Customer From Hell

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Just need to share this, I am working for a female engineer, she is doing my head in, I think I might cut my losses and pull off the job.

To cut a long story short, she engaged me to tile a wet room, a bathroom, a kitchen floor in slate, and a ground floor Cloaks.

I have been on the job a couple of weeks, it is a new build, there are no toilet facilities, but we are used to that, even though it is against the law, we make do.

On Friday the plumber fitted the first working toilet he had a text from her saying do not let anyone use the toilet, as was for her only.

We are just building trade scum (not her words, but mine) are we animals? who don't deserve the basic respect most people would expect?

She sent me a text early Sat morning showing her toilet with poo in it, suggesting me my lads, or the plumber where the culprits, none of us where guilty, the kitchen fitters where in Sat morning.

She has now decided to pick holes in my work, she is not happy with the mitres, or the trim, even though I gave her the choice of different trims. I will post some pics.

 

[Qwerty]

Looks tidy as ever Phil. Shame the "culprit" photo wasn't included 😉
I hate customers like this, it makes for such an awkward situation.
I hope she sees sense

 

[Gazzer]

Not overly liking the trim but if that is what she went for then its not your fault .
Its a crazy world when someone picks up on the smallest of things yet that other thread by Sparkle and she things it can be resolved !

 

[White Room]

I do feel some of these "people" think were at the bottom of the ladder and many times they try and ridicule as a power lust....I'm the customer and I'm allways right.

Had the same with toilet issues on a large job and the owner was "helping me", sometimes 6-7 guys on the job in the middle of nowhere, could've at least rented a portable:mad2:

Lovely work by the way Phil, perhaps she should get herself down to specsavers.

 

[John Benton]

Awful Phil - I mean her choice of floor tiles, clearly nothing wrong with the quality of the work.

Only thing I would say is the bond in the window, I know it matches floor, but my preference would have been random, don't like it myself, but I'm guessing that was her choice!!

 

[John Benton]

I do feel some of these "people" think were at the bottom of the ladder and many times they try and ridicule as a power lust....I'm the customer and I'm allways right.

Had the same with toilet issues on a large job and the owner was "helping me", sometimes 6-7 guys on the job in the middle of nowhere, could've at least rented a portable:mad2:

Lovely work by the way Phil, perhaps she should get herself down to specsavers.

Did the customer use a stick to poke the large job Mark?

 

[kilty55]

nice work phil, are the planks from fired earth?

i also find a lot of these people think trades are the scum of the earth, generally i bite my lip on these jobs and at the end of the estimated job cost add on a lump sum for the extra materials i had to use. give them a taste of there own medicine they so easily dish out!

 

[White Room]

Did the customer use a stick to poke the large job Mark?

If he had gone into the woods he may have found one:lol:

 

[Time's Ran Out]

We know they are out there but it is always a setback when they rear their ugly head!
A case of getting paid then putting her in her place with a few choice words of advice.
Hope it works out ok.

 

[Andy Allen]

You seem to have done alot of work there phil to just walk away, would she pay you for whats been completed. .? If not I would keep her sweet, get some money out of her then just tell her you feel this working relationship isn't working and suggest she finds someone else to finish the job.

 

[nybor62]

great job as allways phil , i dont like the trim , but not your choice, stick it out get ya money , then let ripp , best advice i can give

 

[jonnyc]

what finish would you haven chosen for external corners if she had let you chose.
sometimes phil you can never win .
just need one little thing to go wrong and then clients are all over you.
in this instance you have not even been wrong in first instance.
if it was me and i would bite my lip, at least until cleared monies in.
the biggest problems i have had with payments are from clients who i have argued with!!
it felt good to say my piece at the time but long term cost me loads.
i have less patience as i get older but i have got a bit wiser

 

[Spud]

Finish up what you have priced up to do and give her the bill, it must be silly season as I have the most fussy customer I have encountered in many years at the moment

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

It's getting worse nurse, this woman is a real whack job. I will be meeting her Wed am. whether I come out OK or get arrested, who knows?

I could do without this crap atm.

Definitely a true nutter.:mad2:

 

[Deleted member 9966]

if you're able to sit down when you meet with her Phil, sit on your hands. that will stop you wanting and being able to throttle her, and it will make you look non-confrontational :smilewinkgrin:

 

[White Room]

There you go Phil

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Thanks Mark, you are a gent.

We are open to this kind of abuse everyday, If I could post more pics and get some honest opinions, maybe I can convince this client that I am not a cowboy who is trying to rip her off.

I have spent two half days for free (my choice) to help the job on.

I hope If I can put some pics on here to show the prep work, you good people could explain the effort that goes into our work.

 

[John Benton]

Just as a matter of interest Phil, how did you come by the work Phil, recommendation, advert, through TF?

If it was me I think I would be happy to finish the job and then let her pick fault. You are clearly happy with the quality of the work, and open to any professional/agency/and then give her the chance to pay you within 7 days. If she refuses I would threaten to take legal action to claim the full amount owed from her.

Sometimes just the threat is enough for people to cave in. But as I said if you are happy the work is to a certain standard then there is no reason for her to pay you

(My guess is that she doesn't like the floor tiles now they're down!!!! See post 6)

 

[Chalker]

I would meet her with a freindly attitude. ( only to get the job finished and get paid) . Apart from the Richard III in the bog, I bet she doesn't like the tiles, so your getting the stick.
Swallow your pride and start with, morning mrs blogs, I'm sorry your not happy with my work, I will change anything your not happy with. At my cost.
I know she's a nutter, but most people will respond better if we are a little less precious and a bit more humble. She is obviously confrontational, and if you are, your not going to get any job satisfaction or get paid.
try this (with a smile) and see what happens. You have nothing to lose.
If this doesn't work, get some rockwool insulation and sprinkle it in here knicker draw.

