Hopkins.

We have had a new gardener at work, his name is Hopkins. My usual Gardener who I have used for years is James. James is a perfectionist; his work is second to none! He not only does what I ask, but he goes beyond! When James has finished with my Garden, I can not take enough photos! He is simply the Best! I have used James, for about five years. I cannot fault his work. I love his work. I will always, love his work and his worth ethics. He does what it says on the ‘tin.’ But James costs a minimum of £180 a day! Now to some that might not seem a lot, for a hardworking person, should get paid their dues. I would never ask for a discount or for the work to be done for less money. That would be Wrong! So, usually his bill is around £1,600 a pop. Hence, I only use him once a year, over many days. But this year, pay days came and went, and I was unable to ask him to come over for his customary, “This is what I would like doing,” And James saying, “I will give you a quote in two days.”

Katie at work, her son Hopkins is a gardener, and after some recommendations, we were all asked by our manager, “Does anyone know of a good cheap gardener?” He had used James on my recommendations, but he was far too expensive for work! The garden at work is massive. We were all impressed with his work at, at work and the best part is, he is cheap!

Hopkins was coming to my home, to do my garden, he had already been and had a good look at all what I wanted done. It would be fair to say, it was a big job, for the last time any work was done on the garden was, last year when James worked his magic on it. the potted plants that hadn’t died, were overran with weeds, they did look a sorry sight.

For our lawns we have a hardly used lawnmower, it was in perfect condition, as it was only used once a year, when James used it, Hopkins would use it. Another thing that I wanted, and James would bring his own, was a power or jet wash! That would be for the top end of our garden. This top end, is fenced off completely and that is for the dogs. That part is a mess. When James had used his amazing jet wash, it was fantastic, SO clean and tidy.

When Hopkins, came to look at my garden, we decided I would buy my first jet wash, for him to use.

He rang me to say, “I will be with you on Saturday, 1pm.” With the help of Meghan, from her mobile she ordered the jet wash for me, from Amazon. The £70 one had very good reviews and as I wanted it for the next day, there would be an extra charge of £5. It would arrive between 1pm and 3pm.

Friday it was ordered, and on Saturday, yesterday, I was in all day, for Hopkins. Meghan had a text on her phone, “Your item has been handed to a resident.” There was NO photo! Well, it certenly had not been handed to anyone in our home. No one knocked our door, nor did they press our door bell, the dogs did not bark. It was very annoying and frustrating. I went outside, there was nothing by our bins, like they have done in the past, and nothing IN the bins like they have done in the past! I went to both my next-door neighbours and asked them, “Has a parcel arrived here?” They both said, “Sorry, no.”

The Amazon text to Meghan said, “You can not contact us for 24 hours, because during that time, you may find your parcel.” That is SO unfair, we should be able to say, to them after the delivery time, and after we have been told it has arrived, we should be able to contact such a big company and say, “Where is it?” And, “We don’t have it!”

I had paid the extra £5 for nothing, but even worse, where is my expensive item? Personally, I think the delivery person STOLE it, for we have NO proof, that it was delivered to anyone. Meghan was sent no photo proof that it was delivered to us, it was just blank. Now most if not all deliveries now, have photo proof of the customer holding the item or standing next to it. Meghan got none of this. Someone on our street, has a brand-new item or the post person has it.

The jet wash was the main part of yesterday, so because it didn’t arrive, the work was not completed.

Hopkins, he charges £40 a day that is for the whole garden and in two weeks he charges another £40 again to do the whole garden.

A bargain, I am saving money.