Stop watching me....Don't you have something better to do? [Archive]

frizbeedog

10-08-2008, 10:02 PM

480sparky

10-08-2008, 10:04 PM

I try to make it look like they're in my way and actually slowing me down. I tend to 'need' to take a path that they are standing in, or are between me and the tool I need.

SiddMartin

10-08-2008, 10:06 PM

it annoys me if they require my attention. I dont wanna talk to them while I'm trying to work.

celtic

10-08-2008, 10:19 PM

Even though they paid the price of admission, that don't make it a spectator sport :D

brantmacga

10-08-2008, 10:19 PM

Service Call. Installing wiring for a GDO today...Customer watching the whole time.

I tend to work faster when that happens. :wink:

Sometimes when they are hovering (smothering) I get a bit annoyed. How about you?

i think it depends on the mood i'm in that day. usually i strike up a conversation with the customer to get their mind on something other than what i'm doing, while keeping my hands busy in the background. some customers are just really interested in what it is your doing, and if i see that, i'll explain the process as i'm doing it. i'm sometimes guilty of the same thing if i have somebody over to work on something, but i try to be conscientious about it and give them some space.

Strahan

10-08-2008, 10:21 PM

No experience with this happening in the residential field but this happens to me everyday at work in the industry. After a while you do get used to it. At first though I will admit it is very nerve racking. Once you realize that they have no clue as to what you are doing the better you will feel:D

480sparky

10-08-2008, 10:21 PM

.... some customers are just really interested in what it is your doing, and if i see that, i'll explain the process as i'm doing it......

...so next time they won't have to call you.

steelersman

10-08-2008, 10:26 PM

...so next time they won't have to call you.
yeah that way they can electrocute themselves and look just like your avatar. :)

480sparky

10-08-2008, 10:27 PM

yeah that way they can electrocute themselves and look just like your avatar. :)

That wouldn't help business much, though. :wink:

Besides, they may look like your avatar!

frizbeedog

10-08-2008, 10:29 PM

yeah that way they can electrocute themselves and look just like your avatar. :)

Ever since Ken has had that avatar, none of us have taken him seriuosly. :wink:

480sparky

10-08-2008, 10:30 PM

Ever since Ken has had that avatar, none of us have taken him seriuosly. :wink:

You prefer a pix of my cats? :cool:

brantmacga

10-08-2008, 10:32 PM

...so next time they won't have to call you.

i don't think that's the case at all. just because i watch the exterminator spray around my house doesn't mean i want to do it myself next time.

steelersman

10-08-2008, 10:34 PM

That wouldn't help business much, though. :wink:

Besides, they may look like your avatar!
Hey! What's wrong with that? :)

steelersman

10-08-2008, 10:36 PM

Ever since Ken has had that avatar, none of us have taken him seriuosly. :wink:
Lol. I know that feeling. :)

wireperson

10-08-2008, 10:47 PM

start a technical electrical conversation with them so they get confused or bored and leave you alone

mdshunk

10-08-2008, 10:52 PM

tonyou812

10-08-2008, 10:55 PM

I dont mind people watching , my problem is I can become very chatty. I have to try not to talk to them.

peter d

10-08-2008, 10:57 PM

I tend to zip around like a ferret on crack when I work, so everyone tends to be in my way.

A ferret on crack, huh? I'll have to remember that one.

480sparky

10-08-2008, 10:57 PM

If I'm going to get chatty with a customer, it's after the work is done and I'm writing up the bill. Keeps their minds sidetracked a bit so the dollar amount may not surprise them as much.

iaov

10-08-2008, 11:01 PM

What I realy don't like is when they want to help.

480sparky

10-08-2008, 11:04 PM

What I realy don't like is when they want to help.

Price goes up, then! :D

iaov

10-08-2008, 11:07 PM

Someone on the forum said thier prices were 75 an hour. 100 an hour if you watch. 150 if you help. 200 if you touched it before they got there!!:D

76nemo

10-08-2008, 11:09 PM

Service Call. Installing wiring for a GDO today...Customer watching the whole time.

