I called to have our old Gorilla play set removed and disposed of. Part of the job was to include construction of the new Gorilla play set we have purchased for our boys for a Christmas present. My husband and I (of course) are trying to find not just the most reasonable price for our family to complete the job, but a company/service that we can trust in.
Right away Troy (the owner) expressed he was "uninterested in doing a written estimate to compete with fly by nights guys." He would instead give a verbal estimate then return with a contract for us to sign (requesting a $100 deposit thereafter) solidifying. The contract, he assured, "would detail everything."
Signing a well-done fair contract for this job isn't what alarmed me. This is a project we are committed to for our kids. What alarmed me was Troy's insistence we sign immediately upon receiving the contract with him there and without time to go over it in private as a family.
I expressed I was uncomfortable signing anything especially a contract without proper time to go over it in private with my husband.
Troy responded, "Why don't you let me meet your husband and I go over it with your husband and explain it all." It was rather demeaning. And he completely missed the point.
I explained again, we should be allowed time as a family to go over the contract its details, discuss it, and go over our budget and decide in private without him present. We should, as consumers, be allowed time to consider other services and estimates/contracts given to us, and all contracts in private, so we can find the right company for the job. Doing so is every consumer's right.
Troy didn't like this idea.
So, he said, "You know what, I can tell you're nervous, so I'm going to pass on this job."
Of course I'm nervous signing a contract with someone peering over my shoulder! You're damn right I'm hesitant around someone wanting me to sign something immediately. Of course I'm nervous around someone not allowing me time to read the details on my own and consider the best option for our family budget in private with my husband. And of course I'm nervous around someone who pressures our family not find the best price for our job, but rather just commit to his contract!
Horrible. I will not be calling Home works Handyman Services for any other project, because of the amount of ridiculous pressure he imposed. It was similar to a shady salesman looking to quickly bind you into a contract you don't understand nor had time to properly read and consider. I'm glad Troy passed. Perhaps he passed, because he realized we weren't the family to dupe into signing something without proper consideration. I can only imagine what he would charge...
Tiffanie DiDonato
Author and New York Times contributor. read more