Ready to let go of an old customer..............................

bob young

all about money

pay the cheapskates no mind, MATT. they come & go . just had one come back after four years. its only rock n roll.

[Deleted User]

It's not so much WHAT you say, as it is HOW you say it jp...

I know you as a carpenter.

I also, through direct observation, believe you have a pretty extensive education as it pertains to physics.

I also know you are very confrontational, and have a tendency to get under the skin of people to whom you respond. And that is your perrogative.

Remember the golden rule here at the wall. Treat people as you would like to be treated.

If you treat them nicely, they treat you nicely. You treat them like crap, by standing in the back ground, tossing rocks into their blender, expect rocks to be thrown back.

Cop an attitude with them, they cop an attitude back.

Simple as all that.

I don't know you from Adam, other than observing your argumentive responses. I do know Matt personally, and you could not find a nicer gentleman and fair business man. Don't let the moniker distract you. He has a heart of gold.

Chill out and be nice and people will return the favor.

Such is the way of the Wall. If you didn't like what you saw here, you wouldn't frequent the place.

My $0.02 worth.

ME

Mark Hunt

But JP


That is not what was posted.

Here it is, ""I know, I know, but I still think its JUST Too high.... we'll let you know...either way,"

Not that they couldn't afford it, it just seemed "way too high".

"Afford" never entered into it.

Would you agree?

Mark H

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Christian Egli_2

It's Mrs O'Conner's boiler that's got to be depressed right now

When this relationship will break, we'll all know exactly why it didn't work and there was no fault on the part of MadDog.

Actually, you're probably not expensive enough... or so a good job done right is always free - the simple repair, redo, extra hassle, emergency costs all avoided make it so.

All that's easy to say, of course, but it is what makes this story a sorry loss.

Best regards as always.

Mad Dog_2

WE'll JP...ypu figured wrong

As usual. They happen to be quite well-heeled and live in one of the more affluent Villages around here. When clients show us loyalty and repeat work we REWARD them with some savings when we can. We do quite a bit of charity work and freebies for the poor and old with no money. If ypu had been around the Wall as long as some of us have, you would know that. If these folks were hurting, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. They can well afford it and that is what the issue is.....nice late model luxury cars in driveway as well. And, YES! JP it is very pertinent what you do for a living becuause you are at a very career-specific site here AND you have continually PASSED jusdgement on several our business practices, YET always hide and obfuscate WHAT YOU ACTUALLY DO. I think we deserve to know. Mad Dog

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Mad Dog_2

Thank you for all the wisdom guys (JP NOT included)

As my original post states, it really doesn't bother me much at all - in the past it did. I posted to thank Dan, Frank Blau, The Ellen's, The Al Levis and everyone else here that have showed us HOW we Deserve respect, Top Pay.
That we are EVERY bit as valuable and vital as other well-paid professionals. I have have passed a milestone....it no longer galls me...I get mildly annoyed and somewhat amused becuase I have kept to my promises and service and it WILL be their loss. Thanks, Guys for letting me share this event with you'll. Mad Dog

Mad Dog_2

Save your tissues Bordy.........................................

No tears here. If you can read, reread my post: It was an expression of relief and closure....as I said, it really doesn't bother me. By the way, what do you do for a living. From what you write...if you are in the trade, you seem to get VERY defensive about doing things on the cheap. Have we struck a sensitive chord with you Little BORDEAUX? Mad Dog

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Tony_23

Me too

I'm getting so I don't get all PO'd about it either.

In the last five years I've had numerous occaisions where previous clients came back to me. They don't quibble about price much, "Just fix it".

I smile and think, "Ah, the cows have come home to roost"

S Ebels

MD

What goes around comes around. It ALWAYS does.

Around 6-7 years ago I lost a new home job, furnace, AC and duct, to a hack that has since disappeared. The HO told be they just couldn't see the difference in the price.

Now they do.

The original installation had more tape than screws on it, duct fittings that didn't line up and were literally taped over, furnace was 40% oversized for the house, A/C and evap coil were not matched, the cheapest possible equipment was installed......I could go on but you get the point.

The HO began calling me to service this junk collection a couple years ago after the installer skipped due to judgements against him. When the HX cracked this fall due to constant short cycling and overheating...........guess who installed their new system.

Mitch_6

I have found some times

the more money some people have the less they want to part with it.

Or in some cases they think they are being charged more due to there position.

Mitch S.

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schiller

M.D. a couple of years ago i started firing customers, what a blessing and a sense of relief, I was spending so much time dealing w/ price concerns and debating w/ builders about price. Now we give them a # that is fair for the level of craftmenship we deliver and they take it or not. many have sampled the "other guys stuff" some like it better others come back and become good customers.
set them free if come back they love ya!
T

Mike Miller

Live and Learn

Dawg, I am firing a customer myself this week. I have only been in business for a couple of years and I guess this is one I had to learn, This guy has been buying all kinds of depressed propery around here, mostly comercial stuff along the older business throughfares. Everything we did for him was bottom dollar, fixed up crap that should have been replaced. He gave away two of the nicer re-dos he had to other plumbers because, he said that the corperate clients he leased them to had their own construction depatments and requirements. So finally I get this warehouse re- do, he has beat me up at every turn, put me in a difficult spot with my utilies contractor and generaly been underhanded in every transaction. My own fault, my instincts were buzzing with this guy from the beginning and I didn't listen. I can't blame every client when we have difficulties. I have made my fair share of mistakes, but I have tried to own up to them and fix them, mechanical or business. And I have customers that think I do everything but walk on water. This is personal, life is personal, business is life. Any time I hear "its just business" or "this is business", I run like hell because I know they are selfish people who don't care about any one or anything else. I am not in this for the income!!! We all have to live but I think most of us are in this business because we are freaking good at it and we see ourselves as artists!!! I know it is that imporant to me. I have given away my work for a good cause, and damned glad to do so, but it was my choice. Stand up for your right to be respected and rewarded well for what we do well. Mike

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jp_2

mad dog, mark hunt

"""Treated them well and always tried to shave what I could off bill; many emergencies they never paid full freight for; kept old boiler going for last few years"""

mad dog I do not read all your posts, and I do not always come here.

the above statement sounds like the people ARE NOT well off, sounds like they can't always afford to paid!

jp_2

seems to me

seems to me mark, you read my post the way you want to, like the recent PV panel post, selling power back, making lots of money selling to neighbors? i gave you my option with some numbers, you never replied......

