A HO that haggles - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Dben · 10-02-2009, 09:37 AM

So I get this call from a HO(a doctor) that states he has a few pieces of thin brick on his garage that need replaced, and could I come give it a look.
Ok, I go over there, and its 22 total that need replaced. 3 are missing, 17 are cracked in two, or partially missing.
I email him a cost to repair(per his request), and he sends me back this scathing reply that basically says, "I dont see how that can take you more than 3-4 hrs, so why is the cost so high? How do you justify that hourly rate".
I email him back that "I don't charge an hourly rate. And that he isn't paying for my time, he's paying for my 25 years of professional quality experience. And that next time I'm at the doctors office(which he is one). I expect to be charged only for the Hr I'm there."

he just emailed me back saying that he has many years of learning invested in his job, thats why he charges more"

WHAT????????????????????????????????????
do these guys think that all contractors are stupid or something? perhaps he missed my hrs of classwork, my working for peanuts apprenticeship, my constant trade shows, learning new products, etc tc.

shanekw1 · 10-02-2009, 09:41 AM

I know where I would tell him to put that job.

Mike Finley · 10-02-2009, 09:43 AM

Dude, you're just a dumb ass blue collar worker who provides shelter and maintains most people's largest financial investment and retirement asset. You got a lot of nerve even speaking directly to a doctor. I hope you averted your eyes and only looked at the ground when you were in his presence.

DavidC · 10-02-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dben

he just emailed me back saying that he has many years of learning invested in his job, thats why he charges more"

Your reply, "I know and respect that. Your profession is the only one that comes close to the requirements of becoming a qualified contractor. I have just 2 openings left in the next 6 weeks, which one is best for you?" :>)

Or look at it this way. The good doctor just amputated a PITA client for you at no charge. He obviously doesn't value his time that much.

Good Luck
Dave

RizzoMaryland · 10-02-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Finley

Dude, you're just a dumb ass blue collar worker who provides shelter and maintains most people's largest financial investment and retirement asset. You got a lot of nerve even speaking directly to a doctor. I hope you averted your eyes and only looked at the ground when you were in his presence.

Nicely put

rselectric1 · 10-02-2009, 11:56 AM

Quack Quack
Paging Dr Howard, Dr Fine, Dr Howard...

J F · 10-02-2009, 12:07 PM

Is this dr. atlantic's former prospect?

apehangeralfy · 10-02-2009, 02:34 PM

I didn't know GC's had there Drs. license too!!!!

mics_54 · 10-02-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

do these guys think that all contractors are stupid or something?

Basically..yes. From my experience a doctors wife is even worse.

bert0168 · 10-02-2009, 05:03 PM

Ever wonder why they say Dr's "practice" medicine......................

**genecarp** · 10-02-2009, 05:23 PM

Drive buy in a few weeks and look at the misaligned, poorly jointed brickwork that will be gracing the good doctors house. G

Celtic · 10-02-2009, 09:58 PM

Was he a proctologist?

Probably been looking at azzholes so long, he became one.

Big Rig · 10-02-2009, 10:53 PM

Ahhhh Mr Finley strikes again! Awesome!
Same thing happened to me several years ago. I gave a fence build proposal to an attorney. He did not like the price-opined that I was insane for trying to extort this kind of money out of him. He stated that he'd build it himself. "Good luck to you and have fun" I said, laughing inside.

Two weeks later, I was building two separate fences directly across the street from him. He had started his fence project the week prior, was a third of the way done. He sauntered over and boldly asked if he could bend my ear for a moment, something about his fence. I said, "Sure, if you make it quick". I answer a couple of his questions and he is on his merry way.
An hour later, he returns with 3-4 more inquiries.
"You're an attorney right?"
" Yes I am."
"Did you go to law school ?"
"Yes I did."
"When someone comes into your office seeking advice, do you offer it up for free?"
"Of course not, that's why I went to school."
"Well... I went to school via the carpentry apprenticeship program, on the job training, evening business courses, etc. Do you think it would be wise for ME to give FREE advice?'
" I guess not."
"Okay, I gotta get back to work, this workshop is over."

A week later he called me, stated that he was half way done.
"How much will it be to finish the fence?"
" Remember the price I quoted?"
"Yeah."
"To finish your fence, the original price I quoted is the price it will be to finish the second half of the fence."
He hung up. Never heard from him again AND the fence blew over during high winds two months later.

Celtic · 10-02-2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Rig

... the fence blew over during high winds two months later.

I love a "happily ever after" ending

woodchuck2 · 10-03-2009, 08:13 AM

Might better tell the Doc that if his time/knowledge is so valueable then maybe he should go to Lowes, buy the books, buy his own material, buy the tools and do it himself. His knowledge and quality are top notch right? So his own repairs should be top notch then too, after all he will be the one doing it right?

I got in an argument with a Doctor once about his car back when i was a mechanic. This guy thought he was all that and i was just a grease monkey. I asked him what the difference was between a car and a human body? I told him the human brain is like the PCM/ECU of the car, the human organs are the drivetrain, blood is like the hydrolics, bones are the structure "frame, a-pillars, b-pillars", skin is like sheet metal, nervous system is like the electrical wiring, food is like gas/fuel, intestines are like the exhaust system, limbs are like the steering linkage, etc. When i was done i asked him if he knew how to diagnose every problem with the human body from cancer, heart problems, mental problems, diseases, to nose bleeds. He said NO and that there were different parts of the profession that a person is skilled in. I replied to him that why is it that a dumb grease monkey is expected to know everything about a car every time? I then told him maybe he was just a dumb Doctor and when he knew everything about the human body then maybe he would know as much as i do. He was always much more friendly after that.

Bone Saw · 10-03-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Rig

Never heard from him again AND the fence blew over during high winds two months later.

classic