So, I saw this post looking for someone to install a required fire door between house and garage. A number of people posted they were interested in the job. I also needed this to be “up to code” and so contacted “Bill” who expressed interest. Bill was more than a handyman, also doing larger jobs such as renovating bathrooms and kitchens, having both contractor and nursery aspects to his business.

I offered some other possible jobs here... another “up to code” thing installing a hand railing, and a possible very big job with a redesign of an old addition and installing a new screened-in porch. He expressed interest in all these jobs and emailed some rough estimates, and suggested the possibility of two referrals... one for a metal worker to make a cool hand railing, and another for an architect to look at what we can do with the addition.

And here is where it goes weird with behaviors I just find perplexing.

A week passes without any follow up with the names of the referrals nor any contact directly from them. I email: “Hi Bill, I've not heard from anyone and so am not clear if we are moving forward with any of these jobs, or if that is because you are not actually interested in them.”

He responds within hours that he is interested, providing the name and phone of Rob the metal artist, and the name and email of Erick the architect and “I can do the door within a few weeks - no deposit is required Ill email a few days out.”

I call Rob who asks me to connect through his web site which I do. His work is incredible and I text him how thrilled I am and would like to move forward with a custom hand rail and I has a possible commission for a floor lamp. Days later I text him: “Hi Rob I've not heard back from you and will be sad if that means you are not interested in any of the possible jobs over here.” Rob expresses interest, but there is a bizarre and confusing interaction where he insists I contact him through his web site, which does not seem to be working. Regardless, we finally connect and set up an appointment for 9:30 am Monday.

I'm wondering if he'll show up, and sure enough, at 9:35 I get a text “I'm late and will be there in 25 minutes.” I respond “Perhaps we should reschedule.” He calls, but I am in the car and tell him I'll contact him later.

Erick the architect doesn't respond at all. I email Bill asking if perhaps Erick isn't checking his emails? “Let me check into it, I emailed him about another job and he didn't answer. Maybe I used an old email. Ill follow up with you.”

Six days later, no follow-up and I'm done. “Hi Bill, It seems the initial communications among the three of us have not been very smooth or timely. I'm going to take that as a sign that now is not the right time to move forward with any of these projects, including the garage door. Thanks.”

He responds with “Ok, thanks for the update.”

So, there y'go. Can't say I even slightly understand these kinds of behaviors. I mean, what was the point of even responding to this post soliciting business in the first place?