This is my resonse to a customers email. I used to cringe when a customer wasnt happy. Free this free that no charge.... and I lost money. Cant run a company like that. Theres the bottom line, and I dont even know what that is yet. I'll find out in Tampa! See what I said to her. I was rude but she was too.
Mike,
I let the patio dry completely and walked it again and it really looks about the same. In fact there are places on it that actually have more swirls of black dirt ground in then before. That cant be true? I took my time doing that. like the rest of the work. we did for you.
Our family could tell no difference. I am normally easy to deal with how? you want the whole job done for free?, but I feel that your work on the house and front was great, but I cannot believe that you left the patio as you did with no concerns; even after I expressed my displeasure.The back concrete was washed the same as the front. You seem happy with that.
I think this job would have ended a bit better if you could have negotiated on the price as I was suggesting You did not suggest lowering the price. Nor would I have gone for it. If I'm at fault, Its cause the price shouldve been higher for the back. Extra work. The steps taken were the same, front and back.If you read the proposal, which you never signed,and gave to me, Its just a proposal. Extra work is extra work at an additional cost. since it did not look very good. It seems as though you guys were in a bit of a hurry if you arrived at 2:30 pm and finished in 2 hours We were not in a hurry. I have a huge customer base and word of mouth. I advertise very little. I have invested alot of money in equipment to do things faster and better than what you can do. Think of lawn services. The have equipment you wouldnt buy to cut your grass. Gutterdogs is a professional service.We have that same equipment to wash. telling me that you did all the steps and that was how it came out. What was different about the front sidewalk that made it look so good? It was actually just as black in some areas. I have pics that prove different. You may have a more serious issue with the concrete back there. A wash may not fix it. obviously. I can apply a brightener to the back concrete at additional cost. I dont guarantee it will give you the results you want. I'll also need a waiver signed that the PH of your pool water is not my responsability.
Upon coming out to estimate the job, you failed to tell my husband that hot water is better for concrete and you have no way of doing hot water cleaning.Hot water removes gum. thats the only difference.
I called the bank to discuss stopping payment on the check, but I did not confirm that action until I emailed you first. I typically do not do business this way, but I also assume that other people will treat us properly and make things right as we do in our business dealings. So your trying to get the whole job for free? Gutterdogs been around a long time now. I dont even have to advertise. Just the website. How is that fair, with your business practices and me?
My husband will be home on Thursday as that was the original day that you were to come. Would you like to come pressure wash the patio and make this end up on a better note? If not, I will send your message through the typical business network channels to assure that no one else pays you top dollar to end up with the same results. I'm not going to do the same thing again with the same results. Thursday is a full day. The first, thursday, was your deadline that I beat. I beat your deadline, meaning I finished it sooner. I have no signed contract. No third up front. and a dollar tip. And a bounced check. You report me I report you as a slowpay/non pay customer and I'll put a lein on your house.
Now your top dollar chit. I charged you 300 for the roof. I get 500 that size. Also my roof washes are no pressure. any pressure causes damage. Loss of granuels. Shop that again! The fools you had give you a price wouldve cost you serious money down the road, the house too and your concrete. Everything.
Thank you in advance for your consideration in this matter,
Mike,
I let the patio dry completely and walked it again and it really looks about the same. In fact there are places on it that actually have more swirls of black dirt ground in then before. That cant be true? I took my time doing that. like the rest of the work. we did for you.
Our family could tell no difference. I am normally easy to deal with how? you want the whole job done for free?, but I feel that your work on the house and front was great, but I cannot believe that you left the patio as you did with no concerns; even after I expressed my displeasure.The back concrete was washed the same as the front. You seem happy with that.
