I had a phone call last night (7pm) from a local resident who left a messsage saying all her electrics had gone off.
A pair of elderly sisters live there, one if them does get a bit worried about anything electrical (and the other one always gets cross with her
), for example I have been called out for a buzzing noise on a dimmer and a beeping noise from a flat battery indicator etc etc.
They live a 1min drive away so rather than the standard higher fee for the first hour I charge them less, usually less than even my hourly rate as its a beeping battery for heavens sake, plus they really are just a nice pair of elderly lady's, they always insist on paying even if I say no.
However..... 7pm on a saturday evening is another matter. I was settling down to The walking Dead series 8, a few biscuits and a cup of tea after a hard week. So, I check the net and decide I will be harder this time. £90 first hour then £50 thereafter!!! (Never done that before, but I thought fair).
I ring back, questioning my conscience but also a little excited at the prospect of a 'nice little earner'.
'Hello Stephen how are you', says the polite friendly voice. Im already down to £60 in my mind!!
'I pressed a button and all my electrics went off'.
10 mins later after very slowly going through every trip switch and making sure it was in the correct position.... as if by magic the electrics all come back on! (It was the RCD test button)
'How much do we owe you Stephen', says the polite, friendly, genuine voice!!
I hear the words coming out of my mouth... 'No honestly, dont worry about it', I say.
Back to my tea and biscuits with a wry smile.
A pair of elderly sisters live there, one if them does get a bit worried about anything electrical (and the other one always gets cross with her
), for example I have been called out for a buzzing noise on a dimmer and a beeping noise from a flat battery indicator etc etc.They live a 1min drive away so rather than the standard higher fee for the first hour I charge them less, usually less than even my hourly rate as its a beeping battery for heavens sake, plus they really are just a nice pair of elderly lady's, they always insist on paying even if I say no.
However..... 7pm on a saturday evening is another matter. I was settling down to The walking Dead series 8, a few biscuits and a cup of tea after a hard week. So, I check the net and decide I will be harder this time. £90 first hour then £50 thereafter!!! (Never done that before, but I thought fair).
I ring back, questioning my conscience but also a little excited at the prospect of a 'nice little earner'.
'Hello Stephen how are you', says the polite friendly voice. Im already down to £60 in my mind!!
'I pressed a button and all my electrics went off'.
10 mins later after very slowly going through every trip switch and making sure it was in the correct position.... as if by magic the electrics all come back on! (It was the RCD test button)
'How much do we owe you Stephen', says the polite, friendly, genuine voice!!
I hear the words coming out of my mouth... 'No honestly, dont worry about it', I say.
Back to my tea and biscuits with a wry smile.
