[gwrightson]

 ....... let a customer you don't want to work for them !!

 I did a quote for a couple 3 weeks ago for a suite been cleaned and application of stain protector , I turned up for appointment at exactly the time agreed and was let in by the lady of the house, barely had I got through the door and a man walks through from the lounge shouting and bawling some thing along the lines of " I don't think much of you turning up just when you like , do you think I can drop every thing to see you " in an arrogant manner   with that his wife stopped him babbling on and informed him I was the c/c come to give a quote, he apologised and said something about man from insurance company, so all in all not a good start , I immediately took a dislike to his attitude .
So after around 20 minutes of him asking questions and telling me all about what he is claiming for from his insurance, ( he had had a leak from upstairs ) and how he was blaming the plumber etc. etc. and how the suite he had bought originally was shoddy and he had tried to get another one   he finally accepted my quote and said would be intouch after again contacting his insurers.
Low and behold I got an email from him yesterday asking for the quote and exactly what I would be doing?

In hindsight , I should have told him at the time I did not want to do the job, some thing just didn't feel right, how ever it would appear he is going to want it cleaning shortly, but still in the back of my mind I feel some thing is not going to be right, I feel he will just complain just for the sake of it, so to avoid this situation,
How would you set about telling him you don't want to do the work?, diplomatically of course 

Geoff
ps. or am I just been paranoid?

[Kinver_Clean]

Go with your gut instinct. Just ignore all communications from him if you feel you cannot do the job. It would be better to tell him, you do not have to explain yourself, just say You don't want to do it. If he really asks why, tell him you don't like his attitude.
The one time I had feelings like that and did the job was a complete disaster.

[davep]

Say your booked till June

[Mike Halliday]

You have to apologies due to ill health you have been adviced by the doctor to greatly cut down your work load,

you have not decided whether to retire completely or just work part time, either way you will not be able to commit to taking on any  work in the near future.

 

[Shaun_Ashmore]

You can tell you used to work in sales Mike lol

Shaun

Ps how's the collecting of texts going? It's a very interesting idea I was hoping you'd up date us.

[Mike Halliday]

I've got 2yrs worth loaded into a phone, I can mass text 25 at a time but I'm snowed under with work so have'nt done it, might try doing 50 this weekend

[Craigp]

Very good question Geoff.

I did a job last summer for a lady 3 rooms, she wanted a serrate invioce for the lounge as the kitchen fitters had left a mark from a boot, it was dark blue carpet and I could  find this mark, she also wanted  it 're' scotchgarding at the kitchen fitters expense and even after I cleaned it she said she was going for a new carpet from the fitters, I felt sorry for them, I couldn't see any mark after cleaning, aside from this I found her very unpleasant and was worried she might be trouble/complaining. Anyway I got through it without problem.

She called and left a voicemail about a month ago to do it again, I never returned the call and have not heard back. Good.

The above posts advice are ok if they are calling back or you call them back, but what if your there doing the quote? I don't know.

Also want about that B&B that were sued for not letting the gay men stay, are we really within our right to refuse to work for them?

I bolded the last question as I'd really like others thought on that point.

[adrian marsh]

Say your booked till June

Until 2050

[John Kelly]

The insurer will probably have sent their approved contractor to sort it.

[gwrightson]

John,
you are correct in your assumption about their own contractors

Guess what ?   they had had them in previously  and were not happy with them, a previous claim I believe,

Geoff.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Do you ask them to text you? As not to appear pushy?

What do you ask them to text? Name and address ?

Do you contact 6 monthly? Or special offers?

How many texts do you or can you hold?

Spankingly good idea.

Shaun

[Mike Halliday]

Shaun was that aimed at me?

I plan on just saying ..... Hi, it's henry the carpet & upholstery cleaner. We have a number of available spaces next week, help us fill them and you'll qualify for a £10 discount

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Sorry mike I should have been clearer , YES it was.

I gave up on posting database as it's too expensive for the return and also I've found that I have become more sort out since not mailing but I do need to contact the masses more regularly just to be out there.

Shaun

[Simon Gerrard]

This guy has already trumpeted the fact that he is an unreasonable person and in that respect you have been very lucky as most of them don't show their true temperament until the job is done and only then start doing their utmost to pick holes in your work. I would take advantage of your luck and politely turn the job down.

Simon

[gwrightson]

Yes Simon,

I think I will go along the lines of one of the suggestions put up on here as I really don't fancy this one.


Geoff

[*Hector*]

Geoff... how about something along the lines of...

We have been discussing your predicament in the office, and have come to the following conclusion: Although we clean to the highest standards, using the latest solutions and technology, we feel that we may not quite meet your exacting standards, and so regrettably must turn down the work. Many thanks for your consideration in this matter.

HTH..