[Les]

It doesn't happen very often ,thank God, but once in a while I get a customer who drives me to distraction..... :

A lady who I have done work for previously, (and had to chase for my money) asked if I could clean the carpets in her sons rented flat.
"Yes" I said, "but I would like to see them first and give you a price".... "It's only a small flat she say's, don't you have any idea of a price "? "No" say's I "but I am happy to have a look".

So we make an appointment, which she doesn't keep... so we make another with someone who will be there to meet me....and isn't  .

I suggest I book the job in for the following week as she's in a hurry and I will ring her before proceeding, with a price.

I get to the flat which turns out to be a complete 'minger'
I ring her mobile 3 times over 30 minutes to say the job is going to be quite expensive.....no reply so I send her a text to say I had to go.

Now she's rung 3 days later asking if I can get the job done this week and preferably after 4 pm as this would be good for her  :. I agreed that I could shuffle appointments and do the job on thursday at 1 pm......Thursday, no not good for her so now she wants 3 weeks time on a saturday !
Oh and I forgot to mention that having driven to her own house to collect the key to the flat, I discover that she now can't find it 

Do I really want to do this job I think not 
Les

[PaulKing]

yes yes yes know exactly what you mean just had the same with a £10k per anum customer. don't gve her the staurday and take your kids out, and just think F*76 You. does help cashflow but you feel a hell of a lot better than working for Mrs Never Paysontime at the weekend.

just rembe it might be the job that pushes the little guy over the edge in your town so use her as a weapn recomend she calls your closes competitor, it's what i would do.

[Les]

I know Paul, so frustrating !

She actually had the cheek to say " do you really want the work"? I bit my tounge and explained that to date I was the one who had turned up for appointments etc.

She seems to be living on a different planet to me  She is very wealthy, maybe she can pay for a brain transplant 

In the main my customers are great which is why I get up in the mornings.

We did have a contract with a customer who catered for Weddings, Parties, Craft fairs, Christmas parties etc.
They were a complete pain with loads of unreasonable demands, never any thanks for the really hard work our ladies put in through the nights and always having to fight for payment.
We gave them the old 'Heave Ho' earlier this year and they found another cleaning company to take over. They have since asked us to go back.... Oh what bliss being able to say, "Thanks...... but Naaahhh "
Les

[Jeremy]

The nice thing about being self employed is that you can tell your customers what you think (as strongly or as politely as you see fit). Remember that price increases with attitude.

Did a job for a guy a while ago. I got lost and ended up being 15mins late. He had removed all his furniture (and I mean ALL) to give me space to work, which I thought was fantastic. He'd spent alont of time carrying it all out and putting it neatly on his lawn.

He started to give me a hard time about being late for which I had already apologised. I asked if he really wanted me to do the job. He paused and then replied "Do you want to do the job".

This was the last straw. I said "Äctually No", packed my van and left him to stew.

This was the most satisfying day of my entire carpet cleaning career

Regards
Jeremy

[ianharper]

People just dont value or repsect cleaners. they expect you to act like a servent.

[Neil Grainger]

Just had it this morning

Customer Booked Job a month ago for a 6 Bed House and Upholstery, all day Job so nothing else booked in, Very good days work.

Phone rings at 7am this morning customer saying that she has to cancel because she has something on but wants to rebook for December.

So I have lost a days work when I am really busy. This weeks turnover would have been great now it just look normal.

I hate them sometimes. If I had of rung her today she would have thrown a right wobbaley.

[Mike Halliday]

I went to a job last week a pubs living quarters. the landlord was moving out.
 every room was filled with boxes I could hardly see the carpets, he said i'd have to move the boxes downstair into the garage before starting! I told him I was a carpet clreaner, not a removal man and started to leave.

he then said 'it'll only take you an hour' : :

Mike
 

[COLIN BRIGHT]

went to look at a job the other day, the women coud'nt be bothered to be there so sent a neighbough

all the carpets smelt like a rest home, none were fitted properly and all were completlely thread bear

i phoned her to say these carpets were uncleanable and she shoud get rid of them
completley sanitise the floor and replace with new carpet

i said that she would be best advised to put her money towards this
she replyed "WELL YOUR'E NO GOOD, I'LL HAVE TO GET A PROFFESSIONAL COMPANY IN THAT CAN HELP ME"

I JUST HUNG UP!!!

i hate these time wasting pesants, they should all die!!!

[carpetguy]

Seem to remember similar comments being attributed to you in the past Colin, but I do agree with the sentiments.

I have walked away and will always do so, if confronted by ignorance, snobbery, or cheats

robbie

[Terry_Burrows]

just the other day this happened,the guy well under done the sizes added stairs I went there and said this is much more than you said,he said how much it going to cost me I told him,he egreed,then I asked any idea to what is that,I pointed to the stain on the landing,he replied with not a smile on his face,thats carpet well I went from being nice to mr jeckle,I said I dont like your attitude you get some one else to do your carpets and walked out,cannot stand these type of people,I do not understand who do they fink they are

[Damian]

Had a good un yesterday-have cleaned her quite a few carpets before and no probs but i turn up and she says what are you gonna charge me just for lounge? I tell her and she says-NO! I am not paying more than twenty pounds I just laughed and said very calmly-madam this is my business and YOU do not dictate my pricing structure! You will now NOT be getting your carpet PROPERLY cleaned by me and you are no longer a regular customer-you have become a hindrance that i will not tolerate as i have too many genuine customers and in a way im glad as i was an hour behind schedule so thankyou and goodbye! She stood looking agog as i smiled while driving off! If they want my work-they must pay my price

Damian.

[Kinver_Clean]

Do I have a feeling the natives are getting restless?

[Les]

Well folks I feel so much better knowing it's not just me who get's these people  and thankfully they are rare....

Mind you we did get a call at 8.30 yesterday morning from a lady wanting a price to clean a carpet. My wife took the call and said I had already left for a job but she would get me to call the lady back and arrange a visit to supply a quote.
"That's no good" was the reply, "I want the carpet cleaned TODAY" ! :

I must ring Yellow Pages....They've obviously got me under 'Fire Police and Ambulance Services'   

[rambly]

Do I have a feeling the natives are getting restless?

Nah - the workers are revolting!