Sometime's I really hate people,I'm a small engine mechanic and just got into a big riff with a custermer, For the past 2 years I have taken good care of this guy, He would come into the shop and say (beg) me to please fix his tractor because he really needs it, he alway's some excuse..Half way thru the job, had to finish before dark,wanted to get a few more jobs done, could not live with out it etc,etc, Many time's I would stop what I was doing and either do a tailgate repair, or fix it within a short amount of time alway's bumping him ahead of other's and many times did the job for next to nothing or say I'll catch you next time and sometimes even for free. Today he comes in and gives me the same old story about needing his tractor for the leaves etc, and I explain to him that I cannot help him out right now but to leave it and I will work on it after hours for him and he can pick it up first thing in the morning, WELL this guy blow's a head gasket and starts yelling at me about how he is going to bring his work else where and tell everyone that Im no good etc,etc,etc,I put up with his [censored] for about 2 minutes, I took my ramps off his truck and walked backed into the shop and closed the doors, He had to leave and find a buddy to help him load up his tractor which I pushed out near the road. I guess he forgot all about the favors I had done for him the past two years..
#%&^% Custormers ...A rant
- Thread starter kkat
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What's that saying about no good deed goes unpunished? I think you just had a life experience with that one.
Kind of like doing an oil change for someone in need, then get a new one torn when something else goes wrong. "You were the last one to touch it!"
This is business. I know we all want to do folks a personal favor when we can, but customers need to pay for favors. In the future, save your favors for people who really need them, not for the professional mooches. Guys like this go to the front of the line only if they pay extra, maybe 50-100% more.
Don't feel bad. I'm sure you're not the first repair guy he's dumped, and you won't be the last. Next time, if they want you to play, they gotta pay.
Kind of like doing an oil change for someone in need, then get a new one torn when something else goes wrong. "You were the last one to touch it!"
This is business. I know we all want to do folks a personal favor when we can, but customers need to pay for favors. In the future, save your favors for people who really need them, not for the professional mooches. Guys like this go to the front of the line only if they pay extra, maybe 50-100% more.
Don't feel bad. I'm sure you're not the first repair guy he's dumped, and you won't be the last. Next time, if they want you to play, they gotta pay.
Originally Posted By: jimvegas
My way to handle customers like that? Big smile, and the customer pays substantially more than anyone else.
Example-
Part is $72.50..
Big smile, that'll be $172.50, sir...
Exactamundo. That's what my boss does. He bails a lot of people out but if someone gives us [censored], they pay for it.
We deal with it all the time from small business owners that want us to do miracles for them but give us nothing but grief.
$100/hr and I can easily take an extra hour or two...
My way to handle customers like that? Big smile, and the customer pays substantially more than anyone else.
Example-
Part is $72.50..
Big smile, that'll be $172.50, sir...
Exactamundo. That's what my boss does. He bails a lot of people out but if someone gives us [censored], they pay for it.
We deal with it all the time from small business owners that want us to do miracles for them but give us nothing but grief.
$100/hr and I can easily take an extra hour or two...
kkat, this guy has been taking advantage of your good nature, and has alot of nerve to say anything given his past dealings with you. I'm sure he'll find another shop that will drop what thery're doing just to fix his stuff on the down low.yeah right. While losing a customer suck's, so does being taking advantage of. You never know this might be a blessing in disguise.
Originally Posted By: jimvegas
My way to handle customers like that? Big smile, and the customer pays substantially more than anyone else.
Example-
Part is $72.50..
Big smile, that'll be $172.50, sir...
That's what I used to do when in that position. I'd put up with whatever they wanted, but they'd pay it one way or the other.
My way to handle customers like that? Big smile, and the customer pays substantially more than anyone else.
Example-
Part is $72.50..
Big smile, that'll be $172.50, sir...
That's what I used to do when in that position. I'd put up with whatever they wanted, but they'd pay it one way or the other.
I deal with the public also in the service business so I know where your coming from. After twenty years I can't tell you how many people I told to find someone else to buy from.
Walking around work at 6'4" 240lbs with a HK USP 45 on my hip also doesn't hurt with P.I.T.A. customers. But as was mentioned before, killing them with kindness goes a long way to disarming an unruly customer. No one want to be the guy screaming with the other person replying with a calm non excited normal voice.
Based on what you told us Good Riddance to the guy. Let someone else put up with his #%&*. With what your getting money wise isn't worth it.
