"Not technically supposed to do this, but..." scam?
August 22, 2015 7:27 AM   Subscribe

The other day I had a new washing machine installed, a completely normal setup. I had paid for installation and new parts as well. Upon delivery, one of the workers looked at the existing completely normal hookup, sighed, and said, "Oh, this is going to be tricky. We're not supposed to install something this complicated. We can try it to save you the cost of a plumber, but this is really something a plumber should be doing. But we'll try."

Five minutes later, he and his partner had connected the machine and everything was fine. As I signed the invoice they again explained that technically they're not supposed to take on tricky installations but they were glad to save me the cost of a plumber.

I remembered that whenever I've had any appliance delivered, the delivery people always make a point of saying they're not supposed to install "tricky" appliances, because apparently the wiring and plumbing of every home I've lived in for the past 35 years was designed by Rube Goldberg, according to appliance delivery people. And yet, they always manage to install said tricky appliance.

Is this a scam to get higher tips? Is this even a thing?
posted by kinetic to Home & Garden (10 answers total)
 
Best answer: I'd bet it has a lot to do with CYA. The installers probably have some pretty tight guidelines for what they're supposed to do, limited by the least skilled among them. Now a guy shows up at your house, he probably has more skill than some (or he thinks he does, and the rules are supposed to protect you from the fact that he actually doesn't). You're going to be annoyed if he doesn't hook it up. He's going to get dinged on a tip, and he's annoyed with the rules anyway. So he warns you that he's breaking the rules, and then does the hookup. And probably everything is fine, but maybe it's not.

I install software for a living (big, ugly enterprise stuff) and I break the rules all the time (though I only offer a disclaimer if it has a chance of biting me or the customer).

Or they could be angling for a better tip. Or a bit of both.
posted by wotsac at 7:40 AM on August 22, 2015 [10 favorites]


N'thing wotsac, especially the 'bit of both' part --- "look how much extra effort I'm doing just for you, I deserve extra tips!"
posted by easily confused at 7:42 AM on August 22, 2015 [3 favorites]


I do this as a lawyer all the time, just because it sucks to have to tell people you can't help them when bending the rules isn't that big a deal. I'm sure in a situation where tips are a thing that's a factor as well though.
posted by mchorn at 8:05 AM on August 22, 2015


They are trying to manipulate you into giving them a tip (as they are doing you a 'favor').
posted by PorcineWithMe at 8:17 AM on August 22, 2015 [2 favorites]


Best answer: I would totally interpret this as angling for a tip. And I'm not even that cynical.
posted by HotToddy at 8:52 AM on August 22, 2015 [5 favorites]


I would consider this begrudgingly doing their job. Or CYA in a situation where they want to help you out even though they technically shouldn't.

Then again, wouldn't ever consider tipping someone in this situation.
posted by humboldt32 at 9:08 AM on August 22, 2015 [1 favorite]


I think this could be angling for a higher tip, but I wouldn't call it a "scam" -- it sounds like you paid for installation and you got installation, and whatever tip you give is up to you.
posted by rainbowbrite at 9:09 AM on August 22, 2015 [2 favorites]


Seconding rainbowbrite - definitely them angling for a higher tip, but I would only really call it a scam if e.g. they refused to do the job they were hired for unless you paid extra because it was "complex". It's not a scam if they performed the job they were hired to do at the rates they were hired to do it; they were just trying to talk you in to a bigger tip.
posted by Itaxpica at 9:51 AM on August 22, 2015


Best answer: Years back I had two guys deliver my washer and dryer who looked at my setup, said the dryer didn't come with a connector that I needed, but they just happened to have one in their truck they'd let me have for $15. I didn't know any better at that moment, but realized after they installed the washer and dryer that they never actually went back out to their truck to get this mystery connector. So I didn't tip them in cash. I tipped them with a handful of free tickets to a movie theatre that had recently closed, with a total face value of $25 or so. I figure it was an equivalent exchange.
posted by telophase at 12:34 PM on August 22, 2015 [14 favorites]


Best answer: I would mention this to the store you bought the washer from. You paid them for installation service. Then the employees are telling you that this is something they probably shouldn't be doing. Well, if you paid for standard installation and the employees are telling you that it's not standard and it's something they shouldn't be doing but they'll do it anyway... does that give you confidence that the product they're selling is on the up and up, or that the employees who came into your home are competent? Tell the store that you're not comfortable with this. It may not get you anything, but it may get the delivery/installation department put on notice.
posted by azpenguin at 9:09 PM on August 22, 2015 [6 favorites]


« Older I've google this , but can't fine an answer......   |   Study showing that zero trades is the best? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.