just john Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Have had three builders (one French and two English) phone in the last week asking when I'm starting the next phase of our work (too cold and wet) and are they in the frame. One said he hadn't had anything much for 8 weeks, though I expect he took a month off for Christmas anyway ([Www]), I guess the exchange rate must be starting to bite. [blink] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesFlamands Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 It's true that some UK clients are waiting for the exchange rate to go back up - could be a long wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chezstevens Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I think most folk are nervous about pouring relatively large sums of money into a diminishing investment - unlike the UK Gov. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Coincidentally today I received a call from a lady canvassing on behalf of local French artisan looking for any work in the renovation field, devis gratuit!She was polite and charming and it was the first time I have not been bothered to receive a tele-marketing call even though I wont be using him.It was the first such call that I have ever had in nearly 4 years and knowing the character of the people around here (I must have a bigger tractor than my neighbour even though I no longer have any land to work and I must take a five week holiday in the South especially if we have no money) it takes a lot to admit that times are anything but rosy.Even the guys working on the black are starting to cut each others throats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceni Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 [quote user="Chezstevens"]I think most folk are nervous about pouring relatively large sums of money into a diminishing investment - unlike the UK Gov.[/quote]The key difference being that the UK Gov is not spending its own money.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maude Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 On the same theme,the local Brico sheds here in Fontenay le Comte seem to be very quiet without the usual Brit east end twang normally heard hereabouts.Maude Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bixy Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I asked a friend who works exclusively for English speakers (he does not speak French) to do some tiling work for me. He told me he had work for months ahead - this was about six months ago. He now has nothing. I did the tiling myself. I asked a local artisan to fix a gutter. He has not got back to me, so I shall try to do it myself. I guess I'm not the only one taking this attitude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keni Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 We asked two local lads about replacing our roof - they have done previous good work. This was whilst we were over at Christmas and it took them 24 hours to produce a devis.We had also asked our local shopkeeper if she knew of anyone who was a good roofer - her hubby is an electrician, so we thought they would know someone.Whilst we were out one day over the Christmas hols we came back from a shopping trip to find a small box of chocolates and a bottle of eau de vie, plus a business card for these builders known to our shopkeeper left on our doorstep! Never seen that before - almost touting for business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin963 Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Certainly from what we hear filtering back to Devon, artisans are having a very very lean time in our area, and I gather that some have already closed down, citing the fact that they can't go on paying cotisations when they have no work.FR3 Limousin said much the same thing about a slump in activity on the lunchtime regional bulletin on Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 [quote user="Keni "]Whilst we were out one day over the Christmas hols we came back from a shopping trip to find a small box of chocolates and a bottle of eau de vie, plus a business card for these builders known to our shopkeeper left on our doorstep! Never seen that before - almost touting for business.[/quote]Yes but nice dont you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesFlamands Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 [quote user="Martinwatkins"]Certainly from what we hear filtering back to Devon, artisans are having a very very lean time in our area, and I gather that some have already closed down, citing the fact that they can't go on paying cotisations when they have no work.[/quote]We're in north east 24 and whilst there are fewer enquiries coming in, work is plentiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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