got quized today

[wattsup]

I've had to work today (well only till 12ish) on my way home got a call, from someone i don't know...anyhow urgent job...can I have a look.

A friend of lady whom wants the job doing rang, err yes i said i'll take look.....she said wanted oven wiring

anyhow gas oven, only needs socket for electric igniter. A bit of a pig, full tiled kitchen, cannot pick up a feed...so, can get back to cu, via under sink /kitchen cabinets

The old lady is 85, i explained , tried to...I can do it for £55.00.....oh thats ok she says, when can you do it....next week i said, ok she said, i'll call the day before i come (only .5 miles from my house)

ok all fixed

tonite son calls, that is too much for a socket, you are ripping off old people, he was quite angry...ok i said and hangs up...****, the job was not one i wanted and should have been £85.00.....can't win

 

[RexT]

Hi Wattsup,

I am sorry that you had the rough end of the stick from 'Joe Public' and unfortunately they think that the price for this and that is what they say. I suppose some do not actually think it through or cant actually see what an electrician has to do to get a job done. Time / hassle / trying to make a living.

The problem is that this job will probably end up with a 'part timer / hobbler' who will do a cheap price which seems to work and will reinforce the view of the son that he was right. Well it will until something goes wrong which is normally too late.

At least there are more reasonable people out there and you can at least sleep at night knowing there wont be a knock on the door etc. Jobs built on a good reputation are best.

The only advice I can give is keep going and stick to your guns.

Best wishes

Rex

 

[acat]

No doubt when he has had a few quotes he will understand his stupidity no doubt also he wont admit it but do it himself trash the kitchen tiles and cause a lot of damage so just smile at that thught


Chris

 

[Phil]

can`t win mate i have had plenty of that sort thinking you are ripping them off. typical customer metality thinking it should only be twenty quid etc.

 

[pennywise]

Personally would have stayed on the phone and attempted to explain to the son why it's £55 quid labour, materials, tool wear, fuel, insurances, testing and certification, risk has to be taken into account just in case the job becomes slightly more involved with access etc the list is endless. I find once you explain the reasons they come around slightly or agree on a price, if you hang up it just confirms in their mind that it was to much. Then again you do get the odd idiot

 

[Des 56]

Sorry story indeed
Unfortunately weve all been there,but it is annoying and sometimes makes you think " I hope they get some plonker, charging the same or even more, and they make a right **** up of it"

The annoying bit is, people in the know would realise she was getting a cool deal ,but the ignorance of the babby will ensure he never realises that

 

[wattsup]

pennywise you are right of course, but for 55 quid i couldn't be arsed...i know i should have been. The old lady was very nice, wanted to make tea and biscuits just giving an estimate.

I'm assuming a watchdog type prog is watching me all the time, i am not cheap but not stupid prices, i can sleep at night

The son, is prob thinking to himself I've saved mum from another cowboy...oh well

 

[pennywise]

pennywise you are right of course, but for 55 quid i couldn't be arsed...i know i should have been. The old lady was very nice, wanted to make tea and biscuits just giving an estimate.

I'm assuming a watchdog type prog is watching me all the time, i am not cheap but not stupid prices, i can sleep at night

The son, is prob thinking to himself I've saved mum from another cowboy...oh well

I know what you mean, that was my text book answer when I've got time to argue catch me on an off day and I'm sure I would have reacted the same as you, especially when you have worked out a totally sound price for what the job is

 

[wattsup]

You see the scenario, I have a client base of about 500 (domestic, bread and butter stuff) These type of people will wait, some I havn't seen for 10 years, I know they will call when and if they need my services. That sounds arrogant, but i know trure for some

One good customer is a goldmine, it is a business based ideal. Just one happy customer has 50 friends / family, each of that tree has their own group of friends/family.
Just one happy customer can represent 1000 people quite easily


The best form of advertising is reccomend

So you see I don't like when accused of rip off merchant, that guy also has a circle of friends.


Never turn down a 50 quid job, often times they are worth much more than you can imagine in the long haul

 

[confused-fuse]

i used to get this alot with computer repairs and the odd tv repair @25.oo ph + parts thay think your ripping them off .. oh well thay soon come back after thay been to someone who don't know a fet to a transistor

word of mouth is the way forward

 

[sparky05084]

Felt compelled to reply to this thread. I’ve been reading with much interest. I have to say I'm with you on this one Wattsup. Unfortunately we live in a society where Joe Blogs doesn't appreciate the work involved in being an electrician. You get a call and its "can you come and look at this for me or I want an extra socket in the kitchen". It might be drop dead easy or a pain in the you know what if the route is difficult.

Yes I’m green. Vey, very green and many people on here have more knowledge and experience but one thing I have learned in the short time of trying to go solo is that the saying "you win some, you lose some" is very apparent in our game.

Still it doesn't make it any easier does it? I too had a phone call (going back now a month or so) from what I first thought to be a very nice old' dear. Asked me how much it is to fit a light. She was providing it so it was a labour only charge but taking into account fuel etc like the others here have mentioned and all other outgoings I said £30.

Well, that was it wasn't it. The reply? "Oh it’s not convenient to do it now Im busy I will call you next week"....and she then put phone down. Didn't have a son or other family member to deal with but it just goes to show your not on your own.

Might I add whilst I’m at it as it is an interesting subject and no doubt affects every one of us. What experiences has others had with customers and them being arsey over pricing?

By the way chin up Wattsup

 

[paulthe spark]

Once got asked to change over a couple of pendants for new chrome fancy ones by a client. 4 in total I think. "how much would you charge?" asks the guy. Knowing it's an easy least job not gonna take me very long I say "£30-£40" thinking I was giving him a good price. The guy looked shocked and said I was rather expensive wasn't I ? I asked him how much he expected to pay and he says ?20 max. His whole attitude was I should do it for peanuts because I was "already there" as he put it. Anyway he said he would get back to me which he never did unsurprisingly. People want things doing for nowt these days and one thing I've learned in my limited experience in this game is never sell yourself short. We invest too heavily in terms of qualifications and our experience for that sorry for babbling on

 

[paulthe spark]

Apologies for mistyping and spelling it's late yawn

 

[sparky05084]

No worries mate. It is getting rather late ain't it. Im only still up because I have trouble sleeping. Mind you I have no work tomoz so its a lie in for me

I agree with your point completely. Far, far too much energy, money, time and resources is invested into becoming a fully qualified spark. People think that we are ripping them off but the truth of the matter is, if they gave us the opportunity to do the job and didn't spen 10 mins rubbing their chin going "mmmmm" I will get back to you or "Let me have a word with my mum, dad, brother, sister, auntie, uncle, wife, husband, the dog, the cat, the goldfish, the parrot, the hamster, david attenborough"...........they will have invested in a good tradesman who will do a good job.

So, in the end Ive learned to turn the other cheek now and think well stuff you good luck with getting a cheap arse quote and don't go ringing me when your down lights are not in line or your newly plastered ceiling has been wrecked.

 

[Phil]

not just me that oes not go to bed early then? thats what years of night shifts has done to me. i hate early mornings