Amazing how some "professionals" out right lie

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by BE911SC

How's a guy supposed to make a buck if he has to tell the truth all the time?

You put that in green but it's sadly true.

The more honest I am the less chance the customer is going to buy the product I sell. I have never sold a machine to a person who called wanting to know if I charge sales tax on out of state purchases. Most sellers would simply say "If it's shipped by a commercial hauler, I do not charge sales tax" and that's the first part of what I tell people BUT I don't stop there. I go on to tell them that if they are buying for business purposes and plan to expense the machine they should contact their accountant because most states have a use tax you are supposed to pay on out of state purchases. That's when everything goes south. People say they want honesty... but seldom reward it.

[Tobra]

EDH is very nice. Citrus trees might not grow as well, but apples and cherries out to do okay.

[dad911]

It's more amazing when your hear 'expert testiony' BS/lies in the courtroom after they swear to tell the truth......

[Charles Freeborn]

I've worked (briefly) for a few outright liars. Never pleasant to have to go along with their charade...I quit both jobs asap.
As for pools - no real rocket science. I used to tend my folks, and that was in the days of diatomaceous earth filter media. Boy was that a hassle. Otherwise it's just a matter of understanding simple chemistry (acid vs base ph levels), anti fungals (chlorine or bromine) and then practice. Not hard at all. Skimming and vacuuming is pleasantly meditative if you're so inclined...

[BE911SC]

Originally Posted by Charles Freeborn

I've worked (briefly) for a few outright liars. Never pleasant to have to go along with their charade...I quit both jobs asap.
As for pools - no real rocket science. I used to tend my folks, and that was in the days of diatomaceous earth filter media. Boy was that a hassle. Otherwise it's just a matter of understanding simple chemistry (acid vs base ph levels), anti fungals (chlorine or bromine) and then practice. Not hard at all. Skimming and vacuuming is pleasantly meditative if you're so inclined...

It's not hard to care for swimming pools. After all, pool guys do it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

"Professional" is one of the most over-used, watered-down and now-meaningless words in the English language.

Just because someone has someone else willing to pay them to do something doesn't make them a "professional" even though that's what the definition has come to mean. It used to mean one of the "learned professions" - a person who needed extensive specialized training and special certification to avoid being a danger to the public since they're placed in positions of trust that can result in much injury or damage if they're incompetent or incapable. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, etc. Those are "professionals".

This. Sorry but experience cleaning pools does not make you a professional.

[freeform911]

Why the hate on pool guys? I've been on both sides of the pool business, construction and service. yes most are fly by-night hacks but you do have a few that are honest and not out to take advantage. To call myself a professional would be crazy (even though I know more than the average homeowner about his/her pool).....but more like a jack of all trades. Electrical, plumbing, concrete, fiberglass, and just basic troubleshooting of all systems related to the proper operation of the system....OH and probably the most important part is proper water chemistry...Either way I think it's human nature to lie and deceive...just my thought!!!!!!

[pavulon]

Honesty and integrity have gone the way of the Dodo bird. Nearly everybody operates as if they're a trying to be a contestant on "Survivor" never stopping to think the show sucks.

[johnsjmc]

Originally Posted by freeform911

Why the hate on pool guys? I've been on both sides of the pool business, construction and service. yes most are fly by-night hacks but you do have a few that are honest and not out to take advantage. To call myself a professional would be crazy (even though I know more than the average homeowner about his/her pool).....but more like a jack of all trades. Electrical, plumbing, concrete, fiberglass, and just basic troubleshooting of all systems related to the proper operation of the system....OH and probably the most important part is proper water chemistry...Either way I think it's human nature to lie and deceive...just my thought!!!!!!

Probably explained best in your first line " most are fly by night hacks".
I have the same opinion of anyone selling door to door. I won,t deal with them as a matter of principle.

[freeform911]

My point being it doesn't matter what so called profession, you will always find majority of them being out for the dollar bill vs being honest, trustworthy, and making money second priority....just trying to defend by trade...not all of use pool guys suck...

[rwest]

Just guessing, but any trade that has a low cost of entry- ie., doesn't take a huge amount of special equipment or extensive training will have the most amount of people acting non-professional.

Pool cleaning, painting and lawn care are just a couple examples.

See it a lot; guy is working for a company, sees how much the boss charges the home owner or business for the job and compares it to his wages for doing the job and thinks "wow," I could make a ton more money if I start my own business. Of course guy has no clue about running a business or associated costs beyond pure wages and the customer is the one who gets screwed.

[biosurfer1]

Originally Posted by rwest

See it a lot; guy is working for a company, sees how much the boss charges the home owner or business for the job and compares it to his wages for doing the job and thinks "wow," I could make a ton more money if I start my own business.

Bingo, the inspector I used knew the local president of the chapter of pool people (not their technical name) and called to ask about the maintenance guy. Said he knew him, worked for a big pool company for 2 years and is now out on his own. Basically, in the nicest way possible, said they guy doesn't really know pool chemistry well, and even less likely to know salt water chemistry.

[freeform911]

Low cost of entry and training are a issue for services such as painting..pool service..lawn care...but with any profession or job most is taught on job..in order to be good at anything you have to be dedicated to doing whatever it is you do...as far as a person thinking they know more than the boss and striking out on their own some people do want more than to work for some else...in the cases of poor work I will put alot of blame on the homeowner...everyone wants things for free and unfortunately you do get what you pay for most times...just an fyi you also have hack doctors, lawyers, mechanics ect.....doesn't matter what the job title is...

[Rusty Heap]

[UconnTim97]

I thought pool guys only existed in adult entertainment videos. Learn something new everyday.

[john70t]

"Thank you for visiting our website. Your privacy is important to us."

[T77911S]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

This has no relevance to the OP's issue but I have found the most crooked professionals are home inspectors.

i don't think a home inspector has a dog in the fight so the worst you may get is a "drive by" home inspection. i try to be there when they do it.
same with an appraiser.

I was thinking HVAC guys because most people have NO idea what so ever about AC.


next is realtors themselves.
just put your house FSBO. you will find out.
I had more realtors call me and tell me they had a buyer for my house, only to get out there and have no buyer but want me to list it with them.