snip

See answer to number one. Skinflints never got past the proposal page.
Always had someone who could do it cheaper. So, I'd say, "The main thing is
that you are satisfied. Sounds like your BIL will do a good job. Good
day."

4. "Indecisive" who doesn't really know what they want, changes their
minds
300 times and wants changes to the order every five minutes and wastes
your
time. You educate them, get them ready to buy, then they give the
business
to a "fly by nighter" who shows up in the last second with a low ball and
wins the contract. 6 months later "indecisive" shows up on your door step
to complain about shoddy workmanship and broken promises.


Again, I just didn't deal with them once I got rolling. I had too many
people who knew what they wanted, or just wanted to know WHEN I could get to
it.

Those apartment managers loved to go into their meetings and say, "The
repair was done yesterday. Or, I it WILL be done day after tomorrow."

AND, when I told them day after tomorrow, that was it. I was there and got
it done. If I was running late, I called. I did not have to compete for
business, and newcomers couldn't get my business away from me.

Do it right the first time. Show up when you say you'll be there, or call
and tell them you are running late. Call them right back on estimates or at
least tell them when you can get there. Keeps them from calling someone
else. Don't EVER not show up. Be competitive on price, not cheap, as it
makes your work seem inferior. Be nice. Stand your ground with creeps.
Lots of people out there who just want someone to come when they say they
will come, do the work, do it right, and do it for a competitive price.

That's what gets and keeps a customer, and what makes a salesman out of that
customer so they will get you more good work. Good customers gave me good
referrals.

Steve


Gee Steve.... I dunno, but it seems like you're making 'way too much
sense G. Treat 'em right and you'll never be out of work.....
Ken.