posted
I AM SO MAD RIGHT NOW I AM TREMBLING...IN FACT I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I WAS THIS ANGRY. AND FRANKLY, I NEED SOME ADVICE FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE, CUZ RIGHT NOW....FELONY HOMICIDE IS LOOKING MIGHTY GOOD.
ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO...A LADY FROM A LOCAL BANK BRANCH CAME IN AND REQUESTED NEW DOOR LETTERING TO CHANGE THE Hours of operation on one of their smaller offices. They scheduled me to apply the vinyl on the 19th.
It was about 2 feet of vinyl total, and I opted to hold off cutting it until the actual day, as I had a lot of other larger projects in the way. Anyway, the day came, and I had technical communication problems between the comp and the plotter that I STILL have yet to solve even with the help of 5 guys from tech support. (Signlab, Cadlink) Anyway I could not cut vinyl. I made her aware of the situation, and I told her that I would do my best to cut and install it on the first of this week. She nailed me down to which day, and I said Tuesday....anyway longstory short, I stay here til 2:30 this morning installing a new hard drive, and all the fun stuff that entails, and I get in the office today around 10:30. She calls at 11-ish wanting to know where I am...I explain what happened, and assure her "definitely today."
At 2:30 she calls again saying basically "screw you I got someone else to do it"
When I explain the vinyl is done, she is like "oh well, I didn't sign anything..."
To which I replied, "So thats how blahblah bank does its business?"
Anyway, argueing ensued, and she hung up on me.
I call the main office. the Mgr there gives me the run around and says... "Oh well..you should have had it done on the 19th....."
I am, I swear, more angry than I have ever been in my LIFE...over the principle of the thing!!!!
Am I the only guy that considers where the other guy is coming from?
What should I do?
I let him know i was invoicing them for the work I had completed. But I doubt they pay....it is 120.00....but is it worth actually going to small claims court over?
My instinct is to make a fuss about this, 'cause it just ain't right.
What do you all say?
Smouldering, Barry
------------------ Master's Touch Signs & Screenprinting Clinton AR 5017456246 ICQ 17430008 "Imagine the Possibilities..."
Posts: 2500 | From: Clinton, AR USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
tamus....BREATH...SLOOOOOWLLLYYYYY.....now calm down........and get this thought..."karma takes care of things i cant"...this will help you deal with it....as for the $120.00....will it make you a rich man with it?....probably not...and you will have your turn to give it back to them...so dont make any waves.....you turn will come...1st union bank here, we tryed with them to buy our house...well it was banking as usual..you know blah blah blah...they wouldnt do it...so we got a mortgage co....we got the house moved here...i opened the shop...just down the road from the 1st union bank we tryed to get the loan from....you with me here...well it was one of the managers that called me to get me to bank there.....worst day of his life.....i let him have it with both barrels and told him in no uncertain terms that before i would bank with them i would get a coffee can and bury it in the back yard.... so you see .."what goes round comes round".....just relax....have some peppermint tea....
------------------ joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-944-5060 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND
Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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It seems to me that the root of your anger really lies in the fact that your computer was screwed up and you lost a job. That doggone computer messed with your head! It wasn't your customers fault that you couldn't produce the job on time and because they couldn't wait any longer, they had to move on.
I have done work for banks too. Sometimes, what they don't tell you is that the 'suits' are coming into town! All of the sudden, things get taken care of PDQ. They stop for noone, or it's their butt on the line!
It sounds like you did what you could, to the best of your ability and as far as this job is concerned, it back-fired! I'd think twice about spending any more negative energy on the subject. Take your lumps and get on with it! It's your reputation (lively-hood). Verses 'someone' at the bank that didn't cooperate, who's getting paid a salary to do their job.
Oh, and one more thing; from what I know about bank employees, they seem to move on relatively quickly. If she was nasty to you, there's a possibility that you're not the only one that gets that treatment. I wouldn't let her get the best of you.
Happy trails! Cher.
