Victory!

[CHEESE2009]

So. The problem with the guy who kept calling me daily for 'salting' is finally solved. I went out at 5AM this morning to drop off an invoice (to avoid seeing him of course). I charged him $75, $86.23 with tax, and we do not supply the salt. For the rest of the winter season. I got a message saying, "the price is reasonable". Now if you all join me... Actually, I'm going to bed. I have to be up later in the evening to go to work, lol. Stupid snow...

[nickeckes]

Lawn care business tips

what was the problem in the first place?

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by nickeckes

what was the problem in the first place?

For one, he's not 'my' client. He's a long lasting client with another company, and still is. So I am pretty annoyed at how I got involved with him, and why I'm putting up with the phone calls.

I am a subcontractor for this other company, and this client of theirs got my number requesting what I would consider additional work. The company he is with turned him down for salting, so they gave him my number believing that I would be interested. This made me angry.

Unfortunately, I was not interested considering I already have a lot on my plate, and I would going out of my way to salt one lousy property, and that really just didn't appeal to me.

So I previously did this client a favor one time, he seemed nice and I figured his place could use some salting. Next thing you know, he's calling me every day filling up my voice mail. Regardless if he needs salting, he's gotta at least call me once a day to confirm whether or not I will be doing it again and again and again and again.

I eventually ignored the phone calls, pretty much what it comes down to with any annoying client. - that's how I roll

He then decided to call the company he actually hired to see if they could get in touch with me, and this is what they said;

"He has money, and he will pay anything"

[stevef1201]

"He has money, and he will pay anything"**call someone you dont like and tell them this, plus you have too much to now would they mind getting a new customer (Tongue in cheek and smile)

[bruces]

you blew it ! why didnt you charge him $500.00 or more ,you dont care about losing him ,and he either pays or finds somebody else,either way a win for you .

[Steve]

Scott I am glad you are feeling better!

How did you initially set up things up with this customer? Did you give him a price before you did any work? Or what was the deal?

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Steve

Scott I am glad you are feeling better!

How did you initially set up things up with this customer? Did you give him a price before you did any work? Or what was the deal?

I'm still puzzled with the situation. lol. I knew he wanted salting done, so I just snuck him the invoice and got a positive response via voicemail.

** apparently 'snuck' isn't a word? lol **

[Steve]

What do you think you would have done if he spazzed out about the price?

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Steve

What do you think you would have done if he spazzed out about the price?

Well, if it was me from awhile ago. I probably would have lowered it...

Lately I've been thinking about 'myself' so this time I would have just told him 'too bad, that's the best I can do'.

It would obviously make things awkward, but the truth is I could go without this salting job, it really doesn't do anything but add time to my already exhausting route.

I'm sure there will be times in the future where I will have to tweak things for a client, just to keep them happy and on board. This is not one of them, I have to chance of gaining him as a lawn client, so I just don't see why I would bother going out of my way for him and lowering my price for salting.

[Steve]

As you are experimenting more with charging higher prices, such as with this customer, does it change your view on dealing with customers in general?

Well, if it was me from awhile ago. I probably would have lowered it...

Why do you feel in the past you would have lowered it but now you went the opposite way?