Hullabaloo

In trying to find a word to adequately describe my day, this crazy expression seemed to fit. 

Monday's fog turned into this later yesterday. The weather was chilly yet sunny. I'm obviously walking off some tension. 

This is sadly true for today. Still extremely cold...but with no redeeming features.

I am grateful for my new (longer) poufy coat. It isn't as warm as the bright yellow jacket though. 

This is my grimace because I should have worn gloves!

The inside of my coat looks like aluminum foil. :)

Someone, or several someones, removed two of the storm drain covers along my route. Why would anyone do that? It's so dangerous to cars, runners and walkers, especially in the dusk or dark. 

Mari is working hard to get her treat that John put on top of the scratching post! I doubt that she's more frustrated than I am though. I've had to "live and learn" today. The smooth-talking restoration company about which my insurance agent had qualms has shown their true colors. After taking my tile then not getting back to me on a replacement (as promised), and after putting a $3,000 charge on the bid to repair a floor that was just fine, I was still willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. But today they informed me that they would need 100% of the money UP FRONT before ordering any material or sending any workers. When I questioned that, I was told that it's the way insurance jobs work (they don't); I immediately called the adjuster who was also flabbergasted that they would expect more than half the payment before even beginning the work. However, I signed a contract and evidently in the small print was the proviso that I would owe 20% of the bid if I backed out. (over $1,000) WHICH I'M GOING TO DO. Isn't that a lot of money to throw down a hole? Well, yes. What this company doesn't realize is that I just inherited $1.1 million dollars and can easily refuse to do business with untrustworthy contractors. I will also write some extremely nasty reviews of their company everywhere! In the meantime, I will have no master bathroom and an open concept kitchen ceiling for substantially longer. Sigh. Perhaps hullabaloo isn't the right word after all. Sh*t storm may be more accurate. 

 

 

Comments

[Kathy]

Ugh, sorry to hear about the contractors, that stinks. I'm glad you can afford to blow them off.

[Mary]

Before you pay anything, I might have a chat with the owner and explain the circumstances. As a small business owner, I will do a lot to keep clients happy, if I know about the problem. And this is horrible to say, but people who threaten to leave bad online reviews (there's only been one ever) generally get what they want, because at the time I couldn't afford to have that out there.

[DrumMajor]

Drats! Can you report the missing storm drain covers to the street department? Would any of the snow removal trucks have removed them accidentally, and they're hiding in the snow.

Too bad you got poopy contractors. Yep, NO contractor should ever ask for 100% up front. Maybe your insurance guy or the local "Angie's List" type place would have a good lead. Get 2 or 3 bids. I've always been surprised at the wide range of "suggestions," and bids have been from companies. They probably DO know of your inheritance. Just how nice your house appears is an indication of funds for upkeep. Or, ask a local realtor for good repair leads. As a last resort, apply Mari to the evil contractor by putting a red light beaming pen onto the person, if Mari's into chasing red lights. I would get a lawyer and demand to keep the 20%. There are many bad stories about bad contractors in the K.C. area.

Guess your foil-lined coat didn't totally bake you. Try an L.L.Bean jacket: so many to choose from, with zippers and pockets in the correct places, they last forever, and you can easily return if it's not the correct fit.

Mari might get perturbed at John. Not sure about kitty retaliation. Hang in there! Linda in Kansas

[AC]

I am having a memory of a Great Big Hullaballoo song on the Beverly Hillbillies. Of course, I may be wrong, for I can’t find it online.

[Ed]

Yeah, I learned the hard way too about how fine the print can be in a contractor's contract. The next major project, if every, I'll pay for a lawyer to review things before signing. I'm sure it would end up much cheaper.

[Susan]

Good contractors are hard to come by. I had a roofer accidentally drop a tool on my new deck and badly chip a cedar board. The roofer (owner) said he would fix the damage. The new roof is fantastic. Ultimately, I had the deck repaired by my master carpenter. The roofer made promises but followed through on nothing. I filed a review online at the "Bureau of Better Business," told all my friends and neighbors and filed with the MA Attorney General. I tell contractors I pay: one third at the job start date, one third at the halfway point and one third at project completion. (All payments are made at my house by check.) It's cold here too and a Northeaster is predicted for the weekend. I can also recommend LL Bean fleece and silk long johns. Layered under a jacket, both provide great warmth without weight. Just about now, a warm weather vacation sounds good to me.

[Ally Bean]

What a lousy turn of events with these contractors. Years ago there was a deceitful roofing company that pulled the same sort of sh!t as these people tried to do with you. Neighbors were unhappy, but it was all in the weasel words. Sorry about the financial loss, but also happy that you can ditch these people.

[Karen]

Oh my....it's so disappointing when contractors are shady. I'm glad you're able to walk away and support you writing reviews to expose those people.

[Matt]

I was reminded of hell hath no fury like a woman scorned reading the last of your post. Go get 'em, Margaret. Sorry that you had to deal with an unsavory company. I never thought I would love a puffy coat but I do. It keeps me pretty warm. Stay safe and take care.

[kayak woman]

I do walk in the dark most of the year and that open drain looks scary as all getout. Our storm sewer openings are typically built in with the curb so not where a lot of people walk although ducklings sometimes get stuck in them. As to the "hullabaloo" I have no words!

[kayak woman]

P.S. Reading more comments, re reporting missing drain covers. Our small city (Ann Arbor, MI) has a nifty online tool for reporting things like that. I used it once to report a streetlight that had been out for months after an ice storm. The downside of this tool is that people can use it to "tattle" on their neighbors for incomplete sidewalk snow removal.

[Joanne Noagon]

Shit storm covers it. I would write a scathing and true review and file it away, for copy and paste jobs as warranted. Even marginally appropriate. They are scum.

[Catalyst]

Oh my. Call your local television station (they must have scam experts). Nothing like a little, or a lot, of publicity to make them behave.

[Pixie]

I'm sorry the contractors are such assholes. That's disgusting and I'm glad to hear that you plan on making their tactics well known to warn off others.

[Wendy]

Oh my gosh. That is horrible about the contractor. I hope you can figure it all out and not have to pay the $1000.00
I do hope you called the city to report the storm covers missing. That is so dangerous

[Tonya Watkins]

I'm furious on your behalf about that contractor. Lodge a complaint with the BBB. Ugh, I'm so disgusted with PEOPLE.