The Daily Schedule

"So what's your schedule like on Thursday?" asked the contractor. We were trying to determine when he could come by and look at one of my apartment unit's broken heater.
"I'm definitely going to be available from 8 to 9 a.m. and from 11:00 to 1:00," I replied. "When can you you make it by?"
"I don't know. I'll give you a call."

So here it is, Thursday, and still no call, he's not answering his cell phone, and I'm trying not to scream with rage. When the contractors I work with for my job (apartment manager) find out that I'm a stay-at-home mom their automatic response is usually, "great! So you're available all the time?" That's right, buddy. I just sit here on my throne at home with my feet propped up while the world caters to me. You just drop by any old time!

What's with these guys? Do they feel obligated to ask me my availability out of an out-dated sense of courtesy? Really, we all know they are only asking so they can make sure to come during the two minute period when I've given up waiting and finally gotten in the shower for the day. Last week I waited 5 hours to let a painter in. Then the darling man called at the end of the day to ask if he could come the following morning instead. It's not a huge deal, except I have to deal with this kind of b.s. multiple times a week and I'm seriously considering going to trade school so I can just do all these jobs myself. In the time I've wasted waiting around for contractors, I could easily have read a few plumbing manuals, construction guides and learned how to take one look at a broken appliance and say, "yeah, buy a new one."

So here it is, 8 in the morning, and I have a whole day of waiting around to look forward to. Life doesn't get any better than this!

Comments

Anonymous said…
It's okay, it's not just a stay-at-home mom thing, they jack grad students around the same way. I'm sure they think "Oh! Grad student! So, 3 hours of class a day and then the rest of it off to noodle on the computer. Some don't even HAVE classes!" Never mind the fact that most days I'm on campus before 8 and not home until after six (after NINE today, actually, it's Thursday and I have TA meeting.)

Not that I'm, you know... noodling around on the internet NOW or anything.... I think I'll go write my lecture.
Anonymous said…
Have you heard of Angie's List? It's a ratings and review website for "home service contractors." I haven't used it yet (you have to subscribe), but I've heard great things about it. They charge the subscribers a fee because they don't take any ads (conflict of interest). Anyway, you might check it out and see if you can find a better repair person for your heater! Maybe your building owner would even pay for the subscription...
Anonymous said…
That is super annoying. I HATE waiting around for the repair guy, just to waste my entire day.
Janell said…
Amen, sista. I second adrienne's comment that they abuse grad students. Back in the days when I worked full time being able to (truthfully) say, "I work full time and will have to take half a day's vacation to get this resolved unless you come on Saturday. When are you wanting to come?" Seemed to get much more sympathetic time slotting. (Usually still vaugely "between 11 am and 3" but at least it was slightly more difinitive than "sometime on Thursday!")
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Popular Posts