|
0 members (),
161
guests, and
10
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 95
Member
|
Say what I'll do and Do what I said. Explain to everyone that there are 4 list 1 emergencies-no power-no heat-no hot water- 2 large planned jobs over 8 hr jobs 3 service calls for existing cutomers 4 small jobs-4 hrs. or less And then tell them they are on which list. if its two weeks it two weeks. Most everybody is an existing customer and refers new people all the time, just tell the truth, if they don't like that then they don't call back and I'm better off for it. If they can wait I get there, If they can't then they didn't need me. There's a little competition for residential around here but not much for the service work like I do. The little add ons are so much easier to get to and the homeowner is allways more generous for the fix you provide than a homebuilder you need to get an extra few bucks out of. The builder will call four or five trying to save a nickle a foot, and the homeowner just wants it done and you gone. They'll pay extra to get you out of the kitchen by dark.
Not a secret just a plan that pays the bills around here.
Lighting the way
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
Member
|
Show up when you're supposed to, or call otherwise. Don't recommend unnecessary work. Be as honest as possible. Treat their home as if it was yours. Charge reasonable(not cheap)rates. Throw in that small extra. (This usually pays for itself many times over).
Oh, and never lose your cool in front of a customer.
[This message has been edited by Redsy (edited 06-07-2002).]
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 914
OP
Member
|
Joe and Redsy, it sounds like we have a lot of the same rules about customers. I especially agree with Redsy about not doing unnecessary work. Just today I had a contractor (a large remodeler that I've been trying to get in with) ask me to put in a subpanel on the basement we were wirng. I pointed out that there were enough spaces in the existing panel and he didn't need the subpanel unless he just wanted it. He said don't do it and thanked me for the honesty and said his other electrician would've just done it to get the $$$. I'll bet the other electrician doesn't get too many more jobs from those guys.
|
|
|
Tom
Shinnston, WV USA
Posts: 1,044
Joined: January 2001
|
|
|
|
|