I tend to work faster when that happens. :wink:

Sometimes when they are hovering (smothering) I get a bit annoyed. How about you?

I have a big problem with friz's question myself. I have always from an early age dealt with anxiety. I worked Industrial Maintenance awhile and loved it. I love troubleshooting, but,...................... when there was a very problematic fault I got called to, and 3-6 six figure bosses standing over my shoulder to watch me fix it, I would CHOKE, and I mean choke big time. Whenever I have a problem that involves heavy brain work, I HAVE to be left alone, no friends, no work mates. If I got a trouble call to a machine where 4-5 other guys couldn't figure out, I would have to ask them to leave, and I would explain it to them step-by-step when I called them back in. I have dealt with anxiety and panic attacks for 15 years. It's a HUGE roadblock in my life!

To add to this, I can't go to company meetings or big crowds, I just can't do it. Anxiety is an awful, awful feeling.

frizbeedog

10-08-2008, 11:11 PM

I tend to zip around like a ferret on crack when I work, so everyone tends to be in my way. That's irritating.

Thanks Marc. :D

Wiring a tool shed one time....only enough room for one person....and the guy was litearlly over my shoulder. He asked my why I was putting in extra staples. I say, 'cause I wan't it to look nice.

He was such a nice guy, I didn't have the heart to kick him out.

I figure if they know it's T&M, they should know enough to stay out of my way.

8-)

LarryFine

10-08-2008, 11:14 PM

Service Call. Installing wiring for a GDO today...Customer watching the whole time.

I tend to work faster when that happens. :wink:

Sometimes when they are hovering (smothering) I get a bit annoyed. How about you?It's never bothered me. "If I make it look easy, it's because I know what I'm doing."

"If it was easy, everyone would be doing it."

mdshunk

10-08-2008, 11:16 PM

I have dealt with anxiety and panic attacks for 15 years. It's a HUGE roadblock in my life!

To add to this, I can't go to company meetings or big crowds, I just can't do it. Anxiety is an awful, awful feeling.Wow. Don't they have pills for that? I can't even imagine what that's like. I don't like crowds either, but for a completely different reason. Crowds are just too crowded.

76nemo

10-08-2008, 11:21 PM

Wow. Don't they have pills for that? I can't even imagine what that's like. I don't like crowds either, but for a completely different reason. Crowds are just too crowded.

Well Marc, yeah, there is medication for it, ......alcohol. Unfortunately, pills and alcohol are not accepted in any trade and for good reason.

No one can possibly fathom what anxiety is like if they have never experienced it. It's very cruel, and a CONSTANT factor:cool:

stickboy1375

10-08-2008, 11:22 PM

[QUOTE=mdshunk] I tend to zip around like a ferret on crack when I work.QUOTE]

I used to be like that, then it dawned on me the pay is the same, so now I just work at my speed.

mdshunk

10-08-2008, 11:25 PM

I tend to zip around like a ferret on crack when I work.

I used to be like that, then it dawned on me the pay is the same, so now I just work at my speed.I went through that phase too, then I realized one thing. The faster I work, the more material I install. The material markup is money too. I'm going to bill out 8 hours a day no matter what. If I work slowly, I might only install 500 bucks worth of material. If I work quicker, I might install 1500 bucks worth of material. If I schedule a day for an average pace, I can alway speed up to be able to install the upsells immediately and still get to the other appointments on time.

76nemo

10-08-2008, 11:29 PM

I would zip in front of the larger dogs, but soon realized the larger dogs didn't personally care. They weren't footing the bill:cool:

mattsilkwood

10-08-2008, 11:33 PM

That works when the wife tries to sit down next to me on the couch. I suspect it works on customers too. I've never tried it. We'll expect a full report tomorrow, Larry.i dont know what if they have some vicks smeared under thier nose?:grin: no seriously it doesnt bother me if someone wants to watch/ chat while i work. alot of the stuff we do is t&m so i figure its part of the service. plus a little pr is always a good thing.

stickboy1375

10-08-2008, 11:37 PM

I went through that phase too, then I realized one thing. The faster I work, the more material I install. The material markup is money too. I'm going to bill out 8 hours a day no matter what. If I work slowly, I might only install 500 bucks worth of material. If I work quicker, I might install 1500 bucks worth of material. If I schedule a day for an average pace, I can alway speed up to be able to install the upsells immediately and still get to the other appointments on time.

