I may have to hang onto that one. Next time we have one of the
weekend warrior (who actually believes he is a warrior) guys that
starts singing "The Battle of the Pimple Faced Kid" and lets everyone
know how he bested him it might be due for a repost.
It would be interesting to see if Mr. Two Feet of Cock could see the
parallel. Probably not.
Robert
On Jun 11, 10:04=A0pm, Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:24:26 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
>
> <[email protected]> wrote:
> >Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open this,
> >okay, you pansy?!)
>
> >http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-am...
>
> You should never do retail.
>
Au contraire mon fr=E8re. I live for the interface with the customers. I
like dealing with people and when it comes to difficult customers, I
have learned which hill to die on.
In fact, my pricing often has a little built in when I think the
client is going to be extraordinarily fussy. I have also passed
altogether when I smelled a rat.
THAT is one part of wood dorking you don't learn from Norm.
On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:58:27 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On Jun 11, 10:04 pm, Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
>> On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:24:26 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
>>
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open this,
>> >okay, you pansy?!)
>>
>> >http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-am...
>>
>> You should never do retail.
>>
>Au contraire mon frère. I live for the interface with the customers. I
>like dealing with people and when it comes to difficult customers, I
>have learned which hill to die on.
>In fact, my pricing often has a little built in when I think the
>client is going to be extraordinarily fussy. I have also passed
>altogether when I smelled a rat.
>
>THAT is one part of wood dorking you don't learn from Norm.
It's called a PITA tax down here. Everyone who has been in business
long enough to know better slides their prices according to
difficulty.
My point about retail was that I never advertised and they came
looking for me.
I got rid of most of the worst ones during the initial phone
conversation.
There were those who snuck through.
I held my nose and went on.
Regards,
Tom
Thos.J.Watson - Cabinetmaker
tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet
www.home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1
"Robatoy" wrote
One thing that helps a lot, is that I am totally up-front with them.
"Dark colours show too many scratches!" (in which case I suggest
Quartz.)
People have been screwed so many times by the shiney shoed salesman, that a
person who talks real english and doesn't bullshit them is a relatively rare
experience. And goes a long way toward creating credibility.
bugbear wrote:
> Mark & Juanita wrote:
>> Robatoy wrote:
>>
>>> Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open this,
>>> okay, you pansy?!)
>>>
>>>
>>
http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-american-culture?1
>>
>> Well, the customer isn't always right,but they *are* the customer.
>> i.e,
>> it's their money and they choose how to spend it.
>
> Yeah. But spending 99c on a coffee doesn't get
> you Kingly rights.
>
> It's just gets you coffee.
>
Absolutely. OTOH, it better get you a cup of coffee with a smile. While
arrogant, narcissistic, self-absorbed, and self-important customers are a
scourge of the earth, I also find "service with a snarl" to rank a close
second.
--
If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough
"Robatoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open this,
> okay, you pansy?!)
>
> http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-american-culture?1
I do agree with the Customer is Always Right statement in my business, but
that doesn't mean I can't be wrong on occasion. When a customer insisted
that I not smoke while working on a project for her because it was bad for
my health, I decided to be wrong and told her to go somewhere else. ( I have
given up smoking for customers who were allergic to or bothered by tobacco
when doing their projects). When I go to buy something and the clerk tells
me it won't work for me and I know it will, I am right and should be allowed
to buy the product, a warning or suggetion is always welcome though if given
in good faith. None of this gives me as the customer or businessman the
right to be rude.
Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:58:27 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>On Jun 11, 10:04 pm, Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:24:26 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
>>>
>>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> >Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open
>>> >this, okay, you pansy?!)
>>>
>>> >http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-a
>>> >m...
>>>
>>> You should never do retail.
>>>
>>Au contraire mon frère. I live for the interface with the customers. I
>>like dealing with people and when it comes to difficult customers, I
>>have learned which hill to die on.
>>In fact, my pricing often has a little built in when I think the
>>client is going to be extraordinarily fussy. I have also passed
>>altogether when I smelled a rat.
>>
>>THAT is one part of wood dorking you don't learn from Norm.
