how do you avoid answering ?'s

[secret squirrel]

The issue I have is this:

Today, I have priced a job which the owner of the house has messed up. The problem is the waste is about 4.5 metres long and is having problems clearing.

I know the solution to the problem and have checked a couple of things with the building regs through the local council (just to clear the mud a little further).

Whilst there and on a brief phone call later on I was being pumped (no pun intended buffy) for answers. I was desperately trying to be vague, so as not to give this avid diyer (no insults to diyer"s intended or implied) any answers.

I also know the amount of phone calls we all do, research etc. re-reading posts checking with suppliers etc goes unpaid.

However, HOW do you all cope with this being vague and not giving out the answers so people can do it themselves whilst you've done the leg work.

 

[migoplumber]

just be straight with the bloke, explain that the reason your charging him 30 quid an hour is because your not a diy'er youve had to go to college and learn the rules, and then paid your own way through the rest of your life as a plumber, retraining, insurance appropriate tools etc. still learning through experience and somebody's has to pay for it.

 

[bobpape]

Just tell them you also operate a consultancy service whereby you visit the premises
and talk them through the job...for a fee...

 

[P4ULT]

i know the feeling i have had this a few times you go there tell them whats wrong what needs to be done. they say ok ill be in touch will they hell they diy.

 

[stevetheplumber]

i had a similar thing today a landlord rang to ask if i would look at a heating failure in a flat and give him a price as it turned out it was just a fuses so was done i 10 mins he has promised to send me a call out but i will wait and see

 

[radswilldo]

Just be straight, dont go into detail, he pays for your knowledge. There is no way to give other advice on this isue, you'll devolope your own way of handling this as there will be more

 

[HTB]

You can honestly say that you don't wish to give "verbal guidance" in case by doing so, and the "client" misunderstands what is said, problems are made worse or unforeseen damage is done.

 

[P4ULT]

You can honestly say that you don't wish to give "verbal guidance" in case by doing so, and the "client" misunderstands what is said, problems are made worse or unforeseen damage is done.

this seems like the way forward to me

 

[Dan]

Some sound advice there.

 

[buffy27]

ways to avoid being pumped!!!!!
1.just make up stuff that he wont know about ie.. over energized water molecules due to trantrification[causes air locks??????}
2. he can help!! by holding something really heavy and awkward [be innovative]
3.pretend to have a very bad speech impediment and/or severe laryngitis!!
4.tell him about the dead plumbers poets society and how u would be in breach of your sworn in rules by disclosing info![whisper and look around for anyone who may hear as u tell him]
5.tell him this is thirsty work [put the f~ckin kettle on !!} -chance for u to prepare your answer for no. 1 above.
6.finally ..... lure him to the back yard with a promise of, a -"walk through the situation/problem" starting from outside ..there then u lay in wait with the hammer , Vaseline and gimp suit...u pump him before he pumps u!!!!!! buf.

 

[Bernie]

haha, i just read this AFTER trying to pump for info (im not a diy'er) but I love Buffys answer - get 'em outside!!! LOL

Have to agree though, people are paying for your knowledge - not just your handiwork - apart from me who is shamelessly begging

 

[heinz57]

I simply dont do free quotes, this tends to put off the pi##takers who just want to get you round, get the info they want and then send you on your way. Tell him to purchase a copy of the water regs and remind him that if he does cut corners and the work isnt done exactly to regs, he might have a problem selling his house without all the right paperwork etc.

 

[bgec]

ways to avoid being pumped!!!!!
1.just make up stuff that he wont know about ie.. over energized water molecules due to trantrification[causes air locks??????}
2. he can help!! by holding something really heavy and awkward [be innovative]
3.pretend to have a very bad speech impediment and/or severe laryngitis!!
4.tell him about the dead plumbers poets society and how u would be in breach of your sworn in rules by disclosing info![whisper and look around for anyone who may hear as u tell him]
5.tell him this is thirsty work [put the f~ckin kettle on !!} -chance for u to prepare your answer for no. 1 above.
6.finally ..... lure him to the back yard with a promise of, a -"walk through the situation/problem" starting from outside ..there then u lay in wait with the hammer , Vaseline and gimp suit...u pump him before he pumps u!!!!!! buf.

Very good

 

[buffy27]

ways to avoid being pumped!!!!!
1.just make up stuff that he wont know about ie.. over energized water molecules due to trantrification[causes air locks??????}
2. he can help!! by holding something really heavy and awkward [be innovative]
3.pretend to have a very bad speech impediment and/or severe laryngitis!!
4.tell him about the dead plumbers poets society and how u would be in breach of your sworn in rules by disclosing info![whisper and look around for anyone who may hear as u tell him]
5.tell him this is thirsty work [put the f~ckin kettle on !!} -chance for u to prepare your answer for no. 1 above.
6.finally ..... lure him to the back yard with a promise of, a -"walk through the situation/problem" starting from outside ..there then u lay in wait with the hammer , Vaseline and gimp suit...u pump him before he pumps u!!!!!! buf.

got pumped myself today!!!thought i was on the weakest link,,she even looked like ann whateverhername is.

 

[newbie1]

2 jobs lately my son had
first replace fan on boiler/3 port/1 rad and 3 trvs was for a friend of a friend so 150.00 labour and they put him onto another friend faulty pcb 80.00 plus parts
guess what wasted 3 hours looking at both jobs second one said sorry found someone cheaper and first one phoned at 2145 day before saying can you do it next weekend
shelled out 170.00 for the parts and has since ignored his phone calls
and the general public wonder why you have to charge 200.00 a day
its because of the time wasting **** takers that you have to charge extra
gradually coming round to the idea thay deserve to be charged high prices