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May 18, 2007
Contractor Slander
Here's a little pet peeve I have. There are posts on this site pertaining to contractors that sound suspiciously like their competition trying to hurt their rep. I used to kind of shrug it off as petty jealousy when I suspected it before, but now it involves a contractor on my job who's doing a legitimately exceptional job (and I have a lot of experience in renovation and construction). I see this slander about him, and I wonder: if this poster was legit, he/she would leave an email, right?
I know when I recommend someone, I always give my email -- so people know I'm legit or maybe they just want to discuss the details.
I guess my point is, just be careful when you read a lot of this "advice". If it sounds fishy, and doesn't have an email or tel contact, just dismiss it, and look for posts that are backed up with people who are willing to share their experience.
Comments
A lot of people might not want to offer a bad recomdedation for fear of reprisal. (serious or petty) I think if you have to take any blog for what it is; advice from strangers. Buyer beware. I will say never have Home Depot Renovate your kitchen, they were horrible. c.cullen@lycos.com
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2007 1:13 PM
Thanks c.cullen. I guess you're right. It just kinda hurts to see someone who's good get slammed -- not only because they're doing a great job for me, but because that kinda talk can prevent others from benefiting from their work.
izmonk78@hotmail.com
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2007 1:41 PM
My hunch is some of these slams arise out of anger, justified or not. I know when I have been in a dispute with a vendor (it never got this bad with a contractor), I have threatened to post a comment here or on Angie's list, but I did so partly out of anger and partly to gain some leverage (one vendor I was particularly upset with already had some petty bad scores on Angie's list). But I never did it. Everyone's experience is different. I've seen vendors I've loved slammed on this site. I think it is always worth taking a deep breath and chilling out before doing something like that. Sometimes a problem is truly unique to a situation and not endemic to a particular contractor or vendor.
Now, if someone asks about a contractor or vendor, that's fair game for all comments, good and bad.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2007 2:16 PM
I am a local general contractor and recently have joined the forum. I do not slander or say anything about any other contractors, however people are entitled to their own opinion, including other contractors. I will say that i personally believe more people are in business as contractors who don't know more than the homeowners that hire them.
A responsible, and competant contracor will have a good reputation. However some contractors may do excellent work, but some do not no when to say no, and tackle jobs that are out of their scope and experience, and this could hurt them. The variables are endless. I personally believe that your in business, and you will be judged both good and bad no matter what. Even if a contractor is coming in here doing bad posts, i think they are just plain stupid. There are so many contractors out there, you will never have a chance to bash all of your competition, and you have that kind of time, what does that say about you?
As long as you abide to give a quality job, and take pride in what you do, your work will speak for itself. I do not let it bother me at all. If you have any questions about renovations, feel free to call me @ 718-408-0812 or visit us on the web @ www.progressivegcc.com
Posted by: Al at May 18, 2007 3:07 PM
I will happily post a negative comment here if I have one. Slander is spreading lies, which is evil but also takes a lot of effort and I don't see how it would help competitors, since it doesn't bring business from the slandered to another. Is this post for real?
Posted by: anon at May 18, 2007 5:15 PM
contractors who have time to cruise the forum, especially those who engage in damage limitation anonymous postings have too much time on their hands, which speaks for itself
Posted by: JD at May 18, 2007 5:20 PM
Yeah, JD, this post is for real. I just couldn't believe a previous post that directly targeted someone whose work I admire. But as 2:16 put it, there are myriad reasons for this, and I may one day be guilty of doing the same -- given enough provocation and some latent evil streak I might have.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2007 5:53 PM
I am a homeowner. Our entire job was threatened by a subcontractor highly recommended on this site. I no longer use this site as anything but entertainment. And yes I did my homework and this guy had excellent referrences. But this person is also insane and really tried to harm us when we didn't pick him for the job. Luckily he calmed down. But we really are all strangers on here and it's not the same as getting a personal recommendation. It's really a crapshoot. I don't think the risk is worth the reward. Be careful. Seriously.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2007 7:31 PM
original poster, if this contractor you speak of is so exceptional, why not list their contact detail so we can compare against prior listings?
Posted by: PS at May 18, 2007 7:58 PM
how can a job be threatened by a contractor you didn't even hire? doesn't make any sense whatsoever
Posted by: Anonymous at May 19, 2007 1:05 AM
I agree, if this contractor is so exceptional, list their name and contact info, as well as your own name and email address so people interested in hiring the contractor can get a more detailed recommendation from you.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 19, 2007 5:59 PM
This is a very strange thread. I think that the original post is posted by some contractor to try to restore his damaged reputation and a setup for following posts, i.e. the hostile venom of 5:53. How would you like to have that guy as your contractor? I also agree that recommendations on this site are to be treated with caution and the best referrals are actually from acquaintances who have had satisfactory experiences.
Posted by: anon at May 19, 2007 8:05 PM
Read previous posts:
Progeny restoration:
extremly ridiculous,izmonk is posting for "progeny" and Al obviously is posting for himself "progressive"
Posted by: Anonymous at May 19, 2007 10:46 PM
AL is not only posting for himself. But he himself has a history of bashing other contractors on this forum, in many different catogories. Al even shows signs of this in his above post.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 20, 2007 12:12 PM
Its funny how you mention i have a history of bashing other contractors. I have only posted in brownstoner a few times, as i have recently discovered the site, and i refuse to speak badly of anyone. Funny how all these persons remain anonymous.
I am just saying that the customer, and owner is ultimately responsible on who they decide to chose. Yes, sometimes it is a crapshoot, especially working with someone you never worked with before. Yes, i will post for myself, i see nothing wrong with that, as i take pride in what i do, but i refuse to bash others.
I try to joing related forums when i can, related to contracting and construction, as it is my livelihood, whenever time is permissible.
Posted by: Al at May 20, 2007 1:57 PM
Welcome to the Forum. Posting in this area is restricted to individuals seeking advice or services related to real estate or home renovations. In addition, posts about architectural salvage or the recycling of unused building materials or appliances are also okay. To post, click the SUBMIT A POST button below.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 20, 2007 5:42 PM
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