Plumbers - just WTF is wrong with them?
Discussion
Not heard that term used for years! 
Well I think I can confirm from this thread that there is a demonstrable issue with trades people, not just plumbers, in their attitude that we have seen on here.
I now work in finance. I get told all the time by people who don't specialise in what I do how to do things differently. New change processes come in, we get training continuously on how to communicate with people, manage people, new ways of doing this, new tools, skills, techniques, methods etc etc.
I listen to all of it, learn it, put it into practice, and get better at my job.
This thread is littered with examples of quite how bad the customer service of trades-people is.
Someone comes on here who specialised in improving the customer relationship for tradespeople.
Instead of being listened to, he is berated for not knowing the industry inside and out, not being able to plumb, roof, tile etc and no-other tradespeople will use him.
Do you see the issue here?
I now work in finance. I get told all the time by people who don't specialise in what I do how to do things differently. New change processes come in, we get training continuously on how to communicate with people, manage people, new ways of doing this, new tools, skills, techniques, methods etc etc.
I listen to all of it, learn it, put it into practice, and get better at my job.
This thread is littered with examples of quite how bad the customer service of trades-people is.
Someone comes on here who specialised in improving the customer relationship for tradespeople.
Instead of being listened to, he is berated for not knowing the industry inside and out, not being able to plumb, roof, tile etc and no-other tradespeople will use him.
Do you see the issue here?
Efbe said:
Well I think I can confirm from this thread that there is a demonstrable issue with trades people, not just plumbers, in their attitude that we have seen on here.
I now work in finance. I get told all the time by people who don't specialise in what I do how to do things differently. New change processes come in, we get training continuously on how to communicate with people, manage people, new ways of doing this, new tools, skills, techniques, methods etc etc.
I listen to all of it, learn it, put it into practice, and get better at my job.
This thread is littered with examples of quite how bad the customer service of trades-people is.
Someone comes on here who specialised in improving the customer relationship for tradespeople.
Instead of being listened to, he is berated for not knowing the industry inside and out, not being able to plumb, roof, tile etc and no-other tradespeople will use him.
Do you see the issue here?
Well said.I now work in finance. I get told all the time by people who don't specialise in what I do how to do things differently. New change processes come in, we get training continuously on how to communicate with people, manage people, new ways of doing this, new tools, skills, techniques, methods etc etc.
I listen to all of it, learn it, put it into practice, and get better at my job.
This thread is littered with examples of quite how bad the customer service of trades-people is.
Someone comes on here who specialised in improving the customer relationship for tradespeople.
Instead of being listened to, he is berated for not knowing the industry inside and out, not being able to plumb, roof, tile etc and no-other tradespeople will use him.
Do you see the issue here?
Efbe said:
Well I think I can confirm from this thread that there is a demonstrable issue with trades people, not just plumbers, in their attitude that we have seen on here.
This thread is littered with examples of quite how bad the customer service of trades-people is.
Someone comes on here who specialised in improving the customer relationship for tradespeople.
Instead of being listened to, he is berated
Do you see the issue here?
Whilst I'm not a Tradesman, I am self employed and do some building work.This thread is littered with examples of quite how bad the customer service of trades-people is.
Someone comes on here who specialised in improving the customer relationship for tradespeople.
Instead of being listened to, he is berated
Do you see the issue here?
The point that many miss is that the Tradesmen DON'T have a problem - they have plenty of work and don't want or need to change.
The Customers have the problem.
Currently we are working refurbing a house - it's cold, there is only a cold water tap, a radio and a kettle. There is no toilet and the drains are broken so it stinks of $hit mixed with brick and old plaster dust, SDS drills are going all day as are grinders and circular saws - it takes a certain type to do this job and they don't care what office wallahs think.
Spudler said:
GG89 said:
I would urge any tradesman on here to ignore future threads asking for advice, all we get is abuse.
the remark about us coming on here to show off our knowledge gave me a chuckle...and the thought maybe I just won't bother anymore.V8RX7 said:
The point that many miss is that the Tradesmen DON'T have a problem - they have plenty of work and don't want or need to change.
That might be true right now, but it isn't the case in perpetuity.Thousands of small traders went bust in the last recession, I've come across loads, from one man bands to (outwardly at least) decent sized successful businesses. They will blame the government, banks, the economy, customers, but rarely themselves. But there are many things you can do to avoid/stall these situations, e.g. planning, cash flow, marketing etc etc. The problem is by the time the you see it coming it's too late.
The best football clubs strengthen when they're winning. Something most small business, not just trades could learn from. Because it will happen again, another recession is on the cards as sure as night follows day. And many more will needlessly go out of business because they didn't take good advice.
But what they f
k do I know, I can't plumb a sink.technodup said:
V8RX7 said:
The point that many miss is that the Tradesmen DON'T have a problem - they have plenty of work and don't want or need to change.
That might be true right now, but it isn't the case in perpetuity.Thousands of small traders went bust in the last recession, I've come across loads, from one man bands to (outwardly at least) decent sized successful businesses.
But what they f
k do I know, I can't plumb a sink.Then I'd follow your own advice and learn how to - it's what your customers want !
technodup said:
V8RX7 said:
The point that many miss is that the Tradesmen DON'T have a problem - they have plenty of work and don't want or need to change.
