Hello all. Hope you are all well. We are back to feeling like winter this morning. It is about 40 degrees cooler this morning than yesterday morning! We sure had the winds and rain yesterday, but nothing like some areas had. There were many tornadoes that touched down north - just so sad to see all the damage.
Talk about a roller coaster of weather - we got it! We have winds of March, April showers, summer storms and winter cold and snow - all in a few days! It is nuts. Sunday we may hit 70* again and by Tuesday morning they are saying lows in the teens!! And SNOW! It is the season of change for sure.
We have wind warnings around for late tonight and tomorrow again - I sure do love calm and pretty days!!! I guess the nasty weather makes us really appreciate the good days.
With damage the scammers come out to prey upon vulnerable folks. It is awful. Some folks will do anything they can in a dishonest fashion to make a buck!! Geesh, if they would work as hard at doing good work it would be wonderful.
Whether you are having repairs made due to weather damage or just doing remodeling - take your time and check people out. Even with storm damage - TAKE YOUR TIME to decide (I know that seems hard to do). People are anxious and scared and worried, and they can make rash decisions.
NEVER pay for a job up front! You have nothing to guarantee they will be back and do the work. Pay in increments, if necessary. Let insurance pay when possible.
ALWAYS check the businesses out. Call the BBB and check on them, call the attorney general, do the work - so you aren't scammed.
I like to use people that family or friends have used - word of mouth. Put the word out and listen to people you know. I would never use someone that just shows up at my door, soliciting business. I love using small family-owned businesses, but I still need to know they can be trusted to do good work.
It is very sad that we have to consider things like things - but there are so many bad people out there. Listen to your inner self and your gut. Listen to people you know. Don't be a victim to anything else.
Common sense is so important.
I hope you all have a lovely day and a super weekend.
Cheryl, your comments are perfectly in sync with what’s been on my mind. Many family-owned businesses that have served my area for years have been sold to new owners. In many cases it’s hard to know there are new owners. This has happened to me several times in the past year. In Florida, there is a way to research company ownership through a state database called Sunbiz but you have to know to look.
ReplyDeleteA/C company began raising prises and upselling product. I did research and sure enough company had been sold. Plumber for my shower had been sold and I didn’t know it. Carpet cleaning company did a fantastic job on carpets at my “new” house but when I used them for the townhouse, not so good. (I did know that this business had new owners.) Most recently I called the roofing company for my townhouse to find out about transferring lifetime labor warranty to new owners. Nope, company founder died in 2024 and new owners don’t honor the warranty. (Shingles are still warranted by manufacturer.)
Yesterday I drove by the funeral home that handled my dad and mom’s funerals. Out of business and building is up for sale. I’m SO glad that I did not buy a pre-need funeral arrangements package for myself which I had considered. Barbara M.
Oh y goodness, that is a lot of things happening. It would be tough to know if it has been sold - without doing a lot of research. Once you trust someone, you think using again would be ok - but maybe not. What a shame.
DeleteOur entire family, for years, has used the same family owned funeral home. I sure hope they are around for many more years - I think they are on their third generation.
It's bad enough to have storm damage, but even worse to be fleeced by a scammer. Gotta be diligent and get referrals from folks you trust. However, a person can't always go by a recommendation by a friend or neighbor. Our neighbor had used a plumbing company that cheated us on a job. She said they liked their work; us, not so much. They were thieves. Years ago, the fellow who owned the house across the street hired a young man to do the renovation work, and that same young man returned the supplies to Lowe's, kept the money and disappeared.
ReplyDeleteThe sun is shining brightly, which is a blessing as it is chilly this morning. I was just getting used to this early spring, which of course doesn't last until later on. My old-fashioned lilac is budding out, and lots of the spring bulbs have bloomed. Sure hate to see them get bit by the upcoming cold temps, but it's too much to cover.
Enjoy your weekend. See you on Sunday!
You are right -nature assaults you - then contractors do the same sometimes. I have been fortunate to have had good luck with people someone recommended. Not that I have much done professionally. Just ticks me off that there are so many dishonest people.
DeleteThe sun is wonderful and the sky is sure blue today. Chilly, but at least it isn't raining or snowing!
I've always thought the same thing about scammers. They put so much time and effort into plotting how to rip people off instead of just good honest hard work.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't the world be a better place? Some work really hard to screw people over - work hard at something good. Win-win.
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