Got hissed away when I arrived & she may slander my company. Now what!??

if she is bickering in the first place, your results never would have been good enough for the price in the end anyway!



be happy you didnt get to work on the car!



OOOORRRRRRR



try talking to the husband and ask him if he would like a demo, etc. Then when she is not home, and he agrees and you do the work, he will show her and she will say awesome work. Then she will ask who did it and it will be a "insert foot in mouth scenario"



or just pass and move on to the next client and spend time for those who actually care. I've cut phone conversations short because people want a wash, clay, polish, sealant, full interior shampooing, engine detailing and wheels polished for "about $150". Right then and there I know my $400-600 price quote would never stick. I'd either have to spend all day working for peanuts, or have an over-expecting client on my hands where no matter how well things turned out, it wouldnt be good enough
 
Well she seemed nice at first when I was riding my bike through the neighborhood posting things on the mailboxes. I guess the burned up golf cart in the yard from a New Years firework mishap should have been a red flag to stay away. I would definitely say this lady was a tad bit crazy. Its not every day one gets to see a 55 year old lady literally extending her claws at one and then hissing, and then trying to shoo somebody away. I was stunned at first and may have laughed a little too I dont remember. I asked for the explanation of why I should leave and after she got heated with me I did politely remind her that I am a professional and would like the same professional courtesy from her too. I had already started rolling my extension cord back up and stated to her that I was leaving and that she had missed her chance to take advantage of my skills since I wont ever be returning to her house.



I've never had to show up and then pack up right away like that before. Im just glad I only had to drive just a half mile away to her and not go like 25 miles or something. Anyways, I guess it's time I start getting things in writing. Does anyone have a pre-evaluation form already made up that I could use? Thanks!
 
I agree it's less likely behavior of a certain socioeconomic status.It could more likely be the result of a refusal to take one's medication :nervous:





I don't think it's on there any more, but I use a form a got from autoint.com whenenver I do a detail for pay. It's comprehensive.
 
sahrcar said:
So after spending the last several days punching holes in several hundred rack cards and then putting rubber bands on them, I went out and stuck them on the front of my neighbors mailboxes. I spoke to one of my neighbors in person and we walked around her sons car and I pointed out that I could get rid of the scratches for a neighborly discounted rate of $45/ hr instead of my usual $60/hr for paint corrections but she didn't seem too impressed with restoring the paint cosmetically. I then also mentioned to her that I could repair the yellowed headlights for her for only $60 and she said when. I said I could come back tomorrow and do it then and she said that would be great. And to make sure, I then also asked a second time if she wanted any polishing done while I was there too and she said "no we'll do that another time".



So I show up today to do the work and had just unraveled my extension cord when she comes out and says "now you're doing the headlights and scratches too for only $60 right/". I corrected her and she started hissing at me and waving me away with both arms saying "go go away" and glaring me down with her eyes too. She started calling me a con and a deceptive liar and that she was going to tell all the neighbors about me. Huh??? She had my brochure in her hands when we first met and spoke that detailed all my services and prices. I've never ever had anyone act that way to me. And I never thought I would get that from one of my neighbors whom lives in a million $ house too.



The last thing she asked me before I left was why should she pay $60 when she could get the kit for $20? I quickly explained to her about how the kits remove the protective coating and only last a few months whereas my system lasts for several years and actually applies a new protective coat. Her response to that was that she didnt care about any of that, she just wanted the lights looking new again.?? Huh? If a millionaire had wanted the kit level of service one of her 3 sons or her husband could have done that.



She clearly has the money for my services but I have no idea what happened here to change it all of a sudden. I'm worried now about what she may say to the neighbors but all the neighbors now also have a description of my services and pricing so she cant slander me for pricing but still Im wondering what sort of public relations work I need to do now if any. What would yall do now?
Click to expand...



No matter what you do, once in a while you are going to run into a customer that is just a nut job. Smile, bite your tongue and be on your way. If she acts like that with you she'll surely have done it before and people will know what she's all about - don't worry about her. Go about your work, do a great job and create fans from the people you actually do work for. Not worth your energy worrying about people like her
 
I tend to think one's personal upbringing and background---regardless of socioeconomic status- is responsible for lack of manners--although it's my understanding that in some cases being more nasty than nice was necessary for some to become wealthy. I don't know any that type though. Happily.
 
The fact that she started with, "Now you are doing the scratches and headlights for $60, right?" tells me that she knew exactly what she was doing. There are people out there that make this a "game" of sorts. We have a few where I live. "Let's see if I can get a free meal today," attitude. My friend installed a water filtration system for $500 in a multi-million dollar home years ago. All the calls and bills he sent went unanswered until one day he was able to get the owner on the phone..."I'm not going to pay. Yes, the filter works fine. I'm not going to pay. Take me to court."



He new my friend did not have money and that he could tie him up so he figured why pay.



I do bet that many of these guys lost BIG over the last years economy wise and karma is a ***** when you suck! :)



Regarding your neighbor...I bet if you ask her kids' teachers, they will make similar comments about her behavior. It's not YOU. She's unhappy and gets attention by this behavior. Negative or not, it's how she gets attention. Sad really. Go about your business. Honest business gives birth to honest clients in the long run.
 
Often people with mental illnesses look normal until they start to talk to you and I'm thinking she's one of those.

I'm thinking even Paul Dalton could work on her car, give it a complete correction outside and inside and she wouldn't understand the magnitude of the work done. She'd complain why it cost more than the drive through car wash.

So, you're doing the right thing, not worrying about her too much and keeping a huge distance between you and her.
 
I once had a customer use a $40 wash and wax coupon circa 1995, then yell at me that I did not complete a FULL detail on his VW Van because on my brochure it mentioned that we do FULL DETAILS- it was no where near the actual coupon, but he went off. Took off the plastic hubs and told me to scrub them clean! His son stood there looking dumbfounded by his father's behavior.
 
I'm utterly astounded that so many people here run into so many well-off folks who behave so badly; such [individuals] would be utter social pariahs in my areas of experience, no matter how wealthy they might be.



The whole "dishonoring one's self/family by behaving badly" thing is still taken very seriously by some people.
 
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