posted
Ok, at the risk of being a whiner, I know the rant limit is one per day. Last week a woman who is starting her own limo business came by. A nice gal, she was concise and friendly. She had a sticker (a decent one with a Stevens alphabet) belonging to her boyfriend's former Limo biz. She had a brochure she designed in Word, all-caps Monotype Corsiva. She wanted a window sticker that resembled her BF's, using "her" font. I said OK, we set up a price, a color, and a delivery day. Simple job ready Monday. I told her I could not do all-caps and she said make it look good. I did. I did not open up my computer for such a small job to show her design choices. After leaving, she calls and changes the color, "My BF wants black". OK, no prob. Fast forward to 9am today. I am about to cut the stickers. It is about a 30-minute job total. The BF calls, rushing me. He has to go out of town, and he is the one who will be applying the stickers. I finished the job, called them, and waited 3 hours for her to come & get them. She loved them, paid me, and that was that. Later on, the BF calls. "Has anyone ever complained about your stickers?" I answer no. He does not like them, he wanted them to look just like his old stickers. I explained that the gal wanted her font & that she loved the stickers. He says he hates them. I say it is hard to deal with 2 seperate people when I have only met one, who seemed to be on the same page as I was. I say "bring em back and you can have your check." He says he wants me to re-do them & make em exactly like his. I explain that I do not have the particular Stevens font, I can do close but no cigar. He wants me to show him on my computer. He sets up an appointmentfor tomorrow morning. I told him I thought he was going away. I think he won't show. But if he does, I'd like to tell him to stick his stickers. How do I handle this? These are 4 3"x4.5" stickers, a website sticker, and a license plate....retail $55. Not worth the hassle, but I want to be professional. Thanks & Love...Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Tell them that you will only deal with one person per job (company policy) and that since the girl friend has already approved the job, picked up the stickers and paid you - that job is in the books as far as you are concerned. If he would like to order another job from you, then deal with him alone. Make sure you raise the price since it sounds like this butt-head qualifies for the "aggravation percentage" as I used to call it.
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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GF liked them, paid for them, and left with them. BF is out of line. They aren't even his decals. WTH is that?
Keep the money. Offer second set for 30% more.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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ditto ditto ditto... If you refund these bozo's anything you will no longer be the Coroplast Queen, & who wants a nick like doormat deity, or pushover princess, regal refunder...
I'd stick with Coro-Queen & tell BF to order his own ugly stickers before he earns the honor of having you reject his refund requests.
posted
I also agree with above. Jill you did your part. He comes to you and it's a new job, hands down.
-------------------- Ed CJ Williams CJ Graffx Christiana,Pa. cjgraffx@comcast.net Just have'n fun.... Posts: 296 | From: Christiana,Pa. | Registered: May 1999
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YEs, ditto again, you did the order with HER , she approved it, She paid for it, She loved it, Its her baby. Not some dominating over powered interfering boy friend.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5273 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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Just imagine how he treats her at home if he's that domineering and interfering with something like this.
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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I even have "All decals are considered custom made and are not refundable" in small print a the bottom of my invoices. Haven't had anyone challenge it, but it's there.
I wouldn't turn the customer down, but... I'd charge something like $40 setup, 1 hr minimum fee and anything else you could come up with for his next quote, if he ever does show. Anything to either make the PITA never come back, or make it worth your while... It may turn out to be a nice profit deal eventually (hey, we can all dream, can't we?).
-------------------- Pete Sharkins MotoArts Decals and Signs New Kensington, PA motoarts@yahoo.com * All vinyl, all the time * Posts: 138 | From: New Kensington, PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Hey Pete, Maybe I'll just send him down to New Ken! This irks the hell outta me. Love...Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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-------------------- Harris Kohen K-Man Pinstriping and Graphix Trenton, NJ "Showing the world that even I can strategically place the pigment where its got to go." Posts: 1739 | From: Trenton, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2001
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Sure Jill, send him down! I'd LOVE to take his lunch and eat it, too! Make sure to tell him first that i'm on a 2 week backlog, though... hehehe Don't let it bug ya. It's a common thing in my 20 years of various retail experiences.
Do you remember talking to someone on the phone (via Glantz) about paint striping/highlighting a few weeks ago? I'll have to stop up and say hi someday soon...
-------------------- Pete Sharkins MotoArts Decals and Signs New Kensington, PA motoarts@yahoo.com * All vinyl, all the time * Posts: 138 | From: New Kensington, PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Jill......the ONLY way to be professional about this is to tell that dickwad to discuss HIS problem with his girlfriend. This is not YOUR problem. You had a customer come in, an order was taken, product was ready on time, customer was happy with order and paid you. Done deal! The guy was NOT your customer. He's not being professional. You are.
