[UnclogNH]

Had a call today.

Ho was tring to unclog his tennant's tub most of the night and half the day to 2pm today. He was using a plunger, Draino, and a Zipit. Tells me everting else is draining. I get there 20 mins later local job.

Kitcken sink, Bath sink All backing up into the tub. Pulled P trap apart to gain access to drain full of draino, snake "bang" clog is gone all draining like a champ.

Hand him the bill he goes what? $95.00 bucks why so much you were here only 20 minutes. Honesty I should have charged more because of the holiday weekend. People need to understand we can not due this work for free.

 

[SewerRatz]

Should of charged him 3 times that. Some people are so ungrateful of the skill we have and the work we do for them.

I had a guy that rented a rodder with 1/2" cable about 50 foot long, and he ran it through his second floor water closet with out breaking the porcelain. But he could not pull it back. So he called me and asked if I could get it out. Said sure no problem. I put on a new pair of gloves, my partner ran the foot switch on the rental rod as I pulled the cable with both hands and fed it back in the drum. After 20 maybe 30 minutes I we got all the cable out of the drain. It was a real pain in the a$$ to get it all out and not break the water closet.

There was so much friction it wore holes into my new gloves and made blisters the size of quarters on my hands. My partner had to write up the invoice since my hands where in no shape. We handed the guy the bill for $140.00, and he started to scream that we where ripping him off for 10 minutes of work. I looked at him looked at my hands and looked at him again as he just noticed my hands, and he asked who should I write the check to. I was about to put the cable back where I got it out of.

 

[UnclogNH]

I hate people.

Yes we might make it look easy but whe have done this so many times.
Thats why we get paid to do this were experts that drive to their house to do the work.

I think no matter what we charge were always to much.
We are experts, Trained and in business. We are here to make money not friends.

 

[UnclogNH]

Just noticed I ruined my new company tee shirt because of draino everywhere. Got a couple of big white splotch marks on my new green tee shirt :furious:

 

[Plumber Jim]

I was once told that no matter what yuo charge you will still get a given percent of price complaints, So charge more and you still close as many deals. the same people will complain no matter what. Some people think anything over what they get paid an hour is too much.

 

[nhmaster3015]

Charge what you need to cover the expenses and make a profit and let the chips fall where they may. Some people will always ***** about the bill, nothing you can do about it.

We do work for community action. The recipients get the parts and labor free. The tax payers foot the bill and still, though you would think they would be grateful at least 50% complain about one thing or another or make the working conditions unbearable.

 

[UnclogNH]

My problem is I used to care.

Now I understand in business were not here to make friends with people just here to make money. When I started out I was going to be the company that cared. I will never take advantage of people but When in business for yourself you learn on the way.

I'm just going to do a good job pay me have a nice day. If you never call back because you think I'm a rip off so be it. Of coarse I would never say this. Just smile have a nice day:yes:

 

[uaplumber]

Yup, people can be a pain for sure.
Had a lady call me today. She had decided to replaced her mobile home tub faucet herself. Mistake 1.
She cut the poly b supply lines. Mistake 2.
She went to the hardware store for help. Mistake 3.
She was sold some compression couplings and some pex to make the repairs. :laughing:
She tried and tried but it still sprays.
So, she calls the pros and is shocked when told that she would have to pay our fees to come look at the problem. I told her that we may be looking at repiping a great deal of her trailer but we wouldn't know until we got there to look. One hour each way, one hour minimum, mileage charge and call-out fee. WHAT? You are wanting me to pay even if you don't fix it? "Yes ma'am. I need to call one of the guys and take him away from his family on this beautiful day to come help you, I need to pay him to do that"
But I just spent 100 dollars on parts and it's still not fixed! Now I can't use my water. I should just toss a match on it and be done with it!

Would you like us to come out and look at it ma'am? We could get your water back on for you right away.

I'll call you back in a bit, she says. Gotta say, I'm not holding my breath.


You can do it. We can help. Not today smockman.

 

[SewerRatz]

My problem is I used to care.

Now I understand in business were not here to make friends with people just here to make money. When I started out I was going to be the company that cared. I will never take advantage of people but When in business for yourself you learn on the way.

