Got That Bad Feeling Today, Should Have Turned The Job Down...

curapa

I met with a customer today and right away I sensed that she was a little wacko, I raised my price thinking she wouldn't bite but I was wrong. Fortunately this is a very small fence job that will be hard for her to complain about anything on. As soon as she o.k'd the price I said to myself, Sh#t!

Is there a smooth way some of you have backed out of a job after you have quoted a price, afterwords I realized I should have told her there was a few month long waiting list.

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www.ParkerFenceandDeck.com

dirt diggler

why do you have to do it smoothly?

Just call her up, explain that you are not going to be able to take the job.


You do not have to say anything past that. If she's truly a wacko - then she's probably used to it.

I don't get what the big deal is Curapa



(all this assuming that you she did not sign a contract and that you have taken no payment yet)

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Thanks in advance!!!

Pearce Services

Why not....

Write up a bullet-proof specification, explain it to her in detail, explain to her that no modifications will be made to the specs, ensure that she understands what she is buying, then make her sign it. Then finds a sub, and go through the same specification with him, and let him know that he is 100% responsible for the job, and the customer's satisfaction, make a few bucks, and let someone else deal with the HO

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Kevin

www.BadcoDoors.com

Brickie

Then knock it out & move on

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Bodger

I would take work from Josef Stalin right now if it was offered to me.

Ask yourself, whacko that she may be, if she was a hottie, would you think twice about doin' her fence?

Hell, just do it, take the profit, she'll probably like you and give your name out to her friends and it you'll be glad you did.

Good luck.

Just a Roofer

Some of those pita wackos can actually be a good thing IF she is happy with the job. Think about all the others that know she's wacked or very picky, they will think if she was satisfied then i'm going with this guy.

Brock

I always have the same preminition as you. I've gotten to where I can predict it just like you are describing. What's funny is I handle it the same way as you are. I double the price and add in a crazy 80% down,hope I can drive off into the sunset and never see them again. On the few times they do bite, I go ahead and do the job because I get most upfront and it is for double. I don't see what the prob is unless you didn't get enough upfront money to balance out the crazy.

Just a Roofer

Exactly, you always add the pita fee & if they go with it then you make extra cash & hopefully get through without a problem. I think it's good when you get someone like this since they seem to ask a million questions & when you have the answer to all they are going with you even though your higher than the others. It makes them secure i guess or maybe i'm just as wacked as they are & they can relate?

1mancrew

Maybe she is not a wacko at all. Maybe all of your other clients are wacko's and you have worked for them so long that you don't remember what normal is? I deal with so many wacko's here I wouldn't know normal if it bit me in the arse.

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curapa

She agreed to the price and I pulled out the contract right then, she signed and gave me my deposit.

I understand the thought of charging extra for PITA clients and I do that often but often I would rather not deal with them at all on smaller projects like this one where the profit margin is not very large even with my price increase. As naggy as she was I thought for sure she would reject my price and then when she accepted I felt it was my responsibility to oblige.

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dirt diggler

your responsibility to oblige ... ?


Are you that easily swayed into something?





i understand what you mean - and am glad you are at least standing by your principles. Stick with them!!!!

Now ... how to get out of it.


First, simply type a nice letter that states you are unable to follow through with your contractual obligations at this time. You then place the check that she gave you, on a paper clip (or stapled) to the letter. You proceed to say "we apologize for any inconvenience" --- and then you mail the letter.

Then you drop it in the mail.



I can hear someone now saying "just get some balls and go talk to her." F**k balls and f**k pride. That will clout your judgement and sensibility. You need to not give anymore information than what is [written above] - and "getting some balls" can often get you in trouble. Especially if you're willing to take a project because you feel obliged to doing so after merely quoting a price for it.


You need to return her money and withdraw from this obligation.

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Thanks in advance!!!

kevjob

How about a follow visit to her house and just feel her out, quoting you want to just double check everything.

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Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

curapa

I appreciate your advice but the simple fact is I allowed her to sign the contract so I am going to fulfill my end of it. I just feel like an ass for not telling her what was up from the beginning, then again maybe I am wrong, maybe she will turn out to be one of my best customers.

My initial thought for this thread was not to find a way to back out of this contractual agreement but to find a good way to turn down a job without displaying uninterest, lack of customer service or any of the other many things that might sway someone from passing my name on to another potential client. I have received several jobs via word of mouth from people that have not accepted my bid simply because the way I have presented myself, although they could not afford my services they have passed my name along.

In other words how do you tell someone you do not want to work for them without being an ass?

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dubz

I live in Connecticut and I'd almost be willing to go down there and do it.

Brickie

In some of the gated communities that I service she would be called "eccentric"

__________________
“Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country.” – Ronald Reagan

bwalley

Tell her the price was for the fence and ask her where she wants you to drop it off and when she says something about installation, say we don't install em', we just sell em'.

Just a Roofer

In other words how do you tell someone you do not want to work for them without being an ass?[/quote]

You can tell them that you can't handle the job due to personal issues or something similiar. You had to fire your guy (if employees involved), your backlogged due to some circumstance, you broke your leg yesterday, etc.

Sub it out may be an option.

curapa

Thats pretty good.

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Bill Z

Is there a smooth way? No.

Sounds like you have good rapport with the people who are willing to refer you, but you don't have it with this particular person. That happens, and it's hard to get comfortable with everyone you work with. What specifically made you think she is wacko?

davitk

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