Lost In Xanadu Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Just wondering, feel free to vote for person A or B. I didn't make it a poll in case others wanted to add their own stories to have people vote on. Person A needed the service of a specialist. Person A's brother had a friend that performed said service who agreed to come out and give an estimate. Person B arrives and provides a reasonable estimate, at a discounted rate seeing the friendship with their brother, and they agree to have the work done. Person B says they will call to schedule something when they have time. After a few days, person B calls and said he will be at the house "tomorrow". Current job runs longer than expected and is unable to make it to Person A's house. Person B doesn't call because they are too tired, and Person A calls to ask status of work to be done. A couple more promises of "tomorrow" come and go. After 2 weeks, Person A is getting frustrated and begins looking for other who provide the same service. Person A finds one and calls person B to tell them not to bother. Person B gets angry at Person A for cancelling. So who is the dick here? A or B? A for not being more patient with a friend of his brothers OR B for 2 weeks of empty promises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILSnwdog Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Person B is a cock. I could understand not making it out once...but to continue to blow the guy off. That is the act of a dick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circumstantial tree Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I hope no money was paid to person B. People have made that mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital Man Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Person B, not cool to blow someone off for that long and not so good for your business either. Are you person A or B? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost In Xanadu Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 QUOTE (Digital Man @ Jul 8 2011, 09:22 AM) Person B, not cool to blow someone off for that long and not so good for your business either. Are you person A or B? not telling yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvgeddy05 Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Person B. But, I am biased: we built our own house and had to contract out some services, so we dealt with many "Person Bs" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioc Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 (edited) Person B. Business is business. Getting the job done seemed to be person A's priority. Giving his brother's friend (person "B") the job -sight unseen- was a kindness and getting the work at a discount was an added bonus. Person B should not jerk person A around because he reasons that "discount" equals "not important". If that's the way he feels about it, I'm not sure I would want that guy doing work for me even for free. (It's often more expensive to have someone else come and fix a bad job) Not showing up, delaying, rescheduling is bad business. Getting angry because the customer is tired of his unmotivated, inconsiderate, disrespectful actions is being a horrible, festering-sore prick. I really hope you're not person B. If so, we still like you; but please get some help. Edited July 8, 2011 by ioc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerxster Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 B. If B can't be professional, B shouldn't blame A for finding someone who is. If B has so much business that B repeatedly blows off A, B shouldn't act like a dick for losing A's business. A to B Different degrees... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go2wrk@95974 Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Person B is a flake, who plays mind games full of empty promises..a real put-off-sko-vich..imo ...Then again..I think we've all been-there- done-that at some point in our lives.... I know I have..especially in younger yrs. It's a case of living and learning from your mistakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tick Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 The obvious answer is person B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost In Xanadu Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 This went just like I thought it would. I am person A, but my brother made me feel like I was being a dick. He asked his friend to do some tree work on my heavily wooded property. Everything was good until a tornado hit northern WI. He was busy up there raking in the cash for a week, I understood, but when he got done with that I was still being treated like I didn't matter. Told my brother about it and he said "what do you expect, he's giving you a deal?!?" I then said the he's not doing it for free! Best part of the story, another tree company will be in the area next week and they said since they were in the area already, they'd cut me a break and I'll be paying $150 less! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioc Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 You should tell your brother that his friend should be thrilled; because now he can keep doing all his super big-bucks jobs and not have to be bothered with your little insignificant job anymore. It's a win/win so there's no reason for him to be mad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostworks Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 QUOTE (Lost In Xanadu @ Jul 8 2011, 02:16 PM) This went just like I thought it would. I am person A, but my brother made me feel like I was being a dick. He asked his friend to do some tree work on my heavily wooded property. Everything was good until a tornado hit northern WI. He was busy up there raking in the cash for a week, I understood, but when he got done with that I was still being treated like I didn't matter. Told my brother about it and he said "what do you expect, he's giving you a deal?!?" I then said the he's not doing it for free! Best part of the story, another tree company will be in the area next week and they said since they were in the area already, they'd cut me a break and I'll be paying $150 less! you should call your brother - he's owed a brief apology you have been a little bit of a dick by your own admission: you were looking for the 'friend of the family discount' but expecting full-price service and response time when you ask a favor, the burden of patience and flexibility is on you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital Man Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 QUOTE (ghostworks @ Jul 8 2011, 03:31 PM) QUOTE (Lost In Xanadu @ Jul 8 2011, 02:16 PM) This went just like I thought it would. I am person A, but my brother made me feel like I was being a dick. He asked his friend to do some tree work on my heavily wooded property. Everything was good until a tornado hit northern WI. He was busy up there raking in the cash for a week, I understood, but when he got done with that I was still being treated like I didn't matter. Told my brother about it and he said "what do you expect, he's giving you a deal?!?" I then said the he's not doing it for free! Best part of the story, another tree company will be in the area next week and they said since they were in the area already, they'd cut me a break and I'll be paying $150 less! you should call your brother - he's owed a brief apology you have been a little bit of a dick by your own admission: you were looking for the 'friend of the family discount' but expecting full-price service and response time when you ask a favor, the burden of patience and flexibility is on you Re-read the OP. He just asked his brother if his friend could do the work. The friend said he'd give an estimate. The friend offered thediscount, the OP never asked for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerxster Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 QUOTE (ghostworks @ Jul 8 2011, 03:31 PM)QUOTE (Lost In Xanadu @ Jul 8 2011, 02:16 PM) This went just like I thought it would. I am person A, but my brother made me feel like I was being a dick. He asked his friend to do some tree work on my heavily wooded property. Everything was good until a tornado hit northern WI. He was busy up there raking in the cash for a week, I understood, but when he got done with that I was still being treated like I didn't matter. Told my brother about it and he said "what do you expect, he's giving you a deal?!?" I then said the he's not doing it for free! Best part of the story, another tree company will be in the area next week and they said since they were in the area already, they'd cut me a break and I'll be paying $150 less! you should call your brother - he's owed a brief apology you have been a little bit of a dick by your own admission: you were looking for the 'friend of the family discount' but expecting full-price service and response time when you ask a favor, the burden of patience and flexibility is on you must you be on the wrong side of every issue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost In Xanadu Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 QUOTE (Digital Man @ Jul 8 2011, 02:36 PM) QUOTE (ghostworks @ Jul 8 2011, 03:31 PM) QUOTE (Lost In Xanadu @ Jul 8 2011, 02:16 PM) This went just like I thought it would. I am person A, but my brother made me feel like I was being a dick. He asked his friend to do some tree work on my heavily wooded property. Everything was good until a tornado hit northern WI. He was busy up there raking in the cash for a week, I understood, but when he got done with that I was still being treated like I didn't matter. Told my brother about it and he said "what do you expect, he's giving you a deal?!?" I then said the he's not doing it for free! Best part of the story, another tree company will be in the area next week and they said since they were in the area already, they'd cut me a break and I'll be paying $150 less! you should call your brother - he's owed a brief apology you have been a little bit of a dick by your own admission: you were looking for the 'friend of the family discount' but expecting full-price service and response time when you ask a favor, the burden of patience and flexibility is on you Re-read the OP. He just asked his brother if his friend could do the work. The friend said he'd give an estimate. The friend offered thediscount, the OP never asked for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostworks Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 