It's Still A Man's World, Sometimes

www.countypressonline.com ^ | 04/04/2003 | By Donna McCole

[Tribune7]

We've all seen the commercials--"re-fit your old, worn-out bathtub with a beautiful new one in just one day." I was interested in refurbishing the original bathtub in my nearly 50-year-old house, so I thought I'd give it a try. Little did I know I was about to experience a classic case of women's discrimination, something I thought no longer existed in this 21st century.

[Tribune7]

Something for the ladies. :-)

[Tribune7]

ping :-)

[lady lawyer]

My guess is that this had nothing to do with discrimination. They probably wanted the homeowner to sign financing documents that liened the house, and they couldn't lien the house unless all owners signed.

[Paul Atreides]

IMHO, the whole story sounds unbelievable. I noticed that she makes no mention of the company.

[Xenalyte]

If that were the case, the salesman should have explained it, or at least mentioned it. Framing his refusal the way he did gives the little woman the impression she had, and I can totally see why.

[Tribune7]

My own suspicion was that they got burned a few times when the wife picked out the tub, the husband threw a fit over the choice and they had to take it back.

I don't think even the most chauvinistic business owner would lightly give up a sale in this economy.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Why wouldn't she name the company?

[Tribune7]

ping for pa.

[lady lawyer]

I think these people don't like to point out the fact that they are securing their loans with the home.

[Tribune7]

Probably because she wanted to vent without really screwing them up. I don't know for sure.

[Paul Atreides]

IMHO, anyone, regardless of sex, who would go through a 800 number to have a bathroom refitted needs to have his/her spouse's input on the decision.

[The_Victor]

My guess is that this had nothing to do with discrimination. They probably wanted the homeowner to sign financing documents that liened the house, and they couldn't lien the house unless all owners signed.

Exactly. When my wife and I "hosted" a Kirby vacuum salesman about a year ago, we both had to be home for the demonstration, so that at the end they could arrange financing which required signatures from both husband and wife.

[ArrogantBustard]

And-a-One, And-a-Two, And-a-Three:

AAAAAAaaaawwwwwwwwww!!!

It's (still) a (more or less) free country. If Ms. Priss doesn't like the way Company X does business, she's free to seek out Company Y and Company Z. And she did. And if Company X doesn't want to do business on her terms, they're free to walk out the door. And they did. So whassa matta, ya dumb broad? Kwitcher whining! I'm glad I'm not married to that creature.

(Insults directed at author, not FReeper T7.)

[WIladyconservative]

What would this guy have done had she been single??? What a load of crap.

[Paul Atreides]

LOL!!

[Chancellor Palpatine]

It happens more frequently than you think, in cases that don't require a lien. My wife eviscerated a water softener company guy for doing that, and called his competitor while he was standing there.

[Physicist]

My own suspicion was that they got burned a few times when the wife picked out the tub, the husband threw a fit over the choice and they had to take it back.

I suspect you're close to the truth. A more likely scenario is that the wife keeps pestering her husband to refurbish the bathroom. He doesn't want to hire one of these companies, either because A) it isn't a priority with him, or B) he knows that he can do it much more cheaply (and proudly) himself. Of course, he either refuses to do it or doesn't get around to it, so the wife calls one of these companies to do it while he's at work, and presents him with a fait accompli. (Perhaps the wife even relishes the opportunity to humiliate her husband.) This leads to a family blow-up with the husband refusing to pay for the work, perhaps even demanding that they undo it, and the company having to take him to court to collect.

I think the company's policy is perfectly understandable, even absolutely necessary.

[Paul Atreides]

More power to your wife! The main thing is, your wife didn't get up an whine about it, she took action. I have been treated rudely by salesmen before too. I took my business elsewhere. If the woman who wrote this article is so traumatized by her experience, she should name names and maybe they will change their policy.

[Tribune7]

I think the company's policy is perfectly understandable, even absolutely necessary.

Yeah, but I'm waiting for lorianne to chime in. :-)

[Chancellor Palpatine]

If the toilet works, the sink works, the shower works and there aren't leaks, then as a man, I see no reason to change any fixture for aesthetic purposes.

There - I am striking my blow for mankind (I feel the same way about kitchens, exteriors, interiors and furniture.

I'm told that I apparently don't care about the things that matter, and that I'd probably be happy in an air conditioned tent with a hot plate, big screen TV, ez chair and fridge full of beer.