Thread by @frodofied

Sit right back a you'll hear a tale...

For all of the convenience, opportunity, and value that the emerging sharing / service economy offers there are just as many risks to consider.

May my experience from a earlier this week serve to remind you of these risks.

1/

As many of you know I have been working to piece my life back together recently following a couple of not so great years.

In another foul surprise administered to me last weekend I learned that for the third time in six months I was going to have to move-three days notice.

2/

The panic and anxiety we're nearly enough to shut me down, and with no one to assist, it almost happened.

I needed a truck, I needed storage, and I needed help.

I decided to turn to @TaskRabbit.

It turned out to be a very expensive mistake.

3/

I placed an ad for an emergency mover witb a truck to assist. I was paired w/ three possible taskers one of which I hired. His name was John R.

I wouldn't normally out people like this, but his unprofessionalism & irresponsibility cost me $750+ at a time I can ill affor it.

4/

The rate that @TaskRabbit advertised for John was $34 /hr. I needed him for 2-3 hours and was clear about all of my needs.

Say hi to John!

5/

John informed by direct message later that day that a mistake had been made. He had a truck, he said, but his rate would be more & would require a 3.5 hour guar.

I responded w/ an honest appraisal of my personal situation & let him know my financial situation was not stable.

6/

John sent me his number and asked me to text him, which I did. In the text conversation we had John agreed to honor the $34 quote for two hours of work plus a barter for some of personal items if mine to make up the difference in costs for him.

7/

I felt I was being taken advantage of considering that I was clear in my ad and was given the quote by @TaskRabbit, but I was desperate and had no time to waste on looking for other options.

We agreed he would arrive the next day between 12:30 and 2:00 pm.

8/

I spent the entire night frantically packing and organizing. The next day, having had no sleep, I spent the entire next morning moving all of my belongings downstairs in preparation for John's arrival. I wanted to make things as easy for him as possible.

9/

At 12:30 that afternoon John R. texted me and asked for my address. I sent it and told him not to worry about time. As long as he was there by 2:30 then we would have more than enough time since my storage facility closed at 5 on and was less than a mile away.

10/

The request for my address sent me flying. He had indicated can time closer to 2 was most likely. I was still frantic, but was confident that either way I had enough time to get the move done.

Until...

At 1:53 pm I received the following text from John.

11/

I was obviously shocked. And scared.
And pissed off.
And a sudden panic set in.

After literally vomiting I reminded John of my situation and that I was legally required to have myself and my belongings removed by 10 pm THAT evening.

12/

He promised to be there at 3 pm the next day. I called my former landlord and after much hand wringing I was forced to agree to paying a $500 surcharge.

$500.

Then I realized that I was now faced w/ the task of moving all of my belongings back upstairs to my old apartment.

13/

Needless to say I was not in a good place. I spent the rest of the day trying to physically recover & not give into my growing levels of depression. The next day I tried to maintain some level of positivity and sent an upbeat message to John saying I would see him at 3 pm.

14/

I spent the morning doing what I had done the entire previous morning, which was to move my belongings back downstairs. I was slower, less organized, more exhausted and emotional.

I texted John with a question and received no answer. I phone him and he did not answer.

15/

At 11:11 I sent John a desperate text begging him to respond, but no.

I cannot explain the sense of doom that overcame me.

What was I going to do?

I honestly had no idea.

It was almost noon, my access to my storage unit ended at 5 pm, and I now had no truck or help.

16/

I phoned @taskrabbit / @TaskRabbitHelp immiediately and while Cole (I think that was his name) was very kind and proactive the level of responsibility or assistance the company was willing to assume in my situation was minimal at best.

I was kind of shocked.

17/

I felt completely helpless and exposed. I NEEDED @taskrabbit to step up and felt that if I was too aggressive or complained too much that I would be putting any support from them at risk.

In the end, Cole offered a $100 credit and to put up an ad for same day service.

18/

But this meant that my hourly rate went from $34 to $85 plus tax and fees, effectively tripling my costs.

I had no choice.

I had NO choice.

At first I had no matches or enquiries.

Again.

I was wrecked.

19/

But then a small miracle came. And while the miracle could not fix the losses I had incurred or would be able to prevent those to come, a miracle it was, nontheless.

The miracle was a response to my ad. I had no idea how much of a miracle it was.

20/

That miracle was Rodrigo A.

I do not exaggerate in calling him a miracle. He was saved me. Rodrigo was everything that John R. was not.

Here was urgent. He was determined. He was kind.

He is the only reason I am not tearing @TaskRabbit to shreads.

21/

From the moment this man entered my story until the moment he left I was a witness to pure humanity.

I told him everything. All of it.

He promised to help me as best as he could. He assured me he would be at the building by 4:00 pm.

22/

I then realized that the storage unit I had JUST rented was now useless--another $75 loss. But at least the $20 lock I had purchased could be reused if we could get the ten or so boxes out that it held. This, of course, added time. It addeded stress to the situation.

23/

I was lucky enough to find a suitable unit only a mile further from the original with extended hours, but, as luck would have it, required a specific lock which cost another $20. Total loss including travel $95.

24/

Then Rodrigo called and asked if I "would mind" if he brought his cousin to help. He had told him my story and he was willing to help at no extra cost. Rodrigo suggested a case of beer. I was speechless.

"Are you serious?" I asked.
"Of course."

Something like relief...

25/

They arrived at 4:08 pm and were two of the kindest men I have ever met. The patience they showed as I fell apart was astounding.

They could only give me two hours they said. And when logistical issues delayed us almost 90 mins I feared the worst. But for no reason.

None.

26/

They worked hard.

Efficiently.

Fast.

They were everything you dream someone you hire would be like.

Oh, and did I mention that since he only had a large minivan that he suggested we rent a uhaul? A uhaul he intended to pay for himself.

I was stunned.

27/

I scarely could afford it, but it was obviously necessary and I told him I would reimburse him.

Those two worked their ass for me. They ran interference when others tried to get in my way. They cared for my property as if it was their own.

Amazing.

28/

Meet Rodrigo, my hero.

In the end they worked four 1/2 hours and Rodrigo only billed me for two.

I just sat down on the ledge behind me when he told me.

I said no through tears and they both insisted. They had been where I was they said.

They understood.

I couldn't believe it.

29/

Rodrigo gave me his number & said that he could return next week to help if I still needed, at no extra cost and he had texted to check on me once a day since.

Above & beyond.

@TaskRabbit should give him awards. This man should lead customer service at a corporate level.

30/

Unfortunately, the guys had to leave before everything was loaded so I lost my mom's dresser and a my box spring to my bed behind.

If I add those to the losses I incurred the number is substantially higher than $750.

Either way I could not afford losses right now.

31/

I wonder what @sbp04 thinks of her company's actions and of those that they bring aboard to represent them as taskers.

This is where the share / service economy fails us .

In situations where the customer is completely blindsided with loss no one takes resposibility.

32/

Despite it all I thank the gods for my two heroes.

I will remember them anytime I give up on humanity.

Use this story as a cautionary tale before using @TaskRabbit or any such service.

Make sure the cost you save vs. using more professional services is worth the poss losses.

Then Rodrigo called and asked if I "would mind" if he brought his cousin to help. He had told him my story and he was willing to help at no extra cost. Rodrigo suggested a case of beer. I was speechless.

"Are you serious?" I asked.
"Of course."

Something like relief...

25/

They arrived at 4:08 pm and were two of the kindest men I have ever met. The patience they showed as I fell apart was astounding.

They could only give me two hours they said. And when logistical issues delayed us almost 90 mins I feared the worst. But for no reason.

None.

26/