>
>
> It's called a PITA tax down here. Everyone who has been in business
> long enough to know better slides their prices according to
> difficulty.
>
>
> My point about retail was that I never advertised and they came
> looking for me.
>
>
> I got rid of most of the worst ones during the initial phone
> conversation.
>
> There were those who snuck through.
>
> I held my nose and went on.
Salesmanship convinces them to do the 'right thing' and believe it was
their idea all along. A win-win.
Mark & Juanita wrote:
> Robatoy wrote:
>
>> Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open this,
>> okay, you pansy?!)
>>
>>
> http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-american-culture?1
>
> Well, the customer isn't always right,but they *are* the customer. i.e,
> it's their money and they choose how to spend it.
Yeah. But spending 99c on a coffee doesn't get
you Kingly rights.
It's just gets you coffee.
BugBear
Robatoy wrote:
> Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open this,
> okay, you pansy?!)
>
>
http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-american-culture?1
Well, the customer isn't always right,but they *are* the customer. i.e,
it's their money and they choose how to spend it. OTOH, there are some
customers that a business just can't afford -- i.e. they cost more in
actual money or just plain aggravation such that if they go somewhere else
a business is actually ahead.
--
If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough
On Jun 11, 11:04=A0pm, Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
[snipped for brevit=E9].
>
> I got rid of most of the worst ones during the initial phone
> conversation.
>
I had one a few days ago, and it went something like this:
"I painted my laminate countertop and it was all flaking and we're
suing the paint company and they are going to give us thousands and we
want a Corian top now."
>>>>>dial tone<<<<<<<
On Jun 12, 9:48=A0am, "Lee Michaels" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Robatoy" =A0wrote
>
> One thing that helps a lot, is that I am totally up-front with them.
> "Dark colours show too many scratches!" (in which case I suggest
> Quartz.)
>
> People have been screwed so many times by the shiney shoed salesman, that =
a
> person who talks real english and doesn't bullshit them is a relatively ra=
re
> experience. =A0And goes a long way toward creating credibility.
I often get strange looks when I blurt out; "Nooo, you don't want
that!"
On Jun 12, 7:52=A0am, Frank Boettcher <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:58:27 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
>
> <[email protected]> wrote:
> >On Jun 11, 10:04=A0pm, Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:24:26 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
>
> >> <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> >Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open this,
> >> >okay, you pansy?!)
>
> >> >http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-am.=
..
>
> >> You should never do retail.
>
> >Au contraire mon fr=E8re. I live for the interface with the customers. I
> >like dealing with people and when it comes to difficult customers, I
> >have learned which hill to die on.
>
> Me too. =A0While I was not exposed to the end user customer on a daily
> basis, I looked forward to those opportunities to be a direct sales
> person. =A0Always took the opportunity to see if I could get the rare
> grumpy individual to leave with a smile if not with the product. =A0My
> view, the next time he'll buy from us.
>
> However, I have had the thought, when patiently explaning the nature
> of statistical tolerance ranges to the individual who calls to
> complain that his table top is .002" out of flat, to offer to send him
> my favorite publication on the subject "Statistics for Dummies". =A0But
> the title might offend......
>
> Frank
I really enjoy the whole process of guiding the customer, doing my dog
& pony show, then fabricating and installing and then getting paid for
all of it from customers with a smile on their faces.
One thing that helps a lot, is that I am totally up-front with them.
"Dark colours show too many scratches!" (in which case I suggest
Quartz.)
On Jun 12, 9:36=A0am, bugbear <bugbear@trim_papermule.co.uk_trim> wrote:
> Mark & Juanita wrote:
> > Robatoy wrote:
>
> >> Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open this,
> >> okay, you pansy?!)
>
> >http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-am...
>
> > =A0 Well, the customer isn't always right,but they *are* the customer. =
=A0i.e,
> > it's their money and they choose how to spend it.
>
> Yeah. But spending 99c on a coffee doesn't get
> you Kingly rights.
>
> It's just gets you coffee.
>
> =A0 =A0BugBear
99 cents?????? Where?????
On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:24:26 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open this,
>okay, you pansy?!)
