Comments on: Living in a World of Low Accountability and False Pride http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/06/25/living-in-a-world-of-low-accountability-and-false-pride/ Austin Real Estate Blog Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:55:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Steve Crossland http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/06/25/living-in-a-world-of-low-accountability-and-false-pride/comment-page-1/#comment-14776 Steve Crossland Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:40:28 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=469#comment-14776 Get this, the guy finished up the job this afternoon. It looked good so I gave my Mom the go ahead to pay him and then I left as the guy was loading up his stuff. My Mom called me 15 minutes later and told me he tried to hit her up for extra money after I left, whining about the extra time it took him and the extra "$30 per trip" visits he had to make to the job. She stood her ground and paid the agreed remainder but I can't believe that he waited until I left then tried to get my Mom to fork out more money. Contractors have the same problem as Realtors. Those of us who are straight up and deal fairly with people have to fight the negative stereotypes that the bad apples create. I know there are a lot of good contractors out there, but it's hard to tell up front who they are because even the bad ones normally talk a good game when bidding a job. Steve Get this, the guy finished up the job this afternoon. It looked good so I gave my Mom the go ahead to pay him and then I left as the guy was loading up his stuff.

My Mom called me 15 minutes later and told me he tried to hit her up for extra money after I left, whining about the extra time it took him and the extra “$30 per trip” visits he had to make to the job.

She stood her ground and paid the agreed remainder but I can’t believe that he waited until I left then tried to get my Mom to fork out more money.

Contractors have the same problem as Realtors. Those of us who are straight up and deal fairly with people have to fight the negative stereotypes that the bad apples create. I know there are a lot of good contractors out there, but it’s hard to tell up front who they are because even the bad ones normally talk a good game when bidding a job.

Steve

]]> By: arz http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/06/25/living-in-a-world-of-low-accountability-and-false-pride/comment-page-1/#comment-14774 arz Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:28:46 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=469#comment-14774 good story, i learned. I have a soft heart and contractors quickly learn how to walk all over you if you start letting little things slip. It's sad but true reality that dealing with tradesman (or any business really) take a lot of courage and hard-ass-ness. good story, i learned. I have a soft heart and contractors quickly learn how to walk all over you if you start letting little things slip. It’s sad but true reality that dealing with tradesman (or any business really) take a lot of courage and hard-ass-ness.

]]> By: Michael @ The Stage Coach http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/06/25/living-in-a-world-of-low-accountability-and-false-pride/comment-page-1/#comment-14717 Michael @ The Stage Coach Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:56:45 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=469#comment-14717 Great Post, Steve! Mediocrity seems to have become more acceptable since we moved here in 2002. A prime example is the help at the grocery store. In 2002, people were out of their way friendly and helpful. I have noticed this year, it's unreasonable for me to expect that the cooler be stocked by 8am on Saturday with gallons of milk that expire in a week's time (not tomorrow). On a related note, it seems that it is acceptable to "Over Promise" and "Under Deliver." I see it all of the time: whether it be missed deadlines or only doing 90% of what was promised. It's better for your professional reputation to say, "that's out of my expertise" or "will not finish before..." than to make empty promises of "Sure... No problem..." Your word is your reputation... Great Post, Steve!
Mediocrity seems to have become more acceptable since we moved here in 2002. A prime example is the help at the grocery store. In 2002, people were out of their way friendly and helpful. I have noticed this year, it’s unreasonable for me to expect that the cooler be stocked by 8am on Saturday with gallons of milk that expire in a week’s time (not tomorrow).

On a related note, it seems that it is acceptable to “Over Promise” and “Under Deliver.” I see it all of the time: whether it be missed deadlines or only doing 90% of what was promised. It’s better for your professional reputation to say, “that’s out of my expertise” or “will not finish before…” than to make empty promises of “Sure… No problem…”

Your word is your reputation…

]]> By: Using the Jungian Archetypes to Succeed in Product Management | Product Beautiful: Building Product Management by Paul Young http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/06/25/living-in-a-world-of-low-accountability-and-false-pride/comment-page-1/#comment-14686 Using the Jungian Archetypes to Succeed in Product Management | Product Beautiful: Building Product Management by Paul Young Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:57:33 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=469#comment-14686 [...] Crossland made a great post today about how he dealt with a problematic contractor to resolve a conflict.  He presents his [...] [...] Crossland made a great post today about how he dealt with a problematic contractor to resolve a conflict.  He presents his [...]

]]> By: Paul Young http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/06/25/living-in-a-world-of-low-accountability-and-false-pride/comment-page-1/#comment-14671 Paul Young Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:03:33 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=469#comment-14671 Steve, this is a great story. I'm going to reference it on my blog. Steve, this is a great story. I’m going to reference it on my blog.

]]> By: Steve Crossland http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/06/25/living-in-a-world-of-low-accountability-and-false-pride/comment-page-1/#comment-14614 Steve Crossland Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:35:45 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=469#comment-14614 M1EK, if the work is not completed properly he won't get paid. But your point is well taken. Knowing when and where to pick battles is important. I find it frustrating though that mediocrity has become so acceptable in so many facets of professional and trade services nowadays. Steve M1EK, if the work is not completed properly he won’t get paid. But your point is well taken.

Knowing when and where to pick battles is important. I find it frustrating though that mediocrity has become so acceptable in so many facets of professional and trade services nowadays.

Steve

]]> By: M1EK http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/06/25/living-in-a-world-of-low-accountability-and-false-pride/comment-page-1/#comment-14607 M1EK Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:13:03 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=469#comment-14607 I like to hear about people being held accountable - but realistically is this a pragmatic solution? How do you know the guy's not going to take his anger out in the quality of the work now? I like to hear about people being held accountable – but realistically is this a pragmatic solution? How do you know the guy’s not going to take his anger out in the quality of the work now?

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