First off, I'm an established company that has done commercial repairs for over a decade. I have worked for many many maintenance providers like ANFM. I realize that when working with companies like this, there's usually some headache factor built in. But these guys are rediculous. At best, they are woefully disorganized. The person I usually have dealt with there is Susan Acri. To give just one example, the store that I have been working for, whoever was doing their electrical work previously was an absolute menace. Wrong bulbs, wrong ballasts, bad wiring, you name it. It's so bad, I refuse do any ballast replacements or any wiring work of any kind there (normally I do that type of work all the time), because I don't want my name on anything like that if the place burns down. I've explained the situation in detail over and over. Yet they still have me replace bulbs, and wonder why the lights don't work. Honestly, I really don't care if they want to pay me to replace good bulbs every month, but it gives a good idea of how competant they are. Another example, they send out work orders with cryptic repairs. So, as I do with every company, I would always check with the location director to verify/clarify what repairs are needed. Well, last time I got an absolutely scathing email, just blasting me for "wasting the directors time" by asking her for clarification. Plus, the location is constantly completely jammed with people. I made efforts to try to schedule the work on the few days where it is just staff, or Saturdays when some of the classrooms are unused, and again I got blasted. These rooms are so full of people, you can't even get your tool cart to the other side, much less set up a ten foot step ladder to change bulbs. But they told me I had to get the work done somehow anyway. And on the salon floor (this is a beauty school) it is packed with people, sitting in reclining chairs, facing the ceiling. I don't have to illustrate the liability hazards of changing eight foot fluorescent tubes directly above customers who are in reclining chairs, facing the ceiling, directly under the bulbs. But that's what they want done. Headaches and stupidity aside, I could probably tolerate it, except that it's like pulling teeth to get paid. They said their terms are net 30. They actually pay between net 50 and net 70, if ever. They have directly lied to me on numerous occasions about payment, and always have an excuse. There seems to be about a three week gap between when they supposedly "cut" your check, and when they actually get it signed and mailed. I've told them that backdating checks doesn't make any difference to a contractor. It's when they mail it that counts. They are currently overdue on five invoices, with several more almost due. I talked to them today, as they had more work they wanted done this week. I told them that they are again overdue a significant amount. I suggested that if they overnighted me a check for the overdue invoices, that I would do the additional repairs this week, but that with all the payment problems and overdue invoices, I couldn't extend any more credit. I thought that since they are again well overdue with payment, that this was pretty reasonable. I thought they might even apologize, and actually mail me a check. Nope. Susan's response: "we'll get someone else". Both these companies are about the most unprofessional and least friendly I have ever come across. I suppose if your starving, go for it. But if you don't like headaches, forget them. I'll post updates if I ever get paid.
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