Do You Take Your Clients Out To Eat?

robertpaint

Just curious.

reveivl

Not unless I would have taken them out to eat before they were my clients. Certainly not to 'get the job'.

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shed-n-deck

No. But I will allow them to take me out to eat if the client is a potential customer.

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Shed

slickshift

No
...

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Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

joasis

Not unless there is a prior connection, and the dining out is incidental to the job. I do take the subs to lunch about once per job.

Every situation and customer/client relationship can be different, but in my opinion, you need to keep a professional distance.

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KellyPainting

No I don't ...but I seam to be taken out or bought/cooked dinner by almost every client.

Mike Finley

Who was the guy on here that was taking potential remodeling customers out to dinner and claiming the high close rates...

Rich Turley

No, but one time I ran into some previous clients at a nice restaurant. Had a chance to say hello and introduce my wife quickly.

When we finished dinner we were told the 'check had been taken care of'.

Rich

dlcj

Same here

Greg Di

Every once and a while, I'll happen to bring my 5 year old daughter to the job with me for a visit. I find that when certain types of customers see that I am actually a human being and a have a family, their entire tone towards me as a contractor can change for the better.

Certain HOs are so adversarial towards any contractor working at their home from being burned in the past that they tend to be stand-offish. I'm not like other contractors, which is why they hired me, but sometimes I have to take the edge off.

I'm sure you guys know what I mean.

But...I would never take a client out to dinner. After the job is done, maybe I'd give them a GC to someplace if they were extraordinarily pleasant to work for, but never would I go with them.

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dirt diggler

i dunno - im really on the fence when it comes to dinner



it's tough to develop a good relationship without being at least friendly. Being friendly is NOT the same as being friends.

as long as you can maintain a business relationship FIRST ... im fine with it.

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neolitic

Sure have been invited to sit down for supper lots of times. MMMMM--rumaki

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(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

Workaholic

Yeah me too. I also have been given venison before.

No i have never taken a client to dinner. I have been to a few Christmas parties though over the years.

LOL i still almost spelled it wrong.

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Sean

jackrabbit5

Do you mean venison?

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Stacy

S B Bolson & Sons

Beaver

This didnt happen to me, but a painter I know in a nearby town.The guy was painting the exterior of a little ole ladys house.So when dinnertime rolled around, she asked the guys if they want a bowl of soup and a sandwhich? they said sure that would be nice.The 2 of them spent 4 days there working.So when he gave them the bill she gave him a check and it was 44$ short of the total amount.So he asked why there was 44$ taken off the check?She says well I fed u guys for 4 days.I guess a soup and sandwhich cost them 5.50 each.I still laugh about this every time I think about it.Could you imagine that?? BTW around our parts we always go for dinner together,whether its the homeowner or the contractor ,we all get along real good. I think the jobs go more smoother once you get to know everyone a bit,kinda takes the edge off.Were all from small towns and have been working together for years though.

Workaholic

LOL yes you nailed me on my poor spelling. I am going to edit it.

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Sean

reveivl

Now that makes you feel good!

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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)

reveivl

Now that is a nice three-pointer. (I understand you guys in the States call it a six-pointer, kinda like measuring yourself in cm's instead of inches).

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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)

jackrabbit5

I think you need to put your glasses on and do a recount. It's an eight pointer, you missed the brow tines.

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Stacy

S B Bolson & Sons

Wolverine-Eric

Well...

Ya'll might guess we spend alot on taking clients out to dinner! The contractors that we sell direct generally expect to eat at Outback or something if I come to town. Our industrial clients usually expect something even better!

I eat well.

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