Help, they want to take legal action against my blog??!!

ahuang · Jan 25, 2008 12:27 pm

Hi Toast,

Understand you point, and your thinking is quite close to my wife's. I will certainly be a bit more careful in the future with my blog...

This reminds me about a story I heard before about how some bad waiters punish fussy/annoying customers by adding "extras" in their dishes....

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From a different angle, we have informed them about my blog before the construction starts, and they also admit that sometimes they did read my blogs. And as I mentioned in my disclaimer, I happy to work out a solution if any company/person is not happy with anything, and with my email address listed. I would expect some sort of communication from them if there's anything they are not happy and would like me to change.

We all got bills to pay and work hard for our money, and we are talking about lots of money here. It's very difficult for any one to stay calm when you still get such bad leaking like mine in a brand new house. And don't forget that's after we informed/warned the builder by phone and email months ago...

I think there must be a line somewhere... Owners should not always be at the mercy of the builder... Builders should be professional and get their jobs done properly, and have proper communication with owner...

Michelle · Jan 25, 2008 12:49 pm

I would just like to say here, as a professional in the building world, which is not easy for a female to be a part of!

I don’t have a problem what soever with builders or tradesmen in relating what issues need to be sorted or work needs to be done.
There’s a certain tact you need to use with them, going for their throat….or on occasion “lower” for me….. does not help the situation.

I’m quite sure there are genuine painful builders out there, but on the other hand, if communication is on a regular basis with each other, things will not escalate…..with SOME builders that is.

I have met them all, good and bad, and to me there is a way at sorting the issues out……I struggle sometimes and wounder how there are so many of you out there with builder problems.

If I can deal with them firmly and assertively….and still maintain their respect for me, I’m sure there must be a way for the rest of you????

Rant done…………….. :wink:

First_Timer_Ray · Jan 31, 2008 10:40 pm

Ok, so what was the outcome?
What was the "issue" all about?

PM me if you can't disclose information publicly.

Ray.

Toast · Feb 01, 2008 10:27 am

The blog is still up, so it can't have been all bad!

ahuang · Feb 01, 2008 1:35 pm

Hi Everyone,

I was going to post something yesterday but my home phone/ADSL was cut off due to the hail storm, can only do a quick one today during lunch break at work....

On Wednesday morning, we prepared a long detail list of 85+ things which either we don't understand or doesn't seems right with our limited knowledge. The meeting was on site, a long 2.5 hours, quite positive meeting with builder's supervisor and construction manager.

They patiently went through the list one by one, explained all the details, other than the leaking (which was fixed the day before), 26 water damaged doors (new doors arrived on same day), down pipe (will try to post something on blog soon to explain as it's a long story), most of them are minor, either not done yet or they promised to fix.

The CSR contacted us in the afternoon to follow up on some of the promised action items straight away. Very good response/service so far. I was joking to my wife that, if they operate like this all the time, they could probably finish the house in 10 weeks!

During the meeting, nothing was mentioned about the blog, the focus was on how to get all issues/problems answered or fixed. And since they showed their "wisdom" in dealing the whole thing professionally, we certainly will "reward" them accordingly on our blog. Just that the home line is off and I have been quite busy in past few days...

There you go, a happy ending! Thanks to everyone who responded with suggestions and ideas. Great to see that things goes well and I don't need to use any of them.

For all of you who are posting your construction stories in your blog, use your "weapon" wisely! Who says bloggers don't have power??!!

Wonder how long it will take Telstra to fix my phone...

Now, back to work...

VJ · Feb 01, 2008 1:44 pm

Thanks for updating us with the outcome of your meeting with your builder.

We were waiting for it.

It's great to know that a positive outcome came about of this issue.
Now, I'm no longer worried of posting even negative comments on my blog.

rapacious · Feb 01, 2008 5:05 pm

The conspiracy theorist in me says it's the builder's who cut off your ADSL connection in order to gag you - HAHA - Just kidding :lol:

ahuang · Feb 01, 2008 5:19 pm

VJ

Now, I'm no longer worried of posting even negative comments on my blog.

Make sure it's based on facts only and supported with photos.

To make them feel better, might want to give them some warning (e.g. if not fixed within X days) before publishing negative ones....

VJ · Feb 01, 2008 8:57 pm

Quote:

VJ wrote:

Now, I'm no longer worried of posting even negative comments on my blog.

Make sure it's based on facts only and supported with photos.

To make them feel better, might want to give them some warning (e.g. if not fixed within X days) before publishing negative ones....

Yes, we know that of course.
We'd like to have a positive experience building and don't want ot cause any issues with our builder.
And so far, so good.
Just in case in the future that something major happens (hope not), at least we know what to do.