Mixing Family and Business- Long Vent

[Rebeccascabinet]

Just need to get some perspective here. I try never to mix family and business because I've found the combination usually doesn't mix. I've tried to help out my family for years and I've always gotten the short end of the stick and I refuse to help my family any more. I end up the bad guy anyway. Well, against my better judgement, my FIL is a contractor and he offered me a great deal to make me a custom cabinet for my downstairs bathroom I am remodeling. Well, two weeks later, it is nothing like the diagram I drew him and the materials are all wrong and I hate it! I've already paid him so much money. I need at least another month to save to actually get the materials I wanted in the first place. For example I told him I wanted granite countertops he got formica (said I would get a better return for my money). I said a vessel sink, he got a drop in sink (said it was cheaper). I returned the sink. I told him it wasn't working out. I am so frustrated!!! This always happens whenever I try to mix family and business.
My question is 1. Those of you who successfully mix family and business, how do you do it? 2. Those of you who do not, what do you say when your family asks why you didn't use them?

 

[pamperedlinda]

You have every right to be PO'd! I bet he doesn't do this to his other clients.

 

[chefjeanine]

Rebecca,

I'm so angry on your behalf. I would be furious. What is your husband saying about this? Sounds like it's time for him to step in and get this fixed. There is no excuse for your money being mismanaged. If I was really brave, I'd tell him (FIL) that "the cabinet looks nothing like the diagram I carefully prepared and that the materials are all wrong. How long will it take you to have the correct cabinet made?"

 

[erinb]

I think the only way to make it work is to never mix family with business.
I learned the hard way and will never do it again.

 

[PamperedTammy]

You definitely have every right to be upset. If I were you I would sit him down and go over the original plans and tell him that this is not what was requested. Good Luck!!!

 

[KellyRedHead]

I only asked once! My FIL is also a contractor, asked him to put in two new windows. Well he put them in, never came back to caulk around them or put the molding back up! And these are in his grandkids rooms! the cold air just comes in, doesn't seem to bother him , and DH doesn't want to ask him about finishing them! So I have to also save my money to get them finished!!

I know your pain!

Kelly V.

 

[Rebeccascabinet]

Oh Kelly, I am so glad I am not the only one!!! Doesn't it seem when it comes to family some people think they can just pull one over on you?
Unfortunately my husband is in Iraq right now. I think if he'd been here my FIL wouldn't have done what he did. My husband would never have allowed him to get away with that.

 

[Kristina21]

I absolutely can't mix the two as well...unless of course it's my husband helping with my PC business. Other the that the other parts of my family aren't worth the trouble of doing business with and I am not brave enough to tell them when some thing's not right or that I'm not happy.