It was so successful last week that we need another Talk Back Tuesday today! (Well, okay, it made *me* feel better….)
Today, I'm complaining about my bug service. The technician drives up and sits in his car, then puts an invoice on my door. He did not spray anything. I am ticked. Still, not wanting to get him in trouble (I'm too nice), I call and explain that I'm pretty sure he didn't do what he was supposed to do (I *know* he didn't do it). The supervisor informs me he has never, ever had a call about this guy in the past. I said, “Well I'm sure he's a nice person, but he's also human. It's hot, and he did not get out of his truck. I can promise you that.” I felt like it was my word against the tech's, and of course it is, but still — why would I make this up? Who wants MORE chemicals sprayed around their house?
Anyway, the supervisor is sending him back out today to spray around my house. But how will I know he did it? I'm sure he will do it this time, having been caught red-handed, but how will I know that he'll do it in the future? Every time I see that invoice on my door, I'm going to wonder.
Would you change services? Or would you give them another chance? This is a known chain, not just a local company. What is your tolerance limit for stuff like this? Hubby thinks I'm too nice, but I think everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt. Still, as we continue forward from this point, I'm not sure I trust this guy. *sigh*
I’m sorry. I wouldn’t trust him either. I don’t think you’d be out of line to (at a minimum) request another technician.
Its like sending food back to the kitchen at a restaurant. Even if you’re nice about it and its totally the waiter or the cook’s fault, you just can’t trust that they haven’t spit in it. I’d say switch service.
I’d check with someone else on the block whose house this guy does, or be sure to be home the next time just to keep an eye out and see if this is repeat. Or ask the next-door neighbor to keep an eye open.
Neighborhood watches are good for this stuff… 🙂
I wouldn’t trust them, Lynn. We had a lawn service and sometimes the guy would come and we would see him doing something but he wouldn’t do it to the entire yard when he was supposed to and half o the treatment ended up on our driveway or sidewalks. So yeah, you definitely have a reason to complain. We finally ended our service because of it.
As far as food goes, SP, have you seen the movie WAITING? I’ll never send food back again! *eyes popping out of head* Blech!
Want the name of my bug guy?
Wow, everyone has such great thoughts!
I was out for a while today, and when I got home, there was the invoice on the door again. No charge this time, of course, and when I looked around the house, he did indeed get the spider webs down (which he is supposed to do). I’m pretty sure he did the spray this time, because I could smell something and when I raised my garage door, there was a damp area across the seam like it’d rained.
But will he do it in the future? That’s the question. *sigh*
Sure, PC, give me the name of your bug guy. Can’t hurt to have a back up in case we decide to cancel. I would dearly love to have heard what the supervisor said to this guy, and what he said in return.
Benefit of the doubt is one thing. Watching him steal from you (which is what he did when he billed for services not rendered) is another thing entirely.
I’d call their corporate headquarters and ask them to give me a good reason not to switch services. Who knows? You might get a couple months free or something. Or you might end up switching. But I’d be very wary of the guy from now on.
I’m nice too, but my niceness has its limits. Speaking of which, I hafta call the fence company and complain about my warped gate and broken handle.
Marilyn
Yikes, you’re right, Marilyn. It’s theft. I didn’t look at it that way. I was just thinking about how I didn’t want to cause anyone to lose a job, especially now, you know? I guess my only recourse would be to switch companies, or to insist on a new tech, or a phone call each time he comes out. That way I can watch. :/
The theft bit is why I thought of the neighborhood watch… They’re there to watch out for thieves.
Heck, maybe down the road you can kill off a sneaky bug guy in one of your novels.