 

[CJ]

Just punch her.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Just as a matter of interest Phil, how did you come by the work Phil, recommendation, advert, through TF?

If it was me I think I would be happy to finish the job and then let her pick fault. You are clearly happy with the quality of the work, and open to any professional/agency/and then give her the chance to pay you within 7 days. If she refuses I would threaten to take legal action to claim the full amount owed from her.

Sometimes just the threat is enough for people to cave in. But as I said if you are happy the work is to a certain standard then there is no reason for her to pay you

(My guess is that she doesn't like the floor tiles now they're down!!!! See post 6)

Website I think John, but I gave her a daywork rate as the prep work, tanking etc was impossible to put a completion time on it.

The wet room alone took days to get the correct falls. I hope my sleepless nights will be over soon and things turn out well, but I doubt it.

If anyone can comment on the pics I will put up, that would help my case.

These people need to be taught a lesson.

 

[White Room]

That helps CJ....

 

[John Benton]

Website I think John, but I gave her a daywork rate as the prep work, tanking etc was impossible to put a completion time on it.

The wet room alone took days to get the correct falls. I hope my sleepless nights will be over soon and things turn out well, but I doubt it.

If anyone can comment on the pics I will put up, that would help my case.

These people need to be taught a lesson.

Here you go Phil, cast your mince pies over this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dont-Sweat-Small-Stuff-its/dp/0340708018

 

[Chalker]

Looking at the pictures. Apart from the floor tiles not being in keeping with the wall tiles. (Personal chice) and the white trims ( but metros are difficult to mitre without leaving a sharp edge)

i can't honestly see anything wrong with the standard of work. The tray is very tidy.

Seems you abe 2 choices.
1 do some creeping, finish the job and get paid.
2 walk away, put it to experience and no pay!

i would go for option 1. You won't be teaching her a lesson by walking off. You will be another win for her.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Just punch her.

I am a professional CJ but I would love to do just that, not PC sadly we have to put up with these morons who think we are just animals, we don't need toilets or washing facilities, or even wages.

We are not skilled tradesmen, we are just scruffy ingnorant loosers, who should be grateful for the work they offer us.

Sorry if I seem bitter, but I am.

 

[Colour Republic]

Question for you Phil. How many engineers have you worked for? Did that very word not set alarm bells?

I can think of only one job I did for an engineer where I liked the bloke, the others have been pain in the arses (talking out of them too) and i've turned away work from many who i could just tell would be trouble!

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Question for you Phil. How many engineers have you worked for? Did that very word not set alarm bells?

I can think of only one job I did for an engineer where I liked the bloke, the others have been pain in the arses (talking out of them too) and i've turned away work from many who i could just tell would be trouble!

A couple Rob, but no more after this one. I think I posted once about a guy who was a precision engineer who told me he worked to one hundred thousand of an inch, I told him I work until the job is right, he never replied, but he didn't bother me again.

 

[Old Mod]

Metro's!!! They make run from the building screaming! Horrid things!
You know the one Phil...... Friends close, enemies closer!
As u've worked to her instruction, then your conscience should be clear, but I know professional pride gets in the way of that!
Nothing wrong with those mitres, she does know it's not MDF right? Haha
Dig deep mate, it'll be over soon.
She has to live with her choices, u don't!

 

[charlie1]

Phil, I think your used with customers that really appreciate you excellent work and this does make all the difference to your working environment. Unfortunately you seem to be working for someone who is maybe trying to micro manage you, this probably is having adverse effect on you and the job but she will feel happy at the end knowing she has "in her mind" managed you but I bet if she just left yon alone you would be a lot calmer in the head and you would be more flowing in your work. We all know exactly where you are coming from. Yes, I'd be prepared for an extensive snagging list by the sounds of it, think you could be dealing with someone with OCD issues.

Your work as always looks great mate, can't pick fault with any of it, chin up!

 

[AliGage]

Im certain its funny funny season as well.
Noticed that January JOTM was a bit thin for entries. I have/had one to put in. But i too have an OCC (obsessive compulsive client) this wetroom needed a different tray size and extra work to avoid potential issues. My advice was argued with and ignored and now Im back here for a second day redoing the whole floor.
You need the patience of a saint for this job. The stress sometimes is overwhelming. The way i figure it now though. Advise. Do as Im told. Spin the i told you so line and rebill them for the extra work after the first invoice is paid up.

Trouble i find is i love my job too much. Im sure most of you are the same. We know how to deliver the best finish. If a customer isn't willing to listen then that's there problem and will cost them financially in the end.

Hope it works out Phil.

 

[widler]

Looks a good job phil, some clients are complete nutjobs.

Had one before christmas, a new extension,we krended it and also the back of the house.
Next door neighbour, a complete nutter(its a long story)put a photo onto 'cowboy builders' facebook page saying, " is this the worst extension you have ever seen, cheap materials and cowboy tradesmen ect ect"
So i went on to cowboy builders page and invited dom and melinder to come around and have a look , i gave my name/number and business details and told them id love for both to come around and go over everthing with a fine toothcome , id even take melinder for a drink
She took it off straight away.
All this stemmed from the neighbour asking my customer out for a drink and he turned her down. 🙂 🙂