Frustrating Day

@5thHouse (1678)
Sheffield, England
October 11, 2016 12:10pm CST
Our washing machine decided for some reason best known to itself that it wasn't going to work anymore. It was all very sudden. No warning, no signs of it being in bad health (despite its considerable age.) Since yesterday I've phoned 4 different companies specializing in washing machine repair and you wouldn't believe how impossible it is to just get someone to phone back, let alone to actually come round and fix the thing. 4 different voicemails left and so far all I've had is a woman from 'customer services' ringing to tell me that there were no engineers in my area and one was "off sick." When I enquired as to when there might be someone available, she was so vague and disinterested that I found myself saying, "Okay. We'd better leave it then" and hung up. I think it might turn out simpler just to get a new machine. This one is pretty old after all and has served us well but it frustrates me that when I try to get any kind of workman in, I'm likely to be met with the same old problems - messages ignored, people not turning up. Maybe its a British thing. I know the UKIP supporters go on and on about 'foreign' workers stealing our jobs but in some cases I do wonder if the 'foreign' workers actually are more reliable. In my job I'm contractually bound to provide court transcripts by a certain date and there's absolutely no way I could get away with not doing what I've agreed to do, but some people seem to stay in business despite being completely unreliable. How is that so? It's as if there really is a big gap in the market right now for people who actually turn up. It's getting to the point where if I saw an ad that said, "I ALWAYS turn up" I would be more likely to want to hire that person, even though it should surely go without saying. On a happier note I ran 25 minutes without stopping yesterday and that is a big step for me (I only started running in September.) I've got 4 weeks still to go in the Couch to 5K program and I'm determined.
7 people like this
8 responses
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
11 Oct 16
I can't speak for the whole country but in the area of Germany where I live craftspeople are very reliable.
3 people like this
@5thHouse (1678)
• Sheffield, England
11 Oct 16
I wonder if it's because I live in the back of beyond, or at least this is how it seems to them, a long way to trail for what probably isn't a lucrative enough job to be worth their while. But I do try to only contact people who claim to cover my area.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121482)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Oct 16
I was thinking the same thing about the community where I live. The repair companies are very reliable, and get the job done quickly for a fair and reasonable price. But we have a lot of competition, so in order for these businesses to survive, they must be fast, reliable and affordable, plus provide great customer service!
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
12 Oct 16
Congratulations on your run! Sorry to hear about your washing machine though. You're right, it seems like they aren't many repairmen anymore.
1 person likes this
@5thHouse (1678)
• Sheffield, England
12 Oct 16
Someone phoned me back today so (touch wood) they will actually turn up on Friday to sort it out. Fingers crossed
• Australia
11 Oct 16
Hopefully tomorrow brings some luck to you.
@5thHouse (1678)
• Sheffield, England
11 Oct 16
Yes, let's hope so. Otherwise I'm going to have to go to the launderette!
@skysnap (20153)
11 Oct 16
All the best for your resolve :)
1 person likes this
@5thHouse (1678)
• Sheffield, England
11 Oct 16
Thanks. Tomorrow is another day so perhaps there'll be a breakthrough!
1 person likes this
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
11 Oct 16
This year we lost our furnace and our central air conditioner and it was costly. Good luck with your machine.
1 person likes this
@5thHouse (1678)
• Sheffield, England
11 Oct 16
It may not be cost-efficient to have it repaired and I might end up getting a new one. I could've done without the expense right now, but these things always have to happen at the most inconvenient time.
@Tampa_girl7 (50069)
• United States
21 Oct 16
I hate it when an appliance stops working
• Preston, England
12 Oct 16
hope you are able to get it sorted or replaced soon
• Eugene, Oregon
12 Oct 16
I am glad that we have repair people hungry for business where I live. That situation would be hard to deal with. You are doing great with that running!