[The Jester of Wibbly]

I am looking to get some landscaping done on my garden. So though I would search for two small local businesses on google.

First one I had to leave a voice message to call me back

Result.  - No return call.

On the second company I spoke to the guy.  Sounded great, said he needed to pop round to look.  We agreed a time a date, 'great' i thought.

Result - Stood up - No show - phone rang out and no answer. hmmm

Two of my biggest rules in my business, is to always return calls.  and to always turn up to a customer when agreed, and if I cant, at least call them to let them know.

I find it strange some self employed people just dont have the passion and can let the industry down.

I really hope my customers see me like this.

[rg1]

They obviously dont need the work. However I would always return calls etc cos you never know whats round the corner and sometimes, what goes round comes round.

[scottt24]

paul,  agree with you 100 %, i was a self employed decorator for 6 years and heard your story at about 30-40% of the jobs i went to quote.
i have always treated customers exactly the same as yourself and have lost count of the amount of times they have commented on it and how much they appreciate it when you do what you say you are going to do when you say you will do it

[Tom White]

I tried to get three quotes in once for a new combi boiler and nine radiators; a complete heating system.

Being a fair sort of bloke, I told each plumber that I would be getting three quotes in when I phoned them up.

1st Plumber said he wasn't interested as I'd just go for the cheapest quote.
2nd and 3rd Plumbers said they'd call and gave me dates and times.

In the end only one plumber turned up, he quoted and got the job.

I learnt from that, because in the past when someone phoned up and told me they were getting in three quotes, I never bothered to quote because I assumed some 'muppet' would go in cheap, so it wasn't worth my time.

And since then, for a factory unit, I was the only window cleaner out of three to be asked to turn up and quote; and I got the job at a nice price.

[Daniel Watson]

when i moved to my new house i needed a builder, gardener and a joiner.

3 builders were called and one turned up, he gave a quote and i agreed and i never saw him again.

i am still waiting for a joiner nearly 2 years on. 8 have been called

a gardener turned up, did the work and never came back, 2 years on he has not come to be paid.

within 2 days of moving in a window cleaner called round and asked if i would like a regular service.

he is so reliable and well priced that i have kept him on even after starting my own route.

[Murdie window cleaning]

a gardener turned up, did the work and never came back, 2 years on he has not come to be paid.

Now that is one seriously stupid tradesman, I've heard of guys getting paid then not doing the work but 

[Proclean ne]

Just cowboys.I was doing a Conservatory last week customer talking about people like this,he got a guy out of the paper to fit new boiler,he then asked the gas fitter for his ID gas no to put on the warrenty after he nearly finished it,the fitter said will go and get it got in van never came back.The custumer couldnt believe it,so got boiler for nothing had to pay somebody else to finish

[Daria Taylor]

To be fair many gardeners are very busy at this time of the year, but still is not an excuse to let customers down. We always have people say we are shopping around and going to get 3 quotes in. I just say thats fine tell our customers exactly what we offer and ask other companies whether they will affer same for the money. It often works because may be we charge more but our customers get a realy good deal for they money plus it show's that you know what you are talking about etc, gives them the confidence in you and your services.

As regards to returning phone calls, i always do that even if they dont leave a message, I always ring back to see what the customer wanted etc, one thing i have learned is that not everyone will leave a msg as some people are phone shy etc and may not like leaving msgs, i know i dont and i try to avoid doing it. i's rather ring back and speak to the person then talk to an answer machine.

regards
dash t