Is This Racism or Matter of Choice?

Ironh59 on 14/04/2022 - 18:30
Last edited 16/04/2022 - 18:55

I am originally not from Australia and you can tell from my name. I have been here for a long time and luckily haven't encountered many racist people. I truly believe Australia is very tolerant and accepting of different cultures.

Recently I posted a job on one of the popular find-a-tradie websites (not Airtasker or Hipages). This is how the conversation went:

Tradie: I would like to do the job.
Me: When can you come over to provide the quote.
Tradie: Really busy
Tradie: Are you from ******?
Me: That's fine, I will look at the other responses for now if you are busy.
Tradie: I don't work for *******s
Tradie: They are cheap

I raised a concern with the website support and ask them to add a field for ethnicity, so tradies can choose which ad to respond to and people like me can avoid such encounters.
Customer service didn't see any issues with it, they said it's a matter of choice for tradies and they can choose who they work for.

I have no issues with choice, only how the point was put across. That guy knew my ethnicity form my name, yet he chose to respond to my job.

I just wanted to check if I am overreacting. It's not like he came with a mob to burn my house. May be he had too many bad experiences with ****** people and just wanted to vent.

So Ozbargainers, is this racism or just a matter of choice that person is entitled to?

Edit: Thank you all for your comments. Apologies for not being able to respond to all of you. So far the consensus is that tradie is racist, however the best course of action is to move on. I posted a comment about reporting this behaviour which got some negs. I just want to clarify that I was not planning to report the tradie, I was planning to report the platform for endorsing it.

It isn’t a small job either, it’s bathroom and kitchen renovation. It’s lot of money, and I definitely wouldn’t want to pay someone who hates me because of who I am or where I was born.

For those who are curious about my background, most of you have guessed it right. I am from a cricket crazy nation and I have the same last name as some very popular cricketers.

Education & Work

Comments

                • Autonomic on 19/04/2022 - 16:34
                  +1

                  @LFO: You are a looney tune

                  • LFO on 20/04/2022 - 18:24

                    @Autonomic:

                    You are a looney tune

                    Resorting to insults shows you have no valid argument.

                    Say racist things to people in order to make them mad

                    Insulting when no valid arguments?

                • RolandWaites on 19/04/2022 - 17:41
                  +1

                  @LFO: Everything you've said is simply incorrect.

                  End.

                  • LFO on 20/04/2022 - 18:27
                    -1

                    @RolandWaites:

                    Everything you've said is simply incorrect.

                    Your opinion only.

                    But clearly shows how intolerant and dogmatic you are.
                    Just like racists are.

                    How ironic.

        • Autonomic on 19/04/2022 - 16:32
          +1

          Is this something you do? Say racist things to people in order to make them mad?

  • someeric on 15/04/2022 - 13:32
    +2

    He's probably not the only tradie that has a view on ethnic groups, I suspect many just won't be as straight to tell you so.
    So given he sees your real name and still calls you, he's saying this to humiliate or abuse you, disgising this intention with a business call.
    I would just ask him to go **** himself.

  • RolandWaites on 15/04/2022 - 13:35
    +6

    He turned down the job purely because he has an issue with your race. That's racism, yes. Be glad you didn't get him — and be glad you didn't give him any money. In the end, it's his loss.

  • michaelTito on 15/04/2022 - 14:11
    -1

    to find out if hes a racist or not we need to know OP's nationality. Are you Indian or Chinese?

    • hasher22 on 16/04/2022 - 01:00
      +1

      Why does it matter? Indian, Chinese, Canadian, Fijian, Italian, anyone can reject someone for a name that is not common in the current country they're in.

      If I was in Pakistan, a Pakistani can easily reject a tradie for having an anglo-name.

  • Kranbone on 15/04/2022 - 14:22
    +5

    It's discriminatory but it doesn't discount his (tradies) experience. If the other party has had a significant amount of experiences where a specific group act in a similar way it will shape their viewpoint and perspective.

