moral dilema your opinions gratefully recieved

[CJ CERAMICS]

hi all
got a bit of a dilema hoping that you guys and gals can help with.

some of you may remember that awhile back i tiled a kitchen floor where the customer
refused to pay because he didny want too. I eventually got the money via a friend of mine who is a solicitor.

well when i tiled his kitchen i tiled upto his living room carpet which sat on the inside of the door, so when the double doors were closed you could see about 7 inches of tile inside the living room. This was acceptable at the time because the alternative was to leave a 7 inch gap from tile to carpet.

Just got off the phone from this customer who has asked if i can replace the tiles which are through the door as he has had a wooden floor fitted now.
the company that fitted the flooring along with the customer decided that it would look better if the tiles were cut back to sit inside the door jar (the correct position) but not at the time of fitting.

Anyway while cutting back the tiles (sounds like they used a grinder without a suitable blade) they have chipped the tiles so badly that when the door plate was fitted big chips are visible.


The company who fitted the floor have accepted responsability and are willing to pay for it to be repaired.


They will pay him once the job has been carried out and a invoice sent to their headoffice, now this is the good bit he hes PROMISED to pay me first and then claim it back from them.


my dilema is do i do the job considering last time (money in hand before i start work)
or just tell him its his problem (the words he used to me when explaining about my outlay on his floor) and to stuff it.

all opinions will be much appreciated.

chris

[Bri]

I'd personally not even respond to him, however if you feel like you want to do it, get paid in full before you even get out of the van. Don't get stung twice mate.

[kilty55]

i would go do it......but id be asking for a full day rate upfront before a tool leaves the van

[doug boardley]

I'd do it Chris, if only as a goodwill gesture, sometimes you've gotta do these things to pan out better in the long run.

[Mike]

i wouldn't do it unless i was desperate for work/cash and only then if i had all monies up front

[CJ]

Give him a hefty quote...........and payed upfront. Or tell him to swivel

[ROBSON MCGREGOR]

Personally Chris i would tell him to go & take a flying .... to himself.

On the same token though there is something pleasing about him phoning you back to sort what you advised to start with.

Paid in full before you even strike a blow & charge more than a full day rate for your EXPERTISE!!

[Bri]

We're in the open forum folks! Careful what you write!

[hillhead]

I wouldn't go back near him at all.
I have a couple of customers who i'll never go back near.

[doug boardley]

glorious opportunity to show your mettle Chris, that you can rise above his previous behaviour

[user123]

Well, which way would you feel better afterwards? Which options gives you a sense of relief - that you did or didn't? What would you admire in someone else in the same situation, deep down?

[garythetiler]

there is no way I would even consider doing it ,he was out to get you when you tiled the floor what makes you think he will be any different this time around, do your self a favour Chris and let someone else have the stress

[Dave]

Not even read the replies coz i feel very strongly about this..

Don't give in and do it.. Do not even respond and smile to oneself and say ye!!! Justice and then move on...

[Stewart]

It's Khama..... Sit and smile and go to a different job. Do not respond to the dogs scrotum.....!


Created on iPhone.....

[CJ CERAMICS]

my first thoughts were to say no way after all the trouble he caused me, but i would like my rep to stay intact.
I have told him that i will call around tomorrow to assess the damage and qoute him on rectifying it.......But it will be payment up front before i start. No way will i be done twice. Plus i hate the thought that a floor i spent time on to make it look like it did to be ruined by a few chipped tiles.

chris

[Ajax123]

Cash up front.....work is work after all

[garythetiler]

chris Please dont make the mistake of stepping back inside this losers house, he will invent some problem to try and get his money back out of you

[ROBSON MCGREGOR]

At the end of the day Chris you can walk away with your head held high knowing that you have in some way proved him wrong & he will need you before you need him.

A win win situation.

[kilty55]

you may well have a point gary...had a few lunatic customers myself

[doug boardley]

my first thoughts were to say no way after all the trouble he caused me, but i would like my rep to stay intact.
I have told him that i will call around tomorrow to assess the damage and qoute him on rectifying it.......But it will be payment up front before i start. No way will i be done twice. Plus i hate the thought that a floor i spent time on to make it look like it did to be ruined by a few chipped tiles.

chris

I like your reasoning Chris, that's kinda how I'd feel about it.

[enduro]

I would recommend another tiler who is local to you...let him get caught!!

[Dave]

Your choice!!!

[Bri]

my first thoughts were to say no way after all the trouble he caused me, but i would like my rep to stay intact.
I have told him that i will call around tomorrow to assess the damage and qoute him on rectifying it.......But it will be payment up front before i start. No way will i be done twice. Plus i hate the thought that a floor i spent time on to make it look like it did to be ruined by a few chipped tiles.

chris

I'm shocked he's even contacted you after the last time! Some people have no shame!

[tommyzooom]

my first thoughts were to say no way after all the trouble he caused me, but i would like my rep to stay intact.
I have told him that i will call around tomorrow to assess the damage and qoute him on rectifying it.......But it will be payment up front before i start. No way will i be done twice. Plus i hate the thought that a floor i spent time on to make it look like it did to be ruined by a few chipped tiles.

chris

I would have said No way, then I read this and I thought that yes, I would probably feel the same, after all, someone will come in, look at all the chipped tiles, and ask "Who tiled your floor?"

[paul78]

Dont do it man you may be on here next week telling the story about how hes invented youve damaged something, its risky so play safe and stay away. But thats just me.

[Pebbs]

Chris, what goes around comes around, for me the answer would be a flat outright no....he doesnt deserve any consideration...you think he even thought about you and feeding your family and paying your bills when he refused to pay...no he did not....The word is SMARMY.....now I want you to get blind drunk and have the worse hangover tomorrow morning so you cant even get out of bed and do the works...

Pebbs

[Dave]

Chris, what goes around comes around, for me the answer would be a flat outright no....he doesnt deserve any consideration...you think he even thought about you and feeding your family and paying your bills when he refused to pay...no he did not....The word is SMARMY.....now I want you to get blind drunk and have the worse hangover tomorrow morning so you cant even get out of bed and do the works...

Pebbs

Listen to this Lady...She speaks sense... not often but she does today..

[paul flight]

book a date and time to do it , then that morning , phone him and tell him you will have to delay it cos you have an important customer that you can let down !!! hopefull he would have booked time off for it to be done , just keep bouncing him around like he did to you....

[radim]

hard decision.I would go and do it just because no one of his visitors will know it was flooring boy who chipped the tile.everybody will think- that tiler left such a mess in the door...

[bobbynz]

[QUOTE=CJ CERAMICS;559868]my first thoughts were to say no way after all the trouble he caused me, but i would like my rep to stay intact.
I have told him that i will call around tomorrow to assess the damage and qoute him on rectifying it.......But it will be payment up front before i start. No way will i be done twice. Plus i hate the thought that a floor i spent time on to make it look like it did to be ruined by a few chipped tiles.

I had this situation myself. The 2nd job i did at the clients home was strictly payment before starting which was offered by the client. I too was hesitant but as she was to pay first i really didnt have anything to lose except my rep. I agree too that i didnt want anyone else doing the 2nd job in the same house and claiming the glory for a very flash bathroom if I do say so myself.
I got paid, did the job, she was happy, i was happy and a professional relationship was restored. But this is the cruncher....
I ended up doing another bathroom , toilet, and main entry all paid up front in full and as usual everyone was happy.
I also got 2 more jobs from 2 referals she gave for me.
you cant lose from this. As its been said by MG how good will you feel when everything has been put in order and you have pleased another client? Only you can answer that question.