One of them customers!

[penno]

Not posted on here for awhile so thought i would tell you about a "picky" customer i have just finished a job for.
Got a call off Topps a few weeks ago asking could i price a splashback and floor for a bloke.
Went around and seemed nice enough, took a quick look before i got my tape out, looked about 18sqm on the floor and 5 ish on the walls. He then said "i am not looking at paying more than £250", "no problem, i won't even bother measuring up then mate" Anyway after some discussion it was agreed i would measure and give him the price, which i did, a fair one. Loads of humming and ahhing but then said he wanted me to do the work.
Day come to start the job, arrived about 8, he wanted me to start about 6! (serious). Anyway when i got there there was a kitchen fitter changing the island, spoke with him and it turns out they insisted it had to be changed as it was 9mm shorter than they asked for, "good luck" he smiled. First day got the splashback in, looked really nice. Arrived the next day, "i have a list of problems that need sorting before anything else is done". Produced a list and then went around pointing to where the tiles meet the worktop, "gap here, one here, one here" etc etc "it has to be siliconed, it will be done last thing" still carried on "one here". Then said there is one tile that is lipping, honestly this lip did not exist. Bit my lip and told him i would change it. Started on his floor, comes in a few hours later so i tell him i have changed the wall tile "o yes that is a hundred times better", i never touched it! Anyway this bloke was a total mare, pulled me up saying he doesn't appreciate me smoking, when i was having a cig it was off his property at the back of my van, just rolled my eyes at him. Job was done and he said he was over the moon with it. I handed him one of my cards, he wasn't happy as my house address wasn't on it. Grabbed a pen and paper and asked me for it, refused to give it to him. For some strange reason started getting all irate insisting that i give it to him, as i have carried out work in his home he has a right to know it. Calmed himself down a little so handed him the topps satisfaction form to fill out "mmm i need time to go over this, what i will do is fill it in then hand it in to Topps myself" Ok if thats what you want to do, then said he will make a copy of it and send it to me "can i have your address so i can send it" Off we went again, all angry as i wouldn't give it to him.
Anyway went in Topps a few days later and he had indeed handed in the form, loads of stupid points on it but basically said "fantastic job, great tiler etc etc" Did end though with big capital letters "NO ADDRESS GIVEN!!!!!"
If it wasn't through Topps i would have walked off the job in all honesty, worst person i have ever worked for.

 

[DHTiling]

These customers are sent to try us..:lol:

They have nthing better to do.. my bro had one of these customers a few weeks back, yet he was fine with me... so strange..

 

[user123]

Can we have your address now, PLEASE!!!! :lol: NOW, you know?!!

 

[tfs]

I would not take that kind of hassle from a customer, I think there is a line between professionalism and being taken advantage of.

Not having a dig at you here but, I am slightly cautious of businesses that dont have an address on business cards etc as in some cases there may be a reason (not a good one). I dont have an adress on my website at present but for business cards and invoices etc I do.

I think it projects a better image with an adress etc as it is required for invoicing purposes etc.

 

[tfs]

Forgot to ask,

what is your address?:lol:

 

[carlito]

I feel for you. I guess i have this to come! Brilliant bit of insight as to how some customers can be, for someone hoping to start up. Cheers.

 

[PGM Tiling Solutions]

Sounds like a fun customer! What is the general opinion regarding addresses then?? I was advised not to put it on a business card but that it should be on an invoice. Do you guys and girls include it on quotes too?
Look forward to heaing any thoughts.

Cheers, Paul

 

[Ian]

I have mine on all quotes, invoices. cards, adverts, the whole lot! I find it helps if I have to ask for a deposit for tiles, heating mats etc. It gives customers a bit of security, a bit like having a landline telephone and not just a mobile.

 

[hillhead]

Customers, don't we love em. Lol.

 

[SandyFloor]

These customers are sent to try us..:lol:

They have nthing better to do.. my bro had one of these customers a few weeks back, yet he was fine with me... so strange..

That happens to me all the time with a kitchen company I do work for. I'm warned what a nightmare they are and then get on fine and dandy with them.

 

[Andy Allen]

why didn't you want to give your address?..........did you think he might turn out to be a stalker or summit :lol:

i have my address on all my cards, paper work ect.

