Text from customer at 22.35 on a Sunday night.

[a12jpm]

As the heading says-

" I need you to come round and inspect the cafe for me tomorrow as we're opening Tuesday "

I reply-

" Booked up tomorrow. Could pop round Tuesday 8am" - bit my lip, thought I'd be civil.

She replies IN CAPITALS-

" I HAVE BOOKED STAFF AND CHILD CARE SO I NEED YOU TO ATTEND TOMORROW. WE ARE OPENING TUESDAY. CAN YOU GIVE ME A NUMBER OF ANYONE ELSE WHO CAN HELP!"

Of course the capitals just help the situation and last time I checked I wasn't directory enquiries.

Going to let her stew till about 23.30 then send her a reply. Any suggestions....

 

[telectrix]

samaritans?

 

[trev]

The caps would have got my back up. My suggestions would be "go away" or a similar two word message or "Yell.com/electricians"
She expects you to ask how high? when she says jump.
Not a chance mate

 

[HandySparks]

Rather than asking "how high", you could always ask "what's it worth"!

 

[mickys86]

Don't be too hasty. She does sound rude but then what customer isn't. The caps could have been a misunderstanding???

 

[Plonker 3]

Input her number into loads of insurance search engines and other data bases with a request for a call back on Tuesday morning.

 

[trev]

How long has she known she was planning to open this place on Tuesday?

 

[a12jpm]

And text number 3 arrives-

"Can't get a hold of anyone else. Pencil it in for 8am tues unless I get someone else."

My god!!

My hourly rate is creeping up with every text.

 

[a12jpm]

How long has she known she was planning to open this place on Tuesday?

This is what I don't get. I think she assumes I just sit around waiting on the phone to ring. This job was talked about weeks ago and I knew it was running late. She was told I need a weeks notice normally so I'm doing her a favour getting it done tues.

 

[baldelectrician]

I would tell her you could do it tomorrow, but you would have to cancel your job and rearrange the work.
I would suggest you price her out of the market- say £350-£400 for the inspection based on 15 circuits with each additional circuit £25.00

That's one reason I don't give my mobile out- only my landline

 

[Plonker 3]

Text her back saying too late will have to be lunch time Tuesday as just had another job come up. Unless you need the work.

 

[a12jpm]

Don't be too hasty. She does sound rude but then what customer isn't. The caps could have been a misunderstanding???

No misunderstanding. She's a **** most of the time, more so than most of my customers.

 

[a12jpm]

I would tell her you could do it tomorrow, but you would have to cancel your job and rearrange the work.
I would suggest you price her out of the market- say £350-£400 for the inspection based on 15 circuits with each additional circuit £25.00

That's one reason I don't give my mobile out- only my landline

Normally I would try and rearrange to help someone out but the job tomorrow has been booked for weeks so why should someone else get put out because this edjit forgot.

 

[HandySparks]

And text number 3 arrives-

"Can't get a hold of anyone else. Pencil it in for 8am tues unless I get someone else."

My god!!

My hourly rate is creeping up with every text.

Reply: Pencil no good. Firm booking required to reserve.

 

[a12jpm]

My reply-

" I have BOOKED you in for tuesday 8am. Cancellations will incur a charge"

To be honest I wouldn't cry into my frosties if she did manage to get someone else.

 

[Guitarist]

To be honest, I wouldn't have even answered that late. I answer calls or return texts until 9pm Friday night, then "open for business" at 7.30 am Monday. Speak to people during the day on Saturday.
The fact that you replied means she knows that you will jump at any hour.

 

[DaveyD]

samaritans?

Brilliant!

 

[Tonkatoy27]

Now go and fail the hell out of it! (unless you wired it)

 

[electromonkey]

Just putting the time of the text to one side for second. This woman is opening a business which I am assuming will have staff and the general public at the premises and she leaves it until the day before it opens to ascertain whether or not the electrical installation is safe???? Has she even considered the possibility that the installation could be unsafe and the need for essential work.

As for the late text, that's just bad manners.

 

[Mark_Burgess]

a12jpm, what was the outcome, did it pass?