Is 2009 over yet!!!

I know it's only six weeks old but this year has got off to a bad start (for me personally). I've had a few issues including my home furnace breaking down, car problems, teeth falling out and my home hot water heater leaking though my kitchen ceiling. I realize that these are no big deal (with so many issues surrounding us each and everyday) but one of these situations did make me wonder... if the economy is so bad now can you NOT find someone to do quality and timely work.
As mentioned my hot water heater sprang a leak and water dripped into my kitchen (the heater is in my attic). Of course I called a plumber (after two visits to tell me there was no problem) and it still leaked I called another plumber. He turned up and said I needed a new water heater which he could install for $850 I said O.K and he promised to show up to put it in. He did not as he said he could not find the right heater but would be there the next day to put it in (he told me he needed the money so he would be there on time). Guess what, he didn't show and not only that he never called with an excuse. After that I called around various plumbers (prices ranged from $800 to $1,600 for exactly the same work). I was amazed at the range and also annoyed that the first plumber decided he didn't need the work  especially when the economy is struggling and people are losing their jobs.  I did settle on one company the plumber showed up on time and did the job (how hard was that) and I paid him.
I know in the last few years you hear about problems with getting things done...customer service had become obsolete but you would think in tough times companies would make that extra effort to keep customers happy and then have them recommend them to family and friends just in case they may need their services.
Here at Forrester Media we work very hard on keeping all our customers happy and in fact most of our business this year has been from old clients. In this era it's important to a companies success to follow up with all your customers and be on time and be on budget...are you listening plumbers????