More contractor complaints - windows of time

[IIOY]

Today I called a contractor who wanted me to sit around the house all day waiting for him.  Oh, but he'd call me an hour in advance!

I kept trying to narrow the time.  Every time I gave a new time, the assistant had to put me on hold and check with him and then come back to me.  It was a painfully slow process and after the fifth time, I told her that I couldn't make appointments like this, thank you for your time, click.

I'm not thrilled at a window of time rather than a (somewhat) specific time, but I will work with you if you refrain from giving me an 8-hour window.

[boiler717]

))))windows of time((((

I recently had a couch delivered. Our delivery window was 9 am to 9 pm.

[IIOY]

When did contractors get worse than the cable guy? More to the point, how do people who have full time jobs deal with this shit? My guy never even showed the other day, but at least we had a specific time. If I'd waited all fucking day only to have a no-show, I'd send the contractor a bill for my lost pay.

[Deleted]

I've had good luck with saying the following:

"I need to be SUCHANDSUCH place by X time. Can you please narrow the window of time for me. If you can't, can you give me a number for the delivery person so I can contact him directly."

OR:

"I have a lot going on today as I assume you do too. I'd like to narrow the time so we're both on the same page. If you can't tell me today, can I be first on the delivery list tomorrow if that's easier for you?"

Most people are really accomodating. I have to do this. I work in a barnyard with tons of deliveries and in and out. I can't wait all day or nothing would ever get done.