Those words from a recent Ray Chapman post came to mind yesterday as I approached the immaculate 40' cruiser at a private dock on the lake. The owner had removed the old striping and wanted me to replace it. The sounds of children being towed on a big tube by a ski boat were soon followed by waves that rocked the cruiser in its slip for several minutes. They went around and around the cove, then 2 teens on jet skis added more waves to the mix. Wondering why the hell I had agreed to do this, I explained my doubts about being able to deal with the bouncing. The nervously hovering owner offered to "hold" the boat while I striped - I climbed up on the bow and started laying the first color. I hadn't gotten 3 feet before the owner, who was watching intently, said it was a little crooked. I climbed back down and looked at it, instantly realizing that nothing I did was going to please this anal nitpicker. I had tried for 3 months to pass on this job, but he insisted on waiting for me since I had done a good job lettering the boat 10 years ago. I reflected back on his first comment as I got out of my truck when I arrived: "You sure look older". Thanks a lot pal, I thought to myself - it's been 10 years, what were you expecting? Benjamin Button? At that point, Ray's advice was screaming in my ears and I bailed out. Smartest thing I've done all week.
Thanks Ray, I owe you one.........
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
Good thinking, Sonny. Sometimes,you just got to do that! Sounds like a no-win deal to me.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Well, ya'll will be proud of me. I walked away from one last Thursday. He needed it by this Friday. It felt soooooooo good.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
One what?
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
A pat on the back, a word of advice, a cold beer, a steak dinner, or just my singular appreciation.
(I bet he picks the steak dinner,,,,,,,,,,,,)
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Congrats Sonny! It's always hard to say no, but once you do, you'll be jumping for joy.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
Local home builder stopped by a couple of weeks ago. tossed me his standard stock photo business card and said he needed a logo. Before I could say a word edgewise, off he went.
Got a few minutes Tuesday and whipped up 3 ideas I thought would work for him. As I went to email them, I saw message from the local Pennysaver...they were looking for this guy's logo ASAP. Weird timing..
The next day I got a response (full of typos) that basically ignored everything I'd sent and he'd described what he wanted for a logo...a cartoon that would look cheesy on a tshirt and closed with "I need this ASAP, can you get do this for me."
My response... "No. Call someone else."
I don't want to do all the work around here...just the ones that make me money and/or don't $uck. Rapid
[ July 17, 2010, 06:49 PM: Message edited by: Ray Rheaume ]
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Sonny, did you just stop, and leave him with a partly-painted line, or did you clean it off before you left?
What was his reaction?!!
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Ian, it was a 2" vinyl stripe with a 1" stripe on each side separated by a 3/4" space. I just ripped off the 3' piece I had already applied and apologized, telling him that I would try to find another signperson (sucker) who might agree to take the job. Anybody need a gig?
I was very diplomatic and explained that it would be nearly impossible to do this job in the water and that neither one of us would be satisfied with the results. He was very disappointed and I felt really bad about it until I got home and had a cold beer and pondered the wisdom of Mr. Chapman..........
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Sonny...the steak sounds like a winner. Pats on the back are nice, but steaks are even nicer.
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
I figured out sometime back, that stress will kill. Customers that cause too much stress are like serial killers to signmakers. So its best to walk away from it and maybe someone with better nerves can do the job. Maybe we all will live longer lives, hopefully....
Posted by Judy Grossman (Member # 235) on :
Speaking of striping or lettering on boats...I have never tried this, because the only boats around here are little lake speed boats (that their owners are too cheap to letter) or houseboats with no room to do anything on...also cheap owners(even if the boats cost an arm and a leg)...Anyway, another sign painter told me once that he lettered yachts in southern CA, by standing in a dinghy that moved in the water, with the boat he was lettering. Never tried it myself, but he said it worked great. Not that I would suggest you go back and do it, Sonny (yay for you for walkin' on that one!). But next time, you might consider it. If their boat is large enough, they usually have their own dinghy that you could use. Mind you, I never tried this...so you are on your own.