I think this job would have ended a bit better if you could have negotiated on the price as I was suggesting You did not suggest lowering the price. Nor would I have gone for it. If I'm at fault, Its cause the price shouldve been higher for the back. Extra work. The steps taken were the same, front and back.If you read the proposal, which you never signed,and gave to me, Its just a proposal. Extra work is extra work at an additional cost. since it did not look very good. It seems as though you guys were in a bit of a hurry if you arrived at 2:30 pm and finished in 2 hours We were not in a hurry. I have a huge customer base and word of mouth. I advertise very little. I have invested alot of money in equipment to do things faster and better than what you can do. Think of lawn services. The have equipment you wouldnt buy to cut your grass. Gutterdogs is a professional service.We have that same equipment to wash. telling me that you did all the steps and that was how it came out. What was different about the front sidewalk that made it look so good? It was actually just as black in some areas. I have pics that prove different. You may have a more serious issue with the concrete back there. A wash may not fix it. obviously. I can apply a brightener to the back concrete at additional cost. I dont guarantee it will give you the results you want. I'll also need a waiver signed that the PH of your pool water is not my responsability.
Upon coming out to estimate the job, you failed to tell my husband that hot water is better for concrete and you have no way of doing hot water cleaning.Hot water removes gum. thats the only difference.
I called the bank to discuss stopping payment on the check, but I did not confirm that action until I emailed you first. I typically do not do business this way, but I also assume that other people will treat us properly and make things right as we do in our business dealings. So your trying to get the whole job for free? Gutterdogs been around a long time now. I dont even have to advertise. Just the website. How is that fair, with your business practices and me?
My husband will be home on Thursday as that was the original day that you were to come. Would you like to come pressure wash the patio and make this end up on a better note? If not, I will send your message through the typical business network channels to assure that no one else pays you top dollar to end up with the same results. I'm not going to do the same thing again with the same results. Thursday is a full day. The first, thursday, was your deadline that I beat. I beat your deadline, meaning I finished it sooner. I have no signed contract. No third up front. and a dollar tip. And a bounced check. You report me I report you as a slowpay/non pay customer and I'll put a lein on your house.
Now your top dollar chit. I charged you 300 for the roof. I get 500 that size. Also my roof washes are no pressure. any pressure causes damage. Loss of granuels. Shop that again! The fools you had give you a price wouldve cost you serious money down the road, the house too and your concrete. Everything.
Thank you in advance for your consideration in this matter,
-- Edited by gutterdog on Wednesday 30th of June 2010 09:43:31 PM
Mike as your roof cleaning brother and against my better interests I would suggest you delete this post (which will delete the thread), or at least remove her name. I have had rough customers before, but exploiting them might not be a great idea?? I know your angry, but maybe rethink this??
Good lookin out Bro. I'll loose the name. Just tryin to help out the new guys. Ive made alot of mistakes. Here is where I share them. The RCIA rocks!!!Bill you like a half hour away and we meeting in Florida?
Mike as your roof cleaning brother and against my better interests I would suggest you delete this post (which will delete the thread), or at least remove her name. I have had rough customers before, but exploiting them might not be a great idea?? I know your angry, but maybe rethink this??
There is a place for me to report this. Watchdogs! Check them out!!! Shell pay me.I wont reort it. Had to get a lil rough.
Mike if you havn't already damaged this situation to no return I would go back and clean it again and explain to her. this way she will pay you and move on
You never want to walk away from a customer like this, trust me.
the bright side is that you will only have on like this a year so just deal with it.
trust me I'm no better I probably would of done the same thing but I'm not the nicest guy either, I'm from Jersey. lol
Mike, I understand. It sucks having even the smallest issue with a customer. The thing is,,, do you really want potential customers of YOURS reading all of this. Put yourself in a potential customers shoes who just found this as a link on the first page of a search result. JMHO but I would lose this one. Oh,,, and go fix her little patio and make her happpy. :)
I run across PITA's all the time who want stuff for free or don't appreciate what it takes to do it right. They want $500.00 worth of work for $50.00.
I'm usually very nice and professional, the ones that get me are when they outright acuse me of taking advantage of them after they put in what is essentially a change order and expect me to do it for free on a job I've already discounted.
I'm very picky so usually if I like it the customer is happy, but every once in a while...
Anyway, Don't let it get to you. If you know it was the best you can do, then move on.
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Matthew C Perry General Manager Callahan Pro Wash Professional Exterior Cleaning Services Roof Cleaning, Pressure Washing, Paver Cleaning and Restoration 813-727-5161 callahanprowash.gmail.com