Flash Gordon = Detail Nazi

[imported_richy]

I had one customer who stood me up and then did it again a 2nd time. He tried to reschedule and I told him to stuff it. You did the right thing. Kids today have no respect. Christ, I sound like Rodney Dangerfield, LOL.

 

[Deep Gloss]

30% of the total quote as a "non refundable eservation deposit" fixes this real quick!

Miss an appointment and want to schedule another, that "non refundable reservation deposit" goes to 100%.

 

[imported_detailchick]

I agree some people you have to get tough on. i had a noshow,nocall once . I called him several times and he NEVER returned my calls.

A few months later he wanted to reschedule and I told him no way! He seemed like a pot smoking / surfer dude who was completely irresponsible and had no remorse.

On the other hand I think a 10 to 15 minute window /grace period is reasonable when the person is sorry and has an explanation.

Unexpected Things happen in life .

When I worked for chiropractors people were often late or no shows and I did not get paid when people did not show up and it was a constant aggavation but I will never forget when I was cursing this new patient for a no show and it turned out he was killed in a car accident early that morning . Unusual yes but it did teach me not get too upset with people for being late or noshows until you find out why!

 

[Tru_Shine]

I have had one guy that I had to say "Sorry, I guess I'm not the right guy for you" he was just trouble waiting to happen. and he was a low baller on the price, and didn't want to pay for my transportation fee for me to drive 2 hours away.

 

[imported_Bunky]

When you are in a business that deals with people, it does take some patience. If you have more customers than you can handle, it can work out no matter how it works out as long as some do not get mad and try to spread a negative opinion.

 

[imported_Flash Gordon]

LOL! Yeah Flash...I mean DN, women don't like that!

Then again I'm assuming your wife was with (trouble) and we both know women don't like to wait either.


Too funny!

No, it was just me and Trouble. Trouble was very upset as well. Everyone was just getting home from work and bringing there dogs out to dooky. Trouble goes zonkers when she see's another dog. She had her head out the window laying down dog smack. The whole ordeal was just more then either us could bare :yawn:

 

[imported_Flash Gordon]

I understand your pain Flash, but unfortunately, in this day and age and I'm strongly referring to the economy, it would have been better to turn around, meet with her, and simply let it slide. You know the old saying, good news travels slow but bad news travels at the speed of light. Give no one reason to tarnish your reputation or to speak ill about your service. I'm reading a great book written at the turn of the century and one of the rules the author states is "always go above and beyond when dealing with customers".

Yea, I get the whole economy in the tubes deal, but honestly I can't tell we are in a recession. I am fortunate to have been in this business so long, I can pretty much pick-n-choose who I care to work for Da Rules!

My reputation is platinum. Just don't jerk my chain and we will get along just fine. All I ask is that my customers treat me the same as I do them. If they can't do that, I suggest they go elsewhere and loose my digits :Santa Smiley:

 

[imported_Flash Gordon]

I think for me a lot depends on the customers attitude.

If they are not sorry or act like its no big deal i would drop them but if they are sincerely sorry and even offer you cash then I accept it. My customer offered to pay me for the day but I just couldnt do it .

Yes Rasky women dont like waiting but then again men dont either ! LOL:biggrin:I think its a people thing not a gender thing !

Always take the cheddar :money: If not, this behavior will only escalate X_X

 

[imported_Flash Gordon]

Unfortunately, most people don't value other people's time. I was in sales, and I can't tell you how many times I would schedule a meeting with a customer and they aren't there. I get "sorry, something came up", or I completely forgot about it". I'm sorry, but my time is just as valuable as yours. You have my number, the least you could do is call.

Even my customer with the 911 that I cleaned up for him was a good 20 minutes late.

Unfortunately, it's in most people's nature.

I usually give people 30 minutes before I take off.

Tell daddy, you will be charging him for your time.

If someone will just at least call me the day before, I can 99% of the time find a replacement. Or if not that, I just take the day off artaaay2:

My time is more valuable then Bill Gates, Donald Trump and Warren Buffett combined :money:

I had one customer who stood me up and then did it again a 2nd time. He tried to reschedule and I told him to stuff it. You did the right thing. Kids today have no respect. Christ, I sound like Rodney Dangerfield, LOL.

Richy, up to this point it was looking like we were oddball out. Glad you feel the same as I :soldier:

30% of the total quote as a "non refundable eservation deposit" fixes this real quick!

Miss an appointment and want to schedule another, that "non refundable reservation deposit" goes to 100%.

