#FiredClient #HandymanServices #ClientRelations #SmallBusinessStruggles
Today I FIRED my first client 🙅♂️. As a handyman who also provides lawn cutting services, I thought dealing with difficult clients was just a part of the job. But sometimes, the stress and frustration caused by a demanding and cheap client can overshadow the satisfaction of a job well done. I recently had to make the tough decision to let go of a client who was just not worth the trouble. Here’s how it went down:
## The Beginning of the End
It all started with a simple lawn cutting request from a friendly husband and wife. They had a small yard that needed mowing, and everything seemed fine at first. But soon enough, they started bombarding me with daily calls and messages, trying to micromanage every aspect of the job before the season even began. I should have seen the red flags then, but I continued with the job.
## The Struggle Continues
After successfully completing the spring clean-up, things took a turn for the worse. The client started complaining about the hauling fee, despite it being clearly stated in the contract. Reluctantly, I waived the fee just to keep the peace. But the demands kept coming – from seeding the yard to another round of clean-up after a storm, they were never satisfied.
## Standing My Ground
When they asked for additional services like mulching and weeding, I had had enough. Their unreasonable expectations and constant nitpicking made it impossible to work with them any longer. I decided to send them a message expressing my concerns about the lack of communication and their disrespectful attitude. I also reminded them about the overdue payment, which was met with silence.
## Letting Go of the Toxicity
In the end, I realized that no amount of money was worth the stress and frustration caused by this client. Despite the reluctance to lose a source of income, I knew that maintaining my sanity and professionalism was more important. So, I made the difficult but necessary decision to FIRE them as a client.
## Moving On and Learning
Firing a client is never easy, but sometimes it’s the only option to protect your mental health and business reputation. It’s important to set boundaries, stick to your terms and conditions, and prioritize your well-being above all else. Remember, not every client is worth the trouble, and letting go of toxic relationships can pave the way for better opportunities in the future.
Good riddance to bad clients – here’s to a brighter and more positive future. 🌟 #NewBeginnings #HealthyClientRelationships #SelfCare #BuildingABetterBusiness
Sometimes the money isn’t worth the hassle. I’m sure you’ll make the difference up somewhere else.
Not only is it healthy to drop them, ull be doing other ppl a favour and maybe if they get a couple firings theyll adjust their tone
Switch to prepayment or 50% deposit!
Totally get your position. Even if its challenging, you did well. Absolutely no need to get the abuse from customers.
I‘m a student and run a small online marketplace in a niche field on the side. An older woman wanted to me to sell an item for her at an absolutely ridiculous high price. I told her its very unrealistic but I‘ll give it a try…
Well turns out she pre-booked a whole holiday because she expected the money from the sale. Naturally the item didn‘t sell and I got to hear how I ruined her holiday. (I don‘t get the logic either…)
Well done 👏
Cheap clients are always the worst clients.
They’re always demanding way more than their money’s worth, and usually they’re prone to temper tantrums, entitlement, and everything that goes with it. And they’ll try to nickel and dime you beyond their already unrealistically low payments.
Never, EVER, give breaks to customers. It does not create gratitude; it creates demands for more breaks.
For every “con man” maintenance/handyman that takes money without completing the work, there are likely 10 customers that screw the maintenance/handyman out of payment. In one case, the guy wanted a small deck built. He insisted that he buy the lumber which is fine. In the end he refused to pay making flimsy excuses. We were out about $400 that we were to split.
Funny thing is as he insisted he buy the lumber, he overbought by a large margin. We gathered it all up & took returned it to the store for $200. Damn was he angry about that! Demanding the money from us after refusing to pay for our work. Fuck him.
This is a real thing. It is not at all uncommon for customers to nit pick to no end & try to withhold some or ALL of the payment. In my experience, it’s the customers that are obviously able to afford it. Working for people in the lower income zip codes is usually better. These folks want to buy pizza for lunch & offer beverages.
80/20% principle or the Pareto Principle.
80% of you problems stem from 20% of your customers
80% of your profit comes from 20% of your clients
80% of your work comes from 20% of your employees
Of course, its never exactly 80/20, but focusing on the 20% should help drive any business
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.investopedia.com/terms/1/80-20-rule.asp%23:~:text%3DThe%252080%252D20%2520rule%252C%2520also,inputs)%2520for%2520any%2520given%2520event.&ved=2ahUKEwig0p28_L-FAxUhCTQIHamlBoYQ5YIJegQIExAA&usg=AOvVaw3i6EiqqLngX4-okKef4Lwy
I absolutely hate people like that, let them clean up their own mess. The disrespect of haggling to de-value your labor when they’ve already signed a contract.