That might be true right now, but it isn't the case in perpetuity.Thousands of small traders went bust in the last recession, I've come across loads, from one man bands to (outwardly at least) decent sized successful businesses. They will blame the government, banks, the economy, customers, but rarely themselves. But there are many things you can do to avoid/stall these situations, e.g. planning, cash flow, marketing etc etc. The problem is by the time the you see it coming it's too late.
The best football clubs strengthen when they're winning. Something most small business, not just trades could learn from. Because it will happen again, another recession is on the cards as sure as night follows day. And many more will needlessly go out of business because they didn't take good advice.
But what they f
k do I know, I can't plumb a sink.Quality stuff.
GG89 said:
Your comment about selling them some stuff they don't think they need but do made me chuckle I must admit.
Quality stuff.
The evidence is all over this thread.Quality stuff.
It's a bit like life assurance. I can be adamant I don't need it (after all, I'm fine today), but if someone sat me down and showed me the benefits there's every chance I'd see the light.
If your mind is so closed as to not even hear the benefits, when the benefits are you making a s
t ton more money then it quite literally is your loss. Either way, I'm easy. And out.
technodup said:
GG89 said:
Your comment about selling them some stuff they don't think they need but do made me chuckle I must admit.
Quality stuff.
The evidence is all over this thread.Quality stuff.
It's a bit like life assurance. I can be adamant I don't need it (after all, I'm fine today), but if someone sat me down and showed me the benefits there's every chance I'd see the light.
If your mind is so closed as to not even hear the benefits, when the benefits are you making a s
t ton more money then it quite literally is your loss. Either way, I'm easy. And out.
January is the only month of the year that we are quiet so I make hay when the sun shines and take a long holiday after christmas.
Edit to add it's a family business and we haven't advertised for over 20 years.
Edited by GG89 on Friday 17th February 22:25
V8RX7 said:
The point that many miss is that the Tradesmen DON'T have a problem - they have plenty of work and don't want or need to change.
The Customers have the problem.
I guess thats told the customers.......The Customers have the problem.
V8RX7 said:
we are working refurbing a house - it's cold, there is only a cold water tap, a radio and a kettle. There is no toilet and the drains are broken so it stinks of $hit mixed with brick and old plaster dust, SDS drills are going all day as are grinders and circular saws - it takes a certain type to do this job and they don't care what office wallahs think.
thats the bks I spout when I'm looking for sympathy...... I could tell you about the time ...... 
GG89 said:
I am booked out until June with work coming in all the time and I'm not cheap by any means - trust me you would not make me more money.
We'll have to agree to disagree then. How busy you are has little to do with it, it's about profit, and I could make you more.As it happens, I wouldn't. Because when people are as closed as you are it's a waste of my time. I don't know what your trade is, but if you're doing a written quote, and one of my clients is going for the same job, my guy will get it. Every time.
That's good enough for me.
As it happens, I wouldn't. Because when people are as closed as you are it's a waste of my time. I don't know what your trade is, but if you're doing a written quote, and one of my clients is going for the same job, my guy will get it. Every time.
That's good enough for me.
[/quote]
So are you saying you have a winning magic formula in writing Estimates and Quotations for your clients to give to thier prospective clients?
So what about your charges?. Does your client add that to his Estimates?
In the 40 odd years I have been self employed I have found that clients want trust,good quality work carried out and last but not least a competitive price.
So I do wonder what you are all about when you say your chap can make more profit!
Over the years we come across all types of clientele and the trick is how to gauge if they are genuine people that can be trusted to not mess you about during and after the jobs completion .
And in return I do my utmost to keep my clients happy.
So you charge a tradesman who you don't know, a fee to make his quotations look professional.
He quotes the work and although he is more expensive he gets the job due to his professionalism.
He goes to the job and cocks it up because he is useless.
I'm not knocking your business, marketing is important and that is why big companies use it, a certain large window company quoted £14000 to put a rubber roof on a friend of mines garage, lovely professional quote, local guy charged £2500.
People are not generally stupid, they employ trades through word of mouth, recommendations and trade bodies.
If I asked someone to quote some work for me and they turned up in a pristine van, smart clothes, new tools and then sent in a really polished quote I'd be suspicious.
I think people expect decent trades to be a bit rough and ready, however there is no excuse for not turning up or turning up late, a quick phone call to apologise is the least a customer deserves.
Rant over, as you were.
He quotes the work and although he is more expensive he gets the job due to his professionalism.
He goes to the job and cocks it up because he is useless.
I'm not knocking your business, marketing is important and that is why big companies use it, a certain large window company quoted £14000 to put a rubber roof on a friend of mines garage, lovely professional quote, local guy charged £2500.
People are not generally stupid, they employ trades through word of mouth, recommendations and trade bodies.
If I asked someone to quote some work for me and they turned up in a pristine van, smart clothes, new tools and then sent in a really polished quote I'd be suspicious.
I think people expect decent trades to be a bit rough and ready, however there is no excuse for not turning up or turning up late, a quick phone call to apologise is the least a customer deserves.
Rant over, as you were.
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