I have to wholly disagree with the idea that businesses are purposefully dicking with schedules for fun, nor to test customers patience. The only business I can imagine doing that is cable companies, in areas where the consumer only has 1 choice. Price negotiation is a separate issue the whale didn't even get into, and is just your own whining. Consider scrapping your car, the original company failed to provide timely service, and failed to contact nor communicate the reason for the delays to it's customers. You decide to try a different company which completed the job in a timely manner. Businesses are subject to the whims of it's customers, if they can't manage their appointments they will lose customers quickly. Something I'm certain that self-employed handyman is fully aware of.