How do you spot a nightmare customer before taking the job?
Had a lady last week tell me on the phone it was "just a few things in the garage". Get there and it's the whole garage plus a shed in the backyard, and she wanted to pay the price I gave her on the phone. Spent 40 minutes arguing in the driveway and still did the job for less than it was worth. How do yall spot the bad customers before you show up? Any red flags or something you say on the phone so this doesn't happen again?
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Never give a firm price on the phone. Ask for pictures and give a range, tell them the final price depends on how much space it takes in the trailer. If they won't send pictures thats your first red flag
Anybody who starts with "how much for just" is gonna be trouble lol
Red flags for me: they negotiate before you've even seen the stuff, they talk bad about the last 3 companies, or they want to pay later by check. I get paid before the last load leaves the driveway now, no exceptions
Put everything in writing. I text every customer the quote with what's included and what costs extra (mattresses, tires, paint, appliances) before I come out. When they argue I just show them the text
Pictures and a written quote from now on. Thanks everyone, lesson learned
Sometimes you gotta walk away too. Not every job is worth the money or the headache
