[gwrightson]

Had a text message yesterday,
How much to clean a settee and 2 chairs mate?

Well as I was on the golf course as soon as I had chance I called him to ask for more details and could I take a look to see exactly what I was dealing with. If you could give me some idea of material etc etc, as he wanted a rough guide , I will try to help!!
" havnt got a clue mate "  , so I told him to look at any label for info and if he could text me his address I would take a look whatever later in the day.
I received a text , come and take a look, and it say viscose and rayon and is bright coloured mate.
I hate that term mate !!!!!  and already I,m thinking don't really fancy this one.

Any way 2 hours later another text, " don't bother coming mate , I got a hire one from Home base"   

I couldn't resist texting back "good luck mate"
geoff

[Mike Gwilliam]

On the positive side.....at least you have a new mate 

[nathanjd]

I think he saved you an annoying job/customer by helping himself.

To be honest when some people text me like that (in other words just shopping for prices without common decency) I reply with equal succinctness, without fussing  over these people by offering to visit. Best to just give a rough figure based on your normal or average charge with the qualifier that it is an estimate and needs to be seen to be exact - which can be done if if you book to have the job done. Some go for it some don't which is the same success rate as if you fuss over them.

[DB]

I think you may have had a lucky escape there Geoff

If he's hiring a machine that will be his price bracket so you wouldn't have got the job anyway charging the 'rate for the job'

You might find he texts you back soon....''Hey mate...could you come and have a look at my suite?''

[Radek Jablonski]

i would call him to explain what can happen if he goes to clean it himself, these people does not understand the situation and if they get scarred they may become good customer, happened to me few times, no point give it away so easy, ph call cost nothing.
Last friday was doing the carpets and the tenant from the next door house asked me for the price, wasnt cheap fir this guy as he got already quote which was cheaper and landlord did not agreed and decide to hire rug doctor, explained what can happen, did a sample patch and when landlord arrived got that job and yesterday cleaned one room at his house. So some of them are still potencial customers.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I think we all know it was a none starter I think you've saved your fuel money and time, you do have to have an enquiry that is asking the right questions if they have the seed of 'I may have a go myself' then you're fighting an uphill battle and it's hard to educate people that don't really want to listen.

Shaun

[gwrightson]

In all honesty, I was quite relieved when he msg me back, especially when he told me the area he lived, having said that I shouldn't judge , I have had good paying customers from same area and always cash upon completion.

Geoff

[petermaybury]

You need to explain the difference, as most people do not understand what we are selling.

[CleanerCarpets]

let him get on with it - you would never convert him into a customer unless you did it for £20

and nice to know he will ruin it - then maybe he will give us cleaners a bit more respect next time!!