I agree if I were in your shoes... but at the end of the year, my pay is the same, so is my speed. ;)

ACtually what I am really trying to do is get my boss to price jobs as twice as long then complete them in half the time, this way we actually make money. :roll:

frizbeedog

10-08-2008, 11:50 PM

ACtually what I am really trying to do is get my boss to price jobs as twice as long then complete them in half the time, this way we actually make money. :roll:

Does he read this stuff? :grin:

480sparky

10-08-2008, 11:51 PM

.....ACtually what I am really trying to do is get my boss to price jobs as twice as long then complete them in half the time, this way we actually make money. :roll:

How can you make money if you over-price your work?

mdshunk

10-08-2008, 11:58 PM

How can you make money if you over-price your work?There's no such thing as overpricing.

stickboy1375

10-09-2008, 12:00 AM

How can you make money if you over-price your work?

How do you make money if you dont charge enough?

stickboy1375

10-09-2008, 12:01 AM

Does he read this stuff? :grin:

Apparently not... ;) Tough Love isn't so bad anyways.

frizbeedog

10-09-2008, 12:02 AM

There's no such thing as overpricing.

If they are standing over your shoulder, they make think so. :wink:

...service calls. T&M.

480sparky

10-09-2008, 12:03 AM

There's no such thing as overpricing.

True, but there is such a thing as being consistently too high.

76nemo

10-09-2008, 12:04 AM

Something else that kills me, is when the customer asks for details they don't understand. I'll give you an explanation, but don't ask me 2-5 times for it:mad:

stickboy1375

10-09-2008, 12:09 AM

Something else that kills me, is when the customer asks for details they don't understand. I'll give you an explanation, but don't ask me 2-5 times for it:mad:

I love explainging something and they just yes me to death, knowing damn well they didnt understand a word I just said. :grin:

* Iwires next post, I hate cry babies *

76nemo

10-09-2008, 12:22 AM

I love explainging something and they just yes me to death, knowing damn well they didnt understand a word I just said. :grin:

* Iwires next post, I hate cry babies *

I had a service call for a gas fired furnace months ago from a plumbing buddy, and a gas tech.. The gas tech said it was an electrical problem. I hooked up three different DMM's in sequence to show it wasn't an electrical problem. The problem was the gas valve that I proved, think I got an apology??? I just got an "oops" from the gas tech..:mad:

stickboy1375

10-09-2008, 12:30 AM

I had a service call for a gas fired furnace months ago from a plumbing buddy, and a gas tech.. The gas tech said it was an electrical problem. I hooked up three different DMM's in sequence to show it wasn't an electrical problem. The problem was the gas valve that I proved, think I got an apology??? I just got an "oops" from the gas tech..:mad:

Yep, I had a pretty good argument with a kid from a generator company, too make a long story short, after finally listening to me and putting all the controls he ripped out of the ATS it worked like a charm.

76nemo

10-09-2008, 12:33 AM

Are we allowed to bill for idiocy??????

TOOL_5150

10-09-2008, 12:46 AM

There's no such thing as overpricing.

You know when your overpriced, when the customer says "thank you, I am going to call around for some more quotes"

There isnt anything wrong with making money. I state the price - its up to the customer to accept it or deny it. Nothing is making them take my high bid.

~Matt

cowboyjwc

10-09-2008, 11:41 AM

I get sorta chatty when a customer is watching. I honestly don't mind people looking over my shoulder. I know it drives some guys totally nuts, but it never really has bothered me. They're paying me to chat with them, so I don't much care. What does bother me is when they're in my way. I tend to zip around like a ferret on crack when I work, so everyone tends to be in my way. That's irritating.

