AARRRGGGHHHH Customers

[cbw]

Quoted for 3 bed rewire, MK throughout, nice 3 bed town house empty and full restoration about to begin, came in at £3500 and this was a fair and strong quote, using quality fittings etc

Was told was in the running but could I reduce cost of materials slightly, spent a couple of hours Sunday and reduced to £3200, absolute rock bottom, told customer today.


Customer said well we have had a quote for £3000,

me....whilst making for the door "well I suggest you get them to do it then"

Cust.."theres no need to be like that, we would really like you to do the work, the other electrician is not putting as many sockets in as you and hes using something called Marbo"

me...."I am putting the bare minimum of sockets required under regulations and if you want that **** on your walls then fine, I feel that may reflect the quality of his workmanship, goodbye"

Cust....." are you still willing to start next week"

NEARLY said no **** OFF!!!!!, Wanted to but not quite!!!!!

 

[Notsosmart]

Know what you mean, In the past when I was trading I've had plenty of customers getting me to price for the job purely to get a comparison against (sometimes their mates or family) After a while I only gave a verbal 'estimate' & then issued a written price including terms & conditions if I got the go-ahead.

Unfortunately it is something everyone in business encounters including big business; in the company I work for we regularly have to bid against up to 10 other suppliers ~ & we know half of them aren't quite up to the job (In engineering terms anyway).
Stick with it buddy its a dog-eat-dog world out there and won't get any better whilst this (double dip) recession drags on.

BTW have you taken the job?

 

[rocker]

If you do take it make sure you get them to sign a watertight contract.
People like that always find fault with everything at the end of the job, trying to wangle some sort of discount.

 

[Spudnik]

And they will always say you havent installed something you said you would.

IE put up fancy light fittings, bathroom mirror lights etc etc.

 

[cbw]

Took the job this afternoon, got three of us going in to get it cracked ASAP!

Hmm wall chasing tomorrow then!