Last night I received a call from a customer who wanted their house washed. The customer gave me a long story about financial issues, currently they are trying to sell their home and it looks as though they are looking at a short sale. The customer then explained they had previously hired another contractor who received money for gas, did about an hour's worth of work and advised the customer to find someone else without returning the money.
Customer advised me that a realtor had referred me. That is awesome. It means that either my marketing has paid off, or a previous customer has recommended me to the realtor. Either way, I am happy. Knowing that a realtor is a good way to get customers, I want to do a good job.
Today I arrived for the estimate with equipment ready. Because of the financial woes of my customer, and the fact that I want this job to show the realtor I do good work I decided to reduce my normal price. I reduced it substantially. I figured, if I could make the home shine and the customer is able to avoid a short sale that would help my karma. No problem.
Fast forward a bit as I am working the customer advises they are leaving and asked if they could pay me. Sure, I have no problem taking the money before the job is done. Out of curiosity, I ask where they were going at which point customer advised they were going for a tattoo appointment. Customer described the type of tattoo they were getting and believe me, it will be expensive. On top of that, customer pulls out an Iphone 5 to show me some of the work of the artist.
F you customer, F you. I felt bad because of your potential short sale, and the fact that you got taken by another pressure washer (turns out it was her ex-boyfriend) I reduced my price and took it on the chin. You have enough money to get a tattoo and have a fancy Iphone 5, but you can't make ends meet on your house. Because of you, I am less likely to give discounts to those who deserve it.
It took every ounce of reserve in my system not to want to punch whatever poor soul happened to cross my path today. I am telling you, I would have kicked a 3 legged puppy if it looked at me funny (disclaimer: I love dogs, and would never kick one)
Customer advised me that a realtor had referred me. That is awesome. It means that either my marketing has paid off, or a previous customer has recommended me to the realtor. Either way, I am happy. Knowing that a realtor is a good way to get customers, I want to do a good job.
Today I arrived for the estimate with equipment ready. Because of the financial woes of my customer, and the fact that I want this job to show the realtor I do good work I decided to reduce my normal price. I reduced it substantially. I figured, if I could make the home shine and the customer is able to avoid a short sale that would help my karma. No problem.
Fast forward a bit as I am working the customer advises they are leaving and asked if they could pay me. Sure, I have no problem taking the money before the job is done. Out of curiosity, I ask where they were going at which point customer advised they were going for a tattoo appointment. Customer described the type of tattoo they were getting and believe me, it will be expensive. On top of that, customer pulls out an Iphone 5 to show me some of the work of the artist.
F you customer, F you. I felt bad because of your potential short sale, and the fact that you got taken by another pressure washer (turns out it was her ex-boyfriend) I reduced my price and took it on the chin. You have enough money to get a tattoo and have a fancy Iphone 5, but you can't make ends meet on your house. Because of you, I am less likely to give discounts to those who deserve it.
It took every ounce of reserve in my system not to want to punch whatever poor soul happened to cross my path today. I am telling you, I would have kicked a 3 legged puppy if it looked at me funny (disclaimer: I love dogs, and would never kick one)
