So Called "Service Engineers"

[Terry]

Starting this to parallel the shop assistants thread

As you may imagine, at the lodge we have several water pumps, to service the bungalows, restaurant and the ponds. As most of you also now, Hua Hin water is rock hard and can clog up ball valves, isolating valves, shower heads and yes of course pumps.

Last time I returned home from Hanoi on a brief visit, the pressure switch on the bellows pump servicing the kitchen, from our underground storage tank had blocked. So Mrs. T had switched to our byepass supply and called the plumber to fix the pump. So far so good.

Plumber says - you need a new pump.

I says 'borrox' - no I don't.

Plumber speaks some fair English and says 'You're just a farang. How do YOU know that you don't need a new pump'

Because-says I - I am a graduate mechanical engineer and have built several houses in my lifetime, and installed tested and commissioned more bloody water pumps than you have had plates of khao pad moo........

I then proceed to get a piece of wire and unblock the offending pressure switch - whilst teaching my staff how to do it at the same time.

What ever happened to the knowledgable 'tradesman' approach. It seems that all the locals want to do is sell new stuff to farangs rather than fix the item. Believing of course that we are all rich twats who know nothing.........................

BTW - coming soon to the lodge, will be a water tower with a primary softener at the base. Just one pump (+ standby) to get it up there and no need for any other pumps on the site.

[Spitfire]

When you have a business like the one you have Terry, and also that you are often not there and away on business, it must be a nightmare when the local freelance 'handyman' turns up to sort out whatever is wrong......especially if you're not there and catch wind of it on the phone whilst in India or somewhere.

It 's easier to suggest that you buy new as brings about a quite resolution to the problem with little work, but when it comes to the locals they can keep a 25 year old moped going longer than NASA could.

[Terry]

Spot on Spitfire

However, since we got the internet fixed at the lodge, Mrs.T and I check things out on Skype, and avoid these issues BEFORE they occur - where we can. I'm turning some of my staff into useful 'fixers'.

Incidentally - in response to demand, we will soon have wi-fi at the lodge, so that guests, partners, and friends of those that are fishing, can keep in touch on the web.

I will post on the HHFL thread when it is ready

............but when it comes to the locals they can keep a 25 year old moped going longer than NASA could.

One of our neighbors still drives around in a 30yr old truck, no doors, no bonnet, no lights - but it still goes.

[STEVE G]

It 's easier to suggest that you buy new as brings about a quite resolution to the problem with little work,...

To be fair, an awful lot of that sort of thing also happens with domestic plumbers in the West as they can make a handsome commision on selling you things that they get direct from a wholesaler, as well as charging you to fit it.

[Spitfire]

One of our neighbors still drives around in a 30yr old truck, no doors, no bonnet, no lights - but it still goes.

Know the type dude.......and when I see them I think that the vehicle still only works because the driver believes that it still does through sheer positive thought.

[Nereus]

It 's easier to suggest that you buy new as brings about a quite resolution to the problem with little work,...

To be fair, an awful lot of that sort of thing also happens with domestic plumbers in the West as they can make a handsome commision on selling you things that they get direct from a wholesaler, as well as charging you to fit it.

The big difference in western countries is the labour costs. In many cases it is cheaper to replace an item than it is to repair it.

I think the point that Terry was making is the general Thai attitude that nobody else could possibly know more than themselves! I find this time and time again, with even simple car repairs. A good example is the V8 engine in my Land Rover. I was operating, and hands on maintaining, these engines before some of these "service engineers" were even born, but they look at me like I just insulted Buddha himself if I tell them something they obviously don`t know.

[Lung Per]

Never forget; Thais know it all. Don't try to lecture them. The last thing they want is to lose face to a farang!


(sarcasm may apply)

[hhfarang]

Glad I'm not the only one who runs into situations like this every (yes absolutely every) time I need any kind of service on anything.

[Vital Spark]

We both empathise with you Terry.
Mr.VS is also a mechanical engineer and knows a fair bit about engines. I've lost count the number of times that he's diagnosed a problem with our car, and, after explaining what he wants replaced, having to wait an hour or so while some eejut tests this and that before finally announcing you need a new whatever. Yes! That's what I said 2 hours ago. It gets fixed (sort of), but it's damned frustrating.

VS

[Terry]

Yep - Mrs.T now calls this 'farang majic' - and knows how bruddy flustlated I get