May I receive a copy also brandenpro?

We've all had clients like this and I feel your pain. In my opinion you need to get in this guys face a little. do it nicely but tell him how it is. YOU are the expert. YOU do this for a living and YOU are not comfortable with the way the project is going. If he wants to design it himself and just have someone install it then you are not the person for the job and it's time to move on.

Getting a signed ocntract before moving forward might be a good thing too.

And keep in mind that sometimes customers aren't just unreasonable, they are truly crazy and there is nothing reasonable you can do to save the situation.

when all else fails..tell him to fu@$ off and die... tell him to go to best buy and get his stuff

ed

That was like an epiphany moment!!! Exactly!!! I've been to one or two of Eric's deals, and I remember him saying that!!!
God, that is so true and so simple... What excellent advice...



Funny how things can go in this crazy business... I've been doing it a loooooonnnng time... Went through a long period (after years of doing ultra high-end) of slamming cheap run of the mill stuff into people's homes...
So This guy comes along... and I thought... wow!!! This is an opportunity to do a great system - do it "correctly" tell the customer what he SHOULD have, and look what happened!!! It was a question of my pride vs. giving the customer what he wants...!!!
My old boss - who used to own Magnolia Hi Fi once said to me... Bruce... If the customer wants chocolate Ice Cream... don't try to sell them Vanilla!!! Sell them Chocolate ice cream!!!

Thank you for for reminding me of basic sales 101!!!!

Man... I really tried to be Mr. Integrity... Know I feel like an idiot.

Thanks!!!

Please shoot me one as well!

Brandenpro... Could I get a copy? I'll send you a copy of ours as well... It's actually pretty good, we had a real ankle-biting attorney write it up, and he specialises in Installation and Commercial Contracting stuff.

Thanks! Mr. Stanley

I was given what I consider a good piece of advice once, one that I have stuck to ever since:

Never do a job that will not get you a referral.

If your customer is asking for something stupid don't let him take control. Tell him it's a stupid idea, (politely even), and explain why - this is where your expertise comes in. If it's not appreciated tell them you won't do it, get up and leave, you'd be amazed at how contrite many clients become once so humbled.

Referrals are the most cost effective way of getting business for many of us, 70% of ours is referral. Installing a job that sucks will give you a bad name no matter what the conditions were under which you performed the work.

You know... That is a great piece of Advice... I really don't know what else I can do... I think this guy might have Borderline Personality Disorder...

He origionally was going to have some back-woods, toothless, banjo playing trunkslammers do the job... even though it's probably a couple million dollar remodel...

I think I will call him today and basically offer to turn it over to he & his 5th grade educated contractor!

I would have done a totally awesome job... But he always counters anything I offer!!!

Some people just have to know more than everyone around them.
And now that you've reminded me of my worst nightmare project I think I'm going to go have a drink.

could you send me a copy also
Thank you!

Probably tired of reading this ... but send me a copy too!

Gonna have to jump on the bandwagon and kindly ask for a copy as well and of course, thank you in advance for your generosity.

Brandenpro,
Did you modify the CEPro template or are we just the only two here that read CEPro? Lotsa people asking for copies of an article they should have in their stack o mags.
Julie would be Sooo pissed!
And again thanks for the info, it was a good article.

Before dumping this guy, have a talk with him.....

The appropriate question?

I would gather that you hired me due to the fact that I am a PROFESSIONAL in this business, and the fact that I am an EXPERT in the field.

So why would you want to NOT take my advice?

I had a similar situation this week and I gave the guy his deposit back. It was a nice job and I would have made in 3 days more then my wife makes in a year. No amount of money is worth putting up with a$$holes. He couldnt imagine why I didnt want to do the work anymore. He insisted I never told him something and when I said I wasnt going to do the work he suddenly remembered. Moron.