    Ideally, we should judge each case on it's own merits but I can understand where that person is coming from.

  • paloverde88 on 15/04/2022 - 14:40
    +3

    I will never use air tasker again I put out a generous job to move a light sofa and 1 table few boxes and I factor in 2 hours Max with me helping as well, in less than 60 minutes this idiot tells me he has another job rushed me to pay him as if the money I paid was for less than 2 hours my doctor tells me she makes less in that 2 hours than the 2 hour amount i offered, and I was open to choose him despite the obvious ethnic name and so many false excellent reviews all my wooden stuff were scratched. I will never pick people with that sort of name again not racist but was proven ìt was a rip off job. People form opinions from experiences, that you cannot change I do not have enough money to experiment with another with the same type of name. That's throwing money and not learning from once bitten twice shy.

    • May4th on 15/04/2022 - 21:19
      +2

      so your n=1 turned you off an entire platform AND ethnicity? good luck with everything mate

      • [Deactivated] on 21/04/2022 - 17:57

        Plenty of "I'm not racist but…" (profanity) on here ay

  • OzzyOzbourne on 15/04/2022 - 14:42
    +2

    Tradies…nothing else to say

  • Miss B on 15/04/2022 - 15:23
    +6

    Tradie: I would like to do the job.
    Me: When can you come over to provide the quote.
    Tradie: Really busy
    Tradie: Are you from OzBargain?
    Me: That's fine, I will look at the other responses for now if you are busy.
    Tradie: I don't work for OzBargainers
    Tradie: They are cheap

    I could understand if this is how it went down, but sounds like you were just dealing with a racist <insert profanity of choice>.

  • cfuse on 15/04/2022 - 15:25
    +3

    Saying no to business seems counterintuitive to people that have never run a business. I can assure you that getting rid of unprofitable clients is one of the best and easiest things you can do to improve your bottom line.

    That being said, how you tell people to get lost is fairly important.

    • May4th on 15/04/2022 - 15:27
      +1

      Learning different ways to say no effectively and appropriately is a life skill not many people do well

      • cfuse on 15/04/2022 - 16:07

        Being tactless in your personal life is entirely different to courting legal liability in business.

  • funnysht on 15/04/2022 - 16:17
    +2

    You can't change ppls attitude but you can choose to ignore it

  • Rillanon on 15/04/2022 - 17:02
    +11

    As a fellow immigrant, I've never encountered such overt racism from tradies but you can tell the vibe and tone cools when they meet me in person. They can't usually tell from my text or phone call and I rarely use my real name online.
    It usually improves after the work is done and I pay on time and reasonable.

    There is a saying for that: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by ignorance. Unfortunately most common folks do not critically observe events that occur to them in their life. If they get screwed or embarrassed by one group of ethnicity, it's often the case they will stereotype the entire group.
    Anyway I'm not excusing his behaviour, do what you need to do OP.

    • Autonomic on 19/04/2022 - 16:01

      Hanlon's razor talks about stupidity, not ignorance FYI

  • drfuzzy on 15/04/2022 - 17:14
    +7

    The tradie is an (profanity).
    The problem is cheap customers, not a particular race.

  • gimme on 15/04/2022 - 17:25
    +8

    I'm a racist too. I go out of my way to find non-white tradies. Typically look for spelling mistakes and/or grammatical errors in Aistasker posts as from my experience those who have recently migrated or generally from migrant communities (certain ethnicities excluded) are generally a lot more grateful for having a job, cheaper and more often that not better than a 'local'.

    • drfuzzy on 15/04/2022 - 21:02
      +2

      I do the same!

    • hasher22 on 16/04/2022 - 00:53
      +1

      That's not racist? More so stereotypying

  • zappy32 on 15/04/2022 - 17:37
    +7

    The tradie is obviously a racist knob but I'd go back to the company and repeat what they've stated to you and check whether they still want a racist tradie using their platform. It would be a horrible look to add an ethnicity filter to racists can be comfortable but they should at least ban people saying racist remarks from their platform.