If someone is an estalished customer, I will allow one last minute cancelation. I do however inform them that if this happens again, and if they plan on me to continue working for them I will expect payment in full for time missed. Other then that, they can kick bricks /

When I worked for chiropractors people were often late or no shows and I did not get paid when people did not show up and it was a constant aggavation but I will never forget when I was cursing this new patient for a no show and it turned out he was killed in a car accident early that morning . Unusual yes but it did teach me not get too upset with people for being late or noshows until you find out why!

Someone dying is the only excuse I will accept. I do however expect to see a death certificate on my next visit Da Rules!

I have had one guy that I had to say "Sorry, I guess I'm not the right guy for you" he was just trouble waiting to happen. and he was a low baller on the price, and didn't want to pay for my transportation fee for me to drive 2 hours away.

I use to (before I matured) schedule another appt with said douch, then on that day when they would call to see where I was, I would give them the exact same lame excuse they gave me :Innocent:

 

[imported_richy]

I use to (before I matured) schedule another appt with said douch, then on that day when they would call to see where I was, I would give them the exact same lame excuse they gave me :Innocent:[/QUOTE]

Now, THAT is funny!! Reverse Karma, baby!

 

[imported_detailchick]

your one tough cookie Flash!

Plus you crack me up!:thumbup:

I probably will never meet you for fear I would be late

 

[imported_Tuscarora Dave]

Flash, somehow I forgot to switch my alarm clock on last night and was late for my own detailing appointment this morning. I thought of you for most of the day today. I felt terrible because I am normally very respectful of other peoples time. The new customer works from his home and wasn't upset but I was so I did an additional polishing step so he would have a better taste in his mouth at the end of the day. He was amazed at the results and has booked his other car to be done. Good save I say!!

 

[gmblack3]

I once had a client who postponed 3 times.

Finally completed the detail on the 4 try. He tip'd me 25% on a 3 day detail. :cornut:

 

[PAR Detailing]

I can totally see where you are coming from Flash, I absolutely hate it when I get stood up. I am always 10 min early to everything, thats just how I was raised. I can totally justify what you did and I could justify waiting around a little longer. Im glad to hear the economy hasnt hurt you, I would probably wait around a little longer only because my detailing time is minimal now with finishing up my last semester of college so I would have to whore myself out.

 

[Vette 03]

First I in no way mean all of the younger generation, but it does appear that today's younger group do not hold the others time to the level that we were taught many years ago, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY , it is just that it seems this type of action is taking the fore front lately!!!! Respect of another person appears to have gone to the proverbial wayside and stayed there, with out any real cause or meaning, they will hug and kiss one another and say I love you freely, then walk away and trash talk and back stab the same person in just seconds. It is very disturbing to witness this over and over again with out any kind of remorse what so ever!!!!!!!!!!! JUST MY 2 CENTS I DO HERE WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM AND REALLY, THERE IS NO NEED FOR THIS TYPE OF ME FIRST ATTITUDE, THEY HAVE THE DAM PHONE STUCK IN THEIR EAR ALL THE REST OF THE TIME THEY ARE AWAKE ANYWAY, A CALL WOULD BE THE MINIMUM JESTURE ON THEIR PART!!!! Set in my ways I guess sorry for the rant!!!!!

 

[imported_wendell jarvis]

Flash 5 minutes isnt really all that long to wait for a customer ! ive waited 30 minutes before! Wasnt happy about it either though!

A couple weeks ago customer completely forgot about me and went out of town and screwed up my entire day and couldnt get anyone to replace him at the last minute. Lost an entires day of work !:cursing: but he was so nice and apolagetic and very embarrassed I had to forgive him .

Plus he has rererred me a few customers so sometimes its better to just to be nice about it and know you will get paid back in other ways .

He did give me extra 25 dollars too , not much but it helped.

I agree, waiting 5 minutes is nothing, just learn to have patience young grasshopper. remember......We pick and choose our Battles......sounds like you got too worked up and impatient.

Director

 

[imported_wendell jarvis]

I agree, waiting 5 minutes is nothing, just learn to have patience young grasshopper. remember......We pick and choose our Battles......sounds like you got too worked up and impatient.

 

[imported_Flash Gordon]

When you are in a business that deals with people, it does take some patience. If you have more customers than you can handle, it can work out no matter how it works out as long as some do not get mad and try to spread a negative opinion.