------------------ Cheryl Lucas a/k/a "Shag" on MIRC Vital Signs & Graphics, Etc. Cape Coral, Florida VSignsNgraphics@aol.com
Posts: 987 | From: Cape Coral, FL USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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posted
Remember this They think that because they make Multi- Millions in a year...You don't count! I will still approach them on the verbal contract... You said you would arange a new time for completion and they should have understood this! What is a Day or Two!!!Bill them every 15 days until you are paid (And I tell you..You will get Paid.) or go to the high end court of Judge Judy..SHE RULES...LOL
After this fact would you deal with them again? I don't thing I would and yes they have big money,but there is others out there that do as well!
Raven/2001
I don't care how much your suit cost, As we both stand in the rain,We both get wet!
------------------ Raven/2000 Airbrushed by Raven Lower sackville N.S. deveausdiscovery@sprint.ca
Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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posted
I agree with Cheryl...you blew it! With that many phone calls...she was probably up against a time limit!
You could have probably gotten another friendly shop to cut it for you...thus saving the job! (Another reason to make friends with the other shops in your area!)
Call it a "lesson learned" and move on...it ain't werth that durn ulcer! Besides...ya gotta remember..."S*** Happens!"
------------------ Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA (714) 521-4810 ICQ # 330407 "SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Brushasaurus on Chat
Gladly supporting this BB !
Posts: 8831 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
if there are no other shops, how'd she get done in three hours what you couldn't in three weeks
I'd probably be ticked from either side of the fence ... ever had supplies you need not arrive a couple days after they were supposed to ... do you care if the truck broke down.
I'll vote for that s*** happens thing
------------------ Designing... it's like an itch in the brain... an itch you can't scratch, that if you can figure out how to scratch it, it just itchs more
posted
B4 you start homociding...consider if the shoe was on another foot and 3 wks ago you ordered 5 sheets of MDO from a supplier who told you yeah they'll be there on the 19th....and when they don't show up and when you call they tell you they have computer prob's...it'll be there later...yeah right the checks in the mail blah blah correct...you still have a schedule to keep and customers to please...so you're gonna go somewhere else and get that MDO to get your end done on time...and that hardly makes you some sort of secret evil empire with a plot against the common man....you have a job to do,they had 3wks,they couldnt deliver so you got your stuff elsewhere...happens everyday and not just in the sign industry...suck it up,write it off.....no chance at winning this one in small claims court....Si's right
------------------ Gavin Chachere aka Zeeman Miller Supply Co./Ozone Signs & Grafix New Orleans La. www.millersupply.net www.ozonegrafix.com
Posts: 1223 | From: new orleans.la. | Registered: Mar 2000
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posted
Bottom line - things like this happen in business and that's life. Get over it, there will be lots of things that will make this look utterly ridiculous by comparison. It's a few yards of vinyl and hurt feelings, nothing you can't overlook.
posted
I've had very similar experiences, Taz....we ALL have...and it's maddening! But....you just gotta let this one roll off.....can't do anything about it, it water under the bridge......your health is more important, just let it go, man.
quote:"Take a break, have a cookie"
Adrienne
------------------ Adrienne Morgan Splash Signs www.splashsigns.com "Rainkatt'
You ask, "Am I the only guy that considers where the other guy is coming from?"
If you read your post again, you'll realize that YOU weren't thinking about where the "other guy" is coming from.
You admittedly put a quickie job off for 2 weeks. Sure, you had problems with your computer, but that ain't the bank's fault. The way I see it, the gal from the bank gave you a four day grace period. The second time she called on the extended due date you told her that the vinyl was cut. I'm guessing that you hadn't finished weeding it, or you'd have told her you were rushing right over to install it. Remember, banks close at 4:00. From the bank's point of view, the fact that you hadn't bothered to cut the vinyl in nearly 3 weeks shows that you didn't consider their job very important and must have put other customers first. That's a big turn off for any customer. I'm not trying to say that we're not all guilty of doing the same thing, but I'm pointing out how it looks to the consumer, and in your situation how it might have been a big factor in the bank "getting someone else".
Here's what I would do: 1) get a book on anger management. Life is too damned short and the situation here did NOT warrant the kind of fury you obviously have been experiencing, and if I remember correctly, you've had homicidal thoughts about previous customers as well. This could be a sign of a real problem with anger. 2) learn from your mistakes...don't procrastinate, it'll bite you in the butt every time. 3) in situations like this, keep your customer informed. Take a minute to call and let them know the status. It makes them less anxious and more confident that you will resolve the problem to their satisfaction. 4) if you screw up, apologize and maybe think of a way to make up for it.