    • Ironh59 on 16/04/2022 - 18:23
      +1

      They are comfortable with it. They got in touch with the tradie and told him to act professionally next time.

  • dreamscene on 15/04/2022 - 20:29
    +2

    Russell Peters said it best.

  • Heaps for Cheaps on 15/04/2022 - 21:05
    +3

    Sorry to hear your story. Definitely racist.

  • cycleri3 on 15/04/2022 - 21:14

    What site do you use for these jobs? I used to use airtasker but their fees are a complete rip off now.

  • drfuzzy on 15/04/2022 - 21:21
    +1

    The problem really is that there is too much work for tradies at the moment, so they are able to cherry pick the work.
    Some use unsavoury methods like this.
    When the housing market declines and the work dries up, they won't care what you are.

  • burns13 on 15/04/2022 - 22:47
    +2

    You just came across a d*ckhead. Probably not a high calibre tradesman either. Ethnicity field should definitelynot be included, basically it reinforces prejudice and discrimination. The service be open to legal complaints or at the least harsh critique.

  • duluxe2000 on 16/04/2022 - 00:03
    +1

    Give his/her business some google review :) , or on the platform. That teaches him/her it's not ok to hurt other feelings. Or tell that direct to his face.

  • Cookiescream on 16/04/2022 - 00:43
    +2

    It is terrible, and sorry that happened to you.

    He says he is busy anyway.

    You probably dodged a bullet.

  • Hahuh on 16/04/2022 - 00:55

    Racism.

  • Munki on 16/04/2022 - 01:35

    Gotta add a "mate" in your everyday vocabulary, mate.

    • shaybisc on 16/04/2022 - 08:49

      And add f#ck or fu##ing to every second sentence.

    • Ironh59 on 16/04/2022 - 19:16

      Thanks mate!

  • kachi on 16/04/2022 - 06:04

    Yes I would say Australia is relatively, directly and indirectly 'racist' from experience but then so many people from other countries are the same too
    I learnt to just ignore and move on. Good thing the job didn't go through anyway IMO!

  • scotty on 16/04/2022 - 06:08
    +3

    Tradie: I don't work for *******s
    Tradie: They are cheap

    Don't worry. It's actually an honour to be called cheap here. I wish I have some free OzBargain Premium membership card that I can give to you.

  • tetsuma on 16/04/2022 - 06:11

    I'm sure you'll find another tradesman that'll do the work, but doubt you'll find any that aren't thinking the same thing.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/04/2022 - 07:32

    Everything seems to be racist when almost everyone is out to make a victim of themselves. Freedom to not associate with people is just as important as the freedom to do so. And yes, I have had the same experiences with these people while living in Melbourne that it just isn't worth the hassle. I don't insult them though, just ignore them as I think that is a better way for them to get the point.

  • jfc50832 on 16/04/2022 - 08:52
    -6

    I assume you are Indian. In this scenario, most Indians love bargaining. Comedian Russell Peters (Indian-Canadian) has made jokes on this. So this is a stereotype issue and nothing to do with racism. You would actually be the racist here as you are trying to imply that all Indians are dark skinned!

  • NeverBuyRegPrice on 16/04/2022 - 10:10
    +8

    I don't think it's racism at all. Some people including myself have a preference to who we work for. I'm Asian and choose not to work for other Asians because quite frankly they are too cheap. They always want a better deal even though they know it's the best deal on offer. I worked for many Asians before when I first started my landscaping business because I needed the work and it always turned out with a bitter taste in my mouth. Also Asians in general don't respect blue collar people and they kind of look down us.
    If I had a choice to work for Asians or non-Asians then I would choose non-Asians.
    This is from my personal experience of course.

