I have a Home Improvement Business. I can sell the job very easy. When I start the job The customer Loves Me. I am very frendy and and very kind and polite. As the job goes on the customers seem to take advantage of me, Not paying me on time, asking extra of me and my time. In the end I feel like there slave and seem to have to plea for my money. It must be me a this is alwasy the case. I am getting to Hate my line of work. I have a hard time standing up to them. Should not be as frendley? How should I handle myself?
2007-03-15 19:04:19 · 4 answers · asked by skillwithtools 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
This is a completely normal process of a business growing through the first few years, best I can tell you from my own experience is things will likely change the day you decide to make the change.
You want the answer?
Soon as the nonsense starts you thank
them for their time, and walk away.
Consistency is key, but practice never hurts.
In this, it helps to foresee the stuff, because that can save you the headache in the first place, but in the end you still have to walk away from it because you just can't help everybody.
2007-03-15 20:14:54 · answer #1 · answered by netthiefx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start writing stronger business contracts. Clearly state the price for the whole project and any additions to what is written in the contract will be an extra charge. Also, require a percentage of the payment to be paid to you before the project is started. Then, clearly state that the customer has X amount of days after the project is completed to pay for your work in full. Choose a high penalty fee for paying late.
Review the contract with your customers and remind them that by signing they agree with your terms. If they refuse to sign, then you don't need their business as they will cause you problems. Do not allow people to take advantage of you, any additional work is extra $
This way If you have a signed contract and your customer fails to follow the terms, You can sue their XYZ!
Just a suggestion !
No matter what you do and how frustrated you feel, DO NOT give up on your business. I think the hardest part is the start up and you seem to have passed that phase.
All your sacrifices will end up being worth it.
Good Luck
2007-03-16 00:37:51 · answer #2 · answered by 0022 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your problem is that you undertake a project with no written contract. Talk to a lawyer about how to draw up a contract - and then learn about mechanics liens.
You can do either than or get out of business.
2007-03-17 10:36:24 · answer #3 · answered by jim_elkins 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be friendly but be firm, after all this is business and u mean business, show them what a great service u can provide but also tell them ur strict and firm policies
2007-03-16 04:15:15 · answer #4 · answered by vio_prince 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