Customer warning signs

[Steve]

What are some of the warning signs you look out for that signal this customer is going to be a problem?

[CHEESE2009]

When they are ALWAYS home.

They tend to come out & chit chat for a good 10 minutes, I lose myself when I'm on a roll & have to stop to make small talk.

Then they watch you like a hawk. It adds quite a bit of stress.

It was funny, an entire season this man was always home. FINALLY there was one day I didn't see his car parked, so I unloaded & guess what? He pulls into his driveway & talks to me about his "cool" gutters which flip upwards... geez.

[CHEESE2009]

Another thing which actually answers your question better,

once you mess up on something, the customer will have your balls forever.

One of my guys ran up a hill with a mower and burnt it pretty bad, I told him I'd fix it the following weekend, & I did. Now he's showing me property damage that wasn't created by myself or workers, & acts as if it's our fault. Basically saying we dented his porch. I know my plan for his backyard and the way I cut it, doesn't allow me to go anywhere near his porch. I bring the whipper-snipper there only.

Anyway, once you make a mistake you are liable in the customers eyes for all problems he may face.