    • Ironh59 on 16/04/2022 - 10:12

      Would you directly tell them that you won't work for them because they are cheap?

      • NeverBuyRegPrice on 16/04/2022 - 10:22
        +3

        Personally I haven't told anyone that directly but I did mention that a particular product will be better if they are willing to pay more.

        • morse on 16/04/2022 - 13:31
          +2

          I think that’s the difference, not telling people they are cheap because of their race. It’s okay to have thoughts based on your experience, but what OP experienced is unnecessary and rude.

    • gimli on 16/04/2022 - 12:28

      i think this is a tough line to negotiate.

      There are definitely cultural differences as you point out but I still feel that even within a cultural group there is just such a wide range of people it doesn't make sense to stereotype.

      • 91rs on 16/04/2022 - 22:26
        +6

        It does.
        Having worked more than my fair share of retail you come across various cultural groups every day and 99% of the time you could put money on how a situation would play out.
        From the continual pushing for discounts, the lies that X place could do it cheaper or has it cheaper (check online etc and its not the case) to the sh!t talking about the labour costs for work to be done as they don't believe it's worth X amount or the persons time and skills are as valuable as what we're charging for.

        While I'd treat everyone the same and was never rude based on where a person was from, I'd for sure have less patience and spend less time with some people based on the fact you knew they were wasting your time and would never spend any money.
        You could see the same people ever 2-3 months with the same Q's and never buy anything.
        Many would also need to bring all of the family along with them to make such basic purchases and would always complain.
        Then go to the other staff who align better with their cultural group and ask for it cheaper as "we're the same, brother, cousin, uncle" etc.

        Australia is becoming a soft country with comments like people wanting to go to the HRC over an issue like OPs.
        This is more about coming across c#%ts who are rude for no good reason, he called you, he couldn't quote and in the end none of your dollars will make it in to his hands, that's the best outcome for the day. Leave a google review if you're that upset about it.

        But move on.

    • Autonomic on 19/04/2022 - 16:04
      +1

      It's textbook racism lol.

      I'm assuming you're not cheap, how would you respond if someone said they wouldn't want to work with you purely because you're Asian and therefore will be cheap? Would that annoy you or would you be like yeah fair cop totally reasonable.

      • NeverBuyRegPrice on 19/04/2022 - 21:35

        I've never had anyone say that to me.

        • Autonomic on 23/04/2022 - 02:14

          Obviously. How WOULD you respond IF it happened to you?

          • NeverBuyRegPrice on 24/04/2022 - 06:31

            @Autonomic: I find it comical how you would dabble in the world of "What If" rather then to think through it logically.
            It's like asking you, "how would you respond if aliens abducted you and violated your innocence?". I don't want to answer your question because it's absurd. Everything is just speculation from this point forward.

            • Autonomic on 24/04/2022 - 10:39

              @NeverBuyRegPrice: I find it comical you're trying so hard to dodge the question. You are on here saying you actively do it yourself. Or are you saying discrimination is ok as long as you do it covertly?

              • NeverBuyRegPrice on 24/04/2022 - 10:44

                @Autonomic: I'm not dodging your question. I told you plainly that I'm not answering it because it's absurd. There's a difference here.

                • Autonomic on 24/04/2022 - 11:23

                  @NeverBuyRegPrice: How is it absurd when it's something you actively do?

                  • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2022 - 15:36

                    @Autonomic: I'll answer since they won't. What can you do? Would you waste time trying to convince them you're not cheap? Do some kind of Pretty Woman stunt demonstrating your lack of cheapness, or would you just ignore it and find someone else? If it wasn't obvious, I would choose the last option.

                    • Autonomic on 24/04/2022 - 21:23

                      @[Deactivated]: You've missed the point. The point was: are you OK with that sort of discrimination? Would it annoy you or upset you on any level whatsover? Do you encourage that behaviour? The guy I replied to does actively discriminate, so he should be totally OK with racial discrimination.