>
>http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-american-culture?1
You should never do retail.
Regards,
Tom
Thos.J.Watson - Cabinetmaker
tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet
www.home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1
On Jun 12, 11:24=A0pm, Mark & Juanita <[email protected]> wrote:
> bugbear wrote:
> > Mark & Juanita wrote:
> >> Robatoy wrote:
>
> >>> Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open this,
> >>> okay, you pansy?!)
>
> http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-am...
>
>
>
> >> =A0 Well, the customer isn't always right,but they *are* the customer.
> >> =A0 i.e,
> >> it's their money and they choose how to spend it.
>
> > Yeah. But spending 99c on a coffee doesn't get
> > you Kingly rights.
>
> > It's just gets you coffee.
>
> =A0 Absolutely. =A0OTOH, it better get you a cup of coffee with a smile. =
=A0While
> arrogant, narcissistic, self-absorbed, and self-important customers are a
> scourge of the earth, I also find "service with a snarl" to rank a close
> second.
They get a 'snarl-size' tip.
"Lee Michaels" wrote:
> People have been screwed so many times by the shiney shoed salesman,
> that a person who talks real english and doesn't bullshit them is a
> relatively rare experience. And goes a long way toward creating
> credibility.
A "Salesman" never sold anything to anybody.
The "Prospect" made a conscientious decision to become a "Customer" by
buying something.
Lew
"Tom Watson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:24:26 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open this,
>>okay, you pansy?!)
>>
>>http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-american-culture?1
>
>
> You should never do retail.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Tom
Sometimes, firing your customer is the best thing you can do for your
business. I think it was Sprint that just dumped 1000 customers that were a
PITA. Good for them. We got rid of our largest customer (a 7 figure
account) a few years ago too. You can only take so much crap and then you
say goodbye. One of our competitors gladly took the business from us.
About a year later they filed for bankruptcy.
On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:58:27 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On Jun 11, 10:04 pm, Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
>> On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:24:26 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
>>
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open this,
>> >okay, you pansy?!)
>>
>> >http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-am...
>>
>> You should never do retail.
>>
>Au contraire mon frère. I live for the interface with the customers. I
>like dealing with people and when it comes to difficult customers, I
>have learned which hill to die on.
Me too. While I was not exposed to the end user customer on a daily
basis, I looked forward to those opportunities to be a direct sales
person. Always took the opportunity to see if I could get the rare
grumpy individual to leave with a smile if not with the product. My
view, the next time he'll buy from us.
However, I have had the thought, when patiently explaning the nature
of statistical tolerance ranges to the individual who calls to
complain that his table top is .002" out of flat, to offer to send him
my favorite publication on the subject "Statistics for Dummies". But
the title might offend......
Frank
On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:24:26 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open this,
>okay, you pansy?!)
>
>http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-american-culture?1
I wholeheartedly agree!
--
Tim Douglass
http://www.DouglassClan.com
I started out with nothing and after years of hard work have finally managed to double it!
THAT'S FUNNY AS HECK!
I got a call from my only employee a few weeks ago right after he arrived at
his first job of the day. A guy was renting a retail space and we were
there to fix a few things for the property management company. The renter
was a real jerk telling my employee how he was going to do his job and what
was going to happen if he didn't follow directions. Every other word started
with "F". I told my guy to leave if the renter continued with his attitude.
He left soon after we hung up. I lost the account over it. But they were a
pain anyways. We still have enough business to work 5-6 days per week. We
have only walked off three jobs in 18 years. We are usually able to weed out
the bad ones before a working agreement is struck. Life is too short to deal
with mean people.
cm
"Robatoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
On Jun 11, 11:04 pm, Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
[snipped for brevité].
>
> I got rid of most of the worst ones during the initial phone
> conversation.
>
I had one a few days ago, and it went something like this:
"I painted my laminate countertop and it was all flaking and we're
suing the paint company and they are going to give us thousands and we
want a Corian top now."
>>>>>dial tone<<<<<<<
Amen.......
cm
"Robatoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hits the nail on the head. (If bad words bother you, don't open this,
> okay, you pansy?!)
>
> http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-american-culture?1