While doing some work in a large church for a sound and video contractor some time back, I had the childrens pastor ask me to give a estimate on installing a couple of 20amp circuits for two lighting dimmer packs. So I thought here's a open door for me to gain a client, so I had some left over MC on the truck, so I bid mostly labor and a small amount for the parts....BIG MISTAKE......So 2 months later the pastor calls back and says "GO"....BUT now they want to install 30amp dimmer packs. So I explained to him about the major cost difference and what I had done to get in the door. So he says "Go ahead" we'll work it out.
So I schedule the job, do the install, and the invoice came in at double of my original estimate for obvious reasons. So after some grumbling the pastor said OK..So then I do a second job for a vounteer that is actually responsible for facilities maintenance the same day, then he calls me back three weeks later for a third job, and I ask, did you recieve my invoice for those other two jobs? They said yes, have you not been paid? No I said, But Im not rushing you, just a reminder.....So in the middle of this third job he comes back and told me that they had not paid me yet because giving had been down and didnt have the money yet but would in the next couple of weeks.. He said however it says right on your invoice "due upon reciept".....
So Im setting there thinking gosh why did you call me for a third job? duh
So, here's what I did, I told them to consider the first job a contribution to their church.....This guy hung his head, and said I'll pay you my self If I have to, and I said no you want, and if I want to make a contribution, I can do so.
My reasons were two fold...first it was my screwup for mis representing the first estimate then charging them double even though it was 30 amp opposed to 20amp circuits. This my way of erasing that negative experience of my new client. Second, I told him that I had been extreemly blessed with alot of jobs this year, and ALOT of them from Christian folks, and, I have not made any or contributions and I just thought I needed to do that...
So Im not honking my horn at all, just making a point that I learned a lesson out of the deal, and I think they did too... So I think I will continue to get jobs from this client and they are a BIG one. And I feel better that I had a chance to give back.
Sorry for being so long winded......haha