customers that get in the way !

[2020Tiling]

hi ! just wondering how you go about getting rid of customers that dont stop talking and get in the way when your tiling ? ive recently done a job where the customer stood not more than 6ft away from me from start to finish watching everything i done as well as asking a load of questions etc. most customers are fine with a quick cuppa and a 5 min chat but iam getting alot recently that wont go away :lol: i dont want to seem ignorent but need to no a nice way to do this without upsetting the customer

 

[CCTiling]

You must be a freindly chap Terry! It's difficult to get rid if they haven't got anything better to do....some peeps just want the company....haven't got any advice for you mate!

 

[DHTiling]

Just say that if you keep getting under my feet , it will take me longer to complete your job, hence i will have to charge more..:lol::lol:..


Or just switch off and don't answer them..:smilewinkgrin:

 

[SandyFloor]

I know it's irritating but on the other hand the better the customer knows you and understands what you're doing the more they will remember you and recommend you to others. It could be they might feel a bit nervous about having work done and are looking for piece of mind.

I haven't had the problem with the customer hanging around too much ( probably because I can outtalk most of them) but one way is to leave your kit lying around so they have to keep moving for you getting things. They'll start feeling they're in the way then.

 

[Andy Allen]

why dont you break wind, that normally gets rid of them, even better if you have a curry for your tea :lol:

 

[Dan]

I'd say "right, I'll get this wall done and then give you a shout again mate" and hint they need to let you get on with it. But DO shout them back and show them what you've done, what you're doing next, give them a chance to ask a few questions and say "right, so, I'll get this done and give you a shout again for another brew if that's okay" and do the same again.

I think you'd cover any nervous issues the customers has about the job/you/whatever and also have the customer referrals in the future still, and you'd get on with the job.

Wouldn't always work though.

 

[aph257]

i find the older the person the more they talk because they want the company of another human more. I just say i have to concentrate on the job and can't do two things at once. then just block them out.

 

[Colour Republic]

I haven't had the problem with the customer hanging around too much ( probably because I can outtalk most of them) but one way is to leave your kit lying around so they have to keep moving for you getting things. They'll start feeling they're in the way then.

I agree, the best form of defence is attack, as anybody that has read one of my long a**ed posts will testify

 

[2020Tiling]

ha ha great replys ! il try them all on my next customer that gets in the way .... cheers !!

 

[Ken Bruty]

Usually one lot of anorakish long winded tiling talk does the trick for me, they don't tend to ask you too much after that.

 

[Alan.P]

I think Dan hit it on the head, a lot of clients are nervous, they've spent a lot of money on their tiles and although not knowing what the correct methods are, are still wanting to make sure their tiles are ok, yes, it can be off putting / annoying when they watch you but I find that just a couple of words whilst working, explaining what and why and how normally sees them off happy.

 

[david campbell]

i go down the route of non-stop talking that usually gets shot of them,if that doesn't work at least they will keep the tea/coffee coming!
last guy who stood over the top of me to the annoying point gave me a £50 tip so i can't really complain:smilewinkgrin:

 

[Stewart]

I always involve the customer at the start of the day, talk about all the key decisions and what I plan to achieve that day. After that, unless there's a problem, I don't talk to the customer again until I'm clearing up at the end of the day. I get away with that, because I wear headphones and I explain that to the customer before I start. I'm not trying to be rude, it's just my way of working, and staying focused on what I'm doing.

 

[Perfect Tiling]

I have a customer at the moment that is always behind me...did the same with the fitter and plumber too...really irritating! What makes it worse is that she is always smoking...so having a curry is no use due to the explosion risk. Taking a bigger cd radio with me today and will eventually find a type of music that she can't put up with...will let you know if it works!!!!

 

[doug boardley]

I had one and nicknamed him "Flymo", when he asked why I told him that he's always "hovering" about!, He took the hint!:lol::lol:

 

[Dan]

I had one and nicknamed him "Flymo", when he asked why I told him that he's always "hovering" about!, He took the hint!:lol::lol:

Stunner! Mr and Mrs Flymo.

 

[Dave Ramsden]

I recently had a customer who sat at the table the whole time I was tiling his kitchen, this would usually throw me off my game a bit but we got on really well. He's a retired head master and had some really good stories to tell. I ended up getting loads more work from them and feel that I also did my little bit for marketing as they were falling over themselves to recommend me

 

[Bathfix Bob]

As a plumber/bathroom fitter I undertake all kinds of work but at the moment mainly bathrooms.

I was having a look at a blocked washing machine for a Nigerian lady last year, she watched every move I made, even when I had my back to her I could feel her eyes burning into the back of my head.

This was off putting and I coudn't concentrate so I pulled the washing machine out and used it as a barrier to hide behind. I was pulling the waste hose out of the stand pipe with my other hand resting on top of the washing machine when I felt something 'tickle' the back of my hand but thought nothing of it, moments later I felt hot breath on my hand.

She was only peering over the top of the machine to continue her staring with her chin brushing against the back of my hand, the tickle was from her woman beard!!!

I was so annoyed from her not trusting me I packed my tools up and made an excuse to leave before I fixed it. Didn't charge.

 

[Dave Ramsden]

You got that far surely she cant have been that bad haha

 

[Bathfix Bob]

Hi Dave I noticed you're in Keighley, hows business?

I'm in Bingley and swamped with work fitting bathrooms etc.

 

[Dave Ramsden]

Hi Dave I noticed you're in Keighley, hows business?

I'm in Bingley and swamped with work fitting bathrooms etc.

Am doing ok at the moment if Im honest. Getting lots of national interest via the website. Lots of small to medium jobs and a cpl of showrooms priced up. Cant complain!

 

[Bathfix Bob]

I'm lucky at the momet as I work no more than 5 miles out of Bingley, anyway I've got a couple more hours work in the current bathroom so I better go.........

I'll take some pics and post them up.

 

[Dave Ramsden]

Sound, www.tilersforums.com always welcomes new members and pictures!

 

[Dan]

As a plumber/bathroom fitter I undertake all kinds of work but at the moment mainly bathrooms.

I was having a look at a blocked washing machine for a Nigerian lady last year, she watched every move I made, even when I had my back to her I could feel her eyes burning into the back of my head.

This was off putting and I coudn't concentrate so I pulled the washing machine out and used it as a barrier to hide behind. I was pulling the waste hose out of the stand pipe with my other hand resting on top of the washing machine when I felt something 'tickle' the back of my hand but thought nothing of it, moments later I felt hot breath on my hand.

She was only peering over the top of the machine to continue her staring with her chin brushing against the back of my hand, the tickle was from her woman beard!!!

I was so annoyed from her not trusting me I packed my tools up and made an excuse to leave before I fixed it. Didn't charge.

I think that would freak me out to be honest.

 

[diamondtiling]

Start talking about God and other similar fairy stories, that usually makes everyone run a mile.


:smilewinkgrin:

 

[Brian the Tile]

always have a pair of earphoneswith the wire going into your pocket they will hopefully think you are listening to music.

 

[SandyFloor]

Working naked always works for me especially when I go down on my hands and knees to work on the floor. :yikes:

 

[mistral]

You could always try turning round suddenly while holding a 2metre spirit level........ that might get 'em moving.

 

[Al@Lifetiles]

Had a job just this week tiling a fireplace in an open-plan lounge diner area. Entire family (mum,gran, husband and kid) sat on the sofa watching me. They didnt speak very much English either so all i could hear was them habbering away in a foreign tongue! Oh and the house was about 100 degrees aswell. Joy of joys!