That one customer still bothers me years later

Had a lady in Portland back in 2021 who insisted I clean her chimney with the damper closed. I told her twice it was dangerous. She said I just wanted more money. I did it her way. Soot went everywhere in her living room. Cost her $800 for the cleanup. Has anyone else had a customer that just wouldn't listen?

2 comments

2 Comments

lindareed20d ago

Portland 2021. You told her twice and still did it her way. I'd have walked off the job before filling her living room with soot, but I guess you learned something about setting boundaries.

quinns2020d ago

You told her twice and still did it her way" - man, that line hit me. I was reading this book about conflict resolution called "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin de Becker, and it talks about how people who ignore warnings are often trying to avoid feeling stupid or paying more. Your customer probably knew deep down it was a bad idea, but she'd rather risk a mess than admit you were right. That's the thing with stubborn customers, they'd rather be wrong their way than right your way. I think you handled it better than most, because at least you told her twice before giving in. That's where the real lesson is for me, not about boundaries but about how some people just need to learn the hard way.