I did a renovation years back; re floored, changed door positions plus toilet things etc so needed a painter for the finishing.
My girlfriend’s dad heard and offered me a reliable hand.
‘He works for me both here in Lagos and at home in Iragbiji’ he boasted.
Cos I didn’t look convinced . . .
‘I can leave my house for him and go to sleep’ he went on just to secure the job for his man.
I got hooked, but so not line and sinker.
I picked up the guy at girlfriend’s place with introductions done by her dad.
Very elderly man, didn’t make me comfortable one bit but I had breasted the tape. No going back.
Praying, hoping it all went well, I faced the hurdle ahead.
It was the final lap of the hitherto unforeseen tasking renovation I had embarked on over 2 months earlier.
The plan was that it’ll take me max of 2 weeks.
The workmen had all been terrible. Outrageously so too.
The old wrinkle faced painter volunteered to take me to where we could get cheap quality paint.
I didn’t object, I drove down as directed and the way he was welcomed showed he was no stranger to the place.
I wanted good deals I kept saying and after choosing my preference in terms of colors and quantity etc, I made to pay while also insisting on a discount since Baba painter was their friend.
It was very reluctantly granted and I paid.
My car was loaded with the purchase and I drove away with the old painter.
We had to make a u-turn at a point towards my direction. The man instead, pleaded to get down and board a bus to his destination.
I was taken aback since I would be going half way in his direction, I could save him some money I thought.
He however, insisted on getting down and did just that, promising also to be at work in 48 hours as agreed.
I got home and offloaded my stuff only to realise there had been a shortfall, a mix up actually.
I had been given 2 gallons where I wanted a gallon and a gallon where I needed 2 gallons.
The following day, I took my receipt alongside total purchase and drove down once again, this time, all by myself.
The shop owner was not around but I met her shop girl who wasn’t part of the transaction the previous day.
A hunch told me not to take my receipt from the car and instead to rely on the counterfoil of the receipt with the sellers.
I told the girl my reason for coming back, asking her to check the counterfoil of their own receipt booklet for the evidence of my purchase.
Lo and behold, theirs was totally different from mine. They had used a pen to mark 2 rates on the counterfoil, the real price and the difference due the old man from what I was made to pay.
The girl called her madam afterwards to intimate her of the error in what was delivered to me and she was asked to change and ammend the difference in delivery.
I had caught Baba painter.
The old man was a crook, a thief.
Infact, a rogue – The reason he dropped off the previous day was to collect his own share of the booty .
He came to work on Monday, remorseful, long faced and pitiful.
On sighting me, he had said in his native language ‘Aiye o ni mo ashiri re ooooo.’
Meaning, ‘The world will not know your secret ooooo’
Caught red handed.
Kikikikikikikikikikikikiiiiiiii !
@ O’Shine ORIGINAL
the same agro with all artisans in our country. They are either good but tardy or not so good and materialistic. I have one on my hand presently and my gate is half complete. So what did you do with Baba Alasiri?
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Sad tales abound in dealing with those people.
This one had me literarily by my balls, I was getting married to his towns man daughter and I didn’t want controversies. From their relationship, it was obvious I’ll be his word against mine.
I didn’t even wanna push it.
My own person knew much later and was aghast and mad. Wanted to tell her father but I insisted not.
The worst side was his handling of the job. Soilled paint on my chairs, tables, floors and what have you despite his earlier promise not to and to ensure he cleaned whatever spills occurred.
He was a pure nuisance and I just tolerated him.
He never evem finished the job but I paid him off in full to be rid of him.
Phew.
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The things you do because of those you Love!
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The decisions you look back and wonder . . . Did I do that ?
Kikikikikikikikikikikiiiiiii.
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Hahahahaha. That’s how it is when you work with people recommended by family. The bad thing is you can’t take action against them as you would do with someone whom you don’t know. That’s why they almost always use that opportunity to play you.
There are real lessons in your story
Thanks for sharing
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. . . Thanks Ngumabi for seeing the good side of it.
It taught me to look far for my workmen.
Lol.
I wonder why you’re not visible for me to follow you ?
Been trying for about 3 days.
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Awww! Maybe it’s because I rather have a blog with blogger and not WordPress. Hope you visit sometime though.
https://ngraffi.blogspot.com
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. . . Ahhhhhhhhh.
If you can have me I should be able to have you too now.
Chuckles.
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. . . I sure stop by.
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Your blog is like reading a poem and a story all at once! Thank you.
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You just reminded me of a church song with this statement . . . Everything nah double double.
Kikikikikikikikikikiiiiiiiii.
Thanks ma’am.
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This got me laughing out loud. The old gee played a fast one. Haha but there’s indeed a lesson to learn there. Receipts are so important for keeps until you’re sure of your purchased goods. Otherwise how do u lay claims? Hilarious post. Nice!
https://jessicahugoinspire.com/2016/11/11/are-people-born-gay/
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. . . Swindled by an oldie.
He tried to take me out but I recovered.
Receipts are very key. I learnt that lesson long ago.
Kikikikikikikikikikikiiiiiiiii.
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Haha. So much for vouching for the man. It could actually ruin reputations and one wouldn’t want to take some certain advices from the so called person.
Speak for yourself, not for others.
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. . . I still saw him do jobs for her two brothers thereafter.
When people are so into one another, there’s little or nothing you can do, just face your front.
You can only trust yourself truly.
Lololololololololol.
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Haha. Big time silent robbery.
Every man for himself.
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. . . Nah him oooooooo.
A case of what isn’t good for the geese being good for the gander.
Kikikikikikikikikikiiiiiiiiii.
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Great Posts & intriguing writing style. :)!!!
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. . . Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Appreciate your stopping by.
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No problem I will be visiting more keep up the lovely interpretations 🙂
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#smiles
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You can have it cheap, fast, or good (Pick any two). It’s so true, as rarely, if ever, do you get the luxury of getting all three at one time when ordering or requesting any product or service. I am glad you caught the guy in the act 😊. I think you might enjoy my DIY post
https://reallifeofanmsw.com/category/diy%f0%9f%92%ad
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I salute.
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Most artisans are dishonest and in turn shortchanging themselves. Dishonest acts get revealed sooner or later
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This was shocking considering the source I got him from.
Lol.
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