How Do You Address Your Clients?

wireless

Along the lines of the handshake thread, do you call your clients by their first name or formally Mr./Mrs. Smith?

MALCO.New.York

As long as I am working on THEIR "stuff", formality is necessary. It keeps the relationship professional. Sir, Ma'am, Yes Please, No Thank You, Pardon Me.........

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Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

Leo G

I am almost always referred to them by a previous client. Almost always on a first name basis. They don't address me Mr Lastname, I don't feel that I should address them that way either. I suppose if it was an older couple I might do it, just because that is the way they would expect it to be done, or if they address me by my last name I would catch the hint and do the same.

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Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

rbsremodeling

I try to do the Mr. and Mrs thing but after I week after I get the the job, they always insist on first names.

I try to side step it because I feel the mr and mrs keeps it less personal and more business oriented but the usually insist on first names

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Tinstaafl

When I was younger, I went with the formality, and still recommend that for younger/talking to older.

Now, at age 58, that approach is reserved for people who visibly deserve the respect--usually because they've managed to survive 2-3 decades more than me. Money alone won't get it.

dkillianjr

For me it depends on the customers. I am still a younger guy, so at first I always call them mr/mrs. Like Malco said please, thankyou, excuse me, ect. But a lot of customers insist on first names. Also like Leo said almost all of my customers are referred to me on a first name basis. So I guess it really depends on the customer.

I try to do my best to read the customer as soon as I meet them. I like to think of myself as a kamealeon I try to act appropriate for each situation.


Dave

rbsremodeling

Most customers will introduce themselves the way they prefer to be addressed

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MALCO.New.York

This is true.

But..................

I tend to perform to a "standard" that is illusive in todays market. Chivalry is NOT dead.

It is allllllll BS. But it works.

Create the illusion, and they WILL but it!

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

orson

I'm only 34 so if my customer is over 50 I usually address them as Mr. and Mrs. If they are younger than that (or I percieve them to be) I unconciously slip into first names.

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Lancaster Remodeling Contractor - Lancaster Remodeling
Kitchen & Bath Remodeling PA- Bathroom Remodeling Lancaster PA
Custom Kitchen Remodeling PA - Ruby Construction FaceBook-Lancaster Bathroom Remodeling

TxElectrician

I'm 48 and all customers are sir or ma'am.

BuiltByMAC

Interesting survey topic...

The initial introduction has always been an exchange of first names. The rest of the project continues along the same lines. I don't think I've called someone by their last name yet. Even older folks have no problem relating with me on a first name basis.

Wonder if I ever lost an initial bid because they felt I was an "impertinent pup?" Ha! Never thought of that!

Mac


PUI

Cdat

Sir, Ma'am, Mr. Smith, Mrs. Jones. Never by a 1st name basis.
Respect...

We Fix Houses

I agree with the above about Mr , Mrs etc until they say otherwise and prefer to conduct myself accordingly at all times.

When I moved down south from Wash, DC several years ago I was surprised how quickly people on their own moved to first names regardless of the business or personal situation. I'm that way too now.

genecarp

age has influenced me regarding this subject. as an 19yr old carpenter i always started with mr, mrs, dr, whatever the case was unless redirected by the client, today in my 40s i am more comfortable being called by my first name and addressing other similarly. mentally a first name basis with the clients seem to even the playing field .

ps, when someone refers to me as sir or mr, i generally find myself looking behind me to see who they are talking to

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rbsremodeling

what up dawg how's it hanging

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AtlanticWBConst

I think it also has to do with the service you are providing.

Electricians and plumbers tend to be on home remodelings or addition projects for a shorter time, as compared to the GC. Their work also brings them into a project sometimes in mid-span, and they have a more limited interaction with the client, than the GC.

We end up being at a location for several weeks, to several months.

When we initially meet with Mr. & Mrs. homeowner, they always introduce themselves to me, or my business partner by their first names. So. that is always how we refer to them.
We have never been brushed off, or felt them being offended by that.

I feel it is completely appropriate in our relationship with the Home Owner, to refer to them by the name that we initially shake hands to, during our introduction.

"You", as a contractor, personally, may feel more comfortable with using Mr. or Mrs.
That is your perogative...

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- Build Well -

AtlanticWBConst

Yes, I agree.

Again, this is not necessary, if you are going in and doing a one hour, to several day service for a HO, and have limited interaction with them.

When you are there for much longer, and have alot more interaction, conversations, and discussions,...these really do change the level of the relationship to one where there is more of a "mutual" respect. - or, on the "same playing field".

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- Build Well -

dirtdiggler pt2

Mr./Mrs.


Lot harder to be the hatchet man (when needed) callin em Jim and Joe Bob

Mike Finley

Never in a million years would I address a customer by MR. MRS. MS, Sir or Ma'am.

I and no one I employ is their servants, subservient or beneath them. We are professional carpenters, the noble trade, we are equals in social stature providing a professional service, not indentured servants or the 'hired field hands'.

We deal with a lot of wealthy people and I feel just at home in their home working on it as I would meeting them for a drink at their country club.

Never place yourself on a lower ladder than your clients. They should be hiring you for your mind, your skills, your professinalism, not because you're a retard with a strong back.

AtlanticWBConst

Even Playing Field my friend...Mutual respect...

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