I was kind of like Marc.

One time I was working for this elderly lady that I had worked for several times before and I would almost knock her down at least once a trip. On this trip I was putting a switch back in and I accidentally hit the side of the box and POW. Her eyes got big and she backed up and told me she'd be in the kitchen if I needed her. Never tried that trick again, but I did keep it in the back of my mind.:D

cowboyjwc

10-09-2008, 11:52 AM

I agree if I were in your shoes... but at the end of the year, my pay is the same, so is my speed. ;)

What is it they say? I only have two speeds and if you don't like this one you're really going to hate the other one. :D

ishium 80439

10-09-2008, 12:14 PM

I generally don't mind when people watch me. If they a genuinely curious about the procedure I am happy to explain some of what goes into what we do. It gives me the opportunity to overload them with information that they couldn't possibly absorb all at once. It makes it seem more magical and vast and scary :smile: . If they are following me around because they don't trust me and want to make sure that I am working every second that I am there, that kind of aggravates me but it does give me a chance to put their mind at ease.

One customer comes to mind that bordered on creepy. We did a service upgrade and he stood and watched us the whole day. I don't think that he moved from his spot except when we went to lunch. I tried in the beginning to engage him in conversation, but after multiple two word responses I realized he didn't want to chat so we basically ignored him for 7 or so hours while he was standing about 5 feet behind us. It was odd.

roger3829

10-09-2008, 12:23 PM

Service Call. Installing wiring for a GDO today...Customer watching the whole time.

I tend to work faster when that happens. :wink:

Sometimes when they are hovering (smothering) I get a bit annoyed. How about you?

Had a customer watch me the entire time i put up a ceiling fan. It took over an hour and a half just to install the box. Cut ceiling, fan brace bar, 4 BX cables. What a PITA!! Plaster and lathe ceiling. No fun at all.

Another hour to assemble the fan.

Glad he was there to see how long it actually took.

LarryFine

10-09-2008, 05:43 PM

On this trip I was putting a switch back in and I accidentally hit the side of the box and POW.I hate stuffing boxes hot. I'm more comfortable replacing a switch energized than I am putting it back in the box. Weird? :-?

Dennis Alwon

10-09-2008, 05:56 PM

Service Call. Installing wiring for a GDO today...Customer watching the whole time.

I tend to work faster when that happens. :wink:

Sometimes when they are hovering (smothering) I get a bit annoyed. How about you?

Perhaps if you didn't keep flexing your muscles she wouldn't be following you.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d709b3127ccec56d24a1d76100000040O00UaNmbRs1Yg9 vPhY/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

code_compliant

10-09-2008, 07:05 PM

I'm happy to read the responses to how you all feel about people watching you work.

Beginning in the trade I didn't care for people watching. Now I don't care. It's a chance to show off a skill that even my wife doesn't really care about.

Did a service changeout one year on Christmas eve day. Not something I would normally do but I didn't have anywhere to be and customer didn't mind. When I started the guy actually pulled up a chair and sat down behind me in the dark basement. Later in conversation I came to find out he didn't exactly have anything to do over the holidays and this may have been the most excitement he'd seen in a while.

220/221

10-09-2008, 08:34 PM

It depends on the situation.

Sometimes I enjoy educating those who want to learn. I remember this guy who brought his 12 year old out to look at the damaged bus/main breaker in his service. I explained the 120/240 single phase system briefly to the kid and he actually understood it more than a lot of guys I've worked with. I was impressed.

If it is a serious job I simply tell them that I have a one track mind and I can't concentrate and talk with them at the same time.

Years ago, two owners of a Chinese restaurant were breathing down my neck so I shorted out a hot wire to the JB to get them to back off. Worked like a charm.:cool:

steelersman

10-09-2008, 08:34 PM

480sparky

10-09-2008, 08:36 PM

what is a GDO?