                      • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2022 - 22:05

                        @Autonomic: Yes, I'm okay with freedom of disassociation, regardless of the reason. It would be mildly annoying that I wasted my time, but that time would be minimal. In the case of the OP, I think the tradie could have handled it better, so I don't encourage being rude about it, but I have no problem at all with choosing who you work for.

                        • Autonomic on 24/04/2022 - 22:32

                          @[Deactivated]: I'm not talking about "freedom of dissociation". I'm talking about actively discriminating against someone based on their race - are you OK with that? If so, is that something you yourself do?

                          • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2022 - 22:57

                            @Autonomic: That's exactly what freedom of disassociation is, actively choosing not to associate with someone. When I said regardless of the reason, that includes race, yes. Regardless of reason means, wait for it… regardless of reason. That is, any reason at all. I barely associate with anyone, so it's difficult to say if I do it myself.

                            I don't have any particular aversion to labels such as racism. If you're asking if I am okay with people choosing not to associate with someone based on race, location, economic status, or any other reason, such as simply not liking them, then yes, I am okay with that.

                            • Autonomic on 25/04/2022 - 01:42

                              @[Deactivated]: You are still dodging the question. Do you personally think it's OK to discriminate based on race? Is that something you personally approve of? I'm not asking if it's legal or it can be physically done.

                              • [Deactivated] on 25/04/2022 - 06:14

                                @Autonomic:

                                You are still dodging the question.

                                I don't know how much clearer I can be.

                                Do you personally think it's OK to discriminate based on race?

                                Yes.

                                Is that something you personally approve of?

                                Yes.

                                I'm not asking if it's legal or it can be physically done.

                                At no point did I mention legality or possibility.

                                Happy now? Any reason. ANY reason. Any reason also means no reason, or reasons such as race etc.

                                • Autonomic on 25/04/2022 - 10:40

                                  @[Deactivated]: So you're just a straight up racist?

                                  • [Deactivated] on 25/04/2022 - 11:37

                                    @Autonomic: No, I'm an advocate of freedom of disassociation. Just like I'm an advocate of free speech. There is no such thing as hate speech. It's just speech you hate. In Sweden there are anti-racism and hate speech laws. In Saudi Arabia there are anti-witchcraft and blasphemy laws. It's the exact same thing. They're laws against wrong think.

                                    • Autonomic on 25/04/2022 - 12:31

                                      @[Deactivated]: You personally approve of actively discriminating against people based on race. You're a racist.

                                      • [Deactivated] on 25/04/2022 - 13:41

                                        @Autonomic: If you like. I personally approve of other people being racist, that doesn't mean I'm racist. Is that too subtle a difference for you? I would argue that your obsession with race, whether that's being anti-racist, accusing others of racism, or the bigotry of low expectations, would make you the racist.

                                        • Autonomic on 25/04/2022 - 13:51

                                          @[Deactivated]: If you approve of being racist, what's stopping you from being racist yourself?

                                          I would argue that your obsession with race, whether that's being anti-racist, accusing others of racism, or the bigotry of low expectations, would make you the racist.

                                          Hahahahah.

                                          Me: Being racist is bad
                                          You: I approve of being racist.

                                          and I'm the racist? Lmao

  • dcash on 16/04/2022 - 10:19
    +5

    I figure that at the end of the day, this guy did you a favour. If he hadn't declared his dislike of people of a certain background, but still harbored the same feelings, would you really want him doing work for you anyway?

  • spend2little2much on 16/04/2022 - 10:38
    +4

    Find it ironic some people in thread choose to avoid working with a certain race because of a few cheap people. They don't seem to realize being on OzBargain, makes them cheap.

  • Ace26 on 16/04/2022 - 13:21

    Fwiw the tradie you have dealt with himself would have been a immigrant and perhaps few generations older than yours. (profanity) him, move on. Next time tell him go (profanity) himself.

