Surprise, surprise.

**Derlyn** · 06-Sep-24, 07:00 PM

A first time for me in about 40 years.

So this morning I get called out to a house with lighting problems.
Find the fault and repair. The owner then requests some changes needed to socket outlets in kitchen and some outside lighting.
He indicates that I shouldn't worry about quoting. " Just do what needs to be done and invoice me" he says.

Anyway, I finish everything, back at the office I draw up the invoice and send it off to him.

15 minutes later I get two identical deposits from him for the invoiced amount.
I phone him to point out his mistake of paying me twice.

Well, I nearly fell off my chair when his reply was " No mistake, my brother. What you did today was worth at least twice your invoiced amount. Enjoy the weekend".

Hows that ?

I'm going to enjoy the weekend.

Like I said, first time for me.

**Dave A** · 07-Sep-24, 08:54 AM

That's what you call a keeper!

Well done Derlyn

**Blurock** · 09-Sep-24, 08:28 AM

Well done Derlyn. We are so used to shitty work that I would also pay more to get quality service.
Had 2 different plumbers on site to repair or replace a toilet flushing mechanism. I had the 2nd guy come back twice before the job was finally done correctly.
With the money spent I could have bought a complete new toilet set! Is that why they say plumbers are electricians who could not pass their wiring exams?

**Derlyn** · 09-Sep-24, 07:15 PM

It is my custom to always let the client feel that he/she received a service worth more than what they paid.

This policy has, over the years, served me well, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect to ever be paid double.

It was a big surprise.

**Andrew_van_Zyl** · 20-Sep-24, 05:33 PM

Hell that's nice - this speaks to the VALUE that people place on a service.
I'm reading and interesting book that unpacks this - Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestley. By following a few simple principles (and a mindset change) people will queue for your services.

**AndyD** · 25-Sep-24, 01:38 PM

Nice and congratulations. Does the client have a holiday house in Cape Town that needs work by any chance?

**Blurock** · 27-Sep-24, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Andrew_van_Zyl

Hell that's nice - this speaks to the VALUE that people place on a service.
I'm reading and interesting book that unpacks this - Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestley. By following a few simple principles (and a mindset change) people will queue for your services.

THIS is how you create a customer and grow your business, because CUSTOMERS or clients are essential to any business. You are not in business to make money, you are in business to make customers so that you can make money. Once again, well done Derlyn!