Can You Clean My Chair

[CanadianRuss]

Finished the carpets, just about ready to pack up. Customer asked about a quick chair touch up. How about a full restoration clean?

 

[Goomer]

Heavy smoker?

 

[CanadianRuss]

Yes

 

[CanadianRuss]

Makes for great before and after shots

 

[Goomer]

In regards to the "quick touch-up", "a quick once-over", and the notorious "just freshen it up a little", I make it a point to clearly clarify exactly what they mean, even though we both know what their true intention is most likely to try to discount the cost of the additional service, as if you should be happy they are throwing you a bone.

I'll be happy to "just freshen it up a little" once they know exactly what my interpretation of it will be, what the additional charge will be, and the possible limitations of the results, as opposed to the standard cleaning that will cost X.

I have always found that proposition to be insulting enough to not let anyone accomplish sneaking it by unchallenged.

 

[Mark Saiger]

I usually tell them removing that spot (or touch up an area) I might make a new spot.... A Clean Spot!

AND sometimes I don't feel like trying to blend them in either...

 

[Jim Pemberton]

In regards to the "quick touch-up", "a quick once-over", and the notorious "just freshen it up a little", I make it a point to clearly clarify exactly what they mean, even though we both know what their true intention is most likely to try to discount the cost of the additional service, as if you should be happy they are throwing you a bone.

Frank hit the nail on the head. These comments, as well as the famous "can you hit this while you are here?" all translate to the desire for a significant discount, or even perhaps free service.

That particular chair has two issues that need to be addressed:

1. There are holes in the fabric on the arm. That explains their desire not to spend much on it, but such people are just the type to blame you for those holes. I don't know whether or not you mentioned them, but never assume "they had to know they were there".

There are ugly people on this earth who plan to take advantage of the naive and well intentioned of the world. In my mind, its the same mindset that has a person pretend their car is disabled on the road and then rob the good Samaritan who tries to help. Its the same thought process, it only varies in the degree of money stolen and violence involved...but the sociopathic evil is the same.

2. Nicotine staining such as you see there sometimes will wick to the surface as the fabric dries. I could see that same sort of person calling you back to reclean the furniture they abused so badly and wanted cleaned at a discount in the first place. Something that heavily soiled needs deep cleaning, not "touched up".

I guess I'm coming off as the cranky old man again here.

I've just seen far too many hard working, good intentioned, caring cleaners taken advantage of by this sort of person, and it curdles the milk of human kindness in my veins.

 

[GreenTechAgain]

It's a "Canadian thing".

Lotta snowbirds down here.

Nice people, but cheap!

 

[CanadianRuss]

Frank hit the nail on the head. These comments, as well as the famous "can you hit this while you are here?" all translate to the desire for a significant discount, or even perhaps free service.

That particular chair has two issues that need to be addressed:

1. There are holes in the fabric on the arm. That explains their desire not to spend much on it, but such people are just the type to blame you for those holes. I don't know whether or not you mentioned them, but never assume "they had to know they were there".

There are ugly people on this earth who plan to take advantage of the naive and well intentioned of the world. In my mind, its the same mindset that has a person pretend their car is disabled on the road and then rob the good Samaritan who tries to help. Its the same thought process, it only varies in the degree of money stolen and violence involved...but the sociopathic evil is the same.

2. Nicotine staining such as you see there sometimes will wick to the surface as the fabric dries. I could see that same sort of person calling you back to reclean the furniture they abused so badly and wanted cleaned at a discount in the first place. Something that heavily soiled needs deep cleaning, not "touched up".

I guess I'm coming off as the cranky old man again here.

I've just seen far too many hard working, good intentioned, caring cleaners taken advantage of by this sort of person, and it curdles the milk of human kindness in my veins.

I did qualify the cleaning of the chair with the customer first. Once I cleaned a small area, I showed the customer the result. She was happy. So I proceeded to finishe the job. I did setup air movers for fear of wicking, I had a job just up the street so I returned to pick up the air mover on my way through.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

I did qualify the cleaning of the chair with the customer first. Once I cleaned a small area, I showed the customer the result. She was happy. So I proceeded to finishe the job. I did setup air movers for fear of wicking, I had a job just up the street so I returned to pick up the air mover on my way through.

And THAT makes me happy (imagine that!) Just be careful out there.

 

[CanadianRuss]

And THAT makes me happy (imagine that!) Just be careful out there.

Thank you Jim. It's nice to know nice guys like you are still out there.

 

[PrimaDonna]

it curdles the milk of human kindness in my veins.

Them are some strong words....interesting saying. I may have to use it...I'll give you credit of course.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I guess I'm coming off as the cranky old man again here.
I've just seen far too many hard working, good intentioned, caring cleaners taken advantage of by this sort of person, and it curdles the milk of human kindness in my veins.

You such a good man Jim. Thanks for making everyone aware of those potential risks!

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Thanks guys (and Meg!)

I grew up watching my father work his butt off and come home talking about people just like this, and the way he was treated still sticks with me when I watch what happens to some of you now. You suffer, your spouses suffer, your kids suffer when you work for nothing or pay out money in unjustified claims.

So I guess I have some strong emotional investment with this issue.

I'm thankful that the majority of the people you clean for are good hearted and appreciative sorts. It those people who make this business worthwhile and rewarding.

Just watch out for the sociopaths.....

