OPINION | Chris McCarthy: When the Show Shoveler Fails to Shovel

We all know the jokes about weathermen failing to deliver on their promises, but what about the person who fails to shovel the snow they contracted to remove?

It has happened to all of us and to some of us more often than others. We hire a person to shovel out or property before a storm and on the day of the storm, they abandon us to the elements. They are quick to text or call to arrange the contract before the first flake falls, but they can't be found when the job isn't done.

We have a regular caller to WBSM who has a company that does the work we don't want to do or can't do properly. He and his experienced workers handle trees and landscaping, they do snow removal in the winter and are available for all those other things life and the elements toss at us in New England. He is insured, experienced, reliable and actually answers the phone!

But we only need a serious snow removal job a few times a year and we appreciate the guy who calls us, and we don't give it much thought when we agree - plus the price is right. Who asks for insurance or references or other credentials as the storm looms on the horizon?

Then you notice the driveway isn't plowed or shoveled and it's past the time you agreed to have the project completed. But it's a bad storm and you don't want to be a haunt, because the contractor is busy and you are reasonable. But as the snow builds up and the contractor doesn't answer the repeated calls and texts, you start to realize the snow plow guy isn't a contractor and you don't have a contract.

The guy who is available on a Tuesday morning or afternoon, or "whatever works for you" is just a cheap hustler and he only works as long as it takes him to get just enough money for the day. You and your driveway and your regular job aren't his priority, and just having his word wasn't enough to get the job done.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. Email: Chris.McCarthy@townsquaremedia.com.