How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?

 
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Old 01-12-2009, 02:24 AM   #1
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How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


I must admit i have but don't like to that's for sure. Some people are just outrageous on what they want for free, when i bid certain people i have to up the price just to get my original after they feel they talked me down.

I hate playing these games but the family has to eat.

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Old 01-12-2009, 06:58 AM   #2
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


Whiny people get nothing other than what I originally propose...and I normally don't go looking for their work again. People who are pleasant to deal with, up front with the money, patient and accepting of the work are the ones that get the extras for nothing. They're the customers that I want. When I get those customers that don't expect something for nothing, I will usually throw in something a little extra as a thank you for your continued business. I built a 36 bottle wine rack and gave it to my favorite customer of the year this year for Christmas. Was she suprised when I showed up Christmas Eve, knocking on her door with a couple of bottles of wine.
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Old 01-12-2009, 08:04 AM   #3
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


You whine about the price, you get charged extra, and get no freebies. You dont bitch, pay on time, and are respectful to me and the guys, we bend over backwards, keep the numbers tight, and throw some extras in. HOMEOWNERS PAY ATTENTION..
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Old 01-12-2009, 08:53 AM   #4
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


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Originally Posted by genecarp View Post
You whine about the price, you get charged extra, and get no freebies. You dont bitch, pay on time, and are respectful to me and the guys, we bend over backwards, keep the numbers tight, and throw some extras in. HOMEOWNERS PAY ATTENTION..
That's the best policy.
I am my own worst enemy when it comes to extras. My good clients who expect nothing for free and pay on time are the ones that get the small freebies thrown in.
My problem is that I have spoken too soon on some of those freebies and found myself doing things that I should have never opened my mouth about and said I would throw in as a lagniappe.

I have managed to control myself on that one of late.
The nickel and dime PITA clients get what the agreed to in their contracts and I try to avoid working for them again if posssible.
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Old 01-12-2009, 08:57 AM   #5
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


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That's the best policy.
I am my own worst enemy when it comes to extras. My good clients who expect nothing for free and pay on time are the ones that get the small freebies thrown in.
My problem is that I have spoken too soon on some of those freebies and found myself doing things that I should have never opened my mouth about and said I would throw in as a lagniappe.

I have managed to control myself on that one of late.
The nickel and dime PITA clients get what the agreed to in their contracts and I try to avoid working for them again if posssible.
This describes me to a tee. I have been trying to curb it but my mouth is my worst enemy some times.

I am either too mean or too nice
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Old 01-12-2009, 09:25 AM   #6
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


That makes me feel better! im not the only one.
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Old 01-12-2009, 09:37 AM   #7
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


Quote:
Originally Posted by genecarp View Post
You whine about the price, you get charged extra, and get no freebies. You dont bitch, pay on time, and are respectful to me and the guys, we bend over backwards, keep the numbers tight, and throw some extras in. HOMEOWNERS PAY ATTENTION..
This is my policy too.
Whiners also face an PITA upcharge on future work, if I choose to do it.

I also mark-up all of their direct referrals. Birds of a feather flock together...
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Old 01-12-2009, 11:31 AM   #8
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


If it is some little thing I can do real quick (15 min or less) and the people haven't annoyed me on the job I'll do it.
Anything else and I give them a price.
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Old 01-12-2009, 12:07 PM   #9
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


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Originally Posted by rbsremodeling View Post
This describes me to a tee. I have been trying to curb it but my mouth is my worst enemy some times.

I am either too mean or too nice
Sounds like you need to find your balance grasshopper
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Old 01-12-2009, 01:19 PM   #10
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


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That makes me feel better! im not the only one.
No kidding.I was getting ready to change the name of my company to Doormat Construction....
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Old 01-12-2009, 01:29 PM   #11
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


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Sounds like you need to find your balance grasshopper
I have been trying for 28 years. I am laid back 95% of the time.

Its that 5% that's a doozey
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Old 01-12-2009, 05:37 PM   #12
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


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Originally Posted by Just a Roofer View Post
I must admit i have but don't like to that's for sure. Some people are just outrageous on what they want for free, when i bid certain people i have to up the price just to get my original after they feel they talked me down.

I hate playing these games but the family has to eat.

Sounds about right.
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Old 01-12-2009, 09:12 PM   #13
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


sometimes homeowners can be their own worst enemies.Most of my customers are great,cant do enough for me they become my customers for life and recommend me all the time and those are the customers i bend over backwards for.
Then there's the other customer,stays home from work to watch me doesn't offer coffee or a cold drink,tells me his union son inlaw was going to do the job but was too busy,they get whats in the contract nothing more or less
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Old 01-12-2009, 09:46 PM   #14
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


ALL extra work is wrote up on a " additional work authorization sheet".
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Old 01-12-2009, 10:20 PM   #15
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


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ALL extra work is wrote up on a " additional work authorization sheet".
Send me a copy of that please!
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Old 01-12-2009, 11:14 PM   #16
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


What do you guys do when the customer is not home when surprises happen? If i have a roof half way open & find out it needs a redeck, chances are you can let the customer know by calling only. I can't wait to get some change order signed.
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Old 01-12-2009, 11:15 PM   #17
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


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Send me a copy of that please!

Just go to (www dot nebs dot com) and look for product search on the top center of the page. Type "120" and scroll do about half the page and look for ADDTIONAL WORK AUTHORIZATION. 100 printed sheets $84.00. Sorry it would not let me print the web address.
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Old 01-12-2009, 11:29 PM   #18
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


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Originally Posted by Just a Roofer View Post
What do you guys do when the customer is not home when surprises happen? If i have a roof half way open & find out it needs a redeck, chances are you can let the customer know by calling only. I can't wait to get some change order signed.

Most times know this before I start. As long as it's a walker. The contract will state the price per board if replacement is needed. A good camera is proof of the new boards or the pcs in the dumpster. My rule thumb. If 40% or more is bad replace all. Even with a fifty year shingle roof will only last as long as the old plywood.
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Old 01-12-2009, 11:36 PM   #19
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


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Originally Posted by flippinfool View Post
Most times know this before I start. As long as it's a walker. The contract will state the price per board if replacement is needed. A good camera is proof of the new boards or the pcs in the dumpster. My rule thumb. If 40% or more is bad replace all. Even with a fifty year shingle roof will only last as long as the old plywood.
Same here as i usually know ahead & have price per sheet in contract also. How would that hold up in court if you can justify replacing?
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Old 01-12-2009, 11:43 PM   #20
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Re: How Many Let The Whining Customer Get Away With Extra's?


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Same here as i usually know ahead & have price per sheet in contract also. How would that hold up in court if you can justify replacing?


Very well !!!!! Most times I'm within a few sheets of what is needed. What consumers DON'T want is the big surprise. Some of the low-ballers never mention it until work is in progress and boom the price almost doubles.
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