 

[Mike Draper]

In the beginning I did let people take advantage of my wife and I as we worked together. I was to afraid of making the client "uncomfortable" by being to forward with them on their request of "can you just touch this up" or "can you just move and clean under this real quick" or "can you throw this rug in". I started to realize these people can sense when they have a pushover hired. You give them an inch and they will take a mile.
I remember the exact job when I said "enough"!!! At the request of this lady we spent 1 hour re-arranging all the furniture in 3 rooms. It started with 1 or 2 items, then after she sensed my weakness it was everything. After we were all done she even asked for a discount, which I did not give.
After my wife and I got in the van we both looked at eachother in dissapointment, not for helping the lady out, but becuase we knew she took advantage of us for being pushovers.
From that day on I've always been very firm when people do this. Fortunately, my prices are high enough now that I rarely get these type of people any more.

 

[ruff]

Setting limits and managing expectations, combined with good service is the very foundation of long term success.

 

[Willy P]

as if you should be happy they are throwing you a bone.

Two things pop to mind 1- they want to bone you and 2- there's no meat on the bone. You're boned either way.

 

[Mikey P]

Great discussion. .

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Setting limits and managing expectations, combined with good service is the very foundation of long term success.

So much said in so few words Ofer.

Thank you!

 

[CanadianRuss]

Setting limits and managing expectations, combined with good service is the very foundation of long term success.

I agree with You. Three important business foundations that every successful company should implement. Building a solid company is what we all strive for. At the end of the day, we can all sleep better knowing we are building our companies to better our future. Our children's future etc.

 

[bob vawter]

Arts coming over after the holidays
to hit my wifes swivel dr chairs real quick.......

she's got about six more fixed ones
as long as he's here.......
OHH.......an' give the lazy boy a quick shot too...OK?

 

[Kellie Hiler]

I learned this lesson early on as I would fall for it and do the little here and there things. Now when they ask me for these "little" things, I take a look at it and tell them we can certainly throw that in for an extra such and such amount. Most of the time they say "thats fine, go for it". And of course occasionally some will say "oh, never mind then". I always get a kick out of that response, amazed that people think we work for free...lol.
Now if it is a disabled or elderly person who is on a fixed income and I can see they clearly need help, I will offer to do some things that I think they might need just to help them through a rough patch but that is different.

 

[Willy P]

I learned this lesson early on as I would fall for it and do the little here and there things. Now when they ask me for these "little" things, I take a look at it and tell them we can certainly throw that in for an extra such and such amount. Most of the time they say "thats fine, go for it". And of course occasionally some will say "oh, never mind then". I always get a kick out of that response, amazed that people think we work for free...lol.
Now if it is a disabled or elderly person who is on a fixed income and I can see they clearly need help, I will offer to do some things that I think they might need just to help them through a rough patch but that is different.

Exactly! Do these same folks put $50 worthof gas in the car and offer to pay for $40? Do they go in the grocery store and ask for the roast beef for free? And I agree with helping out the aged, handicapped and financially stressed, but it pisses me off to no end when customers want free work from a small company.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Now if it is a disabled or elderly person who is on a fixed income and I can see they clearly need help, I will offer to do some things that I think they might need just to help them through a rough patch but that is different.

Its interesting how there seems to be no relation to someone's true need and peoples' requests for discounted or free service. Some of the most affluent will chisel to the last dime, and some of the most needy will give a tip.

I like the way you look at things Kellie.

 

[Willy P]

OHH.......an' give the lazy boy a quick shot too...OK?

Don't do it Art -Do you know how many times Bawb's farted on that? Hazmat job for sure.
(Don't you hate the wet ones Bawb? They always get itchy when they dry.)

 

[Zee]

Its interesting how there seems to be no relation to someone's true need and peoples' requests for discounted or free service. Some of the most affluent will chisel to the last dime, and some of the most needy will give a tip.

I like the way you look at things Kellie.

And that's exactly how it is... And when I'm in the middle of this situation, I start to wonder...Maybe THAT IS why the rich guy is rich and THAT IS why the poor schmuck is who he is.

Sometimes I think I'm in the wrong business. Because I can look at a person and their house/car/clothes/SPEACH and draw a pretty accurate mental picture what is wrong with them. Just want to grab the ponytail on the back of his or her head and yank on it while my other hands smacks the stinky cancerstick right out of their mouth...to tell them this is what's wrong with you! And just want to explain the immediate changes they need to do for themselves.. Because nobody will change things for them.

 

[Zee]

I should write one of them "self help" books in their tone... And give them instructions on what should be obvious to most people.

Yo, dumbass..quit buying the fookin gatorade at the 7- eleven...go to Costco and buy a big pack for half the cost. And if your brokeass can't afford a Costco card, then borrow one. You wot m8? Yo lazy ass don't got no car to bring the big pack of gatorade home? Then get a dolly and walk m8!
Etcetera...

 

[Jim Pemberton]

I should write one of them "self help" books in their tone... And give them instructions on what should be obvious to most people.
Yo, dumbass..quit buying the fookin gatorade and the 7- eleven...go to Costco and buy a big pack for half the cost. And if your brokeass can't afford a Costco card then borrow one. You wot m8? Yo lazy ass don't got no car to bring the big pack of gatorade home? Then get a dolly and walk m8!
Etcetera...

....and I thought I was the only "cranky uncle" here...

I spend most of the day biting my lip as I watch idiocy walk by in my life on a daily basis.

But then I invariably see the biggest idiot in the world when I look in the mirror...and so it goes...

 

[Zee]

It's always a lot more fun and a heck of a lot easier to judge all the idiots around... Then the one looking back at you from the mirror. Trust me, I deal with it daily.

 

[Zee]

Oh and Jim, you're not that special in that way (being judgemental)...because I think 99% of all self made or semi self made people are judgemental assholes. (some just don't say it or admit it) And when you think of it, the biggest judgmental personalities are the self help guru types. Their entire life revolves around judging other people's mistakes and tell them why they're wrong.