I just had a lawn dude come out today. He quoted me $20 more than I thought it would be. I said “sounds good” and paid the man in cash, because fuck if my allergic old ass is gonna go out there and do it. I’m on a massive amount of allergy meds just breathing the HEPA-filtered air indoors, dude is literally saving my life right now.
You’re fired and (IF you’re a licensed contractor), my final bill is enclosed. It is due, in full and, immediately.
You will also find enclosed, a Notification of Contractor Lien Laws.
[Enclose Consumer Notice of Contractors Lien Laws]
Also, haggling on work already performed gets the next billing with a Stoopid In Public Fee of anything from $50 to $500 depending on how aggravated I am with them, and how much time I had to waste.
If I’m really pissed, I’ll list that line item as “Stoopid In Public Fee”
What does your contract say about discontinuing service?
I’m self employed, and have had some customers like this.
Get around their nickel and dime bs. Use excel or whatever on your phone/computer and make an estimate sheet. You can line item everything on there and make them sign, and agree with it.
They have no room to complain or try and nickel and dime you
People suck.
All money isn’t good money
“I didn’t read the contract” this guy can go ALL the way to hell. He broke your contract. Generally, when you break a contract, it is terminated. That’s how the world works. Don’t waste a single second more thinking about assholes like this. Firing them gives you more time to find and work for GOOD clients.
The saying “the customer is always right “ is flat out wrong. Anyone who’s worked in retail learns this quickly
Personally, in business, you should look to drop 5-10% of your worst customers if you can afford it every few years.
Yeah I went off on my own a year ago and do gardening for people. I cut clients off the first sign of being stingy and annoying. Even if the vibe is slightly off if I don’t need the work lol. Good choice gettin rid of them! I also make sure I’m paid as soon as the work is complete cash or Venmo
All companies do this. I work for a company that has 100k employees. They fire customers especially when servicing the cost more than what that customer is paying. Also these type of customers are often abusive.
I do hvac on the side and I’ve run into this exact same situation. Text messages at ridiculous hours and constant questions about what I’m doing. You have people sign contracts to cover your ass but some people think they own you after it’s signed
I have fired peoblem customers. I told one that I lose less money if he goes elsewhere.
Legally could you haul it back? I’m aware of how much of a waste of time and such it would be, but I’m just curious if it could be returned since it wasn’t paid for.
$35 for yard waste! Try Composting and making mulch. My trash disposal is $7 and Yard waste is banned in landfills. Your home depot mulch is over priced also.
My wife and I are show dog handlers. We often deal with clients that have never worked a day in their lives and have never been told no. They don’t like being told no. They like it even less when you tell them to take a hike.
My firing statement is “I’m sorry, I don’t think I’m the right person for this project”.
Clients like this are just not worth the trouble. Because it’s never ending.
Fyi, you’re likely to have to take them to small claims court to get paid. Good luck.
This is why I stopped doing freelance work. It’s just not worth the aggravation that clients put you through, and trying to get paid is torture.
I’m surprised you only charged $35 to haul their crap away when the dump charges $30. So $5 for the time it takes to get there, plus gas and other vehicle expenses? Sounds like you were losing money on that part.
My partner (handyman) has a customer like this. Guy calls at all hours of the day, as early as 6am to midnight, multiple times asking for advice on fixing things to finding parts for shit. He spent countless hours trying to please this guy.
I had enough of him when he called on Thanksgiving and insisted he had an emergency, which he didn’t. And again on Christmas. I’ve tried repeatedly to get my partner to fire him but he wouldn’t. Came time to get payment and the asshole brought him out to the garage and told him the rusted piece of shit car in there was his payment. Told him he could get a few thousand if he fixed it up.
I hate to say this, but I laughed so hard and told him it serves him right for letting this guy do everything he did.
You chose the right thing to do
This is the best part about being self-employed!
I would never have the nerve to text any of my service providers with a problem, let alone at that hour. People are so fucking entitled these days.
Sorry man. Glad you cut out the cancer.
not that you need to legally add it, but you should state in your contract that you can and will put a mechanics lien on the property for unpaid invoices. Please look into your jurisdiction about filing a lien on the property. A successful lien means you will get paid. Maybe not right away, but you will get paid.
This type of attitude is one of the reasons why I left professional landscaping. Some people are absolutely ridiculous. Glad you fired them.
Bro, what? I work on pools and fire people all the time. It’s not worth your time dealing with those types of people. You can replace them with better ones.
Sounds like the easiest firing you’ll ever do
You were cheap. They’re stingy if they thought you cost too much lmao
Around here, small jobs have a hard time finding anyone to take the work. if these people are going to be such a hassle to deal with, good riddance. No one needs that degree of aggravation for a small amount of work.
If it happens again, tell them that you’ll do the work after payment is received, then ghost them.