Cheryl was kind and diplomatic in her response. I know I haven't been. I wouldn't have even posted this, but when I saw from your second post that you just weren't willing to take responsibility here(and I think it's that anger thing that's clouding your thinking here),I had to add my 2 cents. I do not subscribe to the attitude that the little guy deserves some breaks. We're the ones that opted to become self employed sign "professionals" and we should conduct ourselves accordingly, which means taking responsibility for when our suppliers don't deliver, or our equipment breaks down, etc.
------------------ Kelli Cajigas aka Janda Dolphin deSigns & Banners “A satisfied customer will tell two friends, a dissatisfied customer will tell ten.”
[This message has been edited by Kelli (edited January 24, 2001).]
posted
Kelli-- Your post is erroneous in several ways because you have a lot of the facts wrong.
As far as "Anger Management"--if you knew me, you would understand that I need that like a whale needs a glass of water. I am usually among the most even tempered. Anger is alien to me--real anger anyway, and that is why yesterday affected me so profoundly.
In any event, in hindsight, I still say I was completely in the right. THE BANK was the one that set the thing 2 weeks into the future, not me. I made a good effort to communicate our situation, and the representative was totally uncaring and unreasonable. It was just a MINOR change to their hours of operation for pete's sake!
In any event, it does not matter, life is to short to waste time on idiots. Thank you everyone for your comments.
"shows over--let's move on."
B
------------------ Master's Touch Signs & Screenprinting Clinton AR 5017456246 ICQ 17430008 "Imagine the Possibilities..."
Posts: 2500 | From: Clinton, AR USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I apologize if I misinterpreted your post. You're perfectly correct in your statement that I don't know you. However, your description of your anger brought back some pretty vivid memories of my step-father who would react similarly to things that just po'd most people. He'd often follow the trembling with anger part with a fist through a wall. From my viewpoint, reading your first paragraph, in which you express FAR more anger than the you did over the situation with the beauty shop owner (who you also expressed homicidal tendencies toward, and who really deserved it) and you'll understand where I'm coming from.
My post was not intended to be a Bash Barry post, the intention was to get you to step outside yourself and view the situation from the customer's side. Maybe I didn't have all the facts, but I gave you my opinion based on what information you provided. The only comment I left out, and will now add it, since you reiterated it. Concerning "only a MINOR change in the hours of operation" - don't you suppose the hours of operation for a bank, or bank's loan dept or whatever are pretty MAJOR to them? Even a half hour difference can make a difference to the bank customer who comes in at the wrong time, not to mention how unprofessional it makes the bank look. I do apologize for being brutally honest in my opinion, but as you gave me no indication of exactly where my post was erroneous in the facts as I interpreted them, I stand by it. Let's just hope we can agree to disagree and this "idiot" will let you rest your case. And if by chance, it was not me you were calling an idiot, maybe you should be a little more explicit. Pals?
------------------ Kelli Cajigas aka Janda Dolphin deSigns & Banners “A satisfied customer will tell two friends, a dissatisfied customer will tell ten.”
posted
I have to agree with most here, Tas. I don't think you are seeing the other side very well. It isn't the bank's "fault" that the job was scheduled two weeks earlier. I would appreciate that kind of notice, not condemn them for it.
Besides, you asked us for our opinions, then you seem to be condemning those who disagree with you.
------------------ "hooked on fonix" Olympia WA
[This message has been edited by Jim Upchurch (edited January 24, 2001).]
Posts: 797 | From: Olympia, WA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
sigh.....I don't know how you got the idea I meant you in the "idiot" comment. I most certainly did not.
And you need to re read my first post, because some of the facts you do have, you garbled in your responses.
and where did I say anything about a beauty shop in this post?
Anyway, it doesn't matter.
You have misunderstood me, and what I have written, and trying to step outside myself here, it is possible that I did not fully explain myself here.
On the other hand, it may be your step dad you are wanting to "bash".
