Got to make small talk with the neighbor today …
I was shoveling my customers walk today … again …
just a quick job .. not trying anything fancy out there …
and the neighbor said the old “Hey, can ya do mine next?”
I said sure .. buy a kitchen remodel and it’s thrown in free!
She said .. that’s right .. I heard she brought in a contractor to have some work done … that’s really nice U shovel snow too.
just said something silly like .. Well … I was here .. the shovel was here … it was a match made in heaven …
But I’m thinking the timing couldn’t have been better.
I don’t mind going the extra mile and getting caught in the act.
got me to thinking about the “extra’s” I’ve provided …
over the years … I’ve walked more than one dog.
actually “cat sat” over a long weekend … they were going out of town and were stuck … I went in on the weekend and handled all the cat chores …
I’ve “babysat” one or twice … usually a sleeping kid and they just want to run out.
Worked one job where I shifted the schedule around to “be home” when the older grade school kids got home … as the Mom usually had to wait till they got home … then everyone pile into the SUV … then drive to the daycare for the little one …
Of course … walking in the morning paper in and dragging the garbage cans back after trash pickup goes without saying …
I’ll do most anything … as long as it’s my idea first!
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Replies
I've picked up my share of newspapers and dragged my share of garbage cans. When I do it, it's not from a business standpoint, but just as a friendly gesture.
it's all business ..
from the time ya show up ... till the time ya leave.
back in my car selling days .. had one manager that ended each sales meeting with....
"Ok girls ... hit the stage!"
in a way he was right ... if U wanted to sell anything ... you'd better "act" like nothing is bothering you ... no colds ... no mad wifes ... no tired or hungry ...
ya gotta "perform".
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
I will shovel snow. bring in the mail/paper, accept packages, etc etc.
I always lokk at the drive while I am walking to and from my truck looking for nails.
I always pick up any litter I see in the yard whether it was ours or not.
It all goes toward making a job just a little less stressful for a client.
A little consideration wil go a long way!
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
Yeah, we've shoveled snow, de-snowed roofs, cleaned off cars, taken in garbage cans/newspapers/errant bicycles, "babysat" kids/dogs/pets, and even set up a few Christmas trees (including a 15 footer that they never should have attempted to bring into the house...lol).
It's all in the name of customer service, boys.....
Bob
Never have shovelled snow for anyone.
But when doing jobsite visits, I have taken out cold sodas on hot days, helped carry and set heavy beams, and various other small jobs.
Once I had to go out on a job where I have made a mistake on the trusses. I showed the guys how to repair them, and stayed to help them do it. My boss wan't happy, but it impressed the customer.
I'll shovel snow to clear a driveway/path to the house, but that's probably not what you mean, right? How about putting out a fire? I was working a bathroom job and the homeowner left the pork frying in her kitchen long enough for it to catch fire. When I got to it, flames were up to the ceiling. I cut the stove and threw three pans of water on it to put out the flames. Smoke damage everywhere. She turns to me and asks, Do you do kitchens?
Lol, the insurance company got someone else to replace the uppercabinets. Oh well, got the heart pumping.
Putting out fires is just part of the job description for EVERY contractor.(-:
If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, riddle them with bullets.
Living in the snow belt adds a lot of color to the work we do, mostly red frozen faces and hands. I was asked to drive a car in to a fix it shop while the boss (owner) was at work. "Oh don't worry, they'll bring you back." I had so much fun waiting that hour for the ride, the boys (mechanics) were on a roll telling jokes and stuff, it was worth it. Besides, it was snowing like crazy out and I really did'nt feel like moving the equipment in that day anyhow!!
GB2
Yep, done all that. Baby sat the dogs and locked them up before leaving each day, including checking the water a couple of times.
Paper and mail pick up service.
Checked the oil in the car "real quick before my husband finds out I haven't".
Shoveled snow.
Cleaned up after us and them at the same time.
Once I had a client tell me they were leaving. The instructions were to let the cats in and out as they pleased but don't let the dogs out under any circumstances. I was bringing in material off and on all day and every so often a cat would be on one side of the door or the other and I would let them go the direction they wished. Dogs got shooed away as directed.
The next day I show up and the lady says "umm, really appreciate the eye you kept on the animals. But we only have 3 cats." I asked what she meant and she said she came home and found 8 eating at the food bowls. Hard to keep track when your working I guess. DanT
"'...But we only have 3 cats.'Â I asked what she meant and she said she came home and found 8 eating at the food bowls."ROFLMAO!!!!I don't believe I've ever let visiting cats in, but I've certainly let a lot of cats in and out.I'm not very happy being responsible for children...a lot of liability there (I've done it, but I wasn't happy).I've shoveled a bit of snow...but usually for my own convenience.There must be a long list of "extra" stuff that I've done on jobs, but I can't think of any at the moment!
Rich BeckmanAnother day, another tool.
Last winter I was doing a basement and the HO was 6-9 months pregnant throughout the job while I was working there. The husband would put the garbage out on Thursday if he was in town or I would get it before I left. At 7:00 it would be picked up, hmmm. I'm just pulling in. That gesture alone has gotten me recommendations for more work. He actually said that it's the small things that (besides the craftsmanship) that make him pass my name.
Jeff,
Last month I started to shovel a path to get my tools out of the truck. HO came out quickly, grabbed the shovel and said, " You are way to expensive to be shoveling snow. What do you need done?"
Of course you gotta pick up the nails and junk, not just for the service aspect, but because you are going to be blamed for them anyway.
Bowz
I'll do most anything ... as long as it's my idea first!
Thats the key...so long as its not expected.
If shovelin` needs doin` when I show up in the morning, I`ll do a good enough job to provide reasonably easy access for myself and the HO, in and out. But if I get the feeling they`re waiting for me to take care of it, I`ll politely mention that I`m not going to be able to do much until that snow is properly cleared.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
as I read thru this ...
I had to remind myself I was typing this thinking of my current customer ...
hence the snow shoveling.
widowed lady ... nice as could be.
tons of work that she needs ... she's relying on me to do it or help find someone that will ... old victorian house her and her husband were diy'ing ... was 3 unit ... they're turning the bend on making it a single fam res again ...
he passed away about 2 years ago ... she's just now back into the spirit to complete they job they started ...
she leaves for work before I get there ... comes home at nite long after I'm gone.
So for her .... I'll do an extra good job shoveling the walk ... I even salt!
now trust me ... there have been customers who I would have pointed out that I need that walk shoveled before any tools are unloaded ... and it's gotta be shoveled and salted each and every day ... as per the ...access to the job site part of the contract says.
I've also had customers where I've had top put my foot down and tell them it's now a "restricted area" and their cats'dogs/kids all gotta find a new place to annoy someone new!
but .... it's nice when ya get one that appreciates the "extras" and doesn't try to take advantage.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
There's probably nothing that makes a person feel better than doing a good deed for someone else. Ranks right up there with, "doing a good job".
And always remember the golden rule of good deeds, " May God give me the grace to forget any favor I've done for another".
no shoveling....
heavy equipment or nothing...
proud member of the FOR/FOS club...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!