenters
When we decided last January to have two doors made, I had no idea how difficult this was going to be. The first carpenter we contacted assured us he could do the job but was a bit busy. We said that's ok, we want them in for next winter. After numerous phone calls made by me, he informed me that he didn't have the time and it was better I find someone else.
The next one I contacted took our address, made an appointment to come but never turned up. The third one, contacted on a stand at the Trade Fair, finally came after two phone calls reminding him we were still waiting. He looked at the job, said yes he could make the doors and promised to contact us again in a few days. Guess what - nothing.
I contacted a fourth carpenter who made an appointment to come and see what we require. He actually turned up without me having to remind him. I told him we had already been let down three times and would he please be honest if he could not do the job. He said there was no problem and would ring us in a few days with a price. I rang him after a week had passed, he apologised and said he would ring the following week; once again, nothing.
The last one was supposed to have come two weeks ago to look at the job and give us a price. He did not arrive, which quite honestly was not a great surprise. I can only assume that the carpenters on the island are either too busy or they don't need the work. I just wish that workman would be honest and say they don't want the job instead of stringing you along and messing you about. Winter is now around the corner and we still do not have our doors. I don't want them now anyway. I shall go along to JB, buy some material and I will make heavy curtains instead at least. I can't get let down again.
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Comments
Judging by the complaints against lawyers not appearing in Court, it appears that perhaps we should also start engaging foreign lawyers Clive.
Some say work is lean- but when you need something done it is a nightmare. Our company wanted to move factory and decided to build 150 sq meters of offices, aluminium, timber concrete, stone, electricity, tiling, plastering, building and you can imagine the nightmare to get all these people to deliver. Money in hand means nothing. Contracts and deadlines mean nothing- unfortunately this name and shame idea does not work! I remember Joinwell Carpenters (now dismatled) they would give you a date and time! yes they went into the detail of time and at the appointend time, their delivery men would have called with your goods. That was some service which is hard to find. Some people I know would boast that they deal with this company and would not dream of going anywhere because of this.
My attitude is a very practical one, and unlike some, I do not make empty statements.
What Jenny Stevens went through is something that happens everyday of the week to many people in Malta. Some of these trademan will charge you the earth and make it look as if they are doing you a personal favour not a job of work!,
There is no "putting up with it because this is Malta" it is a fact of life
There is nothing at law that anyone can do, you can mouth them off with your friends and aquaintances, but that will not get Ms Stevens anywhere, and unfortunately if you live in the real world you will also know that these partcular sector of tradesmen, especially the professional ones, they can dictate when and who they work for.
I am not condoning their behaviour, just stating a fact from many, many years of experience and that is why I gave Ms Stevens that particulat advice!
With regards to Ms Azzopardi, Jenny Stevens has been living on the island for over 20 years, so the welcome is a little belated.
What I have found to weed away the dishonest carpenters (and other tradesmem fiddling in other various skills) was write up a legal binding contract after agreeing on the price. This contract gives them a stipulated dateframe by which the job must be completed. This gives you an easier way to sue for damages if a job is not carried out to expectations.
Not all workmen are like that- 2 years ago I had a major makeover in my flat (new bathrooms, kitchen etc.) and the builder turned up every day, worked hard and finished on time. I must say everybody was amazed-but there are some good ones around.
Your attitude is symptomatic of the problem on this island. There is nothing you can do? There is everything - name and shame. Tell all your friends about them and tell them not to use these unreliable people. Once they start losing trade, they will no doubt just sit back and moan about not having work. Well I say tough, improve your product (not just the woddwork, but the service also) and you will get work.
If you are busy, that is a good sign, hire another worker, that is how business grows.
Malta needs to drop this 'this is malta' attitude and join the 21st century. Why should we put up with things just because 'This is Malta'.
unfortunately there is very little that one can do!