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Thread: Is goodwill really good for business?

  1. #1
    Member Vic joeymoey's Avatar
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    Default Is goodwill really good for business?

    It's recently come to my attention that people seem to screw you over regardless of whether you do freebies/discounts etc.


    A recent example:

    A "good" client of mine has now made it a requirement that I advise him of when I arrive and when I leave.
    In months gone by, I have given discounts of time (Last invoice 1 hour off, for a 4 hour job)
    He also requires that I give specific times for each task completed.
    How would you respond to this?

    Is this an example of a client that is worth getting rid of?

  2. #2
    Senior Member NLALM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is goodwill really good for business?

    My reply to him would be get farked. If he doesn't trust you ditch him, I hate clock watchers. I would let him know about the free hour and say never again.Its been said before on here, try not to get to friendly with clients, you are running a business not a charity, and when it comes down to it most clients would drop you in a heartbeat if they thought they could save a few bucks by getting bob in. Note I said most not all.

  3. #3
    Senior Member BeetleJuice's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is goodwill really good for business?

    First thing that comes to mind..
    Who running this business you or your customers.

    Yeah sure customers are important otherwise we don't exist but if you're feeling the customer is taking over and your starting to feel like an employee,then it may be time to rethink how you're going to handle this situation.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Is goodwill really good for business?

    Sometimes you just need to sit down and ask them WTF this all about.

    Does he want you "by the hour" or to "quote" a job and just get it done?

    What is he happy or unhappy about? Sometimes they have a legit reason why1

    If he is a good client he will understand you standing up and asking the questions. If not

  5. #5
    Member Vic joeymoey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is goodwill really good for business?

    For example I sent through the following time sheet and stated that times are all approximate:

    Removal of plants - 1.5 hours
    Clean up of plant remains - 15-20 mins
    Removal of 3-4 inch of soil - 2.5 hours
    Remove stakes from tress - 15 mins
    Remove rubbish - 20 mins
    Apply seasol - 25 mins
    Hand remove clover from lawn - 45 mins
    Buffalo Pro - 20 mins
    Repair of irrigation - 25 mins (45 mins spent offsite buying materials)

    405 minutes

    Charged for 5


    The only thing questioned was 15 mins to remove stakes?
    To me that seems fair, if you need to check all trees onsite (20-30) for stakes that need removing etc.

    I think my next conversation with him will be asking WTF is going on.

  6. #6
    Member geoff1969's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is goodwill really good for business?

    I hope you also charged him for YOUR TIME to itemise his account for him ???? and listed it clearly itemise account in detail $$$ , see how he likes that ..

  7. #7
    Senior Member AJD Mowing's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is goodwill really good for business?

    1 hour mowing lawn
    2.25 hours hedging
    0.75 hours picking up materials
    1.25 hours taking rubbish to tip

    Sub Total 5.25 hours

    Keeping track of itemized hours. 0.5 hours
    Extra book keeping 0.5 hours

    Total = 6.25 hours
    AJD Mowing Giving Back Your Life

    http://www.ajdmowing.com.au/

  8. #8
    Member Vic joeymoey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is goodwill really good for business?

    Hahaha I was thinking about this as I wrote it out.

    It's sad really, I've laid the turf at his property, mowed every fortnight, plus additional work and now he's spat the dummy?
    I've done the job for 4 years, always pays on time.
    However the last 2-3 months he's been real peckish.
    (My dad works with me and thinks he's about to divorce?)

  9. #9
    Member Vic joeymoey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is goodwill really good for business?

    Quote Originally Posted by AJD Mowing View Post
    1 hour mowing lawn
    2.25 hours hedging
    0.75 hours picking up materials
    1.25 hours taking rubbish to tip

    Sub Total 5.25 hours

    Keeping track of itemized hours. 0.5 hours
    Extra book keeping 0.5 hours

    Total = 6.25 hours
    How did the customer feel about this?

  10. #10
    Member of forum Stump's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is goodwill really good for business?

    Easy answer is to change work to quoted only. Makes life easy, as they have nothing to complain about
    I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Grandfather.....not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car!!!

  11. #11
    Member Bracey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is goodwill really good for business?

    I do not itemize to that extent i would simply say
    General gardening $300
    Removal of green waste $35 (my tip only 5 min away)
    Council fee $25
    I avoid giving times when possible they either accept the quote or not

  12. #12
    Member Victoria jal2007's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is goodwill really good for business?

    I always do something like this

    Garden care $80
    Clean up $20
    Tipping $10

    Total $110

  13. #13
    Senior Member RSM-Gazza's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is goodwill really good for business?

    Just get rid of this customer promptly, ie tomorrow morning. Then go to the pub and have a beer in celebration.

    I had a new high profile client that I kinda wanted to work for.
    They said I could access the property with a key to the side gate. These people are very well know within Australia for what they do and are never home much.
    Just as I turned up for the first job, they said no key will be given now.
    But when we fly into Albury Airport we will ring you and have 24 hrs to attend and complete the lawns and tidy up before we fly out again. Well half of that time is night time and I don't sit at a reception counter waiting for your flight arrival. So I told them frankly to find some one else on the spot.
    Cheers Garry

  14. #14
    Member Vic joeymoey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is goodwill really good for business?

    What is wrong with people lately?

  15. #15
    Senior Member BeetleJuice's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is goodwill really good for business?

    Joe
    It may pay to price it as a over all job and price,you work out roughly how much is involved to what the over all price is given.

    Now if the customer starts asking you how did you come up with that price the reply would need to be..this is what i want to to it..

    ..........OR...........
    Walk away...You are self employed and you are the one doing the job at a price you want in getting paid.

    ..........OR............
    Bow down to your new employer.

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