SMALL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES

Stuck for a plumber? Need a new TV aerial fitting? Got a problem with your PC? Well, you could call one of the many independent small one-man businesses that advertise regularly in the back pages of your local paper. But don't bother taking time off work - they probably won't turn up.

These one-man businesses, which are often set-up following redundancy, often complain about the difficulty in making a decent living. They have to compete with the bigger, well established companies and, they claim, can't match price so have to go for personal service in order to attract customers. The columns in the local press are awash with advertisements from these traders all hoping to attract your business.

These adverts usually follow the same pattern - 'No call-out charge', 'prompt service', 'guaranteed work', 'no-fix no-fee', etc; but calling these people usually means leaving your details for them to call you back as they are invariably out doing a job. IF they call you back you can then describe the work you need doing or problem that needs fixing, and arrange a suitable time for them to visit.

You can then forget all about it, because that's exactly what they'll do. This can only be down to two reasons:

a) They don't feel able or confident to complete the work, or

b) They feel the job is too small for them and not worth their time.

Of course, they may just be so incompetent or dis-organised that they scribble your details on a scrap of paper which they promptly lose. It also seems that many of these businesses are totally unsuited to carry out the work anyway. It's also surprising how many 'Gas Service Engineers' who regularly advertise have never heard of a wall-mounted, balanced-flue gas heater!