first person trying to knock me

[lame plumber]

sometimes charging an hourly rate is easier to justify the costs, I tend to offer estimates as i explain if the job is done quicker i will knock the price but longer and I will add to the price. If they want it quoted then of course I add contingency and explain this to them, but for small jobs I only ever do hourly rates.

why not get them to look at the which website on plumbing charges, I bet your cheaper than on there. A customer recently winged I was too expensive, so in the end I left rather than thump him. Later on he called, apologised and said I was within the which price bracket (just) and paid up

 

[1Steven]

Use pimlico plumbers website

 

[plumb_know]

i used a local firms cost just up the road from her, but she was not interested in others prices all of a sudden. I have received payment now though. i would advise any one else in same situation not to mention court at least for a few emails later as this did get her back up a bit and could of caused the customers to become more awkward (as BEST mentioned a few posts back). But learning process and have the money in the bank now 🙂.
Hopefully it will be a few more years before someone tries it again.

Thanks for the support

 

[mfgs]

Glad you got it sorted and got your money.

 

[Best]

Well done for standing up for yourself! And nice that you got your money.

 

[hammers4spanner]

I had opposite to this yesterday, mornings worth of work rumbled over was a pain in the arris.

it looked easy job so thought quick 100 quid cash job done . Complete opposite started 9 am thought be done by twelve ended up finishing 2 o clock. Never charged anymore as it was on a price shot myself in the foot but hey ho just got on with it never charged anymore.

Spin it around tho if i was there an hour and took 100 of the customer blimey i'd be a rip off merchant

 

[Stanios]

I had opposite to this yesterday, mornings worth of work rumbled over was a pain in the arris.

it looked easy job so thought quick 100 quid cash job done . Complete opposite started 9 am thought be done by twelve ended up finishing 2 o clock. Never charged anymore as it was on a price shot myself in the foot but hey ho just got on with it never charged anymore.

Spin it around tho if i was there an hour and took 100 of the customer blimey i'd be a rip off merchant

What was the job?

 

[dave1]

Glad you got it sorted.

 

[Phil]

You got the money plumb know but that customer will make it her life's mission to bad mouth you, she feels ripped off and intimidated and paid out of fear of court action.

I think your right about not mentioning court for a while.
Was this a single lady living on her own?

 

[oz-plumber]

You got the money plumb know but that customer will make it her life's mission to bad mouth you, she feels ripped off and intimidated and paid out of fear of court action.

Versus, her telling everyone she knows that you are an easy target, and if you question, object, haggle after the job has been completed, you will get the job done cheaper.

About 2 years ago, I wiped a fair percentage of my customer base because of this reason.
Got sick of justifying bills for customers who only wanted to get work done at a cheaper price - for their own satisfaction.

Employ someone and see if you can send them out to jobs for less than it costs you to employ them - things go downhill very fast.

 

[hammers4spanner]

What was the job?

Toilet and basin