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| View Poll Results: Do your customers give you food and drinks? | |||
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8 | 19.05% |
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29 | 69.05% |
| Hell no! Who are you working for? |
  
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5 | 11.90% |
| Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll | |||
Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
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10-02-2006, 08:33 PM
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#1 |
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Pro
Trade: Painting
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 106
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Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
I do mostly residential repaints and some commercial repaints and for a long time now almost all of my customers either make or buy me lunch along with give me drinks. A couple of weeks ago I was painting this young couple's condo and not only did they keep bringing me beer, they started giving me shots of vodka even though I'm 19. Needless to say, that was pretty much the end of that day.
I'm not sure if this type of thing is normal for painters or not. |
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10-02-2006, 08:34 PM
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#2 | |
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My custom title
Trade: Painting, faux, rock, plaster, texture, tile, laminates, finish carpentry contractor
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 1,559
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
heh, ya it is.
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Benn Quote:
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10-02-2006, 08:45 PM
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#3 |
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Back from the dead...
Trade: Paperhanger/Painter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 6,544
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
Yes, its offered quite a bit. Food, drink, beer, whatever.
After having to eat the world's worst ham sandwich, and drinking the nastiest cup of coffee, its company policy to never accept food or drink from a customer. Plus, its highly unprofessional to say the least. BTW, I've had a customer cut me up a line of blow the size of a husky pencil and ask me if I'd care to indulge. I just roll my eyes and say no thanks. |
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10-02-2006, 08:51 PM
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#4 |
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DGR,IABD
Trade: Electrical; Commercial and Residential Service
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Central PA
Posts: 9,680
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
Usually when I'm not thirsty at all, I'm offered something to drink. When I crawl down out of an attic in the middle of summer and every square inch of my clothing is soaked with sweat, they just comment, "Hot up there, huh?" A drink would be really nice on such occasions. I try to have my own stuff to drink, because depending on an offer of a drink is unprofessional. Sometime you need to accept a drink just to make the person feel good. Often, saying, "Yes, thank you.", is the courteous thing to do even if you're not thirsty.
Some houses are so nasty, I don't want to put anything in my body that ever came from that home; in a can or not. |
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10-02-2006, 09:00 PM
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#5 |
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DGFVT
Trade: Electrical
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 885
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
Not very often, most of the time it is water from the hose outside. I usually always bring something with me or go to the local store to get what I want. One time I did score a big bag of homemade bagels, best bagels I ever have had.
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10-02-2006, 09:28 PM
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#6 | |
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My custom title
Trade: Painting, faux, rock, plaster, texture, tile, laminates, finish carpentry contractor
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 1,559
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
I will have to agree with the rest though... although it is a normal practice of H/O's.. I normally politely refuse unless it's a little old woman. Or end of day and a hottie offers me a beer... heh
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Benn Quote:
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10-02-2006, 10:09 PM
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#7 |
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Member
Trade: Painting
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 61
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
Company policy not to accept food or beverage from HOs, although its offered quite often.
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10-02-2006, 10:36 PM
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#8 |
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Pro
Trade: Painter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Las Vegas NV
Posts: 845
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
Depends on the people. I get little old ladies who want me to have lunch and then want substantial free work.
A pop or water is harmless. Booze is 100% unacceptable. One time a little old lady wanted me to stop working so hard and take a nap 
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10-02-2006, 10:44 PM
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#9 |
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Painter S.Illinois
Trade: Painting Contractor
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: S.Illinois
Posts: 60
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
He He Joe
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10-02-2006, 10:51 PM
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#10 |
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Back from the dead...
Trade: Paperhanger/Painter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 6,544
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
Crap! I wish someone would let me take a nap now and then.
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10-02-2006, 10:57 PM
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#11 |
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Pro
Trade: Renovations
Join Date: May 2005
Location: West Coast Canada
Posts: 1,716
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
Called a potential yesterday after work to have a look-see and she offered to make me dinner while I was there. I said that I had lots to do but thank you for the offer. Got there and did the estimate and as I was leaving she went to great lengths to explain that she 'wasn't coming on to me' just had dinner and didn't mind sharing. This woman is taller, broader and heavier than I am, so thank god for that!
__________________
From where does knowledge come? If you need to know what is in a box, you could ask someone (not reliable), you could pray, (not useful), you can consult with the scripture (not helpful) or you could open the box (science) |
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10-02-2006, 11:01 PM
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#12 | |
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DGR,IABD
Trade: Electrical; Commercial and Residential Service
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Central PA
Posts: 9,680
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?Quote:
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10-02-2006, 11:01 PM
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#13 |
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Member
Trade: Painting and Electrical
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 36
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
One of my employees was offered breakfast. I think the HO wanted to try out her new $ 3,000 cooktop.
 He passed. |
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10-02-2006, 11:09 PM
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#14 | |
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Back from the dead...
Trade: Paperhanger/Painter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 6,544
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?Quote:
 There is a huge difference in accepting food/drink during the sales call, and the actual job. If they ask you to sit at the table, and have some of Mom's pumpkin bread while you try to make the sale, your in. But, if they offer while I'm working, no thanks. |
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10-02-2006, 11:34 PM
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#15 |
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Painter S.Illinois
Trade: Painting Contractor
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: S.Illinois
Posts: 60
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
Took a nap on a ladder once woke up on the...........ground with a bad head ache.
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10-03-2006, 07:59 AM
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#16 |
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Dream Maker
Trade: residential construction
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Beulah, Michigan
Posts: 323
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
home owner is buying me lunch today. i don't mind when they are cool people, but its hard to eat with someone you dont like and they offer up food. lunch breaks are are necesary get-a-way sometimes. i guess what i'm saying is i'm not sure if i want to have lunch today.
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10-03-2006, 08:25 AM
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#17 |
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Pro
Trade: Builder/Remodeler- Master Electrician
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Crockett Texas
Posts: 1,358
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
My guys just finished a bathroom and when I called the customer yesterday she was almost in tears at them leaving. Said she made coffee every morning and will now have to get used to making smaller amounts.
I of course, in my infinite wisdom commented that she would get over it I do not have a problem with guys getting coffee but have experienced the "I gave you something now you give me something" mentatlity. Of course it is possible they give a little back that I do not know about?? But if the ship is sailling smoothly why change course 
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www.copusconstruction.com www.etexasrentals.com www.thelakevoice.com AkA Richard Cranium |
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10-03-2006, 09:12 AM
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#18 |
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Pro
Trade: Remodeling
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Foxboro, Ma.
Posts: 137
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
I work alone and once in a while I will catch the HO off guard and offer to buy lunch for them. "If I am buying you are flying though". They don't expect it that is for sure.
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10-03-2006, 07:14 PM
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#19 | |
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Property Manager
Trade: Drywall/Textures/Paint
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 375
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
Beyond the a cup or two of coffee, I don't accept anything.
Many people tell me to help myself to whatever is in the 'fridge. No thanks... I don't dig through your dresser drawers, I ain't diggin' through your food. Just a good policy. steve
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10-03-2006, 07:24 PM
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#20 |
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Professional Painter
Trade: Owner/Operator
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Serving CT & RI
Posts: 1,306
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Re: Do Customer's Give You Food And Drinks?
Guys, there are no right answers here, just personal opinions, that being said.....
I'm always offered drinks and occasionally food. Homeowners always leave keys while on vacations, to the house and shed. The frig. is always offered, as well as the bathroom. I've had the pleasure of having a world class New York chef invite me for dinner, after a long day of work. God, that was a good caesar salad and lobster ravioli. Fantastic wine too. I also (after working) enjoyed about 2 hours of wine and appetizers with another very nice couple. Left right after the buzz wore off. Good wine there too!.... I dont enjoy painting for folks if I cant sit and chat with them about myself. It earns trust and builds relationships. This is what my business relies on to stay busy. I am usually in peoples homes for weeks/months at a time. They want to know me enough to trust me~and they always do.
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