First encounter with unreasonable client...

[imp96ss4life]

Back again guys...

About a week ago I got a call from someone who wanted me to do pressure washing today (had to be today because they are getting the keys to the house today and the window washers are coming today and he didnt want me to get the windows dirty... Keep in mind that today is Sunday at 9:00). This man was Indian(?) and didnt speak english very well. Over the phone he said that he wanted his back deck done and that it would only take an hour. Also keep in mind that I am extremely busy this weekend and I had to be somewhere at 11:30. Im on my way at 8:50 and get caught up in church traffic. I get a call at 9:04 from the guy wondering where I am. Im there at 9:05. The man's wife greets me at the door and shows me the back deck. Its painted blue with a few chips that show the wood underneath. They want me to pressure wash it and I explain to the lady that it is clean and doesnt really need to be done. I ask her, just for clearification, if she wants it washed or if she wants the paint stripped and repainted. She says she just wants it washed. Then she takes me out front where I meet her husband. He now tells me that he wants everything out front done also (large driveway, front walk, front porch, sandstone steps, and curb). I came prepared to do about two hours of work and then now propose about 6 or 7. The man asks how much it would cost (in crude, broken english) to do the job. I tell him I'm going to look at everything again and that I will be back in a minute with a price. "No, no it will only take 2 hour" the man says. Im already thinking that this guy is pretty crazy. When I come back with a figure of $150 the guy goes crazy saying that it would cost him that much to buy his own pressure washer and it would only take him 2 hours blah blah blah... I tell him that I cant affort to do it for less than $150 and he starts saying that he got my letter that I sent out to the parents at my school and that he was trying to help me out (in an accusing voice) blah blah blah. I tell him I appreciate him calling me and try to be as reasonable as I can. We shake hands and I leave.


/rant

 

[CaroliProWash]

Good for you - not backing down! You already went above and beyond to be there - not taking his bs - well done!

Celeste

 

[DanB]

$150 for 6 7 hours worth of work thats insane i would of walked away from that no i would have Ran away from that tell him hd is haveing a sell on pwers good luck !!!

 

[john orr]

I will not unroll a hose for less than $100 M - S and $150 on Sunday. Period.

I assume the letter you sent out was not offering to work for free?

 

[imp96ss4life]

$150 for 6 7 hours worth of work thats insane i would of walked away from that no i would have Ran away from that tell him hd is haveing a sell on pwers good luck !!!

I will not unroll a hose for less than $100 M - S and $150 on Sunday. Period.

My point exactly. It was an extremely reasonable price. And the letter I sent out was just a generic "Hey im a Randolph student and I do pressurewashing..."

 

[mmmattman]

Back again guys...

About a week ago I got a call from someone who wanted me to do pressure washing today (had to be today because they are getting the keys to the house today and the window washers are coming today and he didnt want me to get the windows dirty... Keep in mind that today is Sunday at 9:00). This man was Indian(?) and didnt speak english very well. Over the phone he said that he wanted his back deck done and that it would only take an hour. Also keep in mind that I am extremely busy this weekend and I had to be somewhere at 11:30. Im on my way at 8:50 and get caught up in church traffic. I get a call at 9:04 from the guy wondering where I am. Im there at 9:05. The man's wife greets me at the door and shows me the back deck. Its painted blue with a few chips that show the wood underneath. They want me to pressure wash it and I explain to the lady that it is clean and doesnt really need to be done. I ask her, just for clearification, if she wants it washed or if she wants the paint stripped and repainted. She says she just wants it washed. Then she takes me out front where I meet her husband. He now tells me that he wants everything out front done also (large driveway, front walk, front porch, sandstone steps, and curb). I came prepared to do about two hours of work and then now propose about 6 or 7. The man asks how much it would cost (in crude, broken english) to do the job. I tell him I'm going to look at everything again and that I will be back in a minute with a price. "No, no it will only take 2 hour" the man says. Im already thinking that this guy is pretty crazy. When I come back with a figure of $150 the guy goes crazy saying that it would cost him that much to buy his own pressure washer and it would only take him 2 hours blah blah blah... I tell him that I cant affort to do it for less than $150 and he starts saying that he got my letter that I sent out to the parents at my school and that he was trying to help me out (in an accusing voice) blah blah blah. I tell him I appreciate him calling me and try to be as reasonable as I can. We shake hands and I leave.


