Door to door
So the other day we get someone at our door asking if we’re looking to have our driveway resealed and our lawns taken care of for the season as this company is in the neighbourhood doing just that. Right off the top I’m skeptical. I’ve been suckered in to this before. We have this company patch and reseal our driveway the driveway at our old house and they did such a crap job it wasn’t worth the money we paid for it. I was so pissed…
I told my wife not to agree to anything until I talked to him and saw what he had to offer. The next day he came by again and he walked and talked me though the process that they do and they make sure that we agree to the work before they leave. I talked to my wife again (who feels the same as I do) and we agreed to try them out. They’re going to come by and seal our driveway, patch up the cracks and rough spots in June or July.
I hope I’m not going to look like a fool again. I’ll let you know how it works out. What would you have done in this instance?
Play Asia
May 3rd, 2009 at 12:20 am
Hmm, I think I would have done the same thing as you. That they offered to let you inspect the work before they leave sounds good though. Hope things go well and it was great hearing from you again. 🙂
May 14th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
No prob. I’ll keep people update on the results.
May 3rd, 2009 at 9:44 pm
If you are really skeptical, you could contact the Better Business Bureau (I’m assuming Canada has a version of it) and see if they have anything negative to say about the company. Find out if there are any consumer complaints against them, then decide if its worth the risk.
Good to hear from you again Joe.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Sure thing. Yeah I could do that… the thing is… I’m lazy. But I probably should just to be sure.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:08 am
So Joe, Dude… Let me just say that a good way to believe in someone’s service is to see it with your own eyes. Was there another house in the local vicinity that you could see their work on or perhaps an old client they are using as a referral. If they don’t have something simple like that to offer you for proof, then why would you let them keep selling to you?
May 14th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I never even thought of asking to see some of their other work. I did that with my contractor for my bathroom… why wouldn’t I do that for my drive way?
May 9th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
I’ve been there, done that, been burned. What I’ve found is the real litmus test is whether they’ll come back the next day, like your guy did. The real fly-by-nighters are hit-and-run-away-fast-with-your-money-artists, their “special deals” are only right now because “we’re in your neighbourhood”. So my wife and I have a firm “never say ‘yes’ at the door” rule — if it’s a good deal today, it will be a good deal tomorrow after we’ve researched it and thought about it.
The fact the guy came back the next day and invested the time to talk and answer questions for you is a pretty good sign.
Good luck!
May 14th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Thanks! Yeah, I’ve never had a guy come back for my business. I hope this is a good sign. ^_^
May 11th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
I would of asked them how they got in my dorm, then told them I don’t even have a drive way or yard. Probably talk to my RA afterward as well.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
hahaha! ^_^