How often do people do stuff they say they're going to do?

[The motor guy]

Recently I've started paying a few people to things on my boat and I've found it very common for them to say they will have something done on X day and then it really ends up being Y day days or even weeks later. This really irritates me cause I like to support small businesses, but I'm just shaking my head that these people don't seem to understand that your reputation is EVERYTHING! It seems like a lot of these small business guys are good at the work they do, but actually running the business and staying on schedule is another thing. I think most people worked for someone else before deciding to venture off by themselves. Opinions?

 

[WyrTwister]

A lot of reasons this happens . Few good or valid reasons .

A lot of difference between working for wages and running your own business . Often a very steep learning curve .

 

[Onetor]

A person is only as good as their word. Most people will tell you what you want to hear and never follow thru. The older generation of folks that I've knew. Their words were golden. But, we live in a technological complex world of our own design. Ugggh!

 

[MrMoody]

It's extremely difficult to find a mechanic who's skilled, careful and doesn't lie to you. The few that qualify always have a huge backlog.

 

[Zee09]

My own extended family never does what they say they will.
So I would not expect a complete stranger to either.
Trust but verify!

 

[The motor guy]

Usually if they were just upfront and honest about how long it was going to take I would probably still use the person and just wait.

 

[KGMtech]

Some people just respond with what YOU want to hear to get the work. Once they have you committed, you then have to accept their schedule. Not fair, it sucks.

 

[SeaJay]

I owned a boat for many years and much of the work needed was done by the marina mechanic at a few places.

Over promising and under delivering on the time line is standard operating procedure. I found that I needed to visit every day or every other day after the due date until they got tired of seeing my face and decided to just get the work done.

 

[Imp4]

Unfortunately, your only leverage here is to hold payment until work is completed.

 

[AZjeff]

Wait, you have a boat big enough that you hire multiple people to come work on it?

Who would have guessed..

 

[Lyman]

I was taught at a very young age to exceed other's expectations. Tell them you will be done Friday and finish the job Thursday.
I do this with my Boss and he is always happy with my work ethics. I always allow a little more time on everything I do.

 

[maxdustington]

Wrenching can be unpredictable, but I think you are complaining about lack of effort.

Some who don't have steady work might take a few jobs at once because they have to take whatever work they can get. Days can easily be explained by difficulties or waiting on materials. Weeks point to the fact that your project is probably on the back burner. You might have been put there because there are better paying jobs that get done first. It sucks, but businesses have to make money to keep their doors open.
Originally Posted by Blkstanger
I was taught at a very young age to exceed other's expectations. Tell them you will be done Friday and finish the job Thursday.
I do this with my Boss and he is always happy with my work ethics. I always allow a little more time on everything I do.
Makes sense until you are the hardest worker and make everyone look bad. Then the person who looks bad is friends with your boss. I've had this happen a few times. You have to feel out the workplace, but excessive grit and work ethic are often less important that office politics. That's why I like working construction, there is no where to hide on the jobsite.

 

[Number_35]

This seems to run in families, so it may be learned behaviour. After a while I give up on people who say stuff like "Yes indeed, we'll have to get together, yes we will. I'll call you!".

As they say, make promises sparingly, and keep them at all costs.

 

[StevieC]

As a successful sales guy who has jobs finding me and employers trying to steal me away from one another as of late, I can tell you it's based on my customer testimonials and that doesn't come by not delivering on a promise, whatever that might be.

I have worked along side the "I just don't have any luck" sales folks and I can tell you it's their attitude and broken promises that give them their results while I sail on by always exceeding my targets at the same company.

Honestly I'm addicted to the challenge of doing better and exceeding my targets quarter after quarter and it has been a walk in the park with the right attitude and always delivering on what was promised on-time the first time with great attention to detail.

It's not rocketscience and yet so many get it so wrong.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted by KGMtech
Some people just respond with what YOU want to hear to get the work. Once they have you committed, you then have to accept their schedule. Not fair, it sucks.


This.

 

[Smoky14]

Some what like a salesman who lies when the truth would serve him better, just part of their nature.
Give your word..keep your word.

Smoky

 

[Shannow]

Industrial gaskets salesmen (think 3' diameter, 600psi, 100F gaskets), industrial fastener salesman (think 5" diameter, 39" long, 12 Cr material), and industrial white metal bearing suppliers...I have found that there are a few key suppliers that will deliver on Christmas day if that's what they promise.

(Names available by PM...they are brilliant)

Everyone else lies.

 

[vavavroom]

People do stuff they say they're going to do about as reliably as they will do stuff they say they will never do.

 

[02SE]

Some people have integrity, some don't.

 

[Andrew1972]

No offense to trades but I have rarely comes across any who excel at trade and business at same time. It seems mutually exclusive.