Gender, and perceived ownership of property

At a network meeting recently an old man saw my badge with the name “Alexa” and told me that he had met my boss.
I told him I’m self employed don’t have a boss. Then he said “you know the owner of the business” I told him I’m the licensed agent on my business.
He then said “ok your business partner then”

He meant my husband Lol

It must be so embarrassing to be stuck in such a narrow minded false perception of the world - I actually felt sorry for him

 

I've had a bit of a laugh reading through this and all the different views.

As a tradie I've been in this situation many times and I think there's a good chance I would've replied to my boss in a similar way. Stating that the wife or women was home, I know there's people that think that's sexist and depending on tone it could be, but the reality is that 90% of the time the details have been discussed with the husband.

If he has been talking about the job to the wife/female owner he would respond with "no dramas she's the one organising it" but it saves him knocking on the front door and having spend half an hour discussing something he's already discussed with the other half.

I find stereotyping funny in general, the amount of times I've had tenants assume I'm just a tradie that the landlord has organised is hilarious, I sometimes correct them but if it plays into my hands I let them think that and tell them to direct any further works onto the realestate to pass on (otherwise some expect a full Reno).
My favourite was when I was in the front yard of one of my places waiting to give the keys to the agent for an open she said explained that she had to go and get the keys from the owner and to just wait there until they were ready... she was a bit embarrassed when I pulled the keys out of my pocket

I think everyone gets stereotyped, I just try to make it work to my advantage

 

That kind of sexism is a class marker.

 

Sometimes i'd go and fix things at my IPs - and yep, I'm female. I do smallish handywoman things like replace rollers for the showerscreen door or shed, replace window winders or doorknobs (I do a much better job than my dad on this) and get the sliding door to the outside going smoothly etc. I think my tenants are no longer surprised if I do it, but they do have good respect for me (and the mother... she makes me dinner afterwards! Win-win )

One time the dryer at the airbnb stopped working. I organised to replace it, but apparently the delivery service wouldn't take the old one off the wall. Anyway, so I had to take the dryer off the wall. No biggie. Tenant (male airbnb guest from somewhere like Malaysia) was extremely amazed when I did it like it was no issue at all (& to be honest, dryers are light)...

I like doing hands on type work. Making things work. Satisfying.

 

soooo... you waste 4 peoples time and that's not a problem ?

 

Had countless tradies through my house for landscaping kitchen etc and only once has my wife been asked if her husband is home. She said he is, but she's the boss (her landscaping project). Tradie apologised and continued working with her just fine.

No offense intended or taken, never thought about it again until this thread.

 

I always get at least three quotes for any work we are about to approve, especially for any major expenditure.

Recently, I obtained three quotes to remove an old fence/install a new one. Quotes ranged for $3,500 to $6,000. I decided I better get a fourth quote which we are waiting on.

Any ‘smart’ tradie knows that quoting is a cost of doing business and build it into their rates. Same process applies to wet weather.

 

You had your kitchen landscaped ???

 

Next time, try wearing a shirt Ace

 

It works to my advantage, dress like a dag at the open inspections I get ignored, it suits me fine. This way I find out who the really good agents are, the good agents seek you out.

I have bought a few houses without my husband even seeing them. It can work the other way, Some of the tenants in the past have referred to my husband as "the owners boyfriend". It suits me to be invisible. And sometimes it suits my husband to be invisible.

 

exactly
Never deprioritize a loyal customer to chase other work

why dosnt a trades person call you back
" they have vetted your call and you're probably not worth it "

 

Is this code for being 'unprofessional'?

 

I remember going to an auction when I was 18 with my now husband (he was 24 at the time). I was the one looking and James was just along for the ride, male agent maybe around 45 came up and introduced himself to James, telling him about the property etc. Anyway, agent finally asks if he's interested in purchasing and his response "not for me mate, talk to her".

This guy had spent a good 5 minutes doing his spiel to James and flat out ignoring me. Needless to say I told him to go jump.

Real estate is quite male dominated, but most people expect a female PM. I do get a lot of surprised reactions when I say I'm the business owner and from time to time I will get calls from other companies who want to discuss matters with the "licensee in charge"... Apparently that can't possibly be me and it's too hard to Google a company before you try to sell them something

 

NO ..... its code for being profitable

time is money , you only get paid for completed work

only people who don't work , don't understand , Kapeesh?

 

Yes, the ways of the cowboy are mysterious to the untrained eye.

Cowboys don't understand that they are running a business and reputation counts, especially for small operators. Capisce?

 

yes good tradespeople are hard to find
when you find a good one look after them , treat them well, take an interest in their work and pay straight away .

They probably have a good infrastructure of like minded tradies to recommend as well