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Being spied on by customer

| Posted in Business on March 28, 2002 03:45am

Just recently I had a chance to work in an office that regularly uses handyman type labor for small jobs. The other day I worked in close proximity to one of the “other” guys, he was painting I was hanging a door. We hit it off right away and chatted quite a bit. At one point he told me he was finishing a basement for somebody that worked in the office. I told him that was interesting because I just wrote her a bid for the same thing. The only difference is he worked T&M and I wrote a unit cost bid (guess they felt they could save money).

(After that lengthy set up to the crux of the story)… He proceded to tell me about working at her house. Between sensing that somebody was watching him and putting pieces together from conversations with the young couple. He believes without a doubt that they spied on him with a hidden video camera. I suspect the main purpose of spying was to make sure they got their monies worth on the T&M contract.

What are your thoughts on being spied on (video taped without your knowledge)?

I never have anything to hide from a customer, but I just wouldn’t want to work in that type of client relationship.

Scott R.


Edited 3/28/2002 9:16:57 AM ET by Scott R.

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Replies

  1. User avater
    BossHog | Mar 28, 2002 04:14pm | #1

    Reminds me of a bumpersticker I saw once:

    "I know I'm paranoid, but am I paranoid enough"

    Did the guy find the camera? I think that would have pissed me off in a major way. I would have probably smashed the camera and walked off the job. That's way, way out of line.

    1. sdr25 | Mar 28, 2002 04:59pm | #2

      No he never saw a camera. I don't think he looked for one. However one of the instances that he described to me I don't doubt it either.

      P.S. her husband is a police officer and that further reduces any doubt.

      Scott R.

    2. Sancho | Mar 28, 2002 05:06pm | #3

      I would not work for anyone who didnt trust me. I wouldnt have anyone work for me whom I didnt trust. On the other hand If Id thought they were spieing on me and nice "moon" would of been appropriate. At least I would know for sure if they were spieing or not...  Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"

      1. Tejanohombre | Mar 28, 2002 06:47pm | #4

        I own a commercial landscape company but we do a fair amount of residential work as well.  Many homeowners will come outside to watch the work being done and if not that, then they're watching out the window through the blinds.  It's gotten to the point that I just assume they're going to and try to ignore it.  I also try to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that they're just interested and perhaps trying to learn something from a pro.  But then there are those that seem to be watching just so they can catch us doing something wrong.  Who knows - they might have been burned once by a dishonest contractor and are just being cautious.  Or, maybe they're just inherently distrusting.  If that's the case, I generally won't come back in the future.  I'm an honest businessman and if they don't trust me, I don't need their money.  But I agree - a hidden camera is out of bounds w/ me.   If I found one, it's adios amigo!

        1. User avater
          bobl | Mar 28, 2002 07:38pm | #5

          I enjoy watching people work, can do it for hours.

          Do like to watch and learn.

          Use a hidden camera? Not likely, unless something was suspicious and I didn't want to make an accusation without proof.

          Not a nice thing to do for fun.

          Maybe because there are soo many cameras taking pictures of you everyday (stores, banks, etc) they think it's OKboblVolo Non Voleo  8Joe's cheat sheet

          1. geob21 | Mar 29, 2002 01:49am | #6

            One sure way to find out is take say 2 hours out of the day and watch some TV. Don't bill them for the time and see if it becomes an issue.

          2. JohnSprung | Mar 29, 2002 03:13am | #7

            I think that hidden cameras should only be acceptable under the same probable cause circumstances that the police could use to get a search warrant.

            But being there in person to watch and possibly learn something should be OK.  I try to watch good plasterers when I can, in the so far futile hope that some day I might not suck at plastering.

            -- J.S.

          3. bill_1010 | Mar 29, 2002 04:13am | #8

            while i dont like the idea, look at it from their point.  We all know too well some of the kind of people in this profession.  Theft is an issue that customers have with some of the people in our trade. 

            If they were spying on your for the sake of spying then it seems they are ####, regardless of their profession.  . 

  2. Deconst | Mar 29, 2002 04:29am | #9

    I've been a remodeling contractor for the last 25 years and in the process have learned and seen many things along the way.  Some good...some not so good.  The scenario you are describing seems to fit into the latter category.  

     The majority of customers, as I'm sure most guys would agree, are reasonable, rational, trusting people.  The same ones we sat across from when we discussed and later signed the proposals to do the work.  Certainly, our initial evaluation of them seemed to be fine and "normal".  "I see no problem in working with these fine folks", I've said to myself.  Then the project starts and these same rational, trusting people turn into, well, let's just say "undesirable clientele". 

    The point being, once you cross over the threshold to their house, or more appropriately, their "inner sanctum", the rules can change without notice.  Anything goes according to the dictates of the individual.  I constantly tell my employees and subs to be on their best behavior and act as if the homeowner is right behind them.  I don't know how many folks I've worked for who have had that kind of surveilance equipment, but I'm sure there were a few.  Is it the way I want to conduct business?  No, not at all. However, it's not a situation that I can either change or predict. 

    In summary, do your job.  Do it well. Do it right.  Charge enough money to make it worth doing under any circumstance.

    1. BKCBUILDER | Mar 29, 2002 04:43am | #10

       If I thought I was on camera(even when I know I'm being watched) I turn it into the best comedy they've ever seen.  I make the 3 stooges look like rank amateurs. I can drop tools , walk into things, short out recepticles, pick my a**, break wind with the lifted leg and fan method,  sit down and break out a sandwich and magazine,,,you name it.  Lemons and lemonade baby!

      1. oldpro007 | Mar 29, 2002 07:27am | #11

        My ASSumption is; i"m always on camera. Just assume it and don't make an ass of yourself. Oops, did i break the rules?Old Pro, not quite old, not quite pro, but closer every day on both...

        1. Joe1225d | Mar 29, 2002 07:37am | #12

          In the commercial buildings i work on cameras are all over the place. I assume i'm always on camera since i usually am. Most elevators in big builidngs have cameras in them so keep it clean.

          joe d

          1. User avater
            observer | Mar 29, 2002 07:50am | #13

            I've been suprised by all the small quantities of cash laying around in odd places at jobs I've done where I have been left alone in someone's house, every thing from quarters up to about five dollars. Never knew whether it was a test, but that thought has often occured to me due to places I've found it.

            The idea of someone spending eight or nine hours of watching a tape of me working to ensure they are getting their money's worth makes me smile but doesn't make me change my habits - as long as they pay up on time.

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