Bah Humbug!

It started about a month ago. I started to hear the constant whining, badgering, and unrealistic expectations from the public. This happens every year, and every year it sets the tone for the remaining months of the year. It starts with a phone call from a potential customer. They like to tell me their grandiose plans for their house. They start from the beginning and paint a picture for me over the phone. The type of wood on their cabinets, the color it will be stained, the color of their crown molding (this is usually spoken with great adoration in their voice, and I'm trying to keep from putting my finger down my throat and not having to explain the sound of my gag reflex), the paint color, the name of their granite (once again, urp), and finally to their tile, which is where I come in. This is soon followed by dates and times when each trade is expected to be there and perform their most precious task so that this family can have the project done two days before Thanksgiving, to accommodate the guests coming in from out of town. First mistake, wait until the last minute to start a remodel project. Second mistake, micromanage every subcontractor's schedule, assuming they're just sitting around, waiting for your phone call to do your $400 job for $350. This is where the 'fun' begins. You can just hear the figurative glass drop and shatter when you tell them you can't get to their project for at least six weeks. Immediately shift from managerial attitude to beggar/crybaby. "But I have company coming, and my kitchen won't be finished", or "I have seven people staying, and only one working bath". Can you sense the desperation in their voice? "Poor planning on your part does NOT constitute an emergency on my part". That's quoted from someone else and used by myself more often than I would like. Feel free to utter those words, if the situation fits. Then there's the plea for someone else's phone number. I'm happy to oblige, for why should I be the only one to field these phone calls? My peers should have to go through this also. Besides, one of them may just be sitting around, waiting for this opportunity. So far, I've made it halfway thru another season without going postal. Tomorrow starts the second wave of disappointment for those who live on Fantasy Island. Christmas is the new deadline. Curse that Mr. Roarke for filling their heads with unrealistic promises!