Contractors helped themselves to drinks from our fridge

[Anonymous]

We had our basement drywall and carpet replaced this past week and I noticed several Celsius energy drinks and (I think) one hard lemonade missing from the bar fridge down there. The beer and wine were accounted for. I’m not a big fan of the Celsius, so we won’t miss it. But just the idea of them assuming this was OK is off putting.

They did a decent job with the basement but now they want to paint our main level (which they bid on). Pretty sure we’re going with another contractor for that - knew this even before I discovered the missing drinks - but should I bring this up as a possible reason we’re not going to use them anymore?

Also, is this typical?

[Anonymous]

It’s very petty especially because it’s possible you’re wrong unless you saw them drinking them. What if your kids drank them?

[Anonymous]

Curious if others say this, typical, and it shouldn’t be.
I would maybe just comment that any contractors should bring their own drinks and food. Of course you can’t be 100% that the workers took those items unless you have it on video (not that I don’t believe you, I do).

[Anonymous]

Since you’re not sure they drank them, you say nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious if others say this, typical, and it shouldn’t be.
I would maybe just comment that any contractors should bring their own drinks and food. Of course you can’t be 100% that the workers took those items unless you have it on video (not that I don’t believe you, I do).

I don’t think it’s “ok” but it’s classic to blame the help and then realize you forgot you moved them or used them up. I also think it could be that they were really hot and assumed you wouldn’t mind—which isn’t ideal but isn’t insane either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious if others say this, typical, and it shouldn’t be.
I would maybe just comment that any contractors should bring their own drinks and food. Of course you can’t be 100% that the workers took those items unless you have it on video (not that I don’t believe you, I do).

OP. Nobody else would drink the Celsius or hard lemonade but me. They also left a half bottle of Gatorade in the same fridge.

Like I said, I’m not going to miss any of these items, and would have even offered if they asked (my wife brought them water one day), but just the presumptuousness kind of irks me.

I won’t say anything and just go our separate ways.

[Anonymous]

Damn I usually buy contractors working all day pizza one day and drinks. So no, it wouldn't have irked me at all.

[Anonymous]

Considering it was a mini-fridge in the space they were working in, they could have incorrectly assumed you stocked it for them. Like the PP I usually give drinks and food to workers in house and maybe these guys were just presumptuous, but not malicious .

[Anonymous]

Presumptuous or not, it is unprofessional.
Now that they understand it is ok to make presumptions, I would not proceed further with them.
No point in confronting them about it - no good will come of it.
Find another crew.

[Anonymous]

Could it be your kids or someone else? I always give a cooler with drinks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could it be your kids or someone else? I always give a cooler with drinks.

OP. No chance.

[Anonymous]

It’s petty of you — especially if you’ve been satisfied with the work that they’ve done.

Yeah, it is presumptuous, especially if you are 100% certain that it was the contractors,
but I will say that when I’ve had contractors in to do work, I’ve had bottled water and other drinks and told them — or left a note — letting them know that they could help themselves. I’m sure I’m not the only one who does this. So I wouldn’t hold it against someone, particularly during hot weather, for taking drinks without asking, especially if the drinks were left near the area where they were working. I’d extend a bit of grace, realize that many/most people do offer cold drinks to workers, and understand that with multiple clients, it might be easy to forget which clients routinely offer drinks and which ones don’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Considering it was a mini-fridge in the space they were working in, they could have incorrectly assumed you stocked it for them. Like the PP I usually give drinks and food to workers in house and maybe these guys were just presumptuous, but not malicious .

+1

I usually provide drinks. Maybe they assumed incorrectly?

If I was happy with the work otherwise, I’d let it go (especially if I can’t be 100% sure). Even with the information you gave, I wouldn’t be confident being 100% sure if it were me…. I could easily forget about drinking them, spouse drank them or had someone over etc, or I just plain miscounted or spaced out on it in the first place. Even if it is a tiny chance.

But- if I wasn’t completely happy with the work otherwise, it would be another negative in terms of using them again vs someone else

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Considering it was a mini-fridge in the space they were working in, they could have incorrectly assumed you stocked it for them. Like the PP I usually give drinks and food to workers in house and maybe these guys were just presumptuous, but not malicious .

Agree with this. We always stock our spare fridge with water and Gatorade and tell contractors to help themselves. Sometimes there’s soda in there too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous[b wrote:]Considering it was a mini-fridge in the space they were working in, they could have incorrectly assumed you stocked it for them. [/b]Like the PP I usually give drinks and food to workers in house and maybe these guys were just presumptuous, but not malicious .

This.
But you are also right OP, it was rude. But rudeness is epidemic.