I have never put my fist through a wall...okay well maybe once as a kid on a dare...I still have the scars..
anyway, as I requested earlier, lets please just move on. I have decided that my outrage at the incident, while justified, was exacerbated by the lack of sleep, and the stress level at which I had been operating in for the last week or so.
so smile....I am not an emerging socio-psychopath, just your average crowded business owning/artist/husband/father o three.
Barry
------------------ Master's Touch Signs & Screenprinting Clinton AR 5017456246 ICQ 17430008 "Imagine the Possibilities..."
Posts: 2500 | From: Clinton, AR USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
No Jim, I am not. I asked for opinions, and thanked everyone for them. I say again, thanks to ALL.
As soon as I posted this, I realized I made a mistake in doing so. There is no way I could write, nor would you all want to read, ALL the details that pertain to this situation, and more.
So IN CONCLUSIONlet me just again say thanks for all the advice. there were several points that I did indeed agree with. And even to those I do not agree with, thanks anyway, cause I likely have not properly informed you in the first place.
Barry
------------------ Master's Touch Signs & Screenprinting Clinton AR 5017456246 ICQ 17430008 "Imagine the Possibilities..."
Posts: 2500 | From: Clinton, AR USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Barry, I don't think I would have cut vinyl 2 wks in advance either. Firstly I AM a procastinator, secondly freshly cut vinyl is easier to work. Don't get so worked up over business, it'ss make an old man of you! You have a lot going for you. I recall seeing posts of your work and it is VERY good. I also remember the posts of the 3 boys and lovely wife. You have lots of talent working for you and four precious ones at home to work for. Keep up the good work.
Kathy
------------------ Kathy Joiner River Road Graphics Ponchatoula, La. Old enough to know better...Too young to resist.
Posts: 1891 | From: Ponchatoula, LA | Registered: Nov 2000
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posted
I never garble, my manners are too good. well, I don't garble much.At least not at the table
Just so you don't go banging your head against the wall wondering what the heck I was talking about re: the beauty salon owner, my mistake, I was referring to a post you had made a while back about considering felony for a bakery/deli owner. The double hockey sticks customer, if you recall.
The problem with posts like ours is that it is difficult to interpret the tone/attitude with any real degree of accuracy and it is so easy to take something out of context or give it more meaning than was intended. I do try to remember to use the smiley icons, and I meant to use the after my comment about the idiot statement (hey, maybe it was subconcious
I sincerely apologize for the fact that I obviously upset you. It definitely was not my intention. It was NOT a mistake to post your question here, to think that is to de-value everything this board stands for.
------------------ Kelli Cajigas aka Janda Dolphin deSigns & Banners “A satisfied customer will tell two friends, a dissatisfied customer will tell ten.”
posted
When Barry said "idiot" in that one post, he was referring to the customer, not to anyone who replied to his posts here. (Just thought a little clarification would be helpful.)
posted
Is your shop open to public ? If so make a wall of shame Of those who have ordered and not paid !! Or those who have canceled at last second !! other business that come to your shop will see your wall of shame and be a clue up on who to work for and who not to !! IT a great thing having a sign shop a wall of shame is cheep plus it shows off your work so you get 2 for the price of 1 !!!
posted
Kelli I actually was not upset at you at all.(see how even tempered I am? )
As to the bakery thingy....man that was.....at least 2 years ago...you have SOME KINDA memory there lady.
But if I recall, my intent with that post was HUMOR, not anger.
I don't recall the specifics of what i posted then, but I DO remember laughing a lot as I typed it.
that was not anger....mild frustration, bled away by hammering it out in what was intended to be comic form, but nothing like what I wrote at the beginning of this thread.
anyway, thanks for your comments
Barry
------------------ Master's Touch Signs & Screenprinting Clinton AR 5017456246 ICQ 17430008 "Imagine the Possibilities..."
Posts: 2500 | From: Clinton, AR USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Oh yeah GOD FORBID as a buisness you get advance notice on any order...much better to have to do it on 8 minutes notice....geeze...make a wall of shame??? for what?? ....reality here...everybody at one time or another has been where he was at...noone to blame but yourself.....face it...HE BLEW IT man its not rocket science to figure it out....THIS AIN'T DISNEYLAND...ITS THE REAL WORLD.......
