Last night I could have made £90!!

[HappyHippyDad]

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.

 

[dmxtothemax]

Happy customers tell other people = more business !
good strategy !

 

[South Spark]

Surely it's got a certain amount to do with what they can afford?

Five bed house with two Beamers in the driveway is getting charged the full whack. Little old dear or struggling Mum in a flat , use your discretion.

 

[Squid]

Surely it's got a certain amount to do with what they can afford?

Five bed house with two Beamers in the driveway is getting charged the full whack. Little old dear or struggling Mum in a flat , use your discretion.

What goes around hopefully comes around, kindness doesn't cost anything.

 

[Percyprod]

Be very careful, I've done little jobs for elderly people over the years, looked in the mirror this morning, and one of them has taken over my body! I know I'm still a youthful handsome fella, but there's this old bloke looking back a me.

 

[Squid]

Be very careful, I've done little jobs for elderly people over the years, looked in the mirror this morning, and one of them has taken over my body! I know I'm still a youthful handsome fella, but there's this old bloke looking back a me.

You work for Prince Phillip?

 

[Percyprod]

Bloody hell, not that old!

 

[David M]

What goes around hopefully comes around, kindness doesn't cost anything.

And it works both ways... I went out to a job once where the RCD had tripped. After an hour of searching I found it to be an outside light fitting faulty. After disconnecting it and making safe, as I was just packing my kit up and the customer mentioned a problem with their intruder alarm, I offered to take a quick look. It was a door contact not making, so I had a rummage in my van, found one and installed it. At the end of the job the customer asked what was owed, I said, "call it £50" He then replied, "Christ.. that's a bit steep, more expensive than a solicitor! Ever likely the country is in such a state charging those prices!" Needless to say the next time he called me, which surprisingly he did, I explained that I was rather busy but if it was urgent I would get there sometime that day, but it would be £100.

 

[telectrix]

Be very careful, I've done little jobs for elderly people over the years, looked in the mirror this morning, and one of them has taken over my body! I know I'm still a youthful handsome fella, but there's this old bloke looking back a me.

age is just a

And it works both ways... I went out to a job once where the RCD had tripped. After an hour of searching I found it to be an outside light fitting faulty. After disconnecting it and making safe, as I was just packing my kit up and the customer mentioned a problem with their intruder alarm, I offered to take a quick look. It was a door contact not making, so I had a rummage in my van, found one and installed it. At the end of the job the customer asked what was owed, I said, "call it £50" He then replied, "Christ.. that's a bit steep, more expensive than a solicitor! Ever likely the country is in such a state charging those prices!" Needless to say the next time he called me, which surprisingly he did, I explained that I was rather busy but if it was urgent I would get there sometime that day, but it would be £100.

you sure he said a bit steep, and not a bit cheap? he's obviouslynot engaged the services of a solicitor since WW2. £200/hour today's rate.

 

[Squid]

age is just a

you sure he said a bit steep, and not a bit cheap? he's obviouslynot engaged the services of a solicitor since WW2. £200/hour today's rate.

Add VAT as well to that figure.......

 

[Squid]

And it works both ways... I went out to a job once where the RCD had tripped. After an hour of searching I found it to be an outside light fitting faulty. After disconnecting it and making safe, as I was just packing my kit up and the customer mentioned a problem with their intruder alarm, I offered to take a quick look. It was a door contact not making, so I had a rummage in my van, found one and installed it. At the end of the job the customer asked what was owed, I said, "call it £50" He then replied, "Christ.. that's a bit steep, more expensive than a solicitor! Ever likely the country is in such a state charging those prices!" Needless to say the next time he called me, which surprisingly he did, I explained that I was rather busy but if it was urgent I would get there sometime that day, but it would be £100.

You should have added "plus parts"

 

[davesparks]

2- £90 call out for a sole trader is astrinomical.
What is your normal hourly rate not out of hours?

That all depends where you are, what you are doing and how you apply the callout fee.
If it’s a standalone callout fee then that’s different to being a ‘first hour’ fee.

 

[7029 dave]

I like your style, they will remember your input to their issue, keep the punters happy. Just get ready for the genuine job and make some money.