I'm just going to do a good job pay me have a nice day. If you never call back because you think I'm a rip off so be it. Of coarse I would never say this. Just smile have a nice day:yes:

One thing I learned long ago the friendlier you are with a customer the more they may turn around and stab you in the back. I used to think my father a cold hearted SOB when he dealt with the customers. They come and start asking questions, and he stop look them square in the eye and say " Look sir/ma'am I am busy right now. When I am done fixing your problem I will tell you what I found and how much you owe me. Now please leave me alone till I finish the job." But they all respected him and paid no problem. I turn around and try to be all buddy, buddy with them explaining each step, and when it comes to get paid they complain that I am charging them to much and I wasted time talking to them.

 

[user823]

I honestly feel your frustration but I haven't had it happen in years. I charge a flat rate fee for every job I do. The customer knows the price before I start the job. They approve the work to be done and the cost before I begin. I have my customers sign the proposal contract before every job no matter how small it is.
It's really not so hard, just do it and quit pretending you're doing someone a favor, this is business as old Frank would put it, so start treating it like it!!!

 

[smellslike$tome]

I honestly feel your frustration but I haven't had it happen in years. I charge a flat rate fee for every job I do. The customer knows the price before I start the job. They approve the work to be done and the cost before I begin. I have my customers sign the proposal contract before every job no matter how small it is.
It's really not so hard, just do it and quit pretending you're doing someone a favor, this is business as old Frank would put it, so start treating it like it!!!

It really is that simple. "This is what we will do and this is what it will cost. All I need is your authorization signature right here and I will get started on your problem."

 

[SewerRatz]

I flat rate sewer repairs, and when the job is all done, people still come to me and say We feel you are trying to overcharge us, Joe Shmo down the street said he could do it for half the price. I tell them I have a signed contract and they still tell me tough titty. So I then speed dial the police and let them handle it from there.

 

[user823]

I flat rate sewer repairs, and when the job is all done, people still come to me and say We feel you are trying to overcharge us, Joe Shmo down the street said he could do it for half the price. I tell them I have a signed contract and they still tell me tough titty. So I then speed dial the police and let them handle it from there.

Why would they allow you to do the work with a signed contract if they know Joe Shmo down the street will do it for half the price? I don't get it.

 

[Plumberman]

Sounds like they are just trying to get him to come off his price for them, just to see if they can

 

[Protech]

Ditto

I flat rate sewer repairs, and when the job is all done, people still come to me and say We feel you are trying to overcharge us, Joe Shmo down the street said he could do it for half the price. I tell them I have a signed contract and they still tell me tough titty. So I then speed dial the police and let them handle it from there.

 

[SewerRatz]

Why would they allow you to do the work with a signed contract if they know Joe Shmo down the street will do it for half the price? I don't get it.

They shop around after you start. It happens all the time. I had people that get three estimates and call me telling me I was not the cheapest but I was more knowable in the field and they feel I was worth the extra $$$ Then I get the guys that tell you "I do not care how much it costs: you still give them the price and they sign the contract, and then shop around and find the cheaper guy.

Iron Ranger the sooner you realize there is all sorts of people out there. I have had people hire me and paid me knowing all well they where going to put a stop payment on the check that afternoon. I been doing this work for 20 years and my father for over 50 years we seen them all.

 

[SewerRatz]

Sounds like they are just trying to get him to come off his price for them, just to see if they can

I had a lady refuse to pay period. I under bid the job, I was figuring a day and a half. Turned out to be a 3 day job from hell. Some moron poured tons of concrete on top of the sewer and water service. I finished the job and the lady told me she is only paying me $800 cause thats what her handyman told her it was worth. I refused to leave, she called the cops and the cops told her to pay me or get arrested for theft of services.

 

[Protech]

ben there, done that.

 

[Bollinger plumber]

I honestly feel your frustration but I haven't had it happen in years. I charge a flat rate fee for every job I do. The customer knows the price before I start the job. They approve the work to be done and the cost before I begin. I have my customers sign the proposal contract before every job no matter how small it is.
It's really not so hard, just do it and quit pretending you're doing someone a favor, this is business as old Frank would put it, so start treating it like it!!!

How can you charge a flat rate on a sewer stoppage? I have some take ten minutes to open and others ten hours.

 

[Bollinger plumber]

I had a customer call me today, toilet stoppage in his weekend cottage. Been cutting trees all day tired as hell but tell him ok will be there in an hour. I get there run my auger thru the toilet open it say that will be 155 dollars. he looks at me says THATS ALL write me a check shakes my hand and away I go with a big smile on my face. Damn wish I had more customers like that.