Yesterday

It started out all so innocently…

We have a piece of furniture. We wanted it refinished. We made a call. A ‘guy’ came out to the house for a FREE ESTIMATE. He was to be there between 6:00 – 8:00. He drove in at 7:05pm

That is where things got...ODD. He sat in his car for about 5 minutes. Got out of his car, stood beside the car, got back in the car, got out of the car, took his ‘bag’ out of the car and FINALLY made it to our door.

He walked in and we told him that we were going in the basement and he should leave his shoes on. He said that something things get on the bottom of his shoes and he proceeded to lift up each foot so we could inspect the soles. He then took his coat off and HANDED it to Mark.

I was in the kitchen organizing dinner. We didn’t want to be eating while he was there, so when we saw him pull in, I started getting things ready – as a quote would only take about 10 or 15 minutes...right???

Well Joe – that was his name – was heading downstairs with Mark to see the chest of drawers. He first stopped in our living room and looked around. LOOKED AROUND and made COMMENTS!! What is up with that??

FINALLY he headed for the stairs and SLOWLY made his way down. Did I mention he was old? He was – VERY old – I cut him some slack…at first.

He gets to the bottom step and I am behind him. He takes one step and stops. Just stops. I am trapped. I can’t go anywhere. There is no space to go around him. He just STARES at the chest of drawers. Just stares.

I should also mention that Joe had a bad back. Mark had to carry his bag down the stairs for him...fine.

Joe FINALLY moved. Yet he still stared at the furniture. Then he started talking. He has a 21 year old daughter. She goes to Carleton University. They live in a 3 bedroom house. He lives in Oakville. He has a friend with the same last name as us – but spelled differently. He has a buddy who bought a golf course. He used to live in Elk Lake. His wife is taking the day off tomorrow. He is 77. He still has a mortgage. Wife still works too, etc, etc, etc...

By this time – I couldn’t take it anymore. I went upstairs. I could still hear him talking. Mark asked if he could quote and Joe said – don’t rush me. I have to look at this still. Yet – Joe kept talking and talking and talking…

Then he FINALLY got out his glasses – or wanted to...they were in his coat. Mark ran up to get the coat. Joe kept talking. Then the glasses were on and then the staring resumed. He guessed that the chest was older then he was. I really don’t know if it is or not, but it is old.

Then he needed a tape measure. He couldn’t find it in his bag. His wife must have taken it out to use it. She does that sometimes. We went and got one of our tape measures. Mark had to measure. Joe has a bad back – can’t bend over.

Joe was unsure – had to make a phone call.

He has now been there for 35 minutes and NOTHING – no quote, no estimate NOTHING!

Mark came upstairs while Joe was making his call. Then Joe came upstairs and headed for our UPSTAIRS – he wanted to use the washroom – His Tim Horton’s had gone right through him and he need to relieve himself.

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO – there is a washroom in the basement – use that one I said. I was starting to get creeped out by the guy – I didn’t want him staring at our bedrooms and making comments. ICK!

When he went back down, I told Mark to tell him to leave. I didn’t care about the quote, I didn’t want him in my house any more – he needed to go.

Mark went downstairs and Joe said – I should be done in about 20 minutes – WHAT??? He had been there fro 50 minutes already!!!

Mark was getting to his wits end too – AND we were both getting hungry as it was now after 8:00 and still no dinner.

Mark went down to the basement and told Joe that he had to leave. Joe seems flustered. Then SUDDENLY when he was told to leave – he was able to pop out a number for us. Being as we are a young couple he will give us a $300 discount and do the refinishing for the bargain basement price of $1800!!! We almost fell over! I could buy a whole bedroom suite for that price!!

Needless to say, the next quote, we will ask how long it takes BEFORE they arrive at our house.

Live and learn!