Wiremold vs the unhappy customer

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Jerseydaze

Senior Member
Ok I need some advise I did a wiremold installation today the customer wanted 2 new outlets in a room with no attic and a finished floor bellow I suggested wire mold from the switch to new wiremold recept boxes. I do the job when no one is home they come home and give me a call wanting to know why the boxes arent recessed in the wall and why I replaced there switch. Im shocked I thought I did a good job any ideas what I should tell them Im a new business and not sure what to do.
 
Try showing them the contract or work order, where they signed, and approved the wiremould installation.
 
Sounds like a miscommunication. I have learned that it is very important that the customer see exactly what you have in mind so that there would be no misunderstanding.

Now --- why can't you fish nm cable down to the baseboard and run the wiremold as a sleeve over the nm ( I usually take the back out of the wiremold. Then when you get to the spot for the recep. just fish the wire up with the recessed box. This way the wiremold is just on the baseboard and nowhere else.

If this is possible I would go back and convey your regrets for the misunderstanding and offer to change it the way I suggested. I would also ask them to pay for some of the change but not all since you apparently didn't get your meaning across well.

Good luck
 
Jersey.... I say it's your screwup. Why? Because the customer obviously had no idea what you were talking about when you proposed the WM installation. It was up to you to make that clear. I generally run out to the truck and grab a 5747 box and a scrap of 500 and show them with their own two eyes.

That said, it sounds like you might be dealing with a couple of real Jim-Dandy's. Who the heck complains that you replaced a switch, for crying out loud? Most people would be glad about that.
 
yeah skunk its my screw up I know they said "do it ib wiremold I took for granted that they knew what they would get I will probably do the sleeve thing ive never done that before but sounds like a good idea live and learn
 
Jerseydaze said:
yeah skunk its my screw up I know they said "do it in wiremold
Click to expand...
Sorry. More miscommunication, I suppose. I took it that this was your idea, since you said:
Jerseydaze said:
I suggested wire mold from the switch to new wiremold recept boxes.
Click to expand...
Who's idea was the Wiremold, anyhow?
 
Jersey - how did you resolve it. I carry catalogs for this purpose, and show the customer various solutions - this way there are no surprises.

Live and learn - and that's what you're doing. Nothing wrong with that. If you suggested, and the person didn't understand, then I think you bite the bullet and try to work a solution they're happy with. If they want to go recessed, then once you explain the sheetrock dust you'll create working that solution, and the added cost, they might decide very quickly to like wiremold.
 
bjp_ne_elec said:
Jersey - how did you resolve it. I carry catalogs for this purpose, and show the customer various solutions - this way there are no surprises.
Click to expand...
Absolutely - pictures are worth a thousand words, and sometimes they're all that get a message across.

Many suppliers have racks of catalogs for different products. If you deal with customers, you should take one of each on your van to show them. In fact, they might see more expensive items that they'd prefer as you flip to the item that you had in mind. :)
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Now --- why can't you fish nm cable down to the baseboard and run the wiremold as a sleeve over the nm ( I usually take the back out of the wiremold. Then when you get to the spot for the recep. just fish the wire up with the recessed box. This way the wiremold is just on the baseboard and nowhere else.
Click to expand...


"I usually take the back out of the wiremold." Would that be an approved wiring method?
 
georgestolz said:
Absolutely - pictures are worth a thousand words, and sometimes they're all that get a message across.
Click to expand...

Tru dat... Sometimes I just run out to the truck and bring one in - "Funky lookin' box, or 'patch and paint NIC'?" :D I have a dash board full of cards for painters too.... (Various prices and qualities to suit the situation.) :rolleyes: Sometimes they rethink even doing it...
 
satcom said:
"I usually take the back out of the wiremold." Would that be an approved wiring method?
Click to expand...

"Approved"....sure...it's just a metallic cover now.
"Listed"...well, it's just a metallic cover ;)
 
Minuteman said:
Is that UL?
Click to expand...

I am at piece with this installation. If you all have problems with it then don't do it. I have never felt this is an issue. If I sleeve the nm in pipe it is okay even though it is not a complete raceway. The back of the wiremold is there to enclose wires that are not in a cable. NM does not need to be enclosed in a raceway. This is a sleeve to protect the cable from damage.
 
Background:

Inspector here is on an "UL" kick. Can't us EMT one hole strap on PVC (which I agree with, but 2nd year mixed the EMT straps with HW straps). Or, another guy used a NM connector (without the strap) as a chase nipple, etc.

So now I ask everyone, "Is it UL"?
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I am at piece with this installation. If you all have problems with it then don't do it. I have never felt this is an issue. If I sleeve the nm in pipe it is okay even though it is not a complete raceway. The back of the wiremold is there to enclose wires that are not in a cable. NM does not need to be enclosed in a raceway. This is a sleeve to protect the cable from damage.
Click to expand...

Did it pass inspection?
 
Your new at this, being in business, so suck it up make them happy and that will go a lot farther for you than an unhappy customer, maybe after your company is making so much money that customer satisfaction isn't important..... HMMM I think if you plan on making money customer satisfaction should not be taken lightly. It isn't fun fixing something you thought was agreed upon but in the long run you will get your rewards for it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top