One of the worst things that can happen to an individual is having artisans happen to them. I don’t know if these guys operate the same way all over the world, but here in Nigeria, some artisans are really the worst.
Now, I’m not condemning all of them. I’m certain that there will be good ones among them who value their profession and actually place the customer’s satisfaction above anything else. But these good ones are ridiculously few.
I’ve noticed that artisans most guilty of this fact are carpenters, tailors, and generator repairers, even to an extent, electricians. Carpenters are still the worst though, because I kid you not when I say this, these guys have shown me pepper! And for someone like me that uses recommended glasses, I see that pepper in HD. Stop laughing, it’s not funny!
I hired a carpenter to get a job done a few months back, it wasn’t really a big deal. I wanted to pay half as a deposit first and then pay the rest when I got the work, but the guy refused. He insisted I pay the full amount there and since I really needed the job done, I succumbed to his demands. He promised me that the job would be done by the next week.
The day before the deadline, I called him as if to remind him I would be coming for my work. He assured me that he was almost done, and he just had to add some finishing touches. This gladdened my heart a lot, there is nothing I love more than sticking to deadlines. It makes the client happy, and when the client is happy, so is my bank account. Hehe…
So, imagine my surprise when I got there the next day and found out that this guy had not even started! Now that I’m writing about it, I’m beginning to think he had not even bought the materials by that time. I was confused, after all, he told me it was almost ready, why did he make me burn transport to come over and still see nothing? He assured me that everything will be sorted out and gave me a chair to sit in, telling me that in no time the work will be ready.
I was wrong! I was there up until 9 PM that night, and I was pissed! I had no choice but to go back home. You would think that was the only time, but you’ll be very wrong. For three more weeks, this was how I was going to this guy’s workshop almost on a daily basis. He would tell me on the phone that it was almost ready and when I get there he would have barely done anything. He would then give me a chair to sit on, not even offer me a drink or anything. Just a chair!
I regretted patronizing him, and I couldn’t do much then because I didn’t have the time to put pressure on him. What with work and school. However, I soon noticed that it was only when I was present that he actually got work done on my project, meaning the moment I turned my back, he dumped it and focused on something else. He was the kind of carpenter that sold a lot of finished works, and a lot of people bought those, so he was always working on them.
When I realized this, I picked out a day and dedicated it to him. I was ready to bring down his workshop if that was what it meant. I went there in the morning, and I didn’t leave. Not even to go and eat! I made sure he finished my work and I didn’t leave there without it. Almost a month behind the deadline he set for himself, I got my work ready for me.
It was not with a smiling face I received it at all, I just loaded it on the bus and went home immediately. I swore never to return to him and I meant it. Even to the point that when my friends wanted me to refer them to a carpenter, I expressly told them not to patronize that guy. That’s to show you how badly he affected me.
But then, not just carpenters, generator repairmen seem to have egos the size of an entire island. You’ll call some of them and it will be as if you’re begging them to come and take your money, or you need them to work for free. Many of them will know very well they are not coming but will keep gaslighting and giving you hope. You’ll end up not fixing your gen, and whatever you had planned to do with it could be ruined as a result!
It’s a pity they are so important, if not why would be bothered? However, unlike the carpenter, my generator guy is trustworthy and when he does work for me, he takes his time and does good work. He’s not like those who do shabby work, so the gen will spoil again and you’ll have to call them back. However, the main issue is always to actually get him to start the work. There are times when I got fed up with pampering him that I called someone else, now I have three generator guys on call. If one chooses to act up, I get another, simple!
And as for tailors, I’m not someone that sews a lot of clothes, so I’ve not really suffered disappointment at the hands of the tailor just yet. But I’ve heard stories, lots of them. But then, I actually know some good ones, like the tailor my sister patronizes who delivers her work right on time. At least, that’s the vibe I’ve been getting from how my sister relates with her. If someone is not happy with something or someone, you’ll be able to tell.
So, I don’t really have any personal reason to put tailors here, but still, they will be there. They’ll probably break my heart sometime in the future, so I’m already saving their slot already.
Wow… I’ve really been ranting o! All these about the carpenter happened a few months ago, but what brought it all back to me and made me mad was what I found out today. A friend of mine did the exact same job I did and within five days it was ready. And get this, it was even cheaper! So yeah, not all carpenters are douchebags! And guess who I’ll be patronizing from now on?
Everyone has a right to run their business the way they see fit. There are those who get careless when they begin to make sales and the money rolls in. They no longer care about the customers, forgetting that the customers are the ones bringing in the money. Well, just as they are working for their money, so am I. And I will not use my money to pay for stress and problems.
Whew… now that I’ve let it all off my chest, I feel so relieved. So, my dear friends, if you know any artisan that actually delivers on time and works well, hold them tight very well because it’s just heartbreakers that are out there. And if you are one of those who take pleasure in frustrating your clients…
You’ll not make heaven.
