Forms of Payment

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jeff43222

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Minneapolis, Minnesota
I recently acquired a client who called me in to do some "electrical" work for her, but when I got there, I found that what actually needed to be done was simplify some convoluted extension cords, get the lights plugged into the correct switched receptacles, replace the long coax with a shorter one, etc. Nothing I did came even close to requiring an electrical license.

Apart from all the "electrical" work I did for her, I wound up spending quite a bit of time eating her homemade cake, drinking tea with her, and listening to her stories about being in Auschwitz and her life since then (she's 81). At the end of my time there, she told me to write a check to myself for her to sign. I had no idea what to even charge on a job like this (we never talked about money). I wound up telling her that payment wasn't necessary, as I had a wonderful time just chatting with her and eating all her food. Ultimately she "paid" me with a to-go bag of food and some recipes she insisted that I go home and make.

I went over again this evening and installed a couple of cover plates that had come off, and I got her cable TV working again (the painters screwed it up). She also stuffed me full of tasty food and sent me home with a big bag of stuff she cooked just for me since the last time I was over. She again insisted on paying me, but I refused again, as the dinner she forced me to eat was pretty good.

Anyone else have any interesting clients or forms of payment?
 
Re: Forms of Payment

I have done similar things also. I have had older ladies call for service calls that ended up being a blown lamp, something not pluged in, or many non-electrical things. At the end of my 5-10 min there I would say no charge and be on my way. Alot of times they would insist that they pay, some would slip me a dollar and tell me to buy some coffee.

I once had a older lady who had been told by her HVAC man that she had to have a new service, the HVAC guy called us to do the work. Upon getting to the house I notice a very nice fuse panel with plenty of spaces and new SE cable ran to it. The lady explained to me how she just got out of the hospital and was low on cash. She asked me it the service was necessary, I said no. I called the HVAC guy and he told me "Just put the service in, and do what the **************** I say. He was running a scam, it was the last time we did work with him.

I think it all comes down to if you can sleep at night, and taking money from old women for 5 min of work to me is not a good way to make money.
 
Re: Forms of Payment

I don't have any stories like those, but you guys are tops with me :) :) :) :)

I have heard of so many of these older folks getting ripped of by service people it really bothers me. My father died three years ago and my mother has been plagued with scammers for A/C and electrical work. All I've been able to do is tell her stuff over the phone, and every time I have made it to her house I check out the things people have told her and takes about 1/2 an hour at the most to fix it up right.

Again guys like you deserve all the meals and good things that can be given. Besides a lot of times the call is just to have somebody else there with them for a little bit. If it doesn't cut into your time to much more power to you.

Keep up all the good work.
 
Re: Forms of Payment

I think you handled it great!

My neighbor was a Pilot in WWII.
He has some great stories.
I'm always doing things for him, and he always wants to pay me.
I put an outside w/p GFCI receptacle for him to trim his bushes, replaced his hood fan switch, fixed his doorbell, changed countless lightbulbs, etc.

I can't take his money for the little repairs that he needs.
He watches over my place, and collects my newspaper when I'm away.
Every once in a while he'll drop off a bag of muffins, or a bunch of bananas and grapes for my kids.

I shovel his sidewalk and driveway everytime it snows. And jump start his car everytime he forgets to turn his lights off (which seems to be more often nowadays).

He goes out for dinner every friday with a group of senior citizens. And he goes to a senior center every Saturday for lunch. He only cooks food in a microwave.

When the weather report was calling for a big snowstorm a few weeks ago, I knew he wouldn't be able to go out for a few days.
I cooked an extra large supper and took him a platter Friday night. He said it was enough for two days, and was delighted.

He has 2 sons locally and 2 teenage grandsons. I've lived next to him for 8 years and have never met any of them. I don't bother to ask why they never come around, I just get out my shovel.
That storm, I paid a neighborhood girl $10 to help shovel his and my sidewalk.
 