-------------------- Mike"Spud"Kelly zipperhead design Westminster, MA Posts: 367 | From: Westminster, MA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Sure Pete. Come on up, say, 9-ish. Look real mean and tuff too. We can pretend you're MY BF and that you are highly irate! Love...Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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You're way too cool to fool with this moron. I agree with both of Kim's statements....count your blessings that he is not the father of your children! (eeeeewwwwww - My breakfast is doin a U-TURN)
Regards, (edited because I can't spell)
[ April 06, 2004, 08:08 AM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Jill ahead off time cut some new stickers that say F#@K You. When he shows up hand them to him and say his job is done. See, it's as easy as that!
-------------------- Rob Larkham Sign Techniques Inc. Chicopee, Ma Posts: 607 | From: Chester, Ma. | Registered: Apr 2002
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OK Folks...here is what happened. (of all days too Justis missed the bus! So the guy was here when I got back from school!) He had the stickers all in a nice stack. I took them, handed him the girlfriend's signed check, and said: "Here is her check. From all appearances, she seemed pleased with my stickers. I have been in business 19 years and have never dealt with such an unprofessional situation. I suggest, if she goes elsewhere for stickers, that YOU accompany her and YOU do the talking. Have a nice day." I am sure he'll go home in his mini-van (big tuff guy eh) yank on her femullet and berate her, pathetic downtrodden thing that she is. GRRRRR But at least the Coro Queen bows to NO MAN. Love...Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I would print this thread and hand it to him when he comes in. Tell him to take it for homework and study up on it. He's a jerk. Get rid of him.
Posts: 1859 | From: / | Registered: Nov 1998
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Well, look at it this way. If it only cost $55 retail to make him go (and stay) away, that's cheap.
See my message icon? That's Jill sayin' "SEEEE YA" to Joe Schmoe Limovan Driver...
-------------------- Pete Sharkins MotoArts Decals and Signs New Kensington, PA motoarts@yahoo.com * All vinyl, all the time * Posts: 138 | From: New Kensington, PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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The BF needs some kind of punishment. I wish I was there to get huffy with him in front of the GF. I don't know why he feels he can do that to folks. Get his e-mail and let's flood him with e-mail about how he's being blackballed from the sign community for an extreme case of "AH"ism, and that under no circumstances will he ever be able to order a decal or sign again. Let's tell him this ban is lifelong.
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2107 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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Oh, It ain't so bad forgive and forget is what I say.
Just find out early when the next prom is and book a limmo. Mention that you want a "SHINY" black one. When it gets there tell them it isn't shiny enough and you don't want it. They said it would be shiny!
-------------------- Mike Pulskamp Pulskamp Arts Sacramento, CA mpulskamp@earthlink.net Posts: 165 | From: Sacramento, CA | Registered: Dec 2002
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g'ya' babydoll!!! There were SO many responses! BUT! I took the "Ev'yn Wds Sped Red'n crs" and it looks like they all say what I'm sayin':
Ya did business with one person who was satisfied and ya got paid, Done deal. No need to refund.
Now you gotta do business with another client: new job, new deal (new price).
It ain't yer fault, nor yer business, that these 2 clients are datin' and prolly should'nt be.
Just say it that way and if he gits his feelin's hurt it will be too bad-so sad.
In the mean time, you can work on another job where you can re-coup the money lost on all the time they wasted for ya makin' you some kind'a "sign-relationship counselor"
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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I know the type. My sister's X was one. We called him "Peter Perfect" for 20 yrs. If she or anyone else did anything right he felt castrated. People like that have self esteem problems and must criticise others in order to feel sufficient. It is sad.
-------------------- Kathy Joiner River Road Graphics 41628 River Road Ponchatoula, La.70454
Old enough to know better...Too young to resist. Posts: 1891 | From: Ponchatoula, LA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Sounds to me like a standard Greek procedure for doing busines, much like here in Conn.You learn to smile and nod while holding out your hand for a start up fee along with their art work. How many famous Greek race drivers have ever been in the history books? Ben Hur? thats it baby. Can't chisel your way to first place in tne race.
J.G. Kurtzman
-------------------- John Kurtzman J.G. Kurtzman Sign Shop 97 Taylor Ave. Norwalk, Ct. 06854
----------------------------------- Creative communication since 1959 Posts: 213 | From: So. Norwalk, Ct. USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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He's a jerk. Get rid of him.
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