Frustrating Change.

[ptonsparky]

I have done work for years with a company in the area. It was bought by a company from Ohio.

In the past we worked with the local management, they called, we responded, they paid. Now it is a corporate policy that requires a price quote before work, authorization with PO number from Ohio, completion of work and signature of their authorized on site rep, as well as submittal of bill and approval of such before we leave. My guys do not currently have the ability do create an invoice on the spot. Looks like that may change if I feel the customer is worth the effort. That thought is dwindling.

We could often times be there and gone in less than an hour at a MSC, which is or was minimum. MSC calls are not money makers unless I can get 10 or 12 done in an 8 hr day while the guys are busy otherwise.

It now looks like the quickest service call to them could easily entail at least two hours. I don't have different rates for different customers but that may be the solution.

Those "while you are here - look at this" projects may require a new PO.

Venting mostly but would take suggestions other than telling them to take a flying leap off a tall bridge.

 

[grasfulls]

added time

added time

If you show the time to develop a proposal based on size of job, like add time per task but broken out, share with them historical costs and what they will be adding to those by mandating a formal proposal, maybe they budge? Plus, if you must do a proposal each time, could you not end up making more than one visit or make a visit but they turn down the on-site proposal? Looks like maybe add a show-up charge for non-awarded work too. If you are detailed enough they may go for it....what a waste of time. You can sometimes complete a service call in the time it takes to create a proposal.

 

[zog]

That sounds pretty normal to me, talk to them about a blanket PO for service calls.

 

[ptonsparky]

That sounds pretty normal to me, talk to them about a blanket PO for service calls.

What would you consider a blanket PO for service calls?

I have come up with this as a reply to their email but I may be just a little terse in the wording:

"I understand that you need to control costs. So do we. Diagnostic service calls by us will require that a Purchase Order Number from you must be given at the time of the request. We will accept either a text message or an e-mail to confirm the number. We will not send a tech without that authorization. Labor and materials above the Diagnostics will require an additional request and authorization. Work performed before or after your normal closing will require that an authorized representative is present for the duration. Additional charges will apply if we must make a return trip to accommodate your normal closing times."

I know it is probably not normal for your area but we have worked many places before or after closing times with no one around but us. Pull the door shut when we leave. My guys also consider quitting and lunch time as a suggestion, not a requirment, if the end of the job is in sight. I am more likely to pack up than they are.

 

[grasfulls]

Seems clear

Seems clear

What would you consider a blanket PO for service calls?

I have come up with this as a reply to their email but I may be just a little terse in the wording:

"I understand that you need to control costs. So do we. Diagnostic service calls by us will require that a Purchase Order Number from you must be given at the time of the request. We will accept either a text message or an e-mail to confirm the number. We will not send a tech without that authorization. Labor and materials above the Diagnostics will require an additional request and authorization. Work performed before or after your normal closing will require that an authorized representative is present for the duration. Additional charges will apply if we must make a return trip to accommodate your normal closing times."

I know it is probably not normal for your area but we have worked many places before or after closing times with no one around but us. Pull the door shut when we leave. My guys also consider quitting and lunch time as a suggestion, not a requirment, if the end of the job is in sight. I am more likely to pack up than they are.

You may wish to "soften" some wording and explain a little more about how you have clients that allow you to stay on their sites unsupervised after normal working hours, if you really want to pursue the work, like you said, a little terse.

Keep the terseness if your intent is "telling them to take a flying leap off a tall bridge. " It is very clear to me!

 

[JES2727]

My best customer has a similar policy to what you're describing. They have three buildings, I have three blanket PO's. These are supposed to cover "emergencies", but that's loosely defined at times. Non-emergencies and special projects require a separate PO. I've spent a lot of time building relationships with many project managers, engineers, & facilities managers. Very often I'll begin work on a particular project before the PO is issued. It's usually not a big deal, though sometimes I have to be very diligent and pester some folks for a PO. I know who's easy to work with, and who's going to drag their feet.
Play their game for a while, things will probably loosen up once everyone's gotten accustomed to it.

 

[petersonra]

we require a P.O. before we send anyone out. how they generate that PO is the customer's problem.

 

[cowboyjwc]

I had one kind of like that. Owned a bunch of apartment buildings and the managers would usually write me a check, but then the owner wanted to start seeing the bills, I did one more job, sent in the invoice and it took six months to get a $150 check. That was the last time I did work for them.

If they pay pretty quick that's one thing, but a lot of big companies like that are 90 to 180 days.

 

[growler]

I had one kind of like that. Owned a bunch of apartment buildings and the managers would usually write me a check, but then the owner wanted to start seeing the bills, I did one more job, sent in the invoice and it took six months to get a $150 check. That was the last time I did work for them.

If they pay pretty quick that's one thing, but a lot of big companies like that are 90 to 180 days.

I'm glad someone mentioned this because with new owner I think they should set up a new account (when the billing method has changed).

I'm not waiting 180 days for anyone (can't afford to ) and if I did there would be a high cost to do so.

I would contact their accounting department and find out a few things before doing any more work for these people.