First one was a lead from SM. The customer and his brother-in-law framed an additon to the house, did all of the wiring and all they needed me to do was pull the electrical permit, sign off on the work they did. That's all !!!

Second, GC calls and says, "Your price is good. However, my other EC only charges $20.00 per low voltage opening and you want $60.00. So I will deduct $500.00 from you price and give you the job."

WOW !!! THANKS !!! Can you give me the name of the other EC. I would love to sub him out for all of my low voltage work at $20.00/opening.....

Just thought I would share the comedy.

Gee don't all of you guys let the homeowner do all the work (on your permit) and just charge to hook up the wires to the breakers?
From what I see on the DIY BBs that seems to be what happens all over the country.

I had a fun one today. The job is to repalace/repair ONE troffer. I bid it & she says "We have to get three bids and run it through the corporate office". Good thing it was only 30 seconds from the office & took 30 seconds to bid.

Dave

Lady: "How much would you charge to repair my kettle?"

Me: "$60/hour plus materials and taxes"

Lady: "But I can buy a kettle from Walmart for $10"

Me: "Precisely."

Lady" "But I really like this kettle."

Me: "The ones you can get for $10 at Walmart boil water just as good"

Lady: "Ok, thankyou, bye."

Me: "Sigh."

Customer "We've got no hot water"
Me "So it's just coming out cold"
Customer "No, no water at all"
Me "so it's a plumbing problem"
Customer " Does that mean you can't fix it?"
Me " You need a plumber. I'm an electrician"
Customer "Oh" "Click"

Not a problem. Just invent 2 more business names and give her 3 quotes. That's how I used to do it when working for the government and buying supplies.

My son sells, among other office products, a large flatpack cardboard waste-bin, c/w poly bag liner, used mainly for office wastepaper, cola cans, paper cups, etc..
He gets regular calls from customers asking him to come & empty the bin as it's now full! How he stays polite to the dolts who whine " Well, your number is printed on the side of the bin." is beyond me.
I keep telling him to advise them they need to compact the contents by getting in the bin and jumping up and down, but he's too sensible, like his Mum!


Alan

ok, who's going to collect all these stories and write a book?

I had a good one too. Heating and air contractor wanted me to lend him my name so he could pull permits and do all the work himself. All I had to do was inspect his work if I wanted. I said sure, but I had to do all the work at my usual price and charge my time for pulling permits, but he could clean up after if he wanted.
He never called back.

I remember trying to get driving instructions to this clueless individual's home...

Turn left onto ? and go half way down the street.

Oh, so I can see the end of your street as soon as I turn onto it?

No.

So how do I know that I'm half way down?

He described the distance a little better and said, "Just turn right into the driveway."

So you live on the right side of the street?

No, I'm on the left side but you can turn right in.

Joe