It's true. If you live long enough, you see everything.
Last Tuesday, a long time customer caught up with me and asked if I could sneak in a lettering job for his new business van before the holiday. We discussed some of the details of what was going on it, including a logo he already has, and he planned to get me all the necessary info before the weekend was done. He also mentioned the van was scheduled to be repainted the following morning.
Figuring on those details, I set a ballpark figure for the job, planned on cutting the vinyl needed over the weekend, and scheduled it for today, Monday.
The following night, Wednsday, he emailed me the logo with a note that the repainting was going to be a day or two late. I stopped in to have a peek where it was garaged Saturday afternoon, expecting to see a white van, and found it was still being worked on by the body shop guy and he would be repainting it SUNDAY!!! Next I knew, the body man is telling me he has never used that brand of paint before and wasn't sure what the results would be.
Now the fun REALLY starts...
I immediately went to the customer's with the intention of explaining that the freshly painted van would have to be worked on AFTER it had at least 24 hours to dry, but would still be willing to do it despite the delay. He was out at the time and would not be back for the rest of the day. I left a note explaining the situation, and where I cold be reached throughout the rest of the weekend, but still have not heard back from him.
He also did not send the rest of the info as planned.
He opens the business for the winter season this Friday, but my gut reaction is to drop this one before it gets any more dragged out. This is just a case of poor planning on his part and does not constitute an emergency to me. I'm also not to fond of spending Christmas Eve doing something like this when it wasn't necessary.
I'm planning on heading over to the place in the morning and pushing this one back to the weekend, like it or not. If not, he can find someone else's feet to drag.
Normally I'll go the distance on a rush job, but when a 10 day window of opportunity to get it done gets slammed down to two days, you sometimes have to draw the line and let one go to another shop.
Not worth the headaches or schedule shuffling, and certainly shows how much importance this customer puts into getting something done right....none.
Just sharing a few notes... Rapid
[ December 23, 2003, 12:32 AM: Message edited by: Ray Rheaume ]
Posted by Source Signs (Member # 1164) on :
Ray, It sounds like you have already gone 'above and beyond' by the concern you have shown this customer. I beleive you have done the right thing and you have earned a few good days off without worry or guilt. I applaud you for trying. No one needs this kind of pressure. As you say...his emergency is not your emergency. If he feels his business opening will be put in jeopardy, because his van is not ready on opening day.....that is his problem...not yours. Good things are worth waiting for. Haste makes waste.... Enjoy!
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
I can totally relate. A customer just called me yesterday, that his NEW van was ready for lettering any time this week. Plus, he also needs an old van relettered on one side. (fender bender repair)
Fortunately, he's a very nice respectful customer. I immediately pointed out that I was fully booked until Jan 5, however, if something came up, I'd give him a call.
Several times I changed things around in my head schedule wise to attempt to do the vans. I stopped myself today and told myself enough already! He called late, he said he'd be ok with waiting until I can do them and I need to leave it be. I do it to myself, want to do the impossible.
Jan 5 isn't that far off.
Wise choice you made Ray. Those are the kinds of jobs we don't need all that bad.
Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :
You do what you can, sometimes things don't go as planned, nothing to get upset over. Delay wasn't your fault. I wouldn't ruin any of my holiday plans for it. You tried. I'd politely tell him it now has to wait till your ready.
Posted by Bruce Williams (Member # 691) on :
Ray said: ". . .explaining that the freshly painted van would have to be worked on AFTER it had at least 24 hours to dry . . ." ------------------------------ Well then, that's that. You're not about to fool with wet paint. Very soon, the client would tell everybody that you don't know what you're doing. Of course it's he who doesn't, but that doesn't do you any good.
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
"Lack of Planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine"
That being said, I wouldn't let this van take up any more space in your head until at least Friday. You have enough things in your mind with the holiday, your kids, family. This disaster can wait.
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Hiya Rabid. I'm with the others above me. BUT...I have always been told that one must wait 2 weeks after a paint job to apply vinyl vehicle graphics due to outgassing. I always do...is this correct? Anyway, it would buy time. I think that the dude will return after Christmas. Obviously he is rushing both you and the body shop. You have done all that you can do. So go put on your Santa boxers and enjoy the Holidays! Love- JILL
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
this is normal......people think you just wave a wand and POOF!!! all the letters fall in place. case and point, hennie comes home last nite with a letter size page, with a list of stuff they need in cut vinyl. well... then she says they want this tomarrow morning.....i look at it and said ok....you weed and help me tape,(then you will not be so quick to say things can be done that quick) this was R.T.A. order for some industrial complex. we started after we came home from mexican dinner bout 7:30. 11:30 we taped the last page of 40 FEET X 20" WIDE VINYL!!!! now heres the funny part, all the years she has been around me and signs, after all the vinyl was taped and i was making the invoice....she says, "gee i didnt think there was that much, it was just 1 page of paper!!!!!!!!!
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