------------------ Gavin Chachere aka Zeeman Miller Supply Co./Ozone Signs & Grafix New Orleans La. www.millersupply.net www.ozonegrafix.com
Posts: 1223 | From: new orleans.la. | Registered: Mar 2000
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posted
yea - what Kelli & Kathy said - - may need to take them a dozen doughnuts - -all bank employees LOVE doughnuts; just like the cops do - Ha Ha Ha Ha - - Carl
------------------ Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Sonicob@aol.com
Posts: 1392 | From: Olive Branch,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1999
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posted
If you promised a job on a certain date and it was determined that this job be completed on time because it was important to your customer, then even if your computer was down, you could have made arrangements to get the vinyl cut and have it shipped to you. There are probably many on this board/forum who would have been glad to help a colleague in need. You could have e-mailed the file to someone and had them ship you the job FedEx (or similar) Next Day. It is also possible that your customer had this job promised to her boss and was "under the gun" to get it done on time. Either way, in the general scheme of things, it is no reason to "go postal". Nobody died and it was just a small job that needed to be done by anybody who could. If this is a valuable customer and one whose business you would like to have, you could send a little card with an apology and state the reason you couldn't complete the work. Your customer is not at fault as she had a "reasonable expectation" that the job would be completed on time because you told her it would. If, on the other hand, this was just a one time deal and you don't want any future business from the bank, then take the easy way out, chalk it up as an unfortunate situation and "f'get about it".
------------------ Louis A. Lazarus Milt's Sign Service, Inc. 20 So. Linden Ave. #5B 650-588-0490 fontking1a@aol.com
Posts: 560 | From: El Granada, CA | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
the thing of it is The lady from the bank AGREED to the amended time frames. I had not passed the window of when I was to do it, based on the [i]amended[/] agreement. I said I would have it done for her on Tuesday. She absolutely agreed to that. It WAS done on Tuesday. BUT IT WAS BECAUSE OF HER WRETCHED attitude that she CHOSE to SCREW ME.
You tell me: "At 11:30 day I made her aware that I would STICK IT THAT DAY. She agreed. At 2:30 (the bank closes AT 4:00) she calls and says FORGET IT, even after I explain that it was DONE and I was walking out the door with the sign."
Don't tell me at this point you would not be ticked to hear,"Well, EXCUSE ME, but I AM getting someone else."
But it is alright, I will live, and heck no I do not care about getting their business. I have made less than 200.00 from them in the past 2 years. I just want it to go away, at this point.
B
------------------ Master's Touch Signs & Screenprinting Clinton AR 5017456246 ICQ 17430008 "Imagine the Possibilities..."
Posts: 2500 | From: Clinton, AR USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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SIGNBOY99
unregistered
posted
Just curious, not being a smartass, as to whether the lettering could have been painted, or was it a vinyl or nothing job? I'm sure glad lettering quills don't have hard drives so I can keep working if the computer breaks if the job permits it.....
------------------ Mike Murray Murray Signs Freeport IL USA "A business with no sign is a sign of no business"
posted
People like the "bank lady" always catch me off-guard because guess what? I don't think like that, I'm not like that ,and I really don't expect it! Here's something I'd do that may sound bizarre - I'd apoligise to her! Yep, there are ways to "apoligise" that sound sincere, but can actually get the point across that she is a harsh b****. Then it's on her. Meanwhile, you save yourself potential clients that this lady is going to talking about you to. Kill 'em with kindness. You'll be better off.
------------------ Michelle Ray
Posts: 20 | From: Alturas,CA USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Tamus, Don't take this the wrong way, I don't mean it harshly, but you have no one to blame but yourself, if you would have got at least 50% up front we would not be having this conversation. I've been self employed 12 years I have never been stuck for even one dollar, I require 50% up front and the balance in full before they take possession of the sign or I install it. No exceptions, even my friends whom I've known most of my life same deal No $$$ No Sign. On every BB I've ever visited this is the oldest story I read over and over. I don't understand why more shop owners don't adopt this policy. I have had only one customer in twelve years that did not want to pay up front he also did not get a sign. At my shop anyway.This is not meant to offend you,Get that money up front.
Thats the best thing to do for this kind of situation.
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