Getting dicked around... - Page 2

todd@bsaw · 08-02-08, 12:41

Wow, Todd, that's almost depressing. I know how it is when you are that particular about a schedule and others that are dependent on that schedule don't respect their portion of it.
Like someone else already said... Wealthy /= Class.

I had someone do this last month as well. They had scheduled 3 of their family vehicles to be detailed for a Saturday, my day that books up the fastest. I had blocked the whole day for this client while turning down other appointments because the day was booked. I sent a courtesy email that Monday reminding them of the detail and confirmation of the time and location. I didn't get a reply until Friday stating he needed to reschedule for the next month. That blew my whole weekend.

The worst part of it, I had already budgeted getting the payment for the weekend so I payed a couple bills early expecting the income from that job to pay rent. I ended up being late on my rent because of it, but that was my mistake and I learned from it. No job is definite until I am on site accepting payment.

advs1 · 08-02-08, 12:44

i am not that busy where i am asking for deposits. but my wife has a party service for childrens entertainment and she regularly asks for depostis. at least $100. nothing like getting everything ready for the party only to be told it was cancelled. maybe deposits on full details, so that way it covers at least trip, milage??

i had a lady go from a full detail, to just a wash and 1 step the other day. i gave her a hell of a good deal because she works in the same business park as my shop. i see her everyday and thought i would be nice. guess sometimes nice guys do finish last.

John Henry · 08-02-08, 12:49

[quote=BigAl3;1159361]though i'm sure you are very trustworthy, you can't blame the wife.

The simple solution seems to have been for Mom to wake up Junior ask ask "Did Dad tell you to give the car to this guy?" IMHO she's a b**ch.

slicknickis3 · 08-02-08, 04:03

I had an interesting one as well. I spoke with a gentleman about returning a Corvette to pristine condition in order to sell.

I spoke with him in detail what the detail consisted of, a ballpark price, as well as a scheduled date and time. (Which was about 2 days later)

I drove out to the guys house(about 30 mins away) about 15 minutes prior to our scheduled appointment. What do I see???????

A pair of guys detailing the car I'm supposed to be detailing. I walk up and ask if they were the owner, they quickly replied "No". So I walk up to his front door and knock...I can see the guy through the stained glass door looking out at me, he must've realized he screwed up and walked away. I waited a minute and knocked a *bit* harder...he answers with the most dumbfounded look on his face.

I told him I was here to detail the Vette, who are the other guys? He replies, "That's not you out there?" I said, "Obviously it's not me out there...Did you happen to schedule two people for the same car on the same day? Because I know I confirmed my appointment with you"

He had absolutely nothing to say. He then asked if he could have my business card and that he'd call me for another car. I politely declined and left.

Some people are unbelievable.

green dimnd · 08-02-08, 04:44

Como se dice "wake the punk up?"

BigAl3 · 08-02-08, 06:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Henry

The simple solution seems to have been for Mom to wake up Junior ask ask "Did Dad tell you to give the car to this guy?" IMHO she's a b**ch.

or try calling the father as well (hopefully the son gets the wrath for not waking up and taking care of the situation) . sometimes the little things are such a big inconvenience for some. it sucks, what do ya' do...

Scottwax · 08-03-08, 05:17

I've had those situations come up too. People set up an appointment and cancel at the last minute or completely forget. I've actually had to drop a couple regulars because they can't bother to either be there for their regularly scheduled appointment or give me 10 minutes notice they have a meeting or something came up.

Just yesterday, I went out to my regular Saturday morning customer's house and I get a call when I am about 5 minutes away. They were letting me know they were going to work out but the other two cars were in the garage (I know their code) and to go ahead and start on them and they'd be home in an hour or so with their other car. 2 hours pass and I am finishing up the two cars that were there. I give the owner a call on his cellphone and I get his voice mail. I let him know that I have an afternoon appointment so please call within 15 minutes so I know whether to stay and wait or not. 20 minutes go by, no call so I start packing up my stuff and by then it has been nearly 30 minutes so I go ahead and leave. 20 minutes later, he calls to ask if I am still at the house. Told him I was already on the way to my next appointment. He said he and his wife decided to get lunch after working out and he left his phone in the car. Anyway, he said he'd leave the money in their mailbox since they were heading back out. Glad he did that, but it was a 20 minute drive out of my way. He did leave an extra $20 though...which was less than I would have got if I had cleaned the other car, plus the extra gas driving back.

I can understand them forgetting I was there if I didn't clean their cars every single Saturday and have for the last 6 years. Just part of the business, I guess. My brother goes through that with his computer business, my other brother with his lawn care business and so does my sister with her practice (psychologist).

HBR · 08-03-08, 05:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

Just part of the business, I guess. My brother goes through that with his computer business, my other brother with his lawn care business and so does my sister with her practice (psychologist).

.......and so did I with mine. Life is too short, hard as it seems, it's WAY easier to just let it go and "make it up" if there is a next time.

ptaylor_9849 · 08-03-08, 06:17

Sorry to hear you got porked. Remember this, the very affluent are not on the same page as you and I. They don't value YOUR time, they only value their own. The one who holds the cash is the one who wields the power and they know that all too well. That is one of the biggest draw backs to working for the wealthy. Many times, they are arrogant jerks who could care less about you. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory but I feel your pain.

Patrick

autobahnshine · 08-03-08, 09:18

We're working in the service business, serving others who benefit from us. Things happen, guys. It's natural in this business to have cancelations when you're dependent on others to be there to provide their car (and your income!). Something we all try to prevent with email/phone-call reminders, but hey, things come up!

Scottwax · 08-03-08, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptaylor_9849

Sorry to hear you got porked. Remember this, the very affluent are not on the same page as you and I. They don't value YOUR time, they only value their own. The one who holds the cash is the one who wields the power and they know that all too well. That is one of the biggest draw backs to working for the wealthy. Many times, they are arrogant jerks who could care less about you. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory but I feel your pain.

Patrick

Just like with everyone else, it is a small minority who are like that. 95% of my rich customers are as nice and considerate as can be.

TH0001 · 08-03-08, 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptaylor_9849

Sorry to hear you got porked. Remember this, the very affluent are not on the same page as you and I. They don't value YOUR time, they only value their own. The one who holds the cash is the one who wields the power and they know that all too well. That is one of the biggest draw backs to working for the wealthy. Many times, they are arrogant jerks who could care less about you. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory but I feel your pain.

Patrick

Hi Patrick, sorry to hear you have obviously had such bad experiences. While I have had my fair share, the majority of my clients are seriously cool as can be. I have run into the problems you mentioned but 95% or more of my clients are just cool car guys at heart.