[Darlofan]

I’m not talking about using cash in hand trades, I don’t think I ever have. If I pay someone I want a money trail as proof they did it. Cheap does not have to mean cash in hand, nod nod, wink wink say no more. The anecdote about peeling paint on fascias and soffit wouldn’t happen to me because as I said I would research the job, ask the right questions and keep an eye on the work done.

[Darlofan]

@dale 18684 wrote:

You don’t believe you could possibly, ever, be charged the same or more for an inferior product or service? Really?

And that all tradesmen are some kind of latter day saints who can do no wrong, and would ALWAYS give a fair price guvnor….

ha ha ha ha ha ha

Trust no one that quotes for a job until you’ve researched, researched and researched. That’s my motto.

[Darlofan]

@Sheefag 18686 wrote:

Apologies, it was the simplicity and broadness of your argument.
I mean, if an aerial installer uses RG6/CT100 cable or cheapo low loss coax, it’s all the same then?
If an aerial installer uses a tape lashing kit, a wire lashing kit, sleeve anchors or chemical fixing then it’s all the same right?
If…….. etc.

Do you really think the majority of people out there would be able to see any difference in picture with different cables? Absolutely not. This is half the problem why people ask for cheap quotes. What they want is an honest quote not somebody up selling a platinum coated something or other that will improve the job and make it last a lifetime.

[Darlofan]

Working in the food industry for as long as I have you very quickly realise the end product is more than likely the same regardless of the packaging. This in my eyes transfers over into everyday things like car repairs, domestic jobs/repairs etc.

[Darlofan]

@Big H 18639 wrote:

What a load of crap.
It’s about having a bit of RESPECT for a person that provides a service, i.e a tradesman, be that an aerial installer, plumber, decorator, whatever, and realising that they don’t do their jobs for as CHEAP as possible in order to do a favour to somebody they have never even met or for fun or as a hobby but to pay mortgages and put food on the table just like everybody else. How hard is that to understand?

The problem is there are a lot if trades people out there that just hike prices thinking the ordinary house holder will be blinded by technical stuff. I’m as I’ve said financially savvy and good at diy, electrical etc and I can list endless things in my life where I’ve had quotes for jobs only to either get different diagnosis from another expert or look into the problem myself. Ford was the best, had a diesel leak on car, luckily I was at Huws Greys in Rhostyllen so went over road to Ford. Technician looked and took 10 seconds to show be pipe that was leaking. Part was £78 and an hour to fit so £168 all done. Luckily for me they had to order part in for afternoon. He taped leak up and booked me in, I then went to garage I’ve used in llay as next appointment was nearby, he looked, took pipe off, showed me split rubber washer, replaced for new washer that cost 10p charged me a fiver for his 3minutes work and job done. Took him longer to get fords tape off than replace washer. Sadly this goes on in any trade which is why people resort to twitter to ask for cheap trades people rather than reliable.

[Darlofan]

@Big H 18613 wrote:

@Darlofan 18608 wrote:

Last year our (old style massive) tv gave up. It was a tesco own make £179 and lasted just under 9 years. Thought we’d be flash then and spend a bit more on the next one. So we went to Richer Sounds and bought a Sharp tv 32in (nothing extreme) for over 300 quid. It lasted 3 weeks and 2 lots of repairs before it went back. Off to Tescos and picked up a 32in for £139 in sale. Lovely tv and still going strong. Same with washing machine, replaced the old cheap one last year after 9 yrs fault free with an indesit for twice the price. Engineer was out last week to that one so we’ll see.
I’d rather buy cheap. At the end of the day he wants a tv aerial put up so he can receive a picture. Picture will be the same whether he pays 10 quid or 100 quid.[/QUOTE

And there we have one of the many cheapskates in the area.

Not a cheapskate at all just financially savvy. I have a wife and 2 young children, we both work full time and have since age of 16. We own our own house and enjoy nice holidays each year, days out and meals out regularly with the kids and without. Yes I will research things before making major purchases and like a bargain (I research to check whether it is a bargain too not believe a label). I swap utility suppliers, haggle with Sky etc to reduce bills each year.
Just moved house and had new central heating fitted, I had various quotes for labour only as I could get boiler and parts cheaper. Quotes varied by £480 why would anyone sensible choose the dearest? Boiler and radiators are all fitted and gas safe certified exactly the same as if I’d used the more expensive plumber.

[Darlofan]

@Big H 18595 wrote:

Should have said ‘next to nothing’;)

Cheapest definitely isn’t best, I know from personal experience in hiring tradesmen. I’ve hired all kinds of trades over the past 30 or so years and believe me I’ve seen everything.

Pay cheap – pay twice.

Last year our (old style massive) tv gave up. It was a tesco own make £179 and lasted just under 9 years. Thought we’d be flash then and spend a bit more on the next one. So we went to Richer Sounds and bought a Sharp tv 32in (nothing extreme) for over 300 quid. It lasted 3 weeks and 2 lots of repairs before it went back. Off to Tescos and picked up a 32in for £139 in sale. Lovely tv and still going strong. Same with washing machine, replaced the old cheap one last year after 9 yrs fault free with an indesit for twice the price. Engineer was out last week to that one so we’ll see.
I’d rather buy cheap. At the end of the day he wants a tv aerial put up so he can receive a picture. Picture will be the same whether he pays 10 quid or 100 quid.

[Darlofan]

This scheme has been going on in Flintshire for years. Problem is if you get it wrong by one item and get the binmen on a bad day they’ll leave the whole box. Yesterday our glass got left because there was a plastic milk one in it. Could understand it if different wagons but it’s same wagon seperated into 2 sides. Don’t mind recycling at all but the amount of boxes, bins and bags is getting silly. We have room for them too, I feel for those with less outside space, terraced houses flats etc.

[Darlofan]

@Maureen Gray 18116 wrote:

Can the police not operate a sting in the area, I’d do a shift, would love to smack a smackhead around the head.

My god woman you can’t do that. You have to caution them for 20 or30 offences then use taxpayers money for experts to help them before they start robbing and thieving again. Whereas you hit them and you end up with a criminal record and paying a huge fine.

[Darlofan]

Only way this will be sorted is to build flyovers round onto the 55 so only chester traffic hits the roundabout. We all know it’ll happen in about 10 years time. I too started avoiding it a few years ago by driving through hope etc. Now moved into Flintshire so happily it doesn’t affect me anymore!

[Author]

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