[Hamilton smith]

Just had a call fom a customer to say that they had a leak from a radiator. I cleaned this customers carpet in the past so I  new where the job was (the other side of town). I re arranged things to go out there and rang them back, they were glad of the assistance - I then mentioned the fee £55 including VAT which I thought was ok since they had used me before and I was hopefully going to save them a new carpet or the excess from the insurance claim. Customer sounded like I had just asked him to borrow his wife for the evening!. Rather then sound annoyed by his unhappiness at the thought of paying for my services I expained he could always make the claim and then settle with the cleaning firm appointed by the insurer directly (if they successfully got the water marks etc out). Or pay the excess and get the job done under insurance. The call ended ok he obviously was not wanting to pay so I just gave some tips as to what do if he did make a claim.
Either way it is unlikely that anyone will get there today, the excess will probably be £100-£200 at present. If the cleaning firm does settle privately it will be more than £55.00.

 Is it just me???

It never ceases to amaze me that if a plumber was being called out or an electrician there would be a call out fee + hourly rate + VAT. Just because its as the chap said 'its just a bit of cleaning' (I am still obviously feeling irritated) we are supposed to do it for nothing. The worst of it is that at 4pm I did not want the job!!

[Mike Osbourne]

Sounds like you handled the situation well, when they were surprised.

In future do you think you are going to have to point out to people in these situations that you arn't doing a freebie?

[Hamilton smith]

probably should say it is or is not a freebie, its easy to assume that other people think like you - I do not assume that people generally will do an emergency call out for nothing. If it was something i could book in and just have a look at I would not charge - say a cig burn on a carpet that I discovered was not possible to repair.

[Aquakleen Restoration Services]

I had a right nob head today! Went in to house he was perfectly ok. Measured up carpet which was just under 300 square foot. Price was £90. WHAT? He exclaimed!! I can get new carpet for that!! My brother in law who works in London (Im in the north east) said it would cost £45 to clean as he knew the size. I thought what a load of pish you speak pal (I was foaming). What is it with people these days.? Luckily most of my quotes turn in to jobs so I dont need plonkers like that!!

[JandS]

Sounds a lot to me as well.

John

[clinton]

One room

[elliott cleaning]

Skywalker

If your brother in law lives in London & reckons he can get 300 sq ft of carpet professionally cleaned for £45,  then I dread to think as to the quality of carpet cleaners he knows

[derek west]

the way i read it, i think he meant the (k)nob heads brother in law.
derek

[C A Payne]

skywalker 71, its a good job he never asked me for a quote! i'd ave charged him £111-  i had a person ring me the othar day for a quote, lounge 24 " 11 & hallway 12 " 4....  £97.68 for lounge & £17.76 for hall. total = £115.44p... "what" the woman said, i had my carpet cleaned about 3 months ago by a splash & dash merchant & he charged me £45- & came from the other side of kent... she said the carpet was very dirty & she could'nt remember who he was (i know who he is, a complete cowboy, does rooms for £8- each...) i refuse to compromise my pricing structure & i refuse to entertain those who phone saying "i'm looking for the cheapest quote" i usually wish them luck as i'm unable to provide the service they are looking for..... aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhhhh  charlie.       

[Bob Allen]

I had a customer (who i have been to before) ring me the other day and ask "have we any special offers on at the moment"?
Ive never been asked that before.....i told her we dont do special offers we just pride ourselves on offering a professional high standard quality service at a competitive price, i also said we dont sacrifice price for quality.
p.s i still got the job

[from edge2edge]

Bob i think its a little like playing poker in the sense that if you can afford to lose you invariably win.Just dont let people bluff you.I sometimes call their bluff anyway when you get the inkling its all about price by offering to rent them a machine so they can do it themselves.Some take up the offer and others just end the conversation.Either way i havent had to do a professional job for mickey mouse money.Regards Alan(swindon)

[Aquakleen Restoration Services]

Nah it was 2 rooms, one was the living room and the other was the kitchen. I charge 35p per square foot of carpet and  80% of quotes I go in for I get although some I have to give them a little shpiel! This guy was not the listening type so I didnt bother.

To Clinton and JandS just out of interest do you charge by the square foot and how much. Also would you have done it for £45?

Cheers
John.

[Aquakleen Restoration Services]

By the way it wasnt my brother in law it was him saying it was HIS brother in law. Hope it all makes sense now!!!

[clinton]

Hi john

Dont charge by the foot mate.

Would not have done it for 45..

cheeers