Try, Try Again

There's a saying in my family that goes like this, "If you don't ask, the answer is always 'no.'" My dad in particular is famous for using it in situations where he's trying to get a deal, finagle information out of someone, or when he feels he has been treated unjustly. With that, can you promise you'll remember this one thing?  

LANDLORDS ARE NOT YOUR FRIENDS.  

Remember that YOU are paying THEM to provide a product/service.  If he or she advertises that they provide working Wi-Fi, a washing machine, and your own personal parking spot, then those amenities are exactly what you, as the customer, should get.  When you sign the contract, it’s a two-way street business deal.  You are agreeing to pay rent and the landlord/property owner is agreeing to provide the services and amenities listed within the contract.  This brings us back to my family’s saying.  For example, if you are somehow missing the washing machine you signed for, ask about it.  Never be afraid to ask about it.  Even if that washing machine isn’t running properly, politely tell your landlord that you need it fixed (as a general rule, that is part of his/her agreement with you unless otherwise specified). 

Recently, I had a similar experience with my landlord.  My roommates and I moved in for the semester and quickly found that several agreed upon matters had not been taken care of.  The Wi-Fi was not working at all, which was a problem because we all have several online courses.  On top of that, the apartment as a whole didn’t have blinds and no one had been given a parking pass, so most of my roommates got booted the first night there even though they were in the correct lot.  After griping to our parents and each other, we pushed the anger and frustration aside, went to the landlord (let’s call him Steve), and asked to have the situation remedied.  The initial conversation consisted entirely of excuses as to why the Wi-Fi was not working and how difficult the blinds are to install.  After combatting Steve’s defenses, my roommates and I brought up the fact that each of us had paid $75 to get boots off of our cars because he hadn't given us parking passes.  Steve basically told us we were S.O.L (so out of luck) and that we should have asked for the passes before parking.  After about 20 minutes of banter, the girls and I decided to end the conversation, but not for good. 

The very next day, and for three consecutive days after that, my roommate and I faced Steve and asked to have our blinds installed, Wi-Fi fixed, and to be reimbursed for the boots. His scowl had the potential to set the entire city of Logan on fire, but to our surprise, we came back from Labor Day weekend to an apartment with blinds, decent Wi-Fi, and $75 back in each of our bank accounts.  I’d like you to now scroll back up to the top of this post and read the quote by Margaret Thatcher.  It’s a system and it certainly works.  Hold your landlord to his/her agreement and though it might not always be smooth sailing, you’ll get what you are paying for.

Lessons for today:

1.)  Don’t be taken advantage of by landlords and get what you pay for

2.)  If the first conversation doesn’t get you what you want or need, don’t be afraid to give it another 'go'