What's the worst you've done to an idiot customer?

[Groundman One]

Nothing bad. We just walked away from a job.

Boss did an estimate to clear for a satellite dish. We show up a few days later and I asked the guy to show us what he wanted cut. He gets all grumpy with me and tells me he already told our boss what needed cutting and didn't see why he had to come out and show us again. I just said, "okay".

Go back to the truck, talk to my climber, we pack up and leave.

Not long after the guy calls the boss, howling mad, saying we never did the job and he still has no TV reception. My boss just told him that we thought he was grumpy and decided we didn't want to work for him, and so we left.

We all thought it was pretty funny.

 

[NEXUS]

OK, guess I'm the only one
That Figures.

 

[lone wolf]

I think that's what it is, they see a couple young guy that's about something and they see $$$

I guess so if they come on that strong right away! I had one woman open the top buttons on her shirt come running over and say “oh wow you own your own business looks like you do real good”. How stupid and obvious can they be!

 

[Ed Penney]

I just walk away and remember them. I will warn some of the people I know that also do the same type of work. It's just a simple way of blackballing a customer and giving them a hard time finding a professional to do the job. I have caused a few of them in violation of city ordinances to get fined or the city charging them to do the work.

 

[tomsteve]

not tree care related but I used to be a carpenter/framer. I worked for another company but did quite a few side jobs. it took a bit of time but I got to know how to read a potential client. when discussing what they would want done, taking notes, and asking questions, some made it pretty clear they'd be a PITA so my estimates would be so astronomical they would find someone else.
eventually I made business cards. had something similar to the pic printed on the back. I always handed the card to people that wanted estimates backside up. seems homeowners that hired me after that only came around to offer a soda or sammich

 

[Ed Penney]

I guess so if they come on that strong right away! I had one woman open the top buttons on her shirt come running over and say “oh wow you own your own business looks like you do real good”. How stupid and obvious can they be!

$Dollahose$

 

[lone wolf]

$Dollahose$

Zactly!

 

[Ed Penney]

not tree care related but I used to be a carpenter/framer. I worked for another company but did quite a few side jobs. it took a bit of time but I got to know how to read a potential client. when discussing what they would want done, taking notes, and asking questions, some made it pretty clear they'd be a PITA so my estimates would be so astronomical they would find someone else.
eventually I made business cards. had something similar to the pic printed on the back. I always handed the card to people that wanted estimates backside up. seems homeowners that hired me after that only came around to offer a soda or sammich
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Cost of living increase needed. Depending which political party they vote with, could vary, especially the how to do my job price.