I'm so angry with a client

[desA]

Well done - in both stating your case, as well as finding a fair solution. Win-win.

[Blurock]

Ok, we have reached resolution regarding the matter. My client is happy. He came around.
We are going to scrap his machine, I will sell him a new one for just above cost.
Wynn, definitely a surge protector, I have convinced him to try protect all his machines.

Client happy, me happy

...and he will be a client for life, because you have unlocked that magical ingredient in business; Trust!

[workshop]

I generally attack first and apologise later. Most unpleasant people drive BMW's and are brought up in big cities where attitude is second nature. So this is something they more often than not, understand. However I am not a particularly successful businessman and I may well be wrong.

[Didditmiself]

My friend, maybe the reason that you, as you put it, are not a particularly successful businessman, is because of your approach/attitude. In business, as an Engineer, I have to deal with some difficult clients. But I have learned that having a bad attitude chases people, customers, friends - in fact everyone away! So many times in my working life I have not always been at my best with unpleasant people (to my detriment) But if you want to retain a clients' loyalty, make him feel special. No matter how much of an ar$ehole he appears to be. It's not what you say to someone that they will always remember, but believe you me, they will forever remember how you made them FEEL!

[workshop]

I am not successful because I dislike dull and unimaginative people with unreasonable expectations. Consumers led to believe that I will do anything for a quick buck. The sort that shop at McDonalds, Woolworths and Facebook. That is why I choose not to be successful.

But I do believe that honesty, integrity and service are what builds a business and if this means taking an unreasonable client head on, it is wrong to back pedal and cringe when they bark. This does not necessarily mean you have to behave in the same manner . To the contrary you need to convince them that they are mistaken and that you have a solution for them. But it is important to let them know that you are prepared to go so far and no further.

[IanF]

But I do believe that honesty, integrity and service are what builds a business and if this means taking an unreasonable client head on, it is wrong to back pedal and cringe when they bark.

I choose which clients to shmooze so if the lifetime value of the customer looks good then give them the best possible service at a fair price to both parties. Then price yourself out of the timewasters.

[Didditmiself]

I choose which clients to shmooze so if the lifetime value of the customer looks good then give them the best possible service at a fair price to both parties. Then price yourself out of the timewasters.

And if you put it that way, I have to agree with you. I think there is skill in knowing which ones to shmooze and which ones to dump.....

[pmbguy]

And if you put it that way, I have to agree with you. I think there is skill in knowing which ones to shmooze and which ones to dump.....

I concur. There are regrettably lost causes. In life and business it is simply impossible to please everybody all the time, to think you can is insanity....it’s the pursuit of the ideal that counts in business