Is your Business Approachable?

[tec0]

Well here is my deal. I got a phone call in the morning from a person “friend� that left me hanging for 8 years. He needed his computer fix. I thought ok it is bit strange but fine. Well his computer is in bad shape but I got it going.

Then he asked me about something else. Now this involves heavy lifting paperwork a lot of laws and a lot of time. Most companies knows that this type of service can take up to 3 months do develop the system he required.

Well not to blow smoke up my own ass. But I did a complete job within 48 hours because he was in hot water. 48 hours of not sleeping or anything. Well once I am done He was willing to pay 2% of the going price because “business is bad�

Here is the catch I “walk� he drives a brand new car. I have old piece of crap mobile phone. He has a brand new Nokia worth R3000. The point is he is telling me he has it tuff and how hard life is and all that... “It is actually kind of annoying� But he is not willing to pay me the full price or even half price no... He wants it for free and he is expecting me to jump through hoops for him.�

So at this moment I am really tempted to tell him to “p!ss-off�

So basically if I had a big phone and a nice new car cool looking office I think I would have been able to demand full price for my services and then some! But because I look desperate they think I can’t say no...

Well I can say no and tomorrow I am doing exactly that!

I don’t know... It is really a strange word we live in....

[murdock]

something i would also like to note...i have an insurance broker i have knwn for years...he drives a big fancy car and when he arrives to sell insurance he is dressed in his best outfit gold watch...gold rings etc...i asked him why...his answer i want people to think i can afford all this because i know what i am doing and thats why people use my services.


i have just invested in a "better" vehicle to suit the type of work i have been doing...i dont want the customers to think i am just a 2 bob electrician.

moral of the story...charge what you believe you are worth and dress to suit the situation...if you are dealing with big corporate dont arrive in shorts and a T shirt and shorts.

teco i know where you are coming from i have been in a very similar situation...work yourself away from those type of people...you cant just drop because you need to make a living but as you find other customers who appreciate your quality of workmanship and service (which by the way is becoming non exsistant)...slowly phase them out until they no longer ride you... and stay away from them because they will always try get a free ride.

[daveob]

Well I can say no and tomorrow I am doing exactly that!

Come on tec0. We're dying to know how this panned out.

[tec0]

daveob > Come on tec0. We're dying to know how this panned out.

Well stupid little old me help them out at my own cost and is poorer for it! No payment was made; no deposit was given to me. All that hard-work was unrewarded and they “the bastards� ran off with a proper product “for free�

The really sad thing here is I really DO know better!!!!!!!!!

All I can say is “School is expensive�

However it is the last time that will ever happen.