Don't forget we also get people that say "we hardly ever used it" when something that is 10 years old fails.

My favorite questions begin with "But, can't you just....".

Better is "we buy all our stuff from you." There's a piece of technology in their system that was invented since your last visit.

Even better, the guy who wants some work done and says he has an account with us. I have to tell him that having an unpaid balance of $400 for four years does not exactly make "an account." And no, that was not my fault. The place I was working at the time was so cavalier in following up for payment that I changed my contracting deal with them: if they didn't want me hounding the client for payment, they could just pay me my part and then they could deal with it in their own sweet time.

A cheap customer of mine just bought a $3.7 million home and is extremely security concise. He said he didn't want the in ceiling speakers working (last homeowner left an old but functional 6 zone system) because he and his family (kids 15 & 17) don't listen to music.
He asked if I make money off the things I sell, I said yes but my prices are the same price as your local Best Buy. I said that's how I have been able to stay in business for 13 years and offer the high level of service my customers demand. He didn't like that answer and thought he should be getting gear at wholesale.

When getting to topic of security, he said his wife was very concerned about a break in because his very rich, high profile parents were the victims of a home invasion robbery a few years back. When he asking about the cameras I sell he interrupted and asked if I could get those dummy cameras with red lights to give the illusion of security to the bad guys. I asked how that would help after a break in, he said it would prevent one from ever happening.
I left the meeting thinking this will be a great project for one of my competitors to get.
At 52 years old, I stopped trying to figure out why people do what they do, I now just choose the people I want to associate with. That goes with my personal life as well.
It has made my life much more enjoyable.

Well said Homeboy. I am right there with you.
I sell what I support and stand behind and the rest can find a trunk slammer.

"Can I get a discount?".




There's actually a great way to deal with this. Always make sure you're pricing includes some oddball pennies, like the estimate is $12, 590.53...

You can then reply: "Sure, I'll take off that 53 cents.".

Usually gets a laugh and they forget about a discount.

This reminded me of the place owned by a guy named Rodgers. People would ask for a discount saying "I know Roger would approve. I've known him for years."

Had a conversation about that with a guy.
With a straight face, he told me he didn't expect to live another hundred years, never mind the 500.

"It's still under warranty because I never sent in the card."

It's still under warranty because we never use it.

It's still under warranty because it never worked right.

My house isn't listed as being in a flood plain, yet my area has had water from the nearby creek several times. 1997 and 1998 were 300 year floods, 2006 was a 200 year flood and 2010 was a 500 year flood.

No wonder I'm tired.

When I was in school for electrical business a few years ago. My teacher had a client in a $2+million house.

The client called him and said, "I think I need more service."

Teacher "Why do you think that?"

"Because you gave me only a 400 amp main breaker, but I have 3 sub panels each at 100amps each and in this panel I have several 15, 20 and 30amp breakers. Things aren't adding up."

KOT

Translation: "My friend's house has more electrical panels & current capacity and that makes me feel inadequate".

Yeah, but it's not coming from me.

Goes along with "We're not here to make friends, we're here to make money".

Personally, that one I can give the person a pass on.