Garage Door Opener/Operator.

steelersman

10-09-2008, 09:36 PM

Garage Door Opener/Operator.
oh ok. Duh!! I should have known that.

dduffee260

10-14-2008, 11:32 PM

It does not bother me one bit for someone to watch me work. Then again now days I basically push a pencil about 75% of the time.

Brady Electric

10-15-2008, 07:18 AM

When I was a helper in 1973 I was changing a kitchen light over a table and a little old lady watched every move I made and told me her late husband was an electrician and insisted on telling me how to work.
I touched the hot and neutral together on purpose and made it spark, she went into the other room and didn't come out until I was done.
I thought it was funny back then but I wouldn't do it again.
Watching doesn't bother me anymore and I welcome anyone trying to learn something as long as they don't get in the way. After all I don't have anything to hide.
Semper Fi Buddy

bth0mas20

10-15-2008, 10:46 AM

last week a guy watched me the whole 3 hrs I was working at his house. He never said anything bad about my work. He wouldnt stop asking me questions about electrcial theory (while working in a panel) and how three phase and single phase worked. I finally just put all my tools down and took my tool belt off. Then grabbed a piece of cardboard and drew out sine waves and one lines for three phase and single phase. After filling his head with so much info for about 5 mins straight he had nothing to say after that. He claimed to be an engineer.

He is also the guy that told me he added up all the breakers in his panel and it was about 800 amps and his main is only 200 amps so he thinks he need a service upgrade.

SmithBuilt

10-15-2008, 06:16 PM

He is also the guy that told me he added up all the breakers in his panel and it was about 800 amps and his main is only 200 amps so he thinks he need a service upgrade.

He opened the door..... I see $$$.

jaylectricity

10-15-2008, 07:02 PM

He is also the guy that told me he added up all the breakers in his panel and it was about 800 amps and his main is only 200 amps so he thinks he need a service upgrade.

Sell him one of these:

http://www.reeveselectserv.com/images/800a,_480v_3ph_main.jpg

SEO

10-15-2008, 08:18 PM

My brother was sent out to a residence to install several recessed lights. It was going to require a lot of fishing and where the lights were supposed to go it was just about an impossible job. My brother was on the site for about an hour laying the job out, he hadn't drilled or cut any holes yet when the lady of the house who had been watching him asked if there was anybody at his shop that was better than him. What a slap. He called his boss and told him that he would take a layoff before he worked for her.

MF Dagger

10-15-2008, 08:46 PM

I would have taken a minute or two to explain to her that only the best electricians measure and layout before diving in.

SEO

10-15-2008, 08:54 PM

I would have taken a minute or two to explain to her that only the best electricians measure and layout before diving in.
My brother is a very proud seasoned electrician and excellent at his craft. But he thought it best to leave because he knew that no matter what he did she wouldn't be pleased. He also has a temper and it was all he could do to keep his mouth shut and leave.

MF Dagger

10-15-2008, 08:57 PM

Hey, it takes a good man to recognize that his temper can get the best of him and walk away, I've seen lots of people blow up and while at times it seems understandable it usually isn't very acceptable. Kudos to him for knowing his breaking point

steelersman

10-15-2008, 09:00 PM

Sparky555

10-15-2008, 09:30 PM

It used to make me nervous to have people watching me. Now I don't care if they pull up a chair. However, if I'm doing a little live testing I tell them it's dangerous & they're distracting me.

MF Dagger

10-15-2008, 09:36 PM

I don't mind usually unless they hover right over my shoulder. Little kids are usually pretty fun if they can listen well and stay where you ask them to. I had a boy the other day tell me I could see the squirrel in the attic when I was on my way up. Said "I sure hope not!"