[Deleted User]

I read your response...

and I had nothing to add. You feel its better to store as much energy as you possibly can. I don't have the space, time or money to set up the PV battery storage system necessary, so I elect to sell it back to the grid. What's the big deal?

ME

Mad Dog_2

THanks Gary...always appreciate your input

Yes. Offered her three options - balked at the least expensive. Not sure how I conditioned them to be price conscious...just try to give regulars a discount. I guess I wasn't clear because several posters thought I felt bad.....nope...feelin' groovy standing my ground - actually. Mad Dog

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Mad Dog_2

CO class with Jim Davis 5 years ago

Penna. Mad Dog

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Mad Dog_2

I just took it as a slap that went wide.....

gut punches would be up 25% of you base wnet elsewhere. Thanks Scotty. Merry Christmas to you and JCA and the kin. Mad Dog

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Mad Dog_2

...and I like it like it........................................

YES I DO!!!!! mad Dog

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Mad Dog_2

No.......

Perhaps I am just a jerk that feels the need to show my appreciation when people are regular customers at my "restaurant" ...is buying a round of drinks or taking the desserts off the bill BAD business? Having worked in several industries, this good client relations and service. My original post said NOTHING about the client being able to affford it or being on hard times...just that they THOUGHT it was TOO HIGH. Stop prejudicing the jury. BY THE WAY, JP...what is it you pretend to do with your waking hours???? Mad Dog

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Mad Dog_2

Very heartfelt

and I take it to heart. Well said my man. Mad Dog

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The Boiler Dr.

Been there .... doing that

"Revenge" is sweet
Lost a sweet 6 boiler job in June to an "associate" (tongue in cheek) Well they fell flat on their face ... HARD Lost tons of cash on the project and now the customer.
I have been contracted by the owner to make it right. Nice warm winter work at time and material. Sad to have to redo a sweet project after it has been done so bad. Kinda limits the show piece it could have been. Oh well, I guess someone ha to live and learn. You might just get another chance too

Mery Xmas from the Great White North Matt!

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The Wire Nut

Sometimes it's hard to hold your ground...

MD,

When I went in to the computer biz, I decided that my time was worth XXX dollars per hour. No less. If a client didn't want to pay the rate, then I was fine. I would tell them that there a lot of cheaper consultants out there, some better than others. If it didn't work out for them with whomever they chose, I reminded them that they could always call me, no hard feelings...

I've lost some new business for my pricing, but not a lot. Those clients who gasped but went ahead with me, have never been sorry.

Not that I always get it right, or respond quickly enough, but my batting average is high enough that they appreciate what and how I do what I do...

Just remember you're business is Customer Service. Your product is the finest heating work around. Both cost real money...

I'm raising my rates come January 1st. Not a lot, but enough. If I loose a client for it, then fine. The ones that remain will more than make up the loss, and I'll work less and have more time with the boy...

I've seen your work, you're a real pro and a conscientious businessman. Don't ever, ever sell yourself short. That doesn't mean you can't discount where you feel it's appropriate (fixed-income, charity, etc.), but don't make a habit of it...

But you know all this, my friend!

Alex

Scott Denny

Mad Dog, here's something to say to Mrs. O'Conner!

"It's unwise to pay too much, but worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money--that's all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing what it was bought to do.
The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot- it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better."
John Ruskin
1819-1900
Some things never change!
Scott

ScottMP

Matt

I like the Resturaunt analogy.

Well said.

Scott

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ScottMP

Have a customer

who's WC is leaking thru the cieling. We opened up the kitchenc cieling yesterday and will repair it today for the holidays.

She was upset about the quality of work that had been done during the renovation. Her husband put it this way, " Honey we took the low price and we got the D-Team ".

We'll make it right and smile while we do it.

Scott

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Mad Dog_2

The Pizza Parlor we go to has that on the wall

good one. Thanks Mad Dog

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Mad Dog_2

not to argue with you Tim, but

it sounds that your new install prices may not be "reasonably" priced, but your services are. Is that the point you want to make? Mad Dog

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Dave_4

Mad Dog's dillemma

I totally agree with Maine Ken in this. The customer made a business decision to part ways with you. Fine. BUT- that's it- don't call again. They did it once, they will do it again.I have learned this the hard way. Spend your time with loyal accounts.

Mad Dog_2

I know it well.............................

but thanks for reminding me and the support. Happy Chanukkah and I hope wife and boy are well. Mad Dog

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Mad Dog_2

I can review it all I want......................................

Bottom line numbers are bottom line numbers. I liked what B (BOB?) Tice had to say: She made the choice and it is now history. The feelings are not hard, but the warm fuzzy feelings and going the extra yard will never apply to them again, if they do return...it will be "just business" then. Mad Dog

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JB_2

letting go

should have just made the first post.had something of samething this week,and its buggin me.lots of good advise here. i'll use it. thanks ,happy holidays john