Awkward Customers

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  • #12428
    gdownes
    Participant

    We have all had them and no doubt we will all get them again, but which situations did you find worried you the most and which did you ‘get out of ‘ easiest? Please let me know for information and statistics only. I don’t want any long or tall tales, just the basics so that I can try and come up with a definitive list.

    I know you lot will give me some corkers so to set you off:

    I was asked to take off my shoes in one house to keep the floor clean! What about the health and safety of my feet I asked?

    When I asked for payment in another the reply was Cash, Kind or Green Shield Stamps?

    Cheers

    George

    #149607
    Martin
    Participant

    Re: Awkward Customers

    Well let me see there’s the…..

    Mrs Nosey type that stands over you and watches your every move.

    (solution = a simple assurance to the customer that a little space and privacy to work alone favoured and that the work will be dealt with and the problem assessed as soon as possible and she will be informed the moment any news is forthcoming.

    Mrs Miffed type that’s convinced you didn’t fix it properly last time you called 18 months ago.

    (solution= be one step ahead when calling back on any customer to establish the past history should any ‘dispute’ arise. By stating that you are unaware of what was done last time just lends fuel to her fire!)

    Mrs Humble that’s so sorry to call you out and hopes you can fix it whilst having a cup of tea.

    (solution = None, bless ’em, if only every customer was like it eh?)

    Mrs Grumpydrawers thats swears she hasn’t done anything wrong and demands a new freezer ‘cos she’s broken the door handle.

    (solution = replace the handle free of charge and walk away, she knows she was in the wrong and won’t pull that one again!))

    Mrs Awkward that insists someone calls after she returns from work at 6:30pm.

    (solution = tell her that the next available ‘6:30 slot’ is in 3 weeks time!)

    Mrs Dork that didn’t realise the washing machine had a filter after 4 years of use.

    (solution = get her to clean it thoroughly and put it back in place whilst you make out the bill!)

    Mrs Frightfully-Posh who’s is livid that her silver cutlery is ruined after using her brand new ‘washing-up machine’ for the first time.

    (solution = sell her a ‘silverware cassette’ to place in the cutlery drawer next time.)

    Mrs Stand-Off who declares she is not paying one penny until she has tried the machine out for a few days.

    (solution = firstly ramp up the charges then get her to sign the invoice as to when she intends to pay by?)

    Mrs Pride who insists on dust sheets to protect the work surfaces and floor coverings, and woe betide if you scratch or damage anything.

    (solution = play on this one, these are my favourite customers, play their little game to the full, take your time, hit them with a big bill.)

    There’s thousands of others George I could tell you about 😆

    #149608
    gdownes
    Participant

    Re: Awkward Customers

    Martin

    It’s a pity that the Mr Men Books have already been written!

    George

    #149609
    Martin
    Participant

    Re: Awkward Customers

    gdownes wrote:It’s a pity that the Mr Men Books have already been written!

    Eh George you got me thinking on that – canny lad! 🙄

    Since Richard Hargreaves snuffed it and all, I don’t think he thought of the “Mrs Woman Books” did he???

    I thought of it first though don’t forget….tomorrow I’m going to be a millionaire…………must ring my agent now….BYE!

    #149610
    NWAR
    Moderator

    Re: Awkward Customers

    Martin wrote:I don’t think he thought of the “Mrs Woman Books” did he???

    I thought of it first though

    Sorry Martin, you’re too late. The “Little Miss” books have been out for years and were, by all accounts, quite popular.

    I hasten to add that this is only an obervation before any of you cynics cast aspertions on my choice of reading material 🙄

    Honest!

    Craig

    #149611
    Martin
    Participant

    Re: Awkward Customers

    I won’t say anything Craig on that 😉

    ‘Mrs Woman’ will be a new slant, not for kids either 😉 😉 😉

    More….shall we say…what the engineer/window cleaner saw.. 😀

    #149612
    kwatt
    Keymaster

    Re: Awkward Customers

    NWAR wrote:I hasten to add that this is only an obervation before any of you cynics cast aspertions on my choice of reading material 🙄

    Too late… 😆

    K.

    #149613
    gegsy
    Participant

    Re: Awkward Customers

    Mrs Awkward that insists someone calls after she returns from work at 6:30pm.

    (solution = tell her that the next available ‘6:30 slot’ is in 3 weeks time!)

    I like your thinkin there Martin, some think we have no life 😆

    greg

    #149614
    NWAR
    Moderator

    Re: Awkward Customers

    gegsy wrote:some think we have no life

    Uhm, Are we supposed to?

    Why did nobody tell me!?!

    To briefly venture back on-topic; I seem to recall a fairly recent post with this sort of material in it. Or it may have been a wee while ago – my sense of the passing of time isn’t all that great! I’m sure someone could dig it up and link it from here if they stumble across it. I’ve had a (admittedly very) brief look myself but didn’t find it.

    Craig

    #149615
    Bryan
    Participant

    Re: Awkward Customers

    Lot`s of good stories in here http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/modules.p … opic&t=474

    Think that`s the one you were looking for Craig. 🙂

    Bryan

    #149616
    Goatboy
    Participant

    Re: Awkward Customers

    Family!

    No matter how awkward a normal customer can be…it’s always the family members that are the most awkward, IMHO.

    #149617
    gegsy
    Participant

    Re: Awkward Customers

    Goatboy wrote:Family!

    No matter how awkward a normal customer can be…it’s always the family members that are the most awkward, IMHO.


    Ewe kidding right 😆

    #149618
    Goatboy
    Participant

    Re: Awkward Customers

    Maybe it’s just me that’s got a big, awkward family?

    Lots of kids everywhere. 😉

    ps. You can get away with any come-back you want now, coz off out for the night.

    :wave:

    #149619
    iadom
    Moderator

    Re: Awkward Customers

    Kids, 😆 no offence GB. 😉

    ” Whats that for mister, whad’yer doin mister, why aren’t you speaking to me mister, ” then the little blighters start poking around in your toolbox whilst mummy dear keeps saying “don’t do that” and they take no notice of her,…….. carefully closing the toolbox lid on the fingers usually works. 😈

    #149620
    FastAndPro
    Participant

    Re: Awkward Customers

    After 6.30 or fixed within 30 secs each way time slot
    Ah madam we have a gold service call charge 3 times the normal call price normally makes her remember a free afternoon

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