Very Frustrating Phone Call

Keith_8 · July 2006

It doesn't matter which side of the counter you stand at we all get it on occasion.

As a contractor, when I am putting together a large quote and I have to wait for the local product rep to put their # out on the street until the last minute only to discover they took the job off incorrectly I lose respect. That only happens once. The funny part is the competition is right there ready to pick up where they left off. To bad, a good product but lousy local support. Your loose gun contractor was trying to bait you into his disaster, don't take the hook!

How many times as a contractor do we walk into a install done by another contractor and think that the previous
"Contractor" really had to go out of his way to screw this install up? The customer held up their end of the bargain only to be let down by incompetence.

A few times a year I find myslef on the phone with a customer or vender that is not dealing with reality as I see it. That is their perogative, my perogative is not chosing to participate in their fantasy.

Move on Rick, there are plenty of customers out there who you would like to do business with. Fire that one and spend your energy on something or someone worthy.

Keith

Bill_73 · June 2006

Ok, True Story

Queue the Twilight Zone Theme

A contractor called the office yesterday and said I bought a Reznor Heater (hydronic WS/23, 23,000 btu) and I need YOU to tell the homeowner that this will heat his 400 square foot garage. I asked him how would I know. What do you think? I asked him. He (yes, this is an actual contractor) said there is Radiant installed already and this is supplimental heat for when he opens the garage door. Once again, I'm not sure, what do you think?

He put the homeowner on the phone and once again I was asked, yep you guessed it. Will it work? I said it could work, it should work, but Im not sure, what do you think?

Contractor jumped back on the phone and yelled YOU CALL YOURSELF A SUPPLY HOUSE! And hung up. What happened here? Im still in shock. I was yelled at by a professional who couldnt convince a homeowner he could heat his garage that already had radiant.

And you think our side of the counter is easy...

Rick

Ron Schroeder · June 2006

First Question should have been

what is the heatloss on this garage, and that would have put the ball back in his court.

DanHolohan · June 2006

Or how about the always appropriate,

"It depends."

Techman · June 2006

Sympathy For You!

Hi Rick!Another question would be "Who sized and specified that particular heater?I do not know too many Good Supply House Guys who also happen to be good engineers.Draw the line Rick!Does this "contractor" frequent your establishment? Or is he looking for a patsy?Enjoy, Supply House Rick!

S Ebels · June 2006

I hope for your sake

I really do hope he's not a regular customer of your's. He sounds like the type that soils the term "contractor". In other words, the fact that he contracts for work, doesn't mean that he knows what he's doing.

PS The heat loss question would have been my first and basically the only one needed to answer his question.

Weezbo · June 2006

whoa! You havent a clue if it will heat the garage to 70F

however you do Know heat goes to cold and it can only do so at the rate of 23,000BTUH .therefore, you should say "yes it will heat your garage". how much insulation you haven't a clue just how well it will heat you are oblivious to the answer you can safely say 'it will Dump 23,000 BTUH into the space. that's it"

leave the door open hey ! maybe it don't looky too good

it should work Great in Summer

in order to know whats what one has to take the effort to do some information gathering....you need to remind people that insulation, vapor barrier and the quality of building practises has a lot to do with heating the space...or, you can go with the philosophy that "the car wont complain" and wont misbehave if it is a little cooler or warmer.... or you can ask simple questions like Do you intend to have the heater supplied with fuel? and questions that are equally as nebulous:) how long do you intend for the garage door to be left open during cold weather?....what you are looking for is the person to tell You that He Thinks "that was a stupid question" and then just hang up the phone until the mirror starts working correctly.

Anna Conda · June 2006

I think I lost a couple of IQ points after reading actually expects his garage to stay warm with the garage door open %-P

Mad Dog_2 · July 2006

The guy is a loser, Rick........................................

We get them from time to time via rude phone calls like that too. Sometimes, they call back months later trying to disguise who they really are...I have a lot of fun reminding them.......some hangup some apologize and explain. I like Dan's It Depends,,,becuase it can be taken any way and will annoy jerks even more. Do you actually know this guy? If you do, you'll get a chance to straighten him out later. Enjoy it. Mad Dog

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Ragu_4 · July 2006

Nicely put, Keith

Once in a while we all get one of those. I've finally come to realize that there is no defense against a closed mind, and the correct reaction for me is to extricate myself from the situation and move on. Hey Rick: you're o.k.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Supply House Rick · July 2006

Dog, I never met the guy

He is a local with a cash account. I just happened to answer the phone at the wrong time. If a contractor needs provide validation to a homeowner from a supplier, maybe he better re-thing his career choice...

*Remember the 4th is a Day of Independence not just fireworks & beer.

God Bless the USA

Rick

Very Frustrating Phone Call

Comments

Categories