My Indy mechanic I go out of my way to be nice to him and work around his schedule. I make a point to tell him let me know when YOU WANT ME TO DROP OFF THE CAR. I don't tell him when I want in the shop. The man is getting killed with business in this economy with people looking for a bargain.
Walking around work at 6'4" 240lbs with a HK USP 45 on my hip also doesn't hurt with P.I.T.A. customers. But as was mentioned before, killing them with kindness goes a long way to disarming an unruly customer. No one want to be the guy screaming with the other person replying with a calm non excited normal voice.
Based on what you told us Good Riddance to the guy. Let someone else put up with his #%&*. With what your getting money wise isn't worth it.
My Indy mechanic I go out of my way to be nice to him and work around his schedule. I make a point to tell him let me know when YOU WANT ME TO DROP OFF THE CAR. I don't tell him when I want in the shop. The man is getting killed with business in this economy with people looking for a bargain.
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KKAT -
Seemed like the thing to do in that situation. I dont tolerate anyone yelling at me - unless I really messed up their stuff. You dont need customers like that. BTW my wife went to school in Elmira, near Corning - used to go to Watkins Glen for the Grand Prix in the 70's. Got poison ivy where it's really not good to have it
Seemed like the thing to do in that situation. I dont tolerate anyone yelling at me - unless I really messed up their stuff. You dont need customers like that. BTW my wife went to school in Elmira, near Corning - used to go to Watkins Glen for the Grand Prix in the 70's. Got poison ivy where it's really not good to have it
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Good for you, and good riddance. Let him find another mechanic that will put up with his [censored].
The bottom line is you teach people how to treat you, and today was the final lesson.
The bottom line is you teach people how to treat you, and today was the final lesson.
Well bud thats the service business. I get it all the time, and yes I have bumped some very good customers ahead of others but nothing leaves the shop without me getting paid for it. His crops and what not are not going anywhere. On this note where would he go if you had to close down because people didn't pay their bills. I for one will admit I had a business venture that failed because i was too nice of a guy. There a fine line you have to walk, but he needs the tractor for his business and you need to get paid for your work and parts. I have lost a few customers because i won't float them, but in actuality they usually comeback as other businesses are in the same position and will not float people either. I won't even float my best friend. Times are tough right now and although we are busy for weeks out it's just how it is. I refuse to go 30K in the whole with vendors because people won't pay. I call it training my customers. Then they know what to expect when they come in.
Your rant is well deserved
Your rant is well deserved
Some customers are not worth it. This guy was one of them.
Originally Posted By: GROUCHO MARX
Some customers are not worth it. This guy was one of them.
Is my thinking to, if he doesn't pay. Whats the worry anyway if he goes elsewhere.
Some customers are not worth it. This guy was one of them.
Is my thinking to, if he doesn't pay. Whats the worry anyway if he goes elsewhere.
You did the right thing..........hopefully he realizes that he shot himself in the foot. Now he has to live with the consequences. When he gets the bills from other repair shops he will realize how good he had it.
You can now do work without being interrupted by him.
You can now do work without being interrupted by him.
My dad has had many customers do this and then they come crawling back and he would tell them that the cost of repairs went up and it's now double.
Don't waste your time with this guy...
Don't waste your time with this guy...
Originally Posted By: jimvegas
My way to handle customers like that? Big smile, and the customer pays substantially more than anyone else.
Example-
Part is $72.50..
Big smile, that'll be $172.50, sir...
That's what I do...and it helps with the smile.
My way to handle customers like that? Big smile, and the customer pays substantially more than anyone else.
Example-
Part is $72.50..
Big smile, that'll be $172.50, sir...
That's what I do...and it helps with the smile.
I get those kinds of people every week. My boss had a guy jump on him after we cut the labor and parts back. Guy still thought we were "Sticking it to him".
Slightly OT. My boss was gone one day and I was working alone. Was helping a customer, had another in line when a guy came running in the door and threw a leaky heater core on my paper work and demamded that I fix it right there and now.
I moved the heater onto a table and continued to help the original customer who was as shocked as I was.
Guy grabbed the heater and threw it back on my now wet paper work.
I excused my self. Walked over to the nuisance, picked him up under his arms and walked him out the door.
His heater followed.
Slightly OT. My boss was gone one day and I was working alone. Was helping a customer, had another in line when a guy came running in the door and threw a leaky heater core on my paper work and demamded that I fix it right there and now.
I moved the heater onto a table and continued to help the original customer who was as shocked as I was.
Guy grabbed the heater and threw it back on my now wet paper work.
I excused my self. Walked over to the nuisance, picked him up under his arms and walked him out the door.
His heater followed.
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