Dealing with the maintenance guy - Help!
I live in a condo and I pay $304 a month in maintenance/groundskeeping fees. I got a bad feeling when I got a phonecall a few months after I'd moved in where someone called me at 10:30PM, by the wrong first name, and informed me I owed $1000 in fees, a charge that I had to prove I'd already paid by presenting the cancelled checks. It took a few more months to get them to call me by my real name (I don't even know where the other one CAME from).
Well, a few months after I moved in, the lock on my front door spontaneously jammed while I was leaving for work. Fortunately I had a new one on hand as I'd been meaning to change it, so I installed the new one, had some copies of the key made as maintenance wants a copy in case of emergencies, and everything was happy. Except the maintenance guy (let's call him John) never bothered to come pick it up.
Several times now, there have been scheduled maintenance dealies throughout the complex. Usually, John leaves a note on everyone's door, 1-2 days before the work's actually going to take place. It reads something like, "hey, we're going to do this, be here or don't, we're going in anyway if you're not." Since he doesn't have my key we need to coordinate that... and for some reason he's never actually asked for my key when he's showed up.
So, to the point. Recently we had dryer vent cleaning. I called John 5 frikkin times. He called back once but I was in a meeting, so I called him back a few minutes after that (got his voicemail). He STILL has not returned my call, a week later. Everyone but me has had their vents cleaned; he left me a note on cleaning day telling me that I could LEAVE MY DOOR UNLOCKED, drop the key off in his mailbox (which anyone can open), or we could reschedule for another day. The first two were out of the question as I got scolded for leaving my maintenance checks in that very same mailbox (as they might be lost somehow), and no matter how many times I've tried to reschedule I can't get him to return a freaking phone call.
For $304/month, I expect the guy to pick up the goddamn phone and return my calls. I don't know what his game is at this point but I think he's hoping I just forget about it (I'm still waiting, after more than half a year, for the association glass company to finish replacing my windows, by the way). I could call him up and leave a nasty message but in my experience the head of maintenance is someone you want on your side, else they'll never go out of their way to help you. At this point I'm really not comfortable giving him my key even if he asks for it since he's shown himself time and time again to be unreliable. I also feel like as long as he can't get in without me being there I've got some leverage.
I'm just glad I've never had a real emergency because there's no way he'd he able to help me with it.
Any suggestions on how to approach this? I'm paying to have my vents cleaned so I want my vents cleaned but how can I tell the guy to do his damn job without getting on his bad side?
NOTE: This is not a doodle bug.
That's a tough one. Normally I'd go over his head, to the management.
Seeing as this may get you on his "bad side", I don't know what else you could do. It looks like you've gone out of your way to deal with this fellow, but he just doesn't follow through.
I must commend you on having the patience to keep trying, while he isn't reciprocating the effort.
I think this character should have his mailbox secure so you can use it as intended.
Can you put the key in an envelope and slide it under his door? Does he even live on the premises?
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Install a lock on his mailbox with a note saying to come see you about getting both keys.
- Or -
Move.
Damn, I'm helpful.
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Duct tape, chair, gasoline, knives, ears, him, songs from days gone bye.... recreate a movie scene!
*I don't condone this in reality... but it sounded good in my head while reading your story*
Also can't you just put the key in the envelope with your monthly check?
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I'd really love to post some useful advice. I've never lived in a condo or had to deal with maintenance people. Sounds like there's no way to keep the guy on your good side and instill motivation without plain old fashioned bribery. Sucks that you can't go over his head and get him fired.
So, since this is GWJ, I'll simply suggest:
finger -> butt
Fedaykin98 wrote:
wordsmythe wrote:
The check doesn't go directly to him, but to some management company (which probably costs us a premium). Also, I really don't trust him with the key. Is he going to ask workers to take their boots off before they walk on my white carpet (came with the place, I didn't choose white)? Is he really going to get them in and out as soon as possible?
I can't really go over his head though I could bring up my disappointment at a community meeting and see if I get any support, but if they end up keeping him I'd be hosed.
NOTE: This is not a doodle bug.
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Just remember to burn your clothing when you finish with him.
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Seconded.
(I think you're hosed anyway. Might as well get something done. It's not like you're in any worse position if the guy that does nothing doesn't like you.)
MechaSlinky wrote:
-on L4DRidiculous.
If the man wants to play telephone tag its his fault.
shihonage wrote:
PSN: BoogleGWJI recommend beginning by documenting ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. This looks like it is getting into territory where some sort of dispute resolution is going to be inevitable. In such situations, the person with the more robust paper trail wins. Ask for an email address for the condo administration specifically for the purpose of establishing a paper trail. Let them know that this is exactly what you are doing. Tell them that you will require communication to be done in writing and, if necessary, that such may be facillitated by your attorney.
Also, if there is a condo owners' association, attend the meetings and suggest replacing the maintenance person with someone who is more likely to take his job seriously. Your expenses pay his salary. You should not be afraid to make reasonable demands because of his ability to do his job less competantly.
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Our rental/lease office has a maintenance phone line, and this is just an apartment complex. I'd definitely go bitch in the office, but as much as it pisses you off to do so, be pleasant! You get more sh*t from tacos than you do with honey.
MaxShrek .. Do it first, do it yourself, and keep on doing it.
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