 

[Ceramico tiling]

Clients like that make me think im not going to get payed.I hate that

 

[widler]

just about to post something along these lines.

had one on monday,the lady of the house had a right go at me about being 3days late,even though i went last week and explained that the plumber and leccy are still here doing all your extras,so i can't do owt,i will come back monday(its a extention and the whole downstairs re plaster in a detatched house).
got there and she went doolally,saying,this job has been going on long enough (5 weeks)honest,you want to see the ammount of work thats been done,knocking connies down,breaking up slabs,half the back garden had to be dug out and poured,no footings ect ect.
anyhow,i just said in my calmest voice with my cutest smile, im here now,don't worry,once the plaster has started going on you will feel better,oh i will have coffee no suger pls.
then she said if im to busy she will have to get someone else,so i said,in my calmest voice with my cutest smile,fine,the gear has just turned up,i will send it back or pay me for it and i will take it in for you and then go to my next job,no worrys.
her reply was,"oh,look at you,your a right stresshead aint you,gosh look at you neck going all red,are you mard as well":mad2:
u couldent make it up,if the main contractor wasent a top bloke,i would of walked.

oh and one more thing she said,"craig you are not going to create any dust are you":lol:a plasterer creating dust, never love,never

 

[White Room]

I don't have my address on my cards, it's first contact but have a full address on my headed paper...

I have never been asked for my address when giving someone a business card.

 

[Stewart]

Most of my customers are stress heads, as they've usually had bad workmanship before and they're having to pay me to re-do. As for the address... What was the problem in giving it?? To be honest, I wouldn't have anyone working in my house if I didn't have there full contact details! My address is on all my paperwork, including my business cards.

 

[user123]

Actually, to be honest, I thought it was law anyhow to have your address shown somewhere at least, like headed notepaper, estimates, etc? Surely it is reassuring to the customer anyhow? I know it's law in Germany.. I expected it to be under the umbrella of European trade laws anyhow?

 

[spooner68]

Most of my customers are stress heads, as they've usually had bad workmanship before and they're having to pay me to re-do. As for the address... What was the problem in giving it?? To be honest, I wouldn't have anyone working in my house if I didn't have there full contact details! My address is on all my paperwork, including my business cards.

Same here, anyone with just a mobile number and no address is put in the "dodgy" register in this area. It may be different in major citys but most of my clients regard using local tradesmen as a must. Many city (Newcastle) customers also liek to know where you are from as they often have friends out in the sticks who they can refer to.

Working as a subby I can understand why you wouldnt want to give your address seeing as the customer was a bit iffy to start with. But in reality what would the problem be? The thought must have been going through the clients head that you'd just do a runner. Strange though as his contract was with Topps. The nit picking then singing your praises in the feedback form is a certain sign of a control freak with an inferiority complex and as others have said "nowt else to do". Love them.

 

[Dan]

I have my address on my business cards, and invoices, but they only go to people I want to have them to be fair, it's not like if I was a tiler. In that case, I'd probably go with whitebeams way; no address on website (although you can normally find the original owner of the domain name to be fair) and no address on business cards, but certainly on all invoices. They're paying customers, you should have no problems with them IMO.

Though as for customers, sure, had the odd eccentric and / or extreme type.

 

[Barry bp]

My address is on website cards letterheads everything have no prob letting any customer or potential customer know my address dont always tell them i have 4 children to feed! and dont seem to get more birthday cards:smilewinkgrin:

 

[widler]

don't have cards,but my address is on my bill heads. i can understand why you wouldent want to give your adress,i wouldent give my address to anyone unless i liked them,why would you want complete ijeets knowing where you live?
mind you,my full name is emblazened down my van,so if they had a bit of brain,it would be no problem

 

[Scott]

Its the first point of contact, people ask for a card to contact you, usually by phone, sometimes email but not to write or call round your house.

I put mine on the letterhead, invoice and estimate. I also dont list my home number, its exactly that a home number not an office. I think the days of only people fro the travelling community not having landlines is long gone as mobiles are everywhere.

Also people are nosey beggars and some dont like it if you turn up in a flash motor so i wouldnt want them crusing past my house to see where i live

 

[penno]

Way he asked for my address was just done in a strange manner. Job was done through topps who have all my details, not some dodgy type of person. To be fair though i don't want people knowing my address, nothing to hide but this is my home, my wife and son live there. If i had a seperate business address then no problem atall. Most jobs i do though i chat away with the person and they know where i live anyway, just this bloke was very strange and VERY insistant.

 

[tfs]

He doesnt need to know if he aint paying you directly! Guy sounds like a control freak