How often if at all, do you do free extras?

ipf · Apr 7, 2012

Marvo said:
I'll tend to go the extra mile for no extra charge if it makes for a better finished result. I'm not very sympathetic if the customer has a list of premeditated items they didn't mention at the quoting stage and they're hoping to get for nothing 'while you're here'.

I'm with you there Marvo. Do plenty bits and bats for decent folk. It's when they expect it for nothing that bugs me! By the way, how many wholesalers would slip you the odd switch or socket for nothing ???

GLENNSPARK · Apr 7, 2012

you just get a feeling though when you turn up to do work on someones property....like are they tight or summat....a quick glance around though will tell you if theres any future work to be had out of it.....

oldtimer · Apr 7, 2012

When servicing or even surveying burglar alarm I check the mains out as when I see no FCU I open the DB I sometimes find they connected the 1.0mm T&E straight into the live side of the main switch either way I always draw the customers attention to it and if it is a survey and I may not even get the job I always move the cables to a 5A fuse or MCB and I always say this is free of charge as I could not sleep knowing it was their sometimes the reply comes back as well its been in 15-20 and nobody got hurt and i reply well you have been very lucky for 20 years but now you are a lot safer.

GLENNSPARK · Apr 7, 2012

oldtimer said:
When servicing or even surveying burglar alarm I check the mains out as when I see no FCU I open the DB I sometimes find they connected the 1.0mm T&E straight into the live side of the main switch either way I always draw the customers attention to it and if it is a survey and I may not even get the job I always move the cables to a 5A fuse or MCB and I always say this is free of charge as I could not sleep knowing it was their sometimes the reply comes back as well its been in 15-20 and nobody got hurt and i reply well you have been very lucky for 20 years but now you are a lot safer.

i`v come across this...once.....didn`t like it so did the same as you....but it on an MCB....

oldtimer · Apr 7, 2012

GLENNSPARK said:
i`v come across this...once.....didn`t like it so did the same as you....but it on an MCB....

This mentality came from guys who were not electricians to trade ie their title was Intruder alarm "engineer" I never understood it plus I was called out to a house where the guy could not trcace the supply to the alarm panel so he thought easy I will turn off the main switch pull the panel out then tape up the supply cable and tuck it under the floor and sort it out later . Well you know what happened next so when I got there I said you have blown the main DNO fuse and you were lucky you used insulated pliers. By this time the guy was in pieces as he said I was about to cut the cable with those old un-insulated pliers but thought I better use the insulated ones plus all he could say was "there was a hell of a flash and bang.

ipf · Apr 7, 2012

Once found an alarm supply wired directly from a double socket............in alarm cable.

GLENNSPARK · Apr 7, 2012

oldtimer said:
This mentality came from guys who were not electricians to trade ie their title was Intruder alarm "engineer" I never understood it plus I was called out to a house where the guy could not trcace the supply to the alarm panel so he thought easy I will turn off the main switch pull the panel out then tape up the supply cable and tuck it under the floor and sort it out later . Well you know what happened next so when I got there I said you have blown the main DNO fuse and you were lucky you used insulated pliers. By this time the guy was in pieces as he said I was about to cut the cable with those old un-insulated pliers but thought I better use the insulated ones plus all he could say was "there was a hell of a flash and bang.

well....its not good enough is it, no proper/appropriate kit,.incompetent....it just goes on....