That moment a homeowner showed me a YouTube video and asked me to match it

I was fixing their dryer vent last week and the guy pulls out his phone. Shows me some 10 minute video of a guy making a dishwasher sound like a jet engine. He wanted me to do the SAME repair for $50. I had to explain that video skipped half the actual work. Three hours and a blown capacitor later I think he finally got it. Anyone else getting more customers who think they know the job from social media?

3 comments

3 Comments

taylorellis1mo ago

Oh man, it's the same thing with people watching home renovation TikToks and thinking you can rewire a house with a butter knife and some hope.

miles_garcia1mo ago

Last year I was totally that guy too, watched a five minute furnace fix video and thought I saved myself $400. Then I actually tried to replace a thermostat and fried half my system, ended up costing way more than just calling someone. That experience made me realize those clips are just the highlight reel, not the real job.

gavinwells1mo ago

Three weeks ago a guy showed me a TikTok of someone fixing a garbage disposal with a broom handle and a prayer. He was mad I wouldn't try it on his unit for free. @taylorellis, you ever get people who watch one video and think they can skip the part where you turn off the breaker first? It's like they think the whole process is just the last thirty seconds of the clip.