6 replies to this topic

[moelco]

Another electrical contractor and I were swapping war stories, and I couldn't top his....

One late Sunday/early Monday - 2 A.M. - about 20 years ago -  the phone rings. "I've hooked up my water heater, and it keeps sparking. I'm too nervous to sleep with it doing this." Being far too nice of a guy, my friend goes to the house.

The water heater is - gasp- wired correctly, working fine; he can't see any problem. The customer insists he wait and watch. After a couple of minutes, he sees a flash of light, reaches around to the back of the tank, and pulls out a live firefly.

They had a little chuckle, then - now 3 A.M. or better - my friend says,"That'll be $20." The guy erupted, red-faced and spraying spit - "But you didn't even DO anything!" 

[appl.tech.29501]

Yep I get the same reaction when I charge them $94 to turn there breaker back on lol....moral to that story....always tell the customer its gonna cost x amount regardless to come out....but still you have some of those kind

[moelco]

I was always amazed at how people reacted when I told them there was a one-hour minimum charge for any service call....most understood, but the few who expected to pay for 1/4 of an hour for a reset breaker drove me nuts....

[grey shrek]

The richer the customer - the louder they complain.:X

[appl.tech.29501]

Yeah your right about that

[stabbybear]

I guess $20 was a lot of money back the. Wait now $20 is a lot never mind. Great story.

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Amazing!

I do it the way appl.tech does to avoid these "misunderstandings" -- tell right on the phone what the fee is and that payment is due when the service is rendered. Clears the air and shakes of the riff-raff.