Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Why I won't be using Neil Protheroe's services as a plumber again :(
I originally recommended Neil last time he did some work for me. He turned up at the time agreed, did the work and was a nice friendly guy who explained exactly what he had done, I was pleased that I had found a good plumber, and popped him a recommendation up on these forums.
That was last year, flash forward to January 2016
I was planning on renovating my bathroom as there had been a leak which had damaged some of the floor and I also wanted to replace the bath with the shower, so I gave Neil a call to give me a quote and a date when he would be able to do the work. He agreed to come round on the 30th Jan which he did and we agreed on the following day that the work would be done on Fri 12th Jan and he would arrive at 8am. The work agreed was to reroute a gas pipe, install a new waste pipe, provide all the pipework for the shower and install the shower tray.
Based on this, organised a couple of days off work so I could spend the Thursday ripping out the old bath giving Neil access to area he needed to work, and also arranged with my partner's Dad to travel up to us to help out as we planned to get most of the work done installing the new shower by Sunday.
Thursday arrived, we ripped down the bathroom and ensured everything was prepared for Neil the next morning. 8am came and went, and Neil didn't show, , I gave him a call about 10ish allowing for traffic problems and got no response, I tried to get in a touch with him a few more times during the day. I eventually gave up and organised another plumber to come give me a quote on Saturday. At about 2, Neil finally got in touch to explain there had been a plumbing emergency that he had to sort out, and he was actually around the corner, I explained that I at least needed the gas pipe removed today, and the hot water capped off so I could continue working. He came round later that day and did that work for me, and said he had some work on the Saturday, but he would be there between 11ish and 3 to finish the work. I cancelled the other plumber as I thought I was sorted, however I was wrong.
Saturday came, I waited and waited, but no word from Neil. Finally at 5pm he got in touch to say he was still on a job and as it was dark and raining he wouldn't be coming today. I asked him for a date when he would come and finish the work, no reply. Finally, he responded on Sunday when I said I was just going to get another plumber, he promised he would attend on Monday, and would 100% be there, he had one small job in the am and would come straight afterwards. So, like an idiot I agreed, made arrangements to work from home....
Monday came, no sign, I tried to call him, no answer, texted him saying I needed confirmation that he was coming, and I would appreciate the courtesy of letting me know what was going on. No response. I gave up, told him he would no longer be required and I contacted another plumber who hopefully is going to turn up.
I don't know why he didn't turn up, I assume that he took on some other jobs at short notice which he is often praised for in the forums. There are plenty of posts of Neil arriving at short notice to fix an urgent problem. I understand that sometimes this will happen, and as long as it's communicated to me I'm ok with that. All I needed from Neil was a call X has come up, I'll be there by Y, I'm really sorry but it's an emergency. However, I didn't even receive the courtesy of a call/text which would have taking him 2mins.
In light of this I'm sad to say, I shall never be using Neil's services again, which shame, because when he turned up he was a great plumber :(
TL'DR
Neil although performs good work when he turns up can be unreliable and non communicative. I would think carefully before booking him for planned work, of course as the many good reports here say, your mileage may vary.
Some other replies of him not turning up:
http://www.harringayonline.com/forum/topics/recommend-excellent-plu...
http://www.harringayonline.com/forum/topics/recommending-plumber-ne... (my original recommendation)
EDIT:
Neil texted me today to apologise for the no shows and told me there would be no charge for the gas work he did. I mentioned to him that I appreciated it that, and all he had needed to do was contact me. Hopefully he will improve this going forward as like I said, he's a nice bloke and a good plumber.
Tags for Forum Posts: neil protheroe, plumber
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Velo on
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Hi, it's good to hear that Neil phoned you afterwards and didn't charge for the works that he previously did. that didn't happen to us and I think that if you are going to use online reviews for business, then you ought to treat your customers right. Again, won't be recommending him to anyone.
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Permalink Reply by Emma on
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I think it vet fair to write positive and negative reviews on here. I have been let down by a trade person from a reccomwndation on here and it is really annoying as you expect them to be a bit mor relative being on HOL.
I am afraid Neil will have to take the good with the bad and learn from his mistake and hopefully won't do this again.
Sometimes something like this will make trades people that are popular that it can go the other way of you don't keep up your reputation!!
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Permalink Reply by Lauren on
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I get all of that, and if that's what happened you probably have every right to feel the way you do BUT have you told him that you have written this review? We have only so far heard your perception of what happened. It would be fair to him if he were given the opportunity to present his side. He might have a different version of events and not know what you are talking about. He might not, but it would be good to give him the opportunity.
My fella is a tradesman and has had some very odd experiences, including a lady who booked him to paint her sons room then complained he didn't finish the job on time, forgetting to mention that he had to clear out the sons room on his own (including all manner of filth under the bed) and move gym equipment to another room, which she forgot to mention both in the bad review and at the time of booking, so he ran out of time with the painting, which required several coats. He Arranged with her to go back to finish at a mutually suitable time but couldn't do the next day due to having another job already booked. She then left him a bad review saying he had left the job half done and had gone AWOL! This was totally unfair because he had gone over and above the call of duty because he wanted to help her!
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And how exactly should Rich tell him given that he doesn't return calls etc.?
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Lol! That's what he said happened. We don't know!!! That's my point!!!!!!!!
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Rich knows...and I don't think he would lie knowing full well that Neil could read this entire thread.... not turning up is not a subjective call.. He either turned up or he didn't...
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Permalink Reply by KP on
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Exactly it wasn't like Rich went on a rant about what a bad plumber Neil was -- far from it -- he actually said he did a good job when he used him before. It's just that he was unreliable. He is not advising people not to use him, just that they should be aware that he might not be there if they are counting on him doing something at a given time
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Permalink Reply by Rich on
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I think this response was intended to be to my response rather than Emma as you said
BUT have you told him that you have written this review?
I haven't told him I've written this review, and I don't think it's my responsibility to do so. Even if Neil was to respond with a differing version of events, how would you know who to believe in that case. I mean case you just mentioned you just gave one side of the story, I don't know what the other parties opinion is. At the end of the day, anyone can read though the forums reviews of Neil (which are at least 95% positive), and make a decision if they want to contact him for work. I'm just presenting what my experience was, previously positive, now not so much.
Anyway, at the end of the day, if you feel strongly enough about it, you're more than welcome to email Neil yourself and ask if he wishes to give his side of the story
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"Why I won't be using N.P. again"
Maybe Neil, like most human beings, would prefer not to be used ? Using a tradesman's services is, of course, a very different thing.
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That is very true, I shall not be using his services as a plumber again :)
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Permalink Reply by EMC2 on
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Richard has put in some considerable effort to be fair here OPE, I think you're a wee bit out of order with that comment. Course I might be wrong.
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Not sure who OPE is, Eugene, but OAE's comment wasn't a pedantic dig at Richard, though I'm very happy to see he has adjusted his title. The phrase "I use X", especially referring to trades(wo)men, is a well established bit of shorthand jargon which, to my mind, is derogatory and classist. I remember back in the late '70s a newly-appointed deputy headteacher telling me at a staff meeting, "Eddie, I'm really going to use you." I had to tell her, "No Kate, I'm not for using, but I'll be glad to work with you if you'd like to work with me." She, too, may have thought that I was a wee bit out of order - but she copped on quite quickly.
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