language barrier

[zappy]

I got a call from a customer and his english was o.k. at best.So i go out there for a fee to diagnose the problem with his 100amp breaker not holding.He had vandals steal piping and wire for the house.So i told him that was the problem and i will e-mail or fax you a estimate to fix it.That will be $220 please.He was like you came here to give a estimate.I said no i came here to diagnose the problem.I drove a hour and a half and i explained to you that this was what it would cost for me to come out and diagnose the problem.Well he refused to pay blah blah blah so i told him all take off %50.So $110 better than nothingI think next time i can't really communicate with someone on the phone i will pass.Also i think i'm driving too far for jobs??Should you always give a estimate on the spot or is it o.k. to tell them you'll e-mail it or fax it?Any suggestions please.Thank you.

 

[aline]

Give the customer a price in writing before you do anything. Have him sign it agreeing to the price. Even if you're charging by the hour you can still have him sign a form agreeing to the hourly rate for diagnostics. If he won't sign it get in the truck and leave. If the guy can read it's hard to dispute something you gave him in writing and he signed.

I get two signatures on a call. One signature approving the work before I start and another acknowledging the satisfactory completion of the work when I'm done.

I'll drive anywhere as long as I'm getting paid enough for it.

 

[macmikeman]

The subject in this thread illustrates one of the primary reasons to set yourself up to accept credit card payments. It is much better to have the dispatch fee in hand before the key goes into the ignition switch on the work truck.

 

[zappy]

Thank you for the advice.

Thank you for the advice.

Give the customer a price in writing before you do anything. Have him sign it agreeing to the price. Even if you're charging by the hour you can still have him sign a form agreeing to the hourly rate for diagnostics. If he won't sign it get in the truck and leave. If the guy can read it's hard to dispute something you gave him in writing and he signed.

I get two signatures on a call. One signature approving the work before I start and another acknowledging the satisfactory completion of the work when I'm done.

I'll drive anywhere as long as I'm getting paid enough for it.

Do you ever feel like there signature is worthless?You feel like they just scribbled it on there?I can just here it now,that ain't my signature!He must of signed my name or some crap like that.Should you check there I.D. after they sign it?Just to make sure it matches there signature on the contract?

 

[aline]

Do you ever feel like there signature is worthless?You feel like they just scribbled it on there?I can just here it now,that ain't my signature!He must of signed my name or some crap like that.Should you check there I.D. after they sign it?Just to make sure it matches there signature on the contract?

Nothing is perfect but a signed document is much better than a verbal agreement.
Would a bank lend you money to buy a home without your signature?

Maybe I can get out of paying my mortgage if I say that ain't my signature. They must of signed it or some crap like that.

 

[zappy]

The subject in this thread illustrates one of the primary reasons to set yourself up to accept credit card payments. It is much better to have the dispatch fee in hand before the key goes into the ignition switch on the work truck.

Good idea.

 

[growler]

I think next time i can't really communicate with someone on the phone i will pass.Also i think i'm driving too far for jobs??

I will drive an hour and a half to do a job if it pays well but to give an estimate, something seems wrong about the idea that a customer calls someone that far away. If it's a real rural area that would be different but in heavily populated areas there are just to many companies that are closer.

If I only have to drive 10 miles to look at a job I will talk to almost anyone but if travel is involved I get more choosey. Even if you get paid the $220 it's not a good deal ( 3 hours on the road ).

 

[jmsbrush]

The subject in this thread illustrates one of the primary reasons to set yourself up to accept credit card payments. It is much better to have the dispatch fee in hand before the key goes into the ignition switch on the work truck.

I agree, With that being said what is a fair dispatch fee going for.?

 

[macmikeman]

I agree, With that being said what is a fair dispatch fee going for.?

I don't really know what is a "fair" dispatch fee, I'll say one thing and the customer would say another. I can say that I calculated a correct number for zone one- $35 dollars- that is in my home zip area.
Zone two- $45 dollars- Physical distance=4 miles out to 8 miles. Zone 3 - $65. Zone 4- $100. Zone 5-$150. There ain't no zone 6, I live on a small island. There is also the factor of suburban traffic figured in to my zone method. Driving out the other direction is rural and faster so I adjust the distance out to a larger degree since going out that way is fast to get to the locations.