I know some of you have even better stories on this topic than this one, but this is the most extreme I’ve experienced.
Yesterday was in the nineties and I’d spent the day doing soffit. I had stopped at the store on the way home to get something for dinner. I’m pulling out of the lot.
The phone rings. I answer it (and pull into the lot across the street and park).
A man tells me he got my name from one of my regular customers. They’ve just bought a house and took the old intercom system out. Now they need the holes left by the intercom system to be filled.
I say that I’m sure I can do the job for them and I would be glad to come by next week.
He was incredulous. “We need this before next week.”
I explain that the very best I can do for him is to come by Monday morning. He briefly checks with his wife and says they are ready to paint and cannot wait that long.
I say OK. I’m sorry I’m not more help. Have a nice weekend. Goodbye.
About a half hour later, I’m home and the phone rings but I don’t hear it until too late. Caller ID tells me the call is from the same guy. No voice mail is left and I am debating whether to return the call (if they can’t be bothered to leave a message….)
Then the phone rings again. Now it is the wife. Monday will be fine.
Hope they don’t think I will be done on Monday!!!
Rich Beckman
Coming to the Fest? Don’t forget pencils!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Replies
Rich-stop off for some durabond 20.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
edit: Might as well get a bag of 5.
Edited 8/4/2007 2:22 pm ET by calvin
"stop off for some durabond 20."
I can't handle 20. The stuff is setting up before I even start to apply it. Durabond 45 or 90 more like it. One coat Monday AM. One coat Monday PM. Third and hopefully final coat Tuesday AM. Sand it Tuesday PM.This depends a bit on how many holes there are.I am committed to getting a kitchen floor ceramic tiled this coming week while homeowner is on vacation. That shouldn't be difficult, but I can only take so many chances.
Rich BeckmanComing to the Fest? Don't forget pencils!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I might do it Monday, but my rate would be something like $125/hr. with a 4-hour minimum.
"I might do it Monday, but my rate would be something like $125/hr. with a 4-hour minimum."
If I thought they were calling cold, I might go that way. You want it now, it's gonna cost ya.But since they are a referral from a very good customer, I would prefer to try and take care of them without gouging too much.
Rich BeckmanComing to the Fest? Don't forget pencils!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich, everything ready b/4hand and at each spot. Drops, patching board, tape-whatever. Mix in a pan with a knife, no bucket and drill. By the time you have the last set (depending on the number) you can begin again with 20 and skim coat. Hit one more time with bucket mud, come back end of day-sandout and texture if necessary.
pc-0-cake.
Remember, Emergency Room charges are a whole lot more than an office visit.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Man you oughta try the 5 minute. I love that stuff. Mix it, fill it, throw the cup away. Next coat. Get some nasty fills done right quick.Real trucks dont have sparkplugs
have you tried those mesh covered sheetmetal patches. I've used them for holes and such. I like the fact that the first coat isn't real thick and takes forever to dry."it aint the work I mind,
It's the feeling of falling further behind."Bozini Latini
Second that sheetmetal patch deal - really fast drying.
Here are two patches (old switch locations on either side of pic) with a coat of 5min, then thin skim of bucket mud a few minutes later; ready to scuff and sand the next day.View Image
Forrest
Edited 8/6/2007 7:51 am by McDesign
You dont wanna be like the girl that kisses on the first date, He will think your easy, Tell em one more week
"You dont wanna be like the girl that kisses on the first date, He will think your easy..."That's all right. The worst that can happen is that I will have to disappoint them later. I'll make it clear how I'm really going out of my way for them and that they shouldn't count on this...OTOH, I'm moving away next spring, so....
Rich BeckmanComing to the Fest? Don't forget pencils!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think I've seen that guy post here before. Something about Prima donna contractors that take their sweet time. :)
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPONTneuaF4
"Something about Prima donna contractors that take their sweet time"
I had no idea one of my customers was posting here.
Rich BeckmanPrima donna?? I have no idea. Take my sweet time? You'd better believe it.
LOL I was talking about taking one whole business day to get there. mThe nerrve of some people huh.
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You can't judge me man! You've never even kissed me, Man!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPONTneuaF4
Edited 8/4/2007 3:16 pm ET by Gunner
Add 25% for a rush job.
"Add 25% for a rush job."Something like that. Yeah.
Rich BeckmanComing to the Fest? Don't forget pencils!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wait, you cant do that job on Monday. I need you here to patch the hole in the wall from the smoke detector I pulled out today.
I'm having company Monday night after all.
Run Foresst Run.....
"Run Foresst Run....."
ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rich BeckmanComing to the Fest? Don't forget pencils!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Isnt it sad how some people think we just wait by the phone waiting for them to call so we can go to work?
You cant really blame them that much though because there are still a lot of contractors that will do this for them. Let them try that with a mechanic.
It is getting a little better but still has a long way to go.
I'd call your regular client and qualify this guy before bending over backwards. Just because he drops a name doesn't mean that your regular client actually likes this guy, in fact, he may even tell you the guy is a real PITA.
"he may even tell you the guy is a real PITA."Perhaps. But I doubt it.Still, I don't plan on bending too far backwards. I'll go there Monday AM prepared to start and we'll see how it goes.
Rich BeckmanComing to the Fest? Don't forget pencils!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's the attitude. Not that you needed to hear that from me. What's the worse thing that can happen? You make a little money? Life rolls on.
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You can't judge me man! You've never even kissed me, Man!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPONTneuaF4
"What's the worse thing that can happen? You make a little money?"What!?!?!?I could make money????I better cancel.
Rich BeckmanJudging from my track record, making money is the LAST thing I want to do!!!
:)
LOL I see, your on THAT business plan.
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You can't judge me man! You've never even kissed me, Man!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPONTneuaF4
Edited 8/5/2007 10:59 am ET by Gunner
cancelIt will just through into a higher tax bracket..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Rich,
I second the aforementioned technique of 5, 5, Blue to finish (USG).
Come back to Tues. to sand and tex, if necessary.
I would make sure they realize that you are bending over backwards.
Can you get this done before you have to leave for the fest?<G>
I also vote for 5 minute, twice. You can also use a fan to help speed the drying time. It's going to be nice and hard but it's still going to be wet.
When you have the repairs feathered in so they can't tell where the holes were then a shot of spray primer - no brush marks and really fast drying.
Bet your going to also have to paint the entire wall, or all the walls, because the touchup paint won't match.
Bring a lunch.
This one job ought to pay for your entire trip to the FEST.
Just don't be bendin' over... forward.
don't plan on bending too far backwards
If they are throwing a huge party or some such, and trying to paint, I'll wager they have not allowed more than Trading Spaces time for the coats to dry.
If so, and they need a dodge (since they probably used a gorilla bar, Trading Soaces-style, instead of a screwdriver to remove the i/c's) get a stack of the 5x8 paint samples from the nearest paint vendor. Get 3-4 of those and double-stick tape them over the various holes.
Gets you in an out, and the customer (if worth it) still happy (or more focused on how to stop the day-glo fuscia bleeding through the single coat of bleached linen that's not drying near fast as it does on tv . . . )Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Well, they learned some patience over the weekend.I spent way too much time trying to get rid of the electric wire that ran to the intercom. Never could find the junction box it came from, so I finally realized I could put it in a box facing the room on the other side of the wall (water heater closet) and put a blank cover plate on it.Then I patched the holes (2) and put one coat of Easy Sand 20* on it. Went back at 4 to put a coat of blue lidded stuff on. I'll stop in the morning for another coat.
Rich BeckmanComing to the Fest? Don't forget pencils!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AllRightRich!
You're a 20 Minute Man!A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/