Infuriating!

Sorry, but I need to vent! As some of you may know, my recent posts have been regarding trying to find a roofing/siding company to get a leak fixed in our house.

It is unbelieveable how insanely difficult this is becoming. You figure if you call a company, the least they could do is return your call.

Would you believe I have put in calls to three roofing companies. One called us back, and set an appointment for this morning, between 9-10. Well, it's now 10:45, and still no one is here!! And I've tried calling them, but, I got the good ol' answering machine!

One of the companies who has not returned our phone call is the company who installed the roof, which according to the contract the previous homeowner left, there is a 25 year guarantee against leaks .. so they really should be the ones to do the work .. but I guess this is how they get around fixing their mistakes .. by not returning phone calls.

In addition, the company who installed the Central AC and Heating system for the previous homeowner is also not returning our phone calls .. and we've left 3!

What's going on?? All these places have answering machines taking the calls .. and no one bothers to call back. How do they stay in business.

As for the roofer who was supposed to be here today .. I'm still waiting...

Re: Infuriating!

I know this sounds bad, but maybe when you call, tell them you are interested in installing a new 'whatever'. I bet they will callyou back then. then you can say, ohh no, I wanted a repair on what I have.

Sometimes I wish I had gone into condstruction. I would be the richest person around...because I would call people back (I cant stand not getting a return call) and I would show up on time ( I can not stand lateness!!)

I am sorry that you are going through this, I wish I had a roofer to recommend to you. I will ask around to my family and maybe someone knows someone that I can recommend.

Is your A/C broken or are you just looking for a tune-up? The reason i ask is because we got a tune-up from Sears and it was like $75!! It was the best $75 we spent...for piece of mind!!

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I know growing up there was always the company 'Ronnie the Roofer' that was doing work in our neighborhood...i can't tell you first hand...but so many people used him...I would think that he was pretty good...I'll ask my mom who did theirs

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I feel your pain! It really stinks! I have called about 8 of Pergo's website's recommended installers and not one has called me back either! I have been saying the same thing - how do they stay in business?

I have even started trying what Lisa Rose recommended - saying I need an install rather than a repair - thinking that would lure them in!

I am looking at Total Home (not sure if you tried them) to do my roofing, siding and windows. They have been pretty responsive when we have called them. They are on the high side (I have about 5 quotes right now for roofing/siding/windows) and they told us they like to do a total rip off and replace rather than just go over - I am in the process of calling references now....

Re: Infuriating!

I hear you girl! I've called a thousand electricians and no one returns my call! Irritating!! I wonder if it's because I'm a woman?!?

Re: Infuriating!

I went through this when I was looking for a contractor to do work on our home. I cannot tell you how many companies either did not return calls or didn't show for appointments. And I was spending a lot of money!!!

I have to say that the contractor I did end up using returned every single call, was here when he said he would be, even gave me his cell phone number so I could call him directly. I have such a great appreciation for him because of that. It's too bad not all of them are like that.

Re: Infuriating!

Okay, the day has come and gone .. so here's the update.

The company who actually installed our roof did call back, about 20 minutes after I posted the original message to start this thread. Fortunately, they do seem like they are going out of their way to take care of us .. which I like.

As for the company who did not show up .. I had left them two messages today, one questioning where they were, and a second stating that I was not waiting for them anymore, and would have appreciated a call. No response. You'd think they'd call to apologize! (And this company actually called us back within 2 hours of my first inquiry into their company!!)

The company who installed our AC/Heat still has not returned our phone call, despite my request for a call to at least tell us they can't do the work, if they can't.

As for the idea of making the calls for installation work rather than repair .. I did try .. several of the companies who did all kinds of work .. I told them I wanted estimates for Kitchen and Bathroom remodels .. but still this did not interest anyone!!

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Shamee - I have an electrician who we were very happy with .. the company was actually recommended to me by someone I work with .. and I'd be happy to pass along the name and number!

Cross Electric - 631-261-0697 (Mike was the electrician sent to us. We found him very thorough and extremely helpful).

And by the way .. regarding your comment wondering about whether it's because you're a woman that you're not getting call-backs .. when I was complaining to my husband about how no one called us back prior to me posting this thread .. he said, 'maybe it's because you're a woman.' He told me he's heard companies don't like dealing with women .. I told him .. 'yeah, because we are too thorough and ask too many questions!!'

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I cant stand the fact that because we are woman...men think that they can just yes us to death or not call back.

Need to have a cement slab poured in the backyard for our shed. I called 8 cememt companies...one told me that the job was too small and 4 actually called back!! WOW..big surprise huh...my husband was impressed!! Well we finally got an estimate that we thought was a good price...I have been talking to this guy all along. He calle dth other night and Harry answered the phone...guess what?? the contractor actually aksed to speak to me because we have been speaking the whole time!! I was very taken back...I guess guy is different and if he does a good job and we are satisfied, I will definatly pass on his number!!

Re: Infuriating!

Lisa Rose,

What's wild, is that of the companies who did call us back .. they've all been women I've dealt with .. of course, they're only making the return calls and booking the appointmets .. so I thought that made it even crazier ... my husband says he's heard men don't want to deal with women .. and it's women who have been the ones to call me back for the men's companies.

Your cement guy sounds great .. hope it all turns out awesome for you .. it's such a good feeling when you find someone who really cares about their work and doesn't make you feel like a dummy.

The one roofer did show up today, squeezing us into his schedule .. but we're not confident that the problem has been resolved. He and his partner did take their time inspecting and doing minor things .. and I don't mind that approach. I just hate not having a concrete answer as to what the problem is/was. (I guess for that, they'd need to rip the whole house apart!) Thankfully, to this point, the guarantee covered it.

Well, at least it's finally a start!

Now if only the AC/Heater company would call back .. I really don't want to have to call in some other company that didn't do the installation.

Re: Infuriating!

I understand how frustrated you are. We are trying to finish our basement and getting someone is like winning the lottery. They dont call back or there is all kinds of excuses. It makes me just want to give up on the whole basement thing.