Anyone been getting inundated with "leads" through Houzz lately? I keep getting e-mails from people through Houzz wanting services cheap. I'm thinking they are fake as the names aren't anything that people in the United States are called. When you get one weird name...that happens. When you get three in one day and they all are through the same source, it makes you wonder.

Anyone else been seeing this as of late? This started probably 1.5 months ago.

We had things like this happening in Beverly Hills several years ago, and it turned out to be one extended family at several addresses.

They were good customers except for one little thing. Their particular culture enjoyed beating us up for the best price, expressed and written as the best price, then stringing progress payments along just a little bit, then, when all was done and they owed money, they said it was time to negotiate. Negotiating way after getting the best price we could do.

We clamped down on that real fast, but not fast enough not to lose a couple thousand dollars.

Not emails, but phone calls.
Ive been getting pounded with calls, sometimes 3 or 4 in a row.
I blocked the number and how they started coming from another number, every day.
Caller id always says Houzz.

I already know what "culture" you are speaking of.  I have stopped responding to people of this "culture" or I will price things incredibly high over the phone.

Agreed. I guess it is just second nature to them. Drives me bonkers.

I only have 1 but he drove me crazy. Crying about pricing like crazy with a Ferrari, Audi R8, Bentley and 2 Mercedes AMG's in the garage.

If you know what I'm talking about, this will all fit: They come from a geographical area other than the Western Hemisphere and are members of a religious group that does not constitute a majority either in that area or in this one.

Why all the pussy footin'? You're talking about Indians. Just say it. Too much PC bullshiat. Doesnt make you a racists to talk about facts.

They can be VERY difficult to deal with, if at all. I have a good Indian client that explained it very well to me about his culture and why many hate to even try to do business with them. He said in a nutshell "you are taught from birth its kill or be killed, everyone is out to screw you, get what you can, doesnt matter the outcome of the other party". He went on to explain how this is completely different than the american culture which is to establish a win/win for all parties involved (if only everyone was actually like that lol). Said there is no such saying as win/win in the indian culture. I have learned this to be pretty damn accurate. Great guy!

The simplest way to deal with it is just price it so high you dont have to deal with it. Or, learn how they work and make it win/win. If you can.