Declining Or Quitting Or Firing A Customer For Your Peace Of Mind And Safety

There is a reason why I use the word ‘clients’ to describe the business partnership that involves caring for people’s cars.  The situations I am about to describe along with the topic do not pertain to clients.  I use the word customers for a reason.  Clients invested in the value provided, actually support the business.

Someone asked in a detailing group, who were the easiest clients to work with?  I responded by starting with the notion that this may be counterintuitive to some people.  It was clients who were not so quick to book with me.  They researched my business, before ever contacting me.  They watched my YouTube videos.  They READ my website.  When we communicated, they welcomed a consultation versus spastically demanding a price as if that is the only thing that matters when booking a detailing service.  One of my clients told me, she believes a major reason for her positive experiences is that she is looking to (cry once) address all of the concerns before the fact.  They wanted to find the detailing business before they focus on specific service and PRICING options.  Difficult ones are focused on getting this process out of the way quickly, with the mindset of arbitrarily complaining and ranting after the fact.

My clients tend to not have complaints about products and services they purchase in general.

The Low Baller

The problem here is they know your price and that there are cheaper alternatives.  But they want your effort at the cheap alternative price.  Demanding less compensation for the requested labor is inherently disrespectful.  But that person is very possibly looking for ways to be offended and to get out of paying you.  Beware.

Constant Complainer/Threatening About Quality Expectations

I compare this to being on a date.  If your interaction begin with your date complaining about a previous relationship, how would you feel?

Treats You Like (Especially In A Derogatory Manor) An Employee VS Business Owner

This has always been a problem in this industry.  To me a major red flag.  People like this generally never act like your boss when they don’t like the result of what they insisted on.  They are only treating you like their employee when it is convenient to them.  It also carries an undertone of them looking down on you.

In reality, people who display these characteristics tend to fall into MORE THAN 1 category.  When in doubt and or you do not have great systems and your intuition is proverbially screaming at you, trust your gut instinct.  Walk away.