Projects Firing a customer!

Grease 'im! You held up your end, you even gave him hours on your dime. Tell him that if he's not happy with the job you're doing then perhaps he should (like others said) find a shop that is a better fit.
I word in a retail fabric store. Custom dresses are like custom cars, they don't come cheap. And when customers complain about dressmakers' prices, my boss (an 85 year old, impeccably dressed woman) says "if it's so goddamn easy then do it yourself!" That usually shuts them up...
Sorry you have to deal with rif-raf.

 

kick 'em to the curb. been there done that-it also lets people know your place. i've never regretted it

 

Its funny reading this because being in the Chrome plating business we deal with the same guys. The funniest thing is the guy who comes in saying the car is just a driver so the driver quality is performed and priced accordingly. They pick it up and put the part inches from their face spotting something in it and then look at another customers part saying its the quality they wanted since this car is going to be judged in top end shows. BTW the other customers parts he liked was a step up in quality and price. This customer was told the quality he wanted was available for an additional charge. He though about it and left with the parts as is.
Seems most just want to see if they can get the better quality w/o paying for it.
We have told some guys that the quality/price they want is unreasonable. They usually opt for the typical chrome we offer. Or they go to another shop and have us fix the parts the other shop made worse and end up paying much more than if done by us in the first place.
The good customers are the ones that get the most for their money.
This is because we know they will be back again and again with no problems.

 

All the years in the garage business I only had to do it 2 times.

 

After getting burned and township issues I closed my small scale home bodyshop ,I just use to prep em and a few guys Id paint cars for ,Last guy burned me for 500 and his car was outside and the township was on me ,I told him to get his fin car out of here ,And lost 500 ..That was 15 years ago ,I wont work or store anybody's car anymore ,+ In that area its now my bedroom .........And now its a 2 car workshop with my 2 cars in it ........Some people are just asses,Im a firm believer in carma ,They will get theres eventually .Not by me

 

Having run a race car shop for several years I learned quick to tell customers " I only work on your parts and they ALL need to be paid for up front. It makes them much more reasonable when they have skin in the game too!

 

Mechanic's lien for work completed, until then maintain possession until you get paid. Then send him packing. You are a business not a charity.

 

I have a friend much like the customer under discussion. Every time is asks for a recommendation where to have something done I definitely don't give him the number of the people I use. I think he enjoys being a pain in the ass but doesn't realize he is his own worst enemy.

Charlie Stephens

 

I have done it 3 times in my line of business...customers will abuse YOU and every other vendor if you let them, my business relationships now are a two way street, have to benifit both of us, I don't work for free...If I bring value, and savings to your operation, that's how I get paid, if I don't...it'd FREE.....

 

I work in an OT industry, but some years I have half a dozen employers and some years only one, so I've had lots of jobs.

I used to tell interviewers I'd do this job for free because I love doing it, and I was available to work this minute.

Now I realize that's a turnoff, and tell them I'm busy with other jobs but I may be able to fit them in, if the terms are right.

I'm not eternally busy or anything by far, but I turn down way more jobs than I accept because I don't like the terms.

It seems like when I do something lowball job as a favor, it just leads to being asked more favors, and now people consider me the 'lowball' guy and not the guy to call when real full time work comes along.

I think almost every job I've had tried to chisel me on paid hours, come think of it.

Unless I have to re-do something because I screwed it up(done that once or twice!) or the job pays so well that a few hours on the cuff are worth it , I put down my worked hours on the timecard and let the chips fall where they may.

Maybe I should have done more 'favor' jobs that were low pay and bad hours. I dunno.

 

johnny in my humble opinion you are spot on. It seems to me when I go looking for work like i am hungry or lower rates to try to get work moving I end up working twice as hard for half as much profit. When I tell them I am busy and price the work at a premium I have time to give 110% and make more profit. I know which way I feel better when I send the bill.

 

Hmm, I guess I'm a rare breed of customer. Whenever I would drop by to check on my stuff I'd bring beer. Someone there would then buy a pizza or come up with a bag of chips, those were good times.

 

If I've learned anything from being in business. Cash is the only payment I ever accept. Cash Only! Get payments as the work progresses. Always get enough money for the job, you are in business to make money. Either his family eats or yours does. Your friends and family do not pay your bills! Always get everything on paper, keep track of all time and materials,conversations,phone and face. Write it all down,dates times money etc. Do not feel bad the customer has a change of heart,design or they cant or don't want to pay what you agreed on. As long as you have the vehicle in your possession, you have collateral for your money. It sucks to be cynical, but you got to eat, that's why you are in business.