Strahan

10-15-2008, 10:42 PM

After reading all these replies I find comfort in knowing this happens to everyone. I also sympathize with you residential guys that would just be very eeeery being one on one with someone watching you constantly. With working in a high paced industrial setting I have atleast 6 to 12 people standing over my shoulder all the way to the plant manager when something goes down. At first this is very tough to deal with I used to get so worked up and nervous actually to the point I couldn't think. Now it doesn't bother me one bit first of all it gets better with experience and second I realized that they do not have a clue as to what I'm doing. Lots of luck guys and remember we are the professionals:grin:

LarryFine

10-15-2008, 11:09 PM

Sell him one of these:

http://www.reeveselectserv.com/images/800a,_480v_3ph_main.jpgWhere can I get a sign like that one? :D

ohm

10-16-2008, 12:16 AM

If I'm on T & M I don't mind someone looking over my shoulder but, if there are pets or kids around messing with my tools or I'm working hot boxes I ask that they leave.

I will take all the time they want answering questions and chatting. I make lots of friends and repeat customers that way. They're constantly bringing drinks & lunches. They carry my tools, pull wire and flip switches.

I wired an IBEW union hall and even offered to certify their hours if they worked free (no one bit).

kluchon

11-05-2008, 10:57 AM

Simply tell them that it costs 1.5 times as much if they watch and 2 times as much if they help.

kgalarneault

11-05-2008, 03:50 PM

when People tend to watch me work I tell them it will cost them twice as much if they are watching me do the work. they find something do do with themselfs pretty quik:grin:

MAK

11-05-2008, 09:54 PM

I remember working in a network closet on a card access panel with the maintenance supervisor leaning over my shoulder asking me questions about what was wrong with the panel how it happened etc.... No big deal there, but when he decided to eat his peanut butter and Jelly sandwich over my shoulder and dripped jelly on the back of my shirt, shoulder, and neck..............:mad:"Houston we have a problem":mad:

ohm

11-05-2008, 10:23 PM

I called for an inspection on a mobile home service. The inspections that day were slow he said he could be there in a couple of hours instead of the next day. I said I should be through by then. Well in about a half an hour he shows up and he will wait until I'm finished.

I told him I never worked on a job with the cops looking over my shoulder before. He laughed and in a about an hour signed off. What a hoot!

r_merc

11-06-2008, 06:14 AM

If a home owner wants to look over my shoulder... I don't care Most home owners don't have a clue and get bored watching. So be nice, be friendly and be polite.

OTH Kids messing with my tools tends to get my BP up

Rick

Teaspoon

11-09-2008, 11:31 PM

We all have to deal with curious customers. Most of the time it doesn't bother me.
I worked Industrial Maintenance for several years,when there was a break-down,
there would be 1 to a dozen supervisors standing around looking over our shoulders asking questions. This was good conditioning for me. Because I learned to tune them out,when Iwas in a situation that required my full attention. I enjoy talking with my customers answering their questions. But if I am in a situation that requires my full attention. I tend to tune them out. I will explain that I don't mean to be rude but i am having to give my work full attention. Most understand.

stickboy1375

11-09-2008, 11:52 PM

After following me from the basement to the attic a few times they tend to give up. ;):grin:

tonyou812

11-10-2008, 01:01 AM

TOOL_5150

11-10-2008, 01:15 AM

I dont usually put up with kids touching my stuff or sniffing around especially if its hot work. I simply tell the ho to call me back when I can work undisturbed.
One time I was doing an above ground pool and when I went to the truck I saw his two girls in it as I usually leave the main doors open. Needless to say my BP shot up. I called the HO from inside and told him if he cant keep his kids out of my way (while pointing to the truck with his little kids in it) that I would have to come back another day and cant promise when it would be. This was the middle of the summer, mind you and he really wanted that pool hooked up asap. I had him sign a contract and got half the money up front. He said no problem and went over to my truck and when his kids saw him they immediatly knew they were in trouble.

Yeah kids are a problem sometimes. I had a couple of times where I had a panel open, pulling circuits to it. Kids were outside messing with stuff. I told the HO that the kids have to stay inside for safty reasons. I explain to the customer the dangers and they are usually all ears.

I always try to be as polite as possible under all circumstances though.

~Matt