Expensive Date
New member
It felt really good.I think Chris said something a while back concerning this he is right problem customers cost you money
Headlines
I fired a customer today
- Thread starter Expensive Date
- Start date
Dude! Sweet!
Charter Member
I tried to fire one yesterday, but got overruled! That makes smile to hear that you stepped up in the current economy. Nice to see that not everyone's bending over and taking it... :sifone:
Big Time
New member
When I first got out of school and started working for a private investment firm I quickly learned the 80/20 rule...80% of our revenue came from 20% of out clients. We decided to concentrate more on that 20% that was actaully generating revenue's. It worked out for my guy, but I also quickly learned that I didn't want to work on the private investment side and made the switch over to the institutional side. Like it better on this side of the fence.
Airpacker
New member
I took some small business courses a decade or so ago and one thing the instructor said that has stuck with me ever since is this.
" Why waste 50% of your efforts on 1% of your customers who at most only create 5% of your income"? "Fire them immediately, redirect the 50% of your efforts and never regret it".
" Why waste 50% of your efforts on 1% of your customers who at most only create 5% of your income"? "Fire them immediately, redirect the 50% of your efforts and never regret it".
MOBILEMERCMAN
Founding Member / Competitor
It is funny how that works sometimes. I have had others pass on PITA customers to me. Come to find out some of them turn out to be great customers. If they want special treatment I will give it to them.
I had an old man tell me one time." Don't get upset at the customer wanting more. Smile and Charge um."
I had an old man tell me one time." Don't get upset at the customer wanting more. Smile and Charge um."
Dude! Sweet!
Charter Member
I was talking to someone recently that got two bids from two different service providers. Porvider 1 offered to do about 60% of what provider 2 offered to do and the fee difference was something like P1 quoted $65k, P2 quoted $110k. Knowing they wanted to get 100% rather than the 60% I asked if I could beat P2's price would they do business with us. They responded with a polite no and candidly told me that what they'd decided to do was make P2 do 100% of the work at P1's fee...
Offshoredrillin
New member
I agree, however the problem ones are usually the cheapest...I learned a long time ago that "not all business is good business"
RebarBox
Charter Member
I'm assuming most of you live in a larger community?? Being from a small, tight nit community - I could never 'Fire' a customer. First off, being bonded ties me to most jobs but still word of mouth could bury my (construction) business. If I can't make them happy - I will provide written industry standards to back my point. I still believe that the customer is always right, EVEN IF THEY'RE WRONG.
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Expensive Date
New member
For those of you that don't know I am in the mobile tool business.And I have bent over backwards for this customer as in all my customers.Prof of that Is I have been doing this for 16 years for those not familiar with what I do thats a long time in my industry.
Any way it was never enough and they wanted everything discounted and then 90 day 0 % billing you can have one or the other not both.And they had a huge attitude because there scanner broke because they loaded the software incorrectly.I can't wait till the realize the are now screwed for warranty because I am under the old Matco contract I own my territory another dealer can not set foot in it with out my permission
Any way it was never enough and they wanted everything discounted and then 90 day 0 % billing you can have one or the other not both.And they had a huge attitude because there scanner broke because they loaded the software incorrectly.I can't wait till the realize the are now screwed for warranty because I am under the old Matco contract I own my territory another dealer can not set foot in it with out my permission
RebarBox
Charter Member
We all know our business or would be 'out of business' very soon. You have to do what you feel is right.
Offshoredrillin
New member
I don't totally disagree, however there reaches a point where you have to look at them and just say that I cant do anything else and we are going to have to end it here. I have worked on near 30,000 cars doing my film, I have had 2 customers I couldn't please, and 2 more that I told them I don't think I can do what your asking so I respectfully decline.
tunnelvision69
New member
we've been getting a few canadian customers lately that think we owe them something, doesn't get very far with us honkies though!!
pullmytrigger
Charter Member
Oh Ive fired a few.......
The thing I usually get is once you touch a piece of equipment of theirs they think you own it and you should fix it for basically free for the rest of your life.......ahhhhh.....no
against my better judgement one day I went to check out the furnace of a guy who worked at a commercial food processing plant that I do the refrigeration at.......so I go fix the thing, then like 3 wks later he calls me back about an unrelated noise the thing was making.....I go back and fix it and he freaks out when I hand him a bill (see above type of person).....I got up into his face and told him to pay up.......he did
The next time I go to the plant he works at a bunch of people come up to me and tell me how glad they are are that I stuck it to that cheap p rick......haha
and dont get me going on the payment habits of various nationalities of people.......I can do a stand up routine on it
The thing I usually get is once you touch a piece of equipment of theirs they think you own it and you should fix it for basically free for the rest of your life.......ahhhhh.....no
against my better judgement one day I went to check out the furnace of a guy who worked at a commercial food processing plant that I do the refrigeration at.......so I go fix the thing, then like 3 wks later he calls me back about an unrelated noise the thing was making.....I go back and fix it and he freaks out when I hand him a bill (see above type of person).....I got up into his face and told him to pay up.......he did
The next time I go to the plant he works at a bunch of people come up to me and tell me how glad they are are that I stuck it to that cheap p rick......haha
and dont get me going on the payment habits of various nationalities of people.......I can do a stand up routine on it
phragle
Charter Member
I don't have the luxury of firing 'customers' I have to deal with all of them..even the whiney snively hypochondriacs with whom you can do nothing right. You have to to bite your lip when you really want to say "suck it up sister, you CAN get out of bed on your own..if there was a double cheeseburger and chocolate cake on the other side of the room your ass would be running and pain free"
Offshoredrillin
New member
havent you watched "House"...
MarylandMark
Charter Member
Ah- I love working for a monopoly. You don't like us; we don't care....
Magic Medicine
New member
:rofl::rofl:
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