  • EdenKai on 16/04/2022 - 13:33
    +3

    Thats such a strange interaction. He wants the job, and then all of a sudden he's busy. For what its worth it sounds like you dodged a bullet.

    Having said that youre right, for the most part I found Australia to be quite accepting. I have experienced some racism before, but nothing I ever lost sleep over. Although I had one patient be incredibly racist to me, despite me having a pretty thick Australian accent (I was born here), and he had a very thick foreign accent. So I mean don't let it bother you too much, we're all bound to experience some level of hardship/racism.

  • jfc50832 on 16/04/2022 - 13:38

    Why did you ask him to come over and to see and provide a quote? What if he did and you refused it? His time is wasted then.

  • CRS34 on 16/04/2022 - 14:01
    +2

    Definitely racism there. He definitely could have acted more professional too.

  • Jaspa7 on 16/04/2022 - 14:08
    +1

    It's both.. maybe an unpopular opinion, but people should be allowed to be racist - they should also expect to be called out for it. Otherwise no-one will ever learn

  • Elnato on 16/04/2022 - 14:41
    +1

    Absolutely racism, dude seems like a prick

  • FourBeanMix on 16/04/2022 - 15:36
    +1

    It is racism and the tradie is a racist.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/04/2022 - 16:01

    Lol mate what do you expect from bogan tradies

  • Cave Fire on 16/04/2022 - 16:38

    Peace for Easter… Don't need to get caught in the Temper traps…

  • tik tok on 16/04/2022 - 18:30
    +1

    Hello! Rajesh

  • donkeydoc on 16/04/2022 - 18:43

    Racist for sure, though stereotypes come from some truths ;) jk

    Pretty simple, if the price is not accepted, move on. He went out of his way to be racist, what a shame.

  • Kmartsecurityguard on 17/04/2022 - 06:38
    -5

    Op, what makes you any better https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/568195

    • Ironh59 on 17/04/2022 - 09:04

      I agree, wanting to keep myself and the community safe from a pandemic makes me a horrible person.

  • Korban Dallas on 17/04/2022 - 07:18
    +3

    I have dealt with many Indians in my line of work and a large majority would try to negotiate and bring the price down. I guess it's a cultural thing and can be hard to deal with.

    In saying that have dealt with many lovely Indians who are some of my best clients.

    As a business owner you should not refuse work based on someone's race. You just need to treat everyone equally.

    Goes hand in hand.

  • Wilson Wallace on 17/04/2022 - 08:58

    There are (profanity) out there, and there are nice (profanity) out there. Quite simply to put it, grow some thick skin, don’t let it get to you and move on. Learn to also be a (profanity), but a nice (profanity).

  • DiscoJango on 17/04/2022 - 09:16
    +3

    Theres racism and then theres facts (based on your own experiences)

    Its not racist to say that certain demographics are just a pain in the ass to deal with, so its easier to avoid them altogether.

    Anyone who's sold anything to the public often, will know this.

    • Stromae on 17/04/2022 - 16:58
      +1

      Are you saying that making racial stereotypes is not a form of racism? I have learnt something new about Australia.

      • DiscoJango on 17/04/2022 - 20:08
        +2

        Im saying, an opinion based on your life experiences = your fact

        Say for example i was a plumber, and my last 10 'indian' clients ripped me off however my last 10 'asian' clients did not, then this plumber would say that 'indians' are cheaters, and this is based on his life experiences

        It might sound 'racist' to someone who doesnt know the full story

        Ps: we are all racist, every single one of us. Anyone who smugly says their not, is kidding themselves.

        • Stromae on 17/04/2022 - 20:17
          +2

          I choose not to throw everyone in the same basket, based on my experience with other members of their races.

          I do not judge people on the basis of their race, gender, religion, political affiliation, until I get to know them.

          P.S: saying we are all racist is just your view of the world and just cause you might be racist, doesnt imply we all are.

