On January 30, 2006 at 14:06, Soundsgood said...
I’ll throw my 2 cents in for the “just say no”
as well. Wish someone had told me that when I
started. I use to install whatever the customer
wanted, including the crap they bought at BB and
off the internet. It is the best way I know to
work 80+ hours a week, make no money and have
the pleasure of working for ungrateful A$$ Holes.
We now only install what we sell. Saying no
gives you tremendous power. Inform the customer
about what you do and what you charge, if they
object simply say “We might not be the right integration
firm to handle your needs”. Some will agree and
you part ways, no loss, these are the jobs/clients
you don’t want anyway. Many will change there
tune when they know you are ready to walk away.
People want high quality work from a professional
they trust, they are also trying to get a low
price. If low price is the main motivator let
them go somewhere else. Be a professional, work
for people who value quality and are willing to
pay for it.
Man oh man.... Great advice! I've been doing this forever, and I still catch myself trying to do stuff for the underdog type customers... My good deeds and efforts usually end up biting me in the A*#! And it is usually for clients I really like and feel sorry for or whatever...
Last week & weekend were nightmares all due to me trying to "do the right thing" ... I opened Pandora's box with both of these jobs, that I thought would both be 1/2 to 1 hour slammers & I would be the stud.... Well, I'm still not done with either, got about 16 hours into them, that I can't charge for because I opened my big mouth at the beginning of both..."Oh NO problem, I'll get this little surround set up hooked up and program your Universal for ya!!!! (Not to mention I broke a peice of Art-Glass)...
The irony of it is, both of these guys, who I thought would be sooooo happy with me, are probably pissed, because I'm not done, their systems are down, and I'm backlogged with other bigger fish!!! And there were little unforseen details and problems. And now I hate being at either job, because I resent getting myself into those situations!
Plus we have a BIG job, and the dude went out and bought a big Russound System, and wants that installed by us - although I've told him to contact the distributor, and have them refer a Russound guy!!!