Re: Forms of Payment

Originally posted by 69boss302:



Again guys like you deserve all the meals and good things that can be given.

Keep up all the good work.
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Gosh fella's,
It's sometimes very hard to still find people that will put morals,ahead of money.I couldn't help but add comment after reading of this.My hat is off to you Gentlemen.May many successes,safety and prosperity follow you as contractors of this trade.
 
Re: Forms of Payment

it's part of the industry -- think how many times you charge out an hour's labor because it's fifteen minutes past a charge hour. it all balances out is the way i figure it. i have been double payed by big law firms over $5,000. and returned the check and did so that nobody got in trouble over it... one my best customers told me as i was retiring --- "i never looked at the cost of any invoice you ever sent me over the years" ---"just signed them" ----- "the fact that you always showed up when we needed you and you showed up when you said you would, was more important than the cost of your invoice".
and we did some very large t&m jobs for him since he is a printer.

i have always tried to do none profit organizations at no profit and some at no charge! i owe that to the trade for providing me a good living over the years and now a good retirement!!!
 
Re: Forms of Payment

I changed out a FPE panel and ran circuits to the attic for indoor a/c unit and outside for outdoor unit for a very good friends mother and father. My friend was paying to install central ac in his parents house as a anniversary present. When I did my part of the work She ( his mom )insisted I take some cash, which I refused . I told her that I spent as much time in her house as my own when growing up so taking money from them would be like charging my own mother. She sent 250 dollars to my house by way of her daughter and I sent it back. She then mailed me a $250 check which I wrote void accross and mailed back. Then she gave my daughter the 250 to give to me. I finally put an end to it I went to the bank and put the entire amount into savings bonds in her name.
What goes around - Comes around !!
 
Re: Forms of Payment

It dosen't have to be an old lady, a church, or a friend. I do something like this at least once a week. Even for the rich guy in the big house on top of the hill. It's about morals.

There are way too many hacks and ripoffs out there. It's my way of helping to keep things in balence. I am a firm beleiver of "what comes aroun goes around"

You would be supprised at how many small freebies actually turn into lots of large referrals.

And, oh yah.
You guys are tops in my book to.
 
Re: Forms of Payment

Here is one. It doesn't have to do with forms of payment but it is about morals. I got a call yesterday to check some receptacles in a bed room that were dead. When I arrived at the house, I realized that it was one of the first houses that I worked in when I was an apprentice. I think that was about 16 years ago. I found out that the problem was due to the neutral screws on a receptacle never being tightened. It was most likely my fault but I can't be sure. When the customer asked me what happened I explained it to them. As I finished they wanted to write a check. I refused and told them that I couldn't charge them for it. They still want me to send them a bill but I won't.
 
Re: Forms of Payment

sometimes it is a harder job to refuse to take the money than it is to do the work.
 
Re: Forms of Payment

I resently had a call from a elderly lady that her light was flashing in her HVL. Long story short- the light bulb was not screwed in all the way. Cleaned the HVL of dust and check out a couple of other things. NO Charge. It comes down to doing what is right for our elderly citizens. And not just them, Company image is worth a whole lot more by word of mouth than charging someone in need just to make a quick buck.

God is Good All The Time!
 
Re: Forms of Payment

Company image is worth a whole lot more by word of mouth than charging someone in need just to make a quick buck.
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Wise words to live by. And a great way to help build a sucessful business as I am sure you know.
 
Re: Forms of Payment

I think most of us have customers like this.
The interesting thing about seniors is they get together at the center and say, "Call so&so for this type of work," or worse, "Don't call so & so, they are too expensive and rude and..."
Sometimes it's better to eat a job than to bill it!
I have been in these situations and I know the people want to pay something. I say regular price is $100, do have a $20 bill? It makes them feel good about paying and saves them a lot of money that could be used elsewhere!
I once received 2 bottles of some very expensive French wine from an 80 yr old women. All I did was replace a couple of light bulbs!

Company image is #1
 
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