Remember the old days, when a car dealer or salesman would insist on talking to the "man of the house?"
In the 1950s, the husband needed to make the big-money decisions.
Today's women have come a long way since Carol Brady and June Cleaver.
But Joia Franks wonders about that.
Franks is a modern woman, a mom of three children, who says she is perfectly capable of dealing with a water leak, or any other problem, in her Warren County, Ohio, home.
During a recent rain storm, "water came in under the steps, and soaked the carpet in our lower level," she said.
So Franks called to get an estimate for a professional waterproofing from a BBB and Angie's List top-rated local company, EverDry Waterproofingof Fairfield.
But she couldn't believe when the sales rep told her that her husband needed to be home for them to come out.
"They said they needed all property owners at the estimate," she said. "I said, 'I can't have that happen, because my husband's out helping to fight the wildfires and he won't be able to be here.' "
Indeed, her husband was in California providing technical support to crews fighting the recent wildfires.
"I was offended. I was angry," Franks said.
Company explains the policy
We contacted EverDry, and it turns out there's a reason for this policy.
It has nothing to do with sexism.
The company's general manager, Charles Begley, explained "we request that both homeowners be present for our inspection and estimate, because it takes almost two hours, and we do not charge any fee.
"If only one partner is present, we have found the other one sometimes questions the estimate, and we have to do the entire presentation a second time," Begley said.
He said even in cases where a husband is home, they want the wife there as well, so there is no gender bias involved.
Franks said she understands, but she is not June Cleaver she and needs help now, not next month.
"I really need it to be fixed and I don't think my husband should have to be here," she said.
EverDry tells me they do make some exceptions to this rule, and they will do that in this case.
As for their work, EverDry has a reputation for top quality repairs, and has an A-plus ratingfrom the Better Business Bureau.
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