  • tryingtohelp on 17/04/2022 - 11:02
    +2

    I’m from the same background as OP, however my Scottish boss always told me that there’s definitely some genetical connection when it comes to looking for value for money. In all honesty, I’ve been through the same and chose to move on…

    We grew up in an environment where bargain is an absolute necessity before you make a decision to spend money, be it anything…believe me, my family from overseas would go lengths and breaths to buy an iPhone at a discounted price :)

    OP, the tradie are at all time high demand at the moment, allow them to live their moment. Once the interest rates goes up, property prices crashes, these tradies will be in oversupply, till then, if your task is urgent, then just get it done!!!

  • SydBoy on 17/04/2022 - 11:18
    +1

    it is very common to encounter such tradie and best is to move on… ! we can't simply fight with everyone alone particularly law won't help much if you try to report the person as well.. lol.

    i have faced this many time… i simply keep getting quote until i feel comfortable and i was still tricked by tradie who were having same ethnicity as me… lol … so there are more dodgy trade out there then racist tradie… in my opinion.. !!!

  • simonjb on 17/04/2022 - 11:41
    -2

    Stereotyping isn't racism to me, I wouldn't go with racism, accept the stereotypes that most nationalities have or live as a victim or do gooder like most of the responses here, your choice. You would say I'm Italian. Italians are known for pretending to be connected to the mafia, laying concrete everywhere and thinking they know how to cook when they mostly don't, they are also stereotyped to not being willing to pay full price for anything. I don't blame people for stereotyping think about how it comes about.

    • Stromae on 17/04/2022 - 17:03
      +1

      Based on your reasoning, if I go to a job interview, the employer is entitled to make his own assumptions about my ability to perform the job based on how my race is generally viewed by mainstream society.

      If people of my race are known to be lazy or geniuses, then I will always be like what my race dictates?

      • simonjb on 17/04/2022 - 21:27
        -1

        Everyone is entitled to their own assumptions including you,

  • UFO on 17/04/2022 - 12:39
    +2

    I'm sorry you experienced this OP, but I'm equally sorry to tell you that the trades person's previous experiences have definitely influenced his future clientele.

    Is it racist to predetermine an outcome on dealing with a complete stranger based entirely on their race? Of course it is!

    But if your business relies on doing free quotes for people, and a certain percentage from those quotes (when done for certain groups) ends up hardly ever getting work, why in the world would you waste you time dealing with them?

    You came across a guy who had no tact in withdrawing from the quote process (it could have been handled more delicately).
    But… I do support his choice to throw away what could have been good business. He is clearly in demand (as most trades are), and can afford to be be picky on what jobs he decides to do (such is the nature of qualified trades at present).

    Doing quotes for free is an exercise in 'fishing'. Once you throw enough lines in a certain direction and realise you aren't getting fish on the hook, you stop throwing in that direction.

    And being perfectly honest here, whether you like it or not… is he wrong? If he has so much work available to him and can afford to pick and choose who he quotes to, really… what obligation does he have to do so for absolutely everyone that asks? He isn't running a charity and can only do a certain number of quotes per week. I'd certainly prioritise more likely 'good' clients (based on all sorts of reasons like race, location, budget etc.).

    When he gives his time for a quote, it's his time and money he's putting down upfront. For instance if he proposed a price of $50 for a quoting fee, you'd run for the hills… as you'd expect a "free quote". The thing is, it's not free at all. Not to the tradie.

    Some customers EXPECT free quotes like they are community service. If a tradie asks for further details on the job and the client, and then decides not to proceed for any reason, that's fine. But tact in refusal is a must. However lets not kid ourselves here. Any underlying bias based on previous experience will of course determine the decision… it'll just be hidden from you.

    As tactless as this guy was, at least he was honest. Move on.

  • adanbro on 17/04/2022 - 15:28
    +1

    "Customer service didn't see any issues with it"

    What find-a-tradie website is this? Genuinely curious about they can find no issues with blatant racism.

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