I just got screwed by the plumber. Now, now, this isn’t that kind of blog, I meant it figuratively ;-)
I tried to replace my bathroom faucet myself. I bought the same model, hoping it would make things easier. It didn’t, and so I had to hire a plumber.
The plumber just left and when I went to admire my new faucet, I found this…
I don’t know if I want to punch something, yell at someone, or cry. I’m supposed to be finding inner peace, but obviously the Buddha never lived as an expat in Denmark!
I know for a fact the “cold” insert was there when I unpacked the faucet this morning. Coincidentally, the same piece on my old faucet was very worn, but the hot one was ok.
The reason I was replacing the other faucet was because it was leaking, which is probably an easy repair & flip opportunity for a plumber. Unless of course it’s got cosmetic issues, like a worn insert.
Now I’m not Nancy Drew, but if there wasn’t something shady going on, wouldn’t he have mentioned the obvious missing part? Of course it’s moot because I’m 100% certain that the piece was not missing when I handed it over for installation, and I can see from the “hot” side that it would’ve been pretty easy to pop it out with a screwdriver.
And he never bothered to ask whether or not I still wanted the old faucet. He just slinked out of my place with it under his arm. Even if he asked, I would’ve said “no” but it’s a bit odd that he just took it and ran.
I can’t exactly call up and complain because I contacted this same company about an appointment and never heard back, but when a colleague contacted them in Danish, I got an appointment right away.
Yet another mark in the “reasons to leave” column. I probably just spent $400 for a broken faucet. Awesome.
And there will be no Danish drivers license for me. I’ve overlooked a lot of crap in the past 17 months, but at a point, it becomes too much to make it worth my while, so I’m thinking long and hard about what I’ll do when my contract expires. In the meantime, I’m not investing anything more than is absolutely necessary to live and/or stay off anti-depressants.
This morning, I was working from home in my pretty living room, at my big antique dining table. Opie was sleeping in the sun and I was thinking how, even with disappointment of the driving situation and the impending winter, this isn’t a bad gig. But I’m deluding myself. This plumber situation is just one more example of the crap I put up with when I have to venture outside of my home and work bubble.
Happiest country on earth, my ass! Maybe for the Danes, but not for me.
Belle says
I’m so sorry to hear that the plumber absconded with your cold insert. That super sucks. He probably thought he could get away with it because you are not a) Danish and b) a girl. I wouldn’t feel too badly about not driving in Denmark. Cars a huge waste of cash here in my opinion. I know riding a bike in the winter is tough, but on the bright side, it is one kick ass bike. The Pashley Princess is like my dream bike, so I have major envy.
adventuresandjapes says
That really takes the biscuit. Get a Dane to ring up his boss, you can’t have that.
(And yes, it is a good reason not to stay)
Anonymous says
I wonder if he put it in his pocket for safekeeping while he was working? I have done this, and ended up finding the piece in my dryer after it went through with the laundry.
Sage says
Anonymous,
I’d like to think that’s the case, but the cap part that screws on actually made it onto the faucet, it’s just the little “cold” part that’s missing. I took off the other one and it’s easy to pop out, but would very unlikely just to fall out.
The proof of the situation will be in how they handle it. They’ve been contacted in Danish about it, we’ll see what happens.
~ Sage
Barbara says
We had some workers steal one of Lou’s fishing reels. The owner overheard the workers talking about it and sent us a check. I hope your cold button is returned or replaced.
Martyna says
Heh…this blog writing made me smile. Not because it is funny or something. well in a way yes but I understand you so well about all the chaos what is going in DK. The longer I am staying in DK the more I want to leave :) Furthermore I have a friend (he is Italian and he lives now in DK he loves DK) and he always asks me so how is your life? And I always answering that DK sucks :D And he cant understand why. And I dont understand what he like so much here also :D