/rant

when I say Hello and an "Indian" accent anwers I say goodbye

your experience is typical of several Ive had in 11yrs

 

[PowerWashofVa]

I'll second that [puke]

 

[PressurePros]

Stereotypes often have truth unfortunately. Be careful though. We just completed a Platinum Plan $900 housewash for a very nice Indian couple. That job more than pays my marketing costs for the month. Good thing I didn't hang up the phone.

 

[Dave Ott]

when I say Hello and an "Indian" accent anwers I say goodbye

your experience is typical of several Ive had in 11yrs

The typical part is where contractors do not understand a foreign language. In this day and age if you are not able to partly understand a customer of a foreign language then it makes it hard for both the contractor and customer. Don't forget the cutomer doesn't understand you and when you both don't understand each others language it becomes very frusterating and that is when the sale goes south fast.

 

[Dave Ott]

I'll second that [puke]

This way of thinking will not get you much business in the commercial world. Most of the business owners for restaurants and other are from different ethnic backgrounds. Read the bottom of your signature (QUALITY, SERVICE, VALUE & PROFESSIONALISM ) which has the word profesionalism. This attitude isn't and gives the industry a black eye.

 

[Dave Ott]

Also remember that your future prospects may see your post, and they may be the ones that Ken mentioned with the $900 house wash and even a $2000 deck job with many family members who own homes and restaurants and so on. When they type on a search engine and are looking for a company and your company name appears and then they look below another listing and see what you have written here then they will see the professionalism and how you would treat them if they called you. This goes for any ethnic background.

 

[Merc]

Up here in Canada, most contractors including myself, will not deal with
East Indians, they are hard to deal with, will try and beat you down on price, then they wont pay, or it will take months to get payed!
I just say sorry to busy, and you can't afford my services!

Cheers

 

[PressurePros]

When they type on a search engine and are looking for a company and your company name appears and then they look below another listing and see what you have written here then they will see the professionalism and how you would treat them if they called you. This goes for any ethnic background.

Amen. I cannot tell you how many private messages I have received from homeowners (my customers) on these BBS's. If you wouldn't say what you are thinking of typing in front of a prospective customer, think twice about ranting.

 

[Dave Ott]

Up here in Canada, most contractors including myself, will not deal with
East Indians, they are hard to deal with, will try and beat you down on price, then they wont pay, or it will take months to get payed!
I just say sorry to busy, and you can't afford my services!

Cheers

Everyone will beat you down on price. Quit selling price and sell quality and professionalism. Race has nothing to do with it period! My best clients are indian, oriental, asian, and so on. These people would offer free food all the time when we come to a job. It is their hospitality that I like. I have never had a problem with most getting paid. Months to get paid is your fault if you don't set the contract payment terms. 90 day pay is typical in the business world. If they go beyond this then their are charges and this goes for any customer no matter ethnic background so get off the indian thing.

 

[Revive]

Some people just look for issues and problems. Gives them a reason to with hold payment. I never concern myself with race or religion. I'm looking for long term clients. Some jobs I just walk away from, or quote accordingly. Some I work extra hard to get. You'll never please everyone. Some people that I can't please you could,and visa versa.

Back to the original post, Thats the business world. You've proven on this board young man to show integrity and professionalism. I enjoy seeing your posts and the responses that follow.

 

[Larry L.]

Every once in awhile your going to run into a account like that nomatter what breed they/we are.Even our good accounts sometimes want more done then said,what I think what puts a bad taste in our mouth is wasted time on another tightwad.Its good to see someone in this trade walk away from a lowball price.The price you gave was getting mighty close to depending on eqt. bottom dallor which makes it easier to walk off....good going.