QUOTE (Digital Man @ Jul 8 2011, 02:36 PM) QUOTE (ghostworks @ Jul 8 2011, 03:31 PM) QUOTE (Lost In Xanadu @ Jul 8 2011, 02:16 PM) This went just like I thought it would. I am person A, but my brother made me feel like I was being a dick. He asked his friend to do some tree work on my heavily wooded property. Everything was good until a tornado hit northern WI. He was busy up there raking in the cash for a week, I understood, but when he got done with that I was still being treated like I didn't matter. Told my brother about it and he said "what do you expect, he's giving you a deal?!?" I then said the he's not doing it for free! Best part of the story, another tree company will be in the area next week and they said since they were in the area already, they'd cut me a break and I'll be paying $150 less! you should call your brother - he's owed a brief apology you have been a little bit of a dick by your own admission: you were looking for the 'friend of the family discount' but expecting full-price service and response time when you ask a favor, the burden of patience and flexibility is on you Re-read the OP. He just asked his brother if his friend could do the work. The friend said he'd give an estimate. The friend offered thediscount, the OP never asked for one. oh, I read it no one asks 'the friend of their brothers'' to perform a specialized service without hoping there'll be a little goodwill discount otherwise, LIX would have called that friend of his brothers' anonymously (and two competitors) and gone with the price/schedule that suited him best also, from the OP: 'person B says they will call to schedule something when they have time' ^ that right there says, 'look, man - I'm giving you the 'family & friends discount', so when I get to ya I get to ya - hang tight' not everyone is comfortable doing business that way - LIX doesn't appear to be the good news is, it looks like the OP ultimately got a better deal my advice, LIX: steer clear of relative's referrals, the 'rules' of those kinds of business arrangements aren't for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost In Xanadu Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 QUOTE (ghostworks @ Jul 8 2011, 02:57 PM) QUOTE (Digital Man @ Jul 8 2011, 02:36 PM) QUOTE (ghostworks @ Jul 8 2011, 03:31 PM) QUOTE (Lost In Xanadu @ Jul 8 2011, 02:16 PM) This went just like I thought it would. I am person A, but my brother made me feel like I was being a dick. He asked his friend to do some tree work on my heavily wooded property. Everything was good until a tornado hit northern WI. He was busy up there raking in the cash for a week, I understood, but when he got done with that I was still being treated like I didn't matter. Told my brother about it and he said "what do you expect, he's giving you a deal?!?" I then said the he's not doing it for free! Best part of the story, another tree company will be in the area next week and they said since they were in the area already, they'd cut me a break and I'll be paying $150 less! you should call your brother - he's owed a brief apology you have been a little bit of a dick by your own admission: you were looking for the 'friend of the family discount' but expecting full-price service and response time when you ask a favor, the burden of patience and flexibility is on you Re-read the OP. He just asked his brother if his friend could do the work. The friend said he'd give an estimate. The friend offered thediscount, the OP never asked for one. oh, I read it no one asks 'the friend of their brothers'' to perform a specialized service without hoping there'll be a little goodwill discount otherwise, LIX would have called that friend of his brothers' anonymously (and two competitors) and gone with the price/schedule that suited him best also, from the OP: 'person B says they will call to schedule something when they have time' ^ that right there says, 'look, man - I'm giving you the 'family & friends discount', so when I get to ya I get to ya - hang tight' not everyone is comfortable doing business that way - LIX doesn't appear to be the good news is, it looks like the OP ultimately got a better deal my advice, LIX: steer clear of relative's referrals, the 'rules' of those kinds of business arrangements aren't for you You must have missed the part where I said "he called and said he'll be there 'tomorrow' ". He said this numerous times and never once called to say that he won't make it because something came up. You know how many times I moved my grill, birdhouse and bird feeders??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 QUOTE (Lerxster @ Jul 8 2011, 10:35 AM) B. If B can't be professional, B shouldn't blame A for finding someone who is. If B has so much business that B repeatedly blows off A, B shouldn't act like a dick for losing A's business. x2 And, your brothers a dick too for giving you a hard time and taking his friends side over yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost In Xanadu Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 QUOTE (Janie @ Jul 8 2011, 03:08 PM) QUOTE (Lerxster @ Jul 8 2011, 10:35 AM) B. If B can't be professional, B shouldn't blame A for finding someone who is. If B has so much business that B repeatedly blows off A, B shouldn't act like a dick for losing A's business. x2 And, your brothers a dick too for giving you a hard time and taking his friends side over yours. This made me smile, a lot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tick Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Me being an ex tradesmen I can tell you how the song and dance goes. I installed carpeting and this is the stereotypical way it always goes... The relative calls you up saying... "I have some work for you. I bought some carpet and I want you to have the job instead of someone else. I want you to make the money. I don't want a break. I just want a good job" Trust me when I say... BULLSHIT! Translation: I want it done cheaper then you would for someone else and I want it done perfect and at my convenience. Many will argue with what I'm saying but trust me, this is how it is 9 out of 10 times. I have been down this road and its the worst! Working for friends and relatives, SUCKS ASS!!!! BIG TIME!!! I worked 8 hours for an aunt and uncle doing a nightmare job of 4 hallways and 6 flights of steps with the stiffest crap carpet ever!!! At the end of the job instead of asking me what I wanted they handed me a check for $100.00! I WAS RIPPING PISSED! The nerve of them to determine what my work was worth? Another time I worked for one of my best friends and did a big room in his basement. In the end he asked me what kind of beer I wanted! That put a real strain on our friendship. Bottom line is, DON'T work for friends and family if you know whats good for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Whompus Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Both Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostworks Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 QUOTE (Lost In Xanadu @ Jul 8 2011, 03:02 PM) QUOTE (ghostworks @ Jul 8 2011, 02:57 PM) QUOTE (Digital Man @ Jul 8 2011, 02:36 PM) QUOTE (ghostworks @ Jul 8 2011, 03:31 PM) QUOTE (Lost In Xanadu @ Jul 8 2011, 02:16 PM) This went just like I thought it would. I am person A, but my brother made me feel like I was being a dick. He asked his friend to do some tree work on my heavily wooded property. Everything was good until a tornado hit northern WI. He was busy up there raking in the cash for a week, I understood, but when he got done with that I was still being treated like I didn't matter. Told my brother about it and he said "what do you expect, he's giving you a deal?!?" I then said the he's not doing it for free! Best part of the story, another tree company will be in the area next week and they said since they were in the area already, they'd cut me a break and I'll be paying $150 less! you should call your brother - he's owed a brief apology you have been a little bit of a dick by your own admission: you were looking for the 'friend of the family discount' but expecting full-price service and response time when you ask a favor, the burden of patience and flexibility is on you Re-read the OP. He just asked his brother if his friend could do the work. The friend said he'd give an estimate. The friend offered thediscount, the OP never asked for one. oh, I read it no one asks 'the friend of their brothers'' to perform a specialized service without hoping there'll be a little goodwill discount otherwise, LIX would have called that friend of his brothers' anonymously (and two competitors) and gone with the price/schedule that suited him best also, from the OP: 'person B says they will call to schedule something when they have time' ^ that right there says, 'look, man - I'm giving you the 'family & friends discount', so when I get to ya I get to ya - hang tight' not everyone is comfortable doing business that way - LIX doesn't appear to be the good news is, it looks like the OP ultimately got a better deal my advice, LIX: steer clear of relative's referrals, the 'rules' of those kinds of business arrangements aren't for you You must have missed the part where I said "he called and said he'll be there 'tomorrow' ". He said this numerous times and never once called to say that he won't make it because something came up. You know how many times I moved my grill, birdhouse and bird feeders??? no, I don't know how many times you moved your stuff - more importantly, I bet 'person B' had no idea, either by the time you were assuming that 'person B' wasn't calling you anymore because "...they are too tired", it was too late he could do no right by you of course, your entitled to your 'every business arrangement should be handled 100% by the book, regardless of situation or circumstance' attitude, but it just doesn't work well with 'friend of a friend' situations, that's all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umoveme Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Person B is a dick.........and also, somewhat of a pussy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostworks Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 QUOTE (tick @ Jul 8 2011, 03:15 PM) Bottom line is, DON'T work for friends and family if you know whats good for you. agreed also: Another bottom line is, DON'T hire friends and family if you know whats good for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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