My first difficult client!

Discuss My first difficult client! in the Electricians' Talk area at ElectriciansForums.net

telectrix said:
you forgot speed cameras and scams. ( the niceic variety, not the nigerian solicitor wanting you to process £10,000,000 and share 50/50.
Click to expand...

Cant say I've ever been troubled by Speed Cameras.

I have been pulled by unmarked plodwaggens twice though and got 3 points each time, and I got the second batch after the first batch had expired.

There was a third time but that came to nothing after I pointed-out to the plod that his headlight wasn't working and therefore he was driving a defective vehicle ..... :)
 
happyhippydad said:
Well!!! I have spoken to the builder at last and he seems like a thoroughly decent bloke.

The customer is basically trying it on. She told the builder she had changed her mind about the downlights and didn't want them and would try to knock the price down with the electrician by saying they were not spaced correctly (the only grain of truth was that the builder had said 2 of the cables may have to be brought through to the other side of the joist they were hanging on to get all the lights symetrical - a 2 minute job).

Unbelievable.... although I'm sure you guys have come across this type of thing before.

Luckily its just the husband there on friday and he seems ok(ish), so I should get paid!!

The builder said he has had a nightmare with her as well and will be saying he is far too busy when asked for any future jobs!!

You have to be multi-talented as an electrician dont you..

debt collector, counsellor, diplomat!!!
Click to expand...
Impossible, you have a lot to learn yet unfortunately, they are total numpties
I would have spoken to the client asking her about this myself, it seems to me some untruths have been told by someone and I wouldn't settle with just finishing the job under those circumstances. I would want to know who said what and would expect proper communication in regard to positioning of cabling, the builder sounds like a total tool, to just board over the cables without dialogue with you proves it, I would run a mile from him in future, he is the sort of buffoon to avoid, especially if you want to do a good job and gain a reputation.
 
happyhippydad said:
Thanks Ray.
I have just had a reply to my extensive, precise, polite e.mail (which I should have done at the beginning), saying:

"Yeah that's fine"

Hope that's the end of it! :)
Click to expand...
Keep the email, print the email, take a copy of the printed email with you to the job in case of any queries.
If anything else changes write out a quick quote and get it signed by the customer, if you can.

Sounds like you are getting there, get it finished and never return!
 
Richard Burns said:
Keep the email, print the email, take a copy of the printed email with you to the job in case of any queries.
If anything else changes write out a quick quote and get it signed by the customer, if you can.

Sounds like you are getting there, get it finished and never return!
Click to expand...

but forewarned is forearmed, and next time he will be more prepared. shame to lose a customer if this tale has a happy ending.
 
Murdoch said:
You missed a few:

5. Plumbers

6. Builders

7. Kev the kitchen fitter

8. Paul from the pub

9. The father in law who knows everything

10......
Click to expand...

I've had the father in law who knew it all,

Client rung me up after I had given her an estimate for new metallic light fittings. She had been talking to her father in law who informed her that all houses built in the 70's needed extra earthing on the lighting circuits. She was worried that I would add all this on to the price after finishing the job.

I explained to her that if she recalled, I checked several pendants during the visit to make sure that the lighting was all earthed, which it was.

'well Dad knows about these things, he says he's had to have it done twice'

I told her she was welcome to get a second opinion but also that if I found any part of the circuit without earthing, I would upgrade it for free and she still had doubts!!!
 
Went back to complete the 2nd fix.

Straight away she mentions 2 other sockets and an extra light that wasn't mentioned and looks astonished when I say that will be extra! I pull up the extensive e-mail on my phone that I had sent her and she had agreed to and she had to agree to the extra payment!!

Did the work as quickly as possible, tested, got paid!! Gave certificate and wanted to get out of the door as fast as possible, but the chap then asked if I could come back to wire up the new garage they were having put in!!!!

Had to tell him straight that if I dealt with him I would do it, but absolutely no way if I had to deal with his wife. I expected to get thrown out, but he laughed and said 'Now you see what I have to live with"... and agreed! :)
 
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