My crappy day

Esmeralda · Guru

My crappy day

ken thomas · Guru

Helen
what sort of renovations are you having done?? if cupboards etc why not try a cabinet maker
Ken

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Geez Es, you really do need a drink! How frustrating!!! GRRR!
And yes I think gender has something to do with it, as well as theres so many vans and motorhomes around nowadays they really are busy.
What now? Is there somebody else who might be persuaded to do your reno?
I think I'll help you with that wine... its nearly 5pm here!

Ma · Guru

I'll have one for you Es if you like. It's 5.06 here and a nice bottle of Moscato awaits in the fridge.

Cruising Granny · Guru

While I hope it isn't a gender thing, I have a feeling it is. What's a "frail, little old lady" gunna do if they can't do the work. We'll just string her along for a little while and hope she changes her mind.
Surely the van was in the way of their other work. What did they gain by putting you off instead of saying "sorry" in the first instance.
Don't let them charge you storage. Don't you dare.
Some of these groups don't like working on caravans so they just string potential customers along, totally oblivious of the nuisance value to the customer. Caravans are awkward to work on.
What sort of work are you looking at having done to your van?

Happywanderer · The Master

Thats 6 weeks when you could have been out and about in your van Helen. B.... tradesmen.
It is now well after 5pm. Drink up.
Someone here will be able to tell you how to go about getting reno done if you say what it is you are wanting done. Even I might know.

Pejay · Guru

No, it isn't a gender thing - Esmerelda beat me to it with regard to having a whinge about 'people' doing work for you, we too have nothing but utter frustrations!! Need to get on the road again for a bit of sanity.

Wherever you are Esmerelda, we shall join you for that 5 o'clock drink, because we sure as goodness could use one too!!!

glassies · Guru

its 4.50pm here ill go have a corona in a little while for you :) sorry to hear ,its very frustrating at times being a female

Blue Orchid · Senior Member

Its not just a female thing, had a complaint to lodge with Telstra the other day, and had documented where and when the modem died, plus other facts as to who else could get the internet and how I determined that it was the modem that was at fault'

The highly experienced young technician tried to fob me off with technical jargon and I proved him wrong on every argument. I walked out of the store after he called me an old phart and questioned my qualifications.

After a phone call to a nice lady in the Phillipines, I got a new modem.

No drop outs or slow service since.

Would love to be able to go back to Hobart and shove the old modem in a place this young guy would never dream it fits.

Travel Bug · Guru

Sorry you had such a crappy day Es....but as Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson always say...."It's 5 o'clock Somewhere" smile smile smile

Esmeralda · Guru

Thanks guys - venting is done. I had the drink - definitely scotch and dry - would have had more but out of dry - funny there is some in the van!!

The work I want to have done is

raise the bed to fit porta potti underneath
put a plug for the solar on the drawbar and make sure all 12V is setup properly
replace a bit of water damaged timber in the ceiling
gas struts for the pop top
new awning
larger water tank and new lockable filler cap
replace table with trifold one or just make the current one smaller and easier to drop down

There are a couple of other little things that I could probably handle if I put my mind to it.

Unlike Beth I don't have a handy brother in law - well I have one and a brother but neither are physically able any more because of injuries. My dad is in his 85th year and no longer physically able (and very frustrated about it).

I have actually contacted a couple of other places who do caravan renos and repairs, so will wait with baited breath. One I have had contact with before as I they were who sold me the van in the first place, so I have high hopes.

I was trying to support local business but I think I am going to have to travel a bit further afield.

Thanks again for your kind thoughts. Helen

Happywanderer · The Master

Helen you might find those alterations can be done by different trades and do a bit at a time.
eg. I will replace my table sometime too and will go to a cabinetmaker here in town recommended by my neighbour.
Maybe raising the bed can be done by a builder/handyman

Esmeralda · Guru

Yes, I had thought of that - but because I cannot keep the van at home, I have to either pay for storage or keep it at the parents in Thornton. But I've told this guy that I can't pick the van up until Tuesday, so that gives me time to check out local cabinet makers I suppose. confuse

Ma · Guru

Just a thought Ez, but maybe go to the local senior citizens club and see if there are any retired cabinet makers who might be interested or even look up your local "Men's Shed".

wendyv · Guru

Es,
maybe you should think about bringing the van down to Melbourne, to Hardings at Bayswater/Kilsyth. They are really expert at van work. Have a Google and look at their web site, to get an idea of their range of expertise. You would have to book in ahead and may have to wait weeks for a slot because it is busy period coming up - but might be worth all that to get it done as you want.

scotia59 · Senior Member

Es - as a last resort, come over to Perth for a holiday and I'll talk my hubby into doing it for you. That is ridiculous how you have been treated, I am so glad that Alex is here to do ours, we just have to get the electrics checked by a electrician and luckily Alex being in the building trade has a good friend who will do that for us.
Don't give up, you will find someone to help. Maybe put an ad in your local free paper?

blaze · Guru

Do they have a "mens shed" in your local area, just a thought.
cheers
blaze

Esmeralda · Guru

Jean - the idea of going to Perth sounds good but its a bit far ......

Blaze and Ma - no men's shed in my local area

Wendy - I live in SE Melbourne and Hardings is on my list - as a last resort because of their timelines and reputation for being very expensive. I am waiting to hear from RV Repair Centre and if no reply by Tuesday morning when I pick the van up from present place, I will just rock up on my way past to take the van back to Thornton (near Alexandra).

There are many things flying around my head at the moment and I think I will give them a day or two to get settled into some sort of order. Someone has suggested I trade in - not an option at the moment. Maybe I will just concentrate on the 12V and the bed and live with the rest for a while.

Too early to drink by far, so a cup of tea it will be............

Ma · Guru

Check out some of the retirement villages or over 55's establishments, there is sure to be a couple of gentlemen there that would love to be able to fill in their time with helping a young lady in distress.

Travel Bug · Guru

Es,

in this age of technology, something that is often overlooked is the local newspaper. Sometimes a retired tradesman will advertise that they do handyman jobs.

Another option is to call into local Real Estate offices and ask who does the maintenance work on their rental properties.

I had great success recently with the R E office idea. I needed some work done to my house and I managed to find a retired tradie with 4 trades to his credit. He does great work at a reasonable rate.

My only complaint is that I didn't manage to find him before having (unsatisfactory) work done on my campervan.

Hope you manage to find someone suitable.

Cheers. Pam. smile

wendyv · Guru

Es, we have not found Hardings unreasonably expensive when they've serviced our van. But the timeline would be an issue because they do get very busy in the lead up to the annual northern migrations.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Oh, Es - what is it about these guys that they couldn't have told you earlier that they couldn't do the work. Have you been in to Carac in Dandenong Road, there is one guy there - bit older, kinda chubby - always been very helpful, and may point you in the right direction.
Now - raise your glass - cheers!!!!! Talk soon.