These d-bags never came back with 18 thousand dollar job* so I can live with the lost of another $300 coroplast because I'll be working for another customer that picked me for my quality of work, not because he can play with me (price-shoppers, d-bags, ...)
*if they ever do, they'll shop the 35 other sign co. in my area to try to save less than $500 at the end but everyone will have lost their time thinking they can get the job.
BTW, here's a quick one: someone I turned down was trying to make negative press but the 3 poeple he has talked to, the 3 were satisfied customers (long-time ones) and they all replied the same thing: "this guy is an artist, really devoted to his respectful customers who pay when the job's done so if you stepped in his shoes or treated him like a "nobody" who cut vinyl letters for living, don't be surprised he treats you the same... this guy works on weekends to accomodate me 'cause my rigs are on the road on weekdays so go spread your crap somewhere else" (free translation from original French conversation)
It doesn't matter how old you are or how long you've been in the business...... these people always come back. I don't know if they're a glutton for punishment or just testing you, but it never pays to just write someone off, unless they did you wrong.
I had a girl come to us for some little signs about 10 or so years ago. She gave me half down. When she picked them up... she had a song and dance about not paying right away. I knew I was in for a long wait, but I did. I hounded her for about 6 months and finally told her, if I don't get paid, I was gonna turn her over. She got totally p!ssed and told me how rude and un-businesslike....... and just plain mean I was. I said, yeah, I know, but you own me.... I think it was about $75. yet. I simply asked her, when do you think I can get it ?? I don't need it, but you
ARE going to pay me. She said in a week or two. Well, another month or two went by and finally I got paid. I thanked her for the balance and told her, if she would at least tell me she needed a credit line, I could've handled it, but not to do it if she has no intentions of paying right away.
About a year went by and I got another call for her and she was all pleasant and asked me to do a similar job. I asked her how she intended to pay and she agreed to pay the whole thing up front.
Move ahead about three years and she became a regular customer getting about $12,000 a year worth of signs..
Just last year, the company gave us about a $45,000 job and right after that gave us another $35,000 or so worth of signs.
We now handle this companies signs all over the place... Virginia, Delaware, Jersey and four places here in PA.
So yes, they do come back with large orders. I can't tell you how many times this has happened. I'll bet you I can eventually remember at least a dozen times, by not being a hot-head, this has worked to my/our advantage.
The thing is, you get more flies with honey, then you do with vinegar, so just be careful how much your temper gets in your own way.
Be up front with your clients and be sure to enforce your own rules. If you don't, you just set the pace for a possible bad scenario.
