Turning down work

[Mick Dempsey]

1 minute ago, Matthew Storrs said:

Haha- could be tactile- but the customer might not appreciate it!

Well then that gets you off the hook!

[forestboy1978]

13 minutes ago, Matthew Storrs said:

I completely relate to this, and find the same problem myself. I live in a rural area where word of mouth spreads quickly, good or bad. I don’t like turning work down but at the same time some jobs are just not worth the hassle no matter how much money is on them. Personally I’d sooner be doing the hassle free jobs that I enjoy for less money than jobs that require extensive planning, complicated quote preparing etc and still end up being a ball ache when actually doing it.

 

Fencing around domestic properties I find is almost the worst- nearly always hassle with utilities/concrete, odd ball situations to deal with that absorb a huge amount of time.

 

if you are booked up anyway just say that you have too much work on at the moment to be considering other works at this time- trying to scope the job out as much as you can on the phone is usually best and ten you can save yourself the journey if it doesn’t sound like something you want to get involved in.

Yeah I'm fencing and landscaping and 95% domestic and yes some of the jobs people ask me to view I'm like WTF... this isn't even humanly possible. You know what I mean, I mean it's possible prorably sure, if I have a crane, a midget and 25k budget to work with. So you say no and then word gets around that you're unreasonable or too highly priced. 

 

Did a fencing job recently and they didn't read the quote properly. I did one side and x2 bays up to a hedge at the other side. They were cool but said can you quote for the fences to be joined. Couldn't cost effectively price it up due to it being ever so slightly longer than 2 bays and with concrete gravel boards meaning I had to make 3 bays out of it and bolt timber posts to concrete posts and all manner of fiddling. Needed to quote nearly 600 for 2.1 bays and just couldn't bring myself to do it. 

[Mick Dempsey]

I see the problem, you’re too worried about what people think, a “pleaser”

 

Nothing wrong with having a reputation as being expensive, sorts out the wheat from the chaff customer wise.

 

 

[forestboy1978]

4 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

I see the problem, you’re too worried about what people think, a “pleaser”

 

Nothing wrong with having a reputation as being expensive, sorts out the wheat from the chaff customer wise.

 

 

I have you pegged as a little bit of a prick!

 

Pleased?

[forestboy1978]

As usual wrong!

 

I am looking to optimise conflict resolution with people who are think are decent, whilst also minimising any reputation damage to my business whilst also minimising unpaid admin time. 

[Mick Dempsey]

 

 

See? You can be assertive!

 

 

 

 

[westphalian]

I am lol at this point

[AHPP]

“I’m very sorry to interrupt you but this job doesn’t fit with my business model. I can’t quote for it. Xyz work around here. Perhaps they can. All the best.”

[forestboy1978]

3 hours ago, Mick Dempsey said:

 

 

See? You can be assertive!

 

 

 

 

I'm Irish/ Spanish....

 

Spent the last 20+ years learning to be less assertive!

[stihlmadasever]

I dont see a problem here.If you want the job then give a quote if you dont keep doin what your doin and say sorry but its not for me thanks.

If the customer gets arsey i find a big smile and a really sarcastic "THANK YOU" in a condescending tone works well...

Or you could just tell em to fuck right off