likeitorlumpit

Hmmmm.. so no cool comments then.. shame Stephen- I don't think your method would have worked for me here as the customer led me to believe I was recommended and so I went out of my way so to speak. Foolishly I've come up against a clever customer who wants the best deal with a known face and doesn't want to upset a recommended contractor that he can use in some future project. I've been out clevered!! Really in hindsight I wish the customer hadn't called as then I would have just forgotten the job. To all recent businesses (past 40 years) I say this is the modern way Going back further there was a time when estimates were charged- maybe the wheel will turn full circle soon:thumbup1:

San Fran for 6 nights- Hmmm Don't forget it can get a bit cold in that city But my vote is get out to Yosemite and see Sequoias and a bit of Yosemite too. Maybe head down coast road on day 2 Hire a car- get a big one- they're more fun! If you've got kids with you they'll know san fran pier 39 and golden gate from playstation games they play- which I thought was brilliant. Dad- this is the bit where you jump down and hide- fantastic Walk out across golden gate Have a go on a segway= segway tours Got to take a ride on a tram- it's worth the queues Oh - I forgot- try not to go when some idiot wants to use a shoe bomb at heathrow- it really messes up the return journey:001_smile:

Thanks for all the replies I can see this is a problem a lot of you have and you mainly accept it for what it is. We work largely as preferred contractors and get nearly 100% of our quoted jobs on these as we are used as consultants at the same time. I had forgotten how demanding private customers can be. I'm thinking along the lines of remembering how he asked us to quote and using this as a way of weedling out future timewasters. I am just frustrated by the incredible waste of time this whole process creates. As a business we have to do VAT/ pay tax on profits/tax on wages/ NI employers contribution/ H&S compliance/ soon to be 3% pension contribution. I would like customers to understand this and to call in 2nd and third prices from over 40 miles away on such a small job is a bit much. If you read my original post you will see I did keep my cool and avoided the chance to make this point and kept a professional head on. I had wondered whether any of you had a cool way of letting the customer know they had caused so much wasted time whilst avoiding angry posturing. By the way- customer will be calling us when he needs some landscaping done soon- thats one call I will be too busy to take- once bitten twice shy:001_tt2:

Not liking to see that wound- hope you heal quick- Get well cards to boost the immune system- lunge nurses doing it even better Let them know their duty ... yes duty!!

I've just had a call saying we hadn't succeeded with a quote- which is unusual to say the least (unusual to get a call that is) but when quizzed he said he had got 3 quotes and one from their preferred contractor who had got the job. Now the job was £140 + VAT - a small takedown about 2 hours max for 2 men plus travel. We were spot on with price as I did ask. Time to quote was 1 hour inc. 40 mile round trip Is there anything you can say to these guys- getting many quotes in is not illegal but so many for such a small job seems immoral to me especially when you have someone in mind for the work. I didn't give him a mouthful obviously but in hindsight would have liked to point this out to him in a respectful way. Any ideas?

Hi Jonsie Did you get my pm reference the 261 I have had problems with- I know you must be busy but I need this issue dealt with asap

That was my thinking I believe they really are looking for the cheapest price They'll be asking discounts for cash discounts for early payment. Beware:sneaky2:

I find the natwest pretty good you get a business manager who you have a mobile number for and they actually pick up most of the time. Faster payments works Theres a branch about 500 yds away plus one in town charges are now a bit steep but i suppose they've got to make a living. Never had an overdraft Wouldn't want one.

£20 per hour is an absolute minimum for 1 man band Thats not profit as you then have to take out costs leaving yu about £8-10 per hour. Thats pretty crap for the danger involved Whatever you do don't undercharge or you'll end up disenchanted:thumbdown:

OK I will get an answer in the new year as FRJones have shut for xmas No mention of recall on the net so lets hope if not a recall then it will be a guarantee item:001_smile:

In 30 years I have had only one non payment- and that was because we walked off site- customer upset the guy I was working with. Everyone eventually pays- some even phone to ask when the invoice will be coming. I really believe that if you are too pushy with expecting payment then customers will resist- and this can sour a relationship. Turnover last year was 250K - no bad debts Fingers crossed it's the same this year

Thanks all Interesting stuff about medlars/fruit roots I'm going to find out exactly what sort of tank it is

I have customers who have had laurel damage their septic tank and want something that will not be too invasive yet they would like the tank screened It is below ground so all you can see is the plastic top(about 12sq. metres.) in a bit of a hollow Soil is quite poor- a lot of flint and a bit of clay- dries out badly in summer. Yet a walnut is growing nearby Pyracantha survives- they wouldn't want that Laurel is a no no as that caused the damage earlier. I'm wanting to put in a tree but don't want anything too invasive. My thoughts are birch I would love to put in paulonia- I like the tree but have never planted it Maybe underplant with spireas/bay/french stoechas lavender/phlomis even an olive tree (smallish) Anyone have any other thoughts? Oh.. its a fairly sunny site with a tall (20ft) high wall behind(about 20ft from the tank

Yes I believe so- I wasn't using it- one of the lads was on his cs31 unfortunately- Not really what you want when under that sort of pressure- he did pass though:thumbup1:

I've heard mad as a box of frogs Any advance......................

I have been informed that there is a recall on 261's recently bought(about 3months) ago from FR Jones. I didn't get this from the supplier or stihl. Anyone else out there with problems - needle bearing in the clutch shattering being the recall apparently

You should have said- I can do it quickly but I will want paying on completion. You will hopefully learn from this experience. Some people naturally expect time to pay

You can't run a business worrying about 1 or 2 late bills. In the end they all get paid so knuckle down and get some money in the bank then you will be more chilled when someone makes you wait. In fact- you probably won't even notice it Fall out with the customer and thats a lot of hard work down the pan

I didn't see real violence used Just reasonable force The fare dodger deserved it- period (as they say in America)

well spotted:lol:

funny how first impressions last He probably was trying to convey that he expected you to work hard for your (good) money A bit clumsy but you still remember the comment!! If he's paid you before for the extra travelling then no reason to think he won't this time though I would definately ask -before- you start in Reading- Don't think ' I'll start working there then ask for more so he's over a barrel

thats a long way to fall hope he's OK

we inject roundup without the proper tool you would need to spray- hoping to miss nearby important subjects. I think the best time is next summer- may be wrong we inject about september time