How to deal with this person

[Birker2020]

My trailer is currently at the mechanics being resprayed. I’ve known the mechanic a number of years, he mainly specialises in repairing cars but has experience with trailers and horseboxes too with both servicing and body repair. He’s a very pleasant chap but very laid back and extremely non-committal about length of time and pricing and he’s hard to pin him down to anything, you know the sort! He rents space in a huge workshop and has access to a paint spray booth in the workshop.

I rang him to ask him if he could recommend someone who might be able to paint my trailer for me and he offered to respray it for me free of charge if I helped him, but I said I hadn’t time and I wanted him to do it. But he was very non-committal on price and because he couldn’t come up with a price for me (I think it’s because he doesn’t know what to ask) I said I would pay him £150 to do it plus the cost of the paint which is around £90. We both agreed that that would be a fair price.

I called in last week after he’d had it about 4 days (I pass his garage on the way home) and he’d started sanding it down and pulling the existing flashing off it, so I said I’d leave it with him to get on with it, he had a number of cars he had in to repair and as time is no problem as I don't have a horse I don't mind if it takes two or three weeks. I climbed up so I could see the roof as he said it was in a bad way and it did look pretty bad with flashing that was peeling off and a lot of water damage.

I’ve just rung him to ask if he would service it for me whilst he had it and he said the roof needed extensive repair as it had rusted and will require a large amount of welding. I believe what he’s saying because I saw how bad it was myself but I am struggling to get any kind of pricing off him, he is very much ‘up in the air’ and says ‘don’t worry’ and is very non- committal. He goes off on a tangent and its extremely difficult to get any comittment from him at all. I know he won’t rip me off as he isn’t the type but I hate not having a figure to work to. He's also very hopeless on the phone and half the time his attention drifts away so I'm going to call in tonight to speak to him.

Anyone offer me any suggestions on dealing with such a complacent person? I feel like giving him a kick up the backside but because he’s such a kind and funny guy I really struggle to put across my frustration. How can I keep the conversation casual but try to keep his attention and get a pricing structure?

 

[Asha]

I would simply say to him that as the work to get the trailer done is getting more extensive it’s highly possible that it’s not a commercially viable option . So you need to know the costs so you can make a decision whether to stop now and buy a new one .

 

[Bernster]

Not sure I have a solution but did want to sympathise! I’ve used a lorry mechanic guy for years and he’s good, but he’s so disorganised! Forgets what he’s booked in, forgets what work he was supposed to do, but when nudged he does remember and gets on with the job!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Having had a similar trailer which rusted badly, it might well not be economic to get it professionally refurbed. All the welding, rubbing down etc costs - it's time heavy.

Whilst this doesn't help with yer man, it might be the time to brace yourself to buy something newer.

 

[Birker2020]

I would simply say to him that as the work to get the trailer done is getting more extensive it’s highly possible that it’s not a commercially viable option . So you need to know the costs so you can make a decision whether to stop now and buy a new one .

Unfortunately that tactic really won't work. He knows I won't sell it because its extremely sentimental to me, my Dad did a lot of work on it and it really is in good condition other than a couple of rust spots, its had a lot of servicing in the past and a lot of new things, like damper, mudguards, ramp, complete new wooden flooring and panels and is safe and easy to tow.

He also knows I wouldn't sell my trailer because to do so would mean I'd have to purchase another towing vehicle as I'd be really hard pressed to find anything as light in weight as this trailer is on the market in as good a condition. He also knows I won't sell my car because although its 11 years old its always been pretty reliable and has only 80K on the clock. And that belonged to my late Father so also has sentimental value.

 

[Asha]

Unfortunately that tactic really won't work. He knows I won't sell it because its extremely sentimental to me, my Dad did a lot of work on it and it really is in good condition other than a couple of rust spots, its had a lot of servicing in the past and a lot of new things, like damper, mudguards, ramp, complete new wooden flooring and panels and is safe and easy to tow.

He also knows I wouldn't sell my trailer because to do so would mean I'd have to purchase another towing vehicle as I'd be really hard pressed to find anything as light in weight as this trailer is on the market in as good a condition. He also knows I won't sell my car because although its 11 years old its always been pretty reliable and has only 80K on the clock. And that belonged to my late Father so also has sentimental value.

then tell him not to do anymore work on it until he gives you an idea of the cost.

 

[Birker2020]

Having had a similar trailer which rusted badly, it might well not be economic to get it professionally refurbed. All the welding, rubbing down etc costs - it's time heavy.

Whilst this doesn't help with yer man, it might be the time to brace yourself to buy something newer.

See reply below. New trailer/new towing vehicle = many thousands of pounds.

However I must admit O/H was making some noise the other day about buying a 4 x 4 which I could use to tow when I needed and still be able to keep my car and so could possibly upgrade the trailer but as its technically sound mechanical wise its hard, sometimes its better the devil you know. I really want to hang onto it if I can.

 

[rextherobber]

If it was your Dad's and you want to keep it, the cost is largely irrelevant really, it sounds like it will be ages before you get anything like a bill, so put a bit aside, or give the mechanic a bit every week, to keep on top of the costs. I think your paint job quote sounds very cheap, so cannot imagine he will charge a fortune for anything else. That said, welding is usually expensive ! But you either spend the cash and keep it up together, or keep it for sentimental reasons but it rots away...

 

[Birker2020]

Not sure I have a solution but did want to sympathise! I’ve used a lorry mechanic guy for years and he’s good, but he’s so disorganised! Forgets what he’s booked in, forgets what work he was supposed to do, but when nudged he does remember and gets on with the job!

Yes I'm one of many that struggle with the chap. You can never tie him down. He's not very methodical and he keeps a very chaotic business, whereas my other mechanic (who only does cars) is very thorough, asks you about the problem with the car, then books you in the diary, takes your phone number and registration number (in order to order parts) writes down what parts he might need for the job or what the car is coming in for, will always keep in phone contact with you, stands and talks to you.

Whereas trailer guy runs round like a headless chicken whilst spouting off many tales of old in between shouting 'where's my socket set gone?' or 'who's nicked my phone' when he hears it ringing. ARggh it drives me potty

 

[Birker2020]

If it was your Dad's and you want to keep it, the cost is largely irrelevant really, it sounds like it will be ages before you get anything like a bill, so put a bit aside, or give the mechanic a bit every week, to keep on top of the costs. I think your paint job quote sounds very cheap, so cannot imagine he will charge a fortune for anything else. That said, welding is usually expensive ! But you either spend the cash and keep it up together, or keep it for sentimental reasons but it rots away...

Yes that might be a good idea giving him a bit every week. I have about £450 put aside for it anyway, I don't know if that will cover the paint, the welding and the service but just to have any idea would be nice.

Dad spent so much time and love on the trailer, I have so many lovely memories of helping him, or sitting on the ramp with it parked outside the house whilst chatting to him about my day, and memories of all my lovely horses and how they all used to travel in it and all the adventures we went on and all the hundreds and thousands of miles of travel with it. Probably sounds silly to keep something for sentimental reasons, but I'd be really reluctant to part with it.