Thats where I am currentally at. I'm either going have to weed out further, or hire an assistant, The latter doesn't sound very appealling to me :-t

I use to (before I matured) schedule another appt with said douch, then on that day when they would call to see where I was, I would give them the exact same lame excuse they gave me :Innocent:

Now, THAT is funny!! Reverse Karma, baby![/QUOTE]

Yes Indeed :cornut:

your one tough cookie Flash!

Plus you crack me up!:thumbup:

I probably will never meet you for fear I would be late

I'm really very easy to get along with. Just do what you say your going to do, and I will do the same. Quite simple really :-B

Flash, somehow I forgot to switch my alarm clock on last night and was late for my own detailing appointment this morning. I thought of you for most of the day today. I felt terrible because I am normally very respectful of other peoples time. The new customer works from his home and wasn't upset but I was so I did an additional polishing step so he would have a better taste in his mouth at the end of the day. He was amazed at the results and has booked his other car to be done. Good save I say!!

Dave, Dave, Dave....I expect better then this from you. Never let this happen again :sarge

 

[GreyGoose]

@Vette03, that was an awesome rant and I agree 100%.

Flash, as always, you are my hero. People being late is one of my biggest peeves. Why should I have to wait for you? Is your life that much more important than mine?

 

[imported_Flash Gordon]

I once had a client who postponed 3 times.

Finally completed the detail on the 4 try. He tip'd me 25% on a 3 day detail. :cornut:

Wow ut:

I can totally see where you are coming from Flash, I absolutely hate it when I get stood up. I am always 10 min early to everything, thats just how I was raised. I can totally justify what you did and I could justify waiting around a little longer. Im glad to hear the economy hasnt hurt you, I would probably wait around a little longer only because my detailing time is minimal now with finishing up my last semester of college so I would have to whore myself out.

Its not that I'm floating in dough around here or anything, its just that money doesn't mean a whole lot to me. My time on the other hand does, and I like to be the one who decides where and how it is spent :wink:

I'm very proud of you on finishing up your college degree. That takes alot of patience, dedication and disicipline @-)

First I in no way mean all of the younger generation, but it does appear that today's younger group do not hold the others time to the level that we were taught many years ago, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY , it is just that it seems this type of action is taking the fore front lately!!!! Respect of another person appears to have gone to the proverbial wayside and stayed there, with out any real cause or meaning, they will hug and kiss one another and say I love you freely, then walk away and trash talk and back stab the same person in just seconds. It is very disturbing to witness this over and over again with out any kind of remorse what so ever!!!!!!!!!!! JUST MY 2 CENTS I DO HERE WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM AND REALLY, THERE IS NO NEED FOR THIS TYPE OF ME FIRST ATTITUDE, THEY HAVE THE DAM PHONE STUCK IN THEIR EAR ALL THE REST OF THE TIME THEY ARE AWAKE ANYWAY, A CALL WOULD BE THE MINIMUM JESTURE ON THEIR PART!!!! Set in my ways I guess sorry for the rant!!!!!

Well now, I'm so happy you got that off your chest. Very nice response. Very nice indeed :-?

The father of this young lady had warned me that getting ahold/intouch with her can be exhausting, He says, he can call and leave her a message and not get a return call for 2-3 days. If this person is going to run over there on father like this, just imagine how they treat the rest of the world :-t

I agree, waiting 5 minutes is nothing, just learn to have patience young grasshopper. remember......We pick and choose our Battles......sounds like you got too worked up and impatient.

Director

This is simply not true. Why just this past Thursday, I spent over an hour teaching 2nd graders how to write there names in cursive. I then spent another hour teaching 1st graders the basic arithematic skills. I can't wait untill we get to multipications and divisions. I am so much smarter then these 6-8 year olds :-B

In return, they showed me an online game where the player sticks a hose up there butt and shoots dooky turds at there opponents

When I see someone learning something, and you can see there eyes light up when they figure it out, it makes any time I have spent worth every minute :money:

I agree, waiting 5 minutes is nothing, just learn to have patience young grasshopper. remember......We pick and choose our Battles......sounds like you got too worked up and impatient.

I spent over 6 hours just a few weeks ago removing heavy water spots from a Bentley grille. That was a true test in patience I assure you :yawn:

@Vette03, that was an awesome rant and I agree 100%.

Flash, as always, you are my hero. People being late is one of my biggest peeves. Why should I have to wait for you? Is your life that much more important than mine?

Well thank you for the kind words. I am also a fan of yours. Not many ppl can post a car wash thread and have it get 5 stars. That takes mad marketing skills for sure :wizard: