Dear Editor.
My wife and I consider shopping locally is important and we support local businesses wherever possible based on our personal needs and tastes. However, it appears not all local businesses believe in reciprocating to maintain their clientele.
We requested a quote for manufacture and installation of stair rails in the Fall last year and have yet to receive a visit. We can understand a delay due to other customers orders but we certainly expect to receive a phone call recognizing the request. We are still waiting for contact. Some people will state “you should call back to complain”; that may seem appropriate but we should not have to chide a business to remind them of their commitment; that’s why businesses keep records of customers’ orders.
Shoddy business practices; that business has lost our patronage permanently. This is but one example out of three recent requests for quotes.
Pat Hampson
Gary Kennedy says
I wonder WHY ??
Sandra Doerksen says
Since June 2020, called 4 mainly local contractors just to come see and give estimate, as of today, only one called with quote and now begins the waiting game. Very disappointing.
neil seidler says
A few months is nothing Mr. Hampson. We requested a quote for chain link fencing four years ago at the Penticton Home Show and have yet to hear back from the company. They do business all over this end of the valley. Even though I stopped in at the next years Home Show a year later to remind them of my request for a quote. But I do agree with you that too many companies don’t value potential customers when times are good. When times get tough those same companies will undercut the good ones just to get a job. And the customers suffer with less than quality work, work being put off when promised to be done or even poor quality materials used. If they are to busy to do the work right away they should be letting the potential customers know when they could come to give a quote or when they will be able to do the work. I see wood panel fencing going up around town and I see so many mistakes being made, they don’t seem to know what they are doing. I have approached some of these guys doing work and when I see what they are doing and how they work, just turn and walk away. It seems to many don’t educate themselves before having work done and seem to be happy with cheaper, faster and poorer quality work. I have found a couple of companies to get quotes from for my fencing, hopefully they will be more attentive to their potential customers.
Publisher: I think it more about who you contact. If you ask a new home builder – he/she/it will tell you they have a list of people interested in work and the ones they hire have a long record of quality work done on time. Check out the buildings/homes being constructed on the meadows – a lot of them. How would they ever get constructed with “tardy” sub trades.
I also have a list – one plumber will come to my house within 15 mins of a call from me. I never question a bill – honour the contractor with recommendations. Whether a service job on the chariot, a tire for the Un equal nox, whether a fire place needs a tune up, or all new lighting switches, new locks on doors and new handles to replace round silly lockable door knobs – everyone I contact is here within 2-3 days – sometimes as a convenience to me.
One guy installed a sun room, one installed a floor, another floor man did hardwood, one firm install window coverings, one man and wife do my windows, one company cleans my furnace. NOT SURE what all the “bitchin” is about.
Pat Hampson says
Ms. Doerksen, Mr. Seidler your additional comments are “right on the money”.
Now as far as the publisher’s comments: Jack, you should share the names of all the contractors who always arrive to give an estimate when you arrange an appointment and I will give them my business if the need arises and also tell them how happy you are with their work. INCIDENTALLY, our comments are not “bitchen” as you surmise that Ms. Doerksen, me and Mr. Seidler are doing unjustifiably. We are expressing frustration and we are stating a fact which apparently does not jive with your experience.
Publisher: I would to see you and Linda “jive”. Three complaints does make something a fact. As far as me doing research for you – I think that is an unreasonable request.
Pat Hampson says
Don’t worry Jack I would never expect you to do anything unreasonable for me. Our years on Council taught me that I should expect a long discourse on any request.
Publisher: Those in glass houses should not throw stones
Gurj Aujla says
I always find the comments between Jack and Pat so humorous and entertaining as they always seem to go back and forth at each other.
I agree with Pat, Jack you should share these contacts that come within 15 minutes of a phone call. That would provide many residents of Oliver a great service and also give these businesses additional jobs.
Pat, it might be best to reach out to a larger company perhaps from Penticton if local businesses are not responding. On a side note, we built a home in Oliver 3 years ago and most of our trades came from Kelowna and they were great.