Why you should FIRE certain clients... | Maker's Money

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  • Опубликовано: 7 янв 2025

Комментарии • 97

  • @frankgregory6845
    @frankgregory6845 3 года назад

    Many. many years ago I heard a saying, "Perhaps you need to find someone who can better manage your expectations". This is for the customer that falls into the bracket of not being a 'good' customer, but who always complains, or wants something special without paying anything extra, etc. I have had to 'fire' a few customers along the way, and what I found was it opened up my time to work with the 'good' customers.
    I enjoy your channel. You two are fun to watch and THANKS for sharing!

  • @JoshuaWShanks
    @JoshuaWShanks 3 года назад +3

    I used to work for my best friend's dad who owned his own business. He built barn wood furniture and picture frames. He did over $500k a year in sales. He was notorious for never telling a customer "no." He never wanted to leave money on the table. We worked many 12-14 hour days filling orders. It really burned out everyone working for him, although he would also be there along side us. He was always the first one there and the last to leave. I'm kicking around getting back into wood working as a side hustle, however, I learned many valuable lessons from past experiences on preventing myself from getting burned out again. Money isn't everything. Doing what you enjoy and being able to make some money off of it is worth more than gold in my opinion.

  • @paulbreuer5328
    @paulbreuer5328 3 года назад +3

    A respected contractor I worked with used to say a job you don't get is a job you don't lose money on

  • @RichEklund
    @RichEklund 3 года назад +13

    Similar to “just say no”, I thought I would be on fire a lot more as a kid with how much I was taught to stop drop and roll. :)

    • @thewabisabicollective7170
      @thewabisabicollective7170 3 года назад

      Hahahaha IKR !!! We had it worse with our firefighter/paramedic grandfather with fire safety, as well as broken necks. Dude, I'm gonna be 36 tomorrow and I'm still afraid I'm gonna snap my neck just doing normal everyday things hahahaha
      ~Beauty & Peace~
      Kyle-

  • @kmchartrand99
    @kmchartrand99 3 года назад +1

    I have been turned down by businesses many times for various reasons over my life span and I've always respected the business for saying no and being honest than saying yes and being let down later.

  • @TailEndCustoms
    @TailEndCustoms 3 года назад +8

    Actually by not saying no sometimes that can ruin your business in so many ways.

  • @johnburris1485
    @johnburris1485 3 года назад +2

    Enjoying your videos! I like to try to refer customers I can’t help to someone I think is a better fit for them. This often helps both the customer and fellow business owners.

  • @tomhostetter8516
    @tomhostetter8516 3 года назад +7

    Had a lady at my work ask for a Blanket ladder that hung on the wall. She sent me a picture of it from Wayfair, they wanted $89. She then said like this but I want it made with Tigerwood... I told her it would cost $500 in lumber alone so she said how much would it be in pine? I told her $100. She then said well I was hoping to get it for $50. I told her to just save up and buy the one off Wayfair.... shes asked me for a few other items since then but when I tell her the cost out the door she says oh ok ill just buy it from (X)

    • @delphaneuxlacroix
      @delphaneuxlacroix 3 года назад +1

      A lot of people don't seem to understand that something being built for you by hand is going to cost more than what they see in the shops.

  • @Meatparadise_
    @Meatparadise_ 3 года назад +4

    I have mastered the art of saying no. Mainly it is to protect me.and my team's workload for extra things we simply cannot take on operationally.
    One thing I would love to learn is as a customer not being a push over. Lol

  • @caseobeer
    @caseobeer 3 года назад

    The one time I should have said no, I didn't I regret to this day several years later. This couple contacted me about building them a table, but they couldn't afford for it to be finished. So I stupidly agreed to make them a table that was unfinished and would need final sanding and finish assembly once it had finish applied. When I delivered it, I could tell they weren't happy. It was also a great lesson in drafting a contract. Had I drafted a contract specifying that they were going to have to sand, finish, and assemble the table, things may have gone smoother. Hard lesson to learn, and I'm glad I learned it early on.

  • @womackrl
    @womackrl 3 года назад

    I have a Food Truck business moving toward Laser Engraving. As I watched your video I had a customer call for a 4 day event. we were available but it just wasn't our cup of tea. They wanted a 80/20 split and long ours. Three years ago I would have jumped on the opportunity. Today I know that another event will come along.

  • @donniemullins2719
    @donniemullins2719 3 года назад +4

    knowing the scope of your abilities, costs and availability come first! Seconds is setting expectations and communication!!!!

  • @delphaneuxlacroix
    @delphaneuxlacroix 3 года назад

    Sometimes you outright don't want the job.
    A friend is a builder and HATES doing custom bathrooms because the people who want them are pedantic, demanding and incredibly fussy.
    He got asked to do one in a really upmarket neighbourhood, and so he quoted a price 10x what it should have been.
    They said yes.
    He got it done and got paid a fat stack of cash, allowing him to take the next 4 months off work.
    He said it still wasn't worth it.

  • @electricianron_New_Jersey
    @electricianron_New_Jersey 3 года назад

    I'm an electrical contractor and I came across a customer who bought a million-dollar plus home near where I live here in NJ and wanted to do a new kitchen. She told me she didn't want me to use tamper-resistant receptacles and didn't want me to get a permit. Pffft. Take a hike lady. I've worked way too hard to obtain and keep my electrical license to risk losing it for a customer who want to tell me how to do my job.

  • @craash420
    @craash420 3 года назад

    I used to run fishing charters. Out of hundreds of trips I had a few great repeat customers, many good trips, a few bad, and one customer I fired before we ever met. I'd rather miss the potential income than suffer the complaints.

  • @timconnell4570
    @timconnell4570 3 года назад

    Ive had soooooo many referals from people ive said no to. Knowing what youre not good at is vital.

  • @bjornronaldson6017
    @bjornronaldson6017 Год назад

    So, I am not a woodworker, despite having some background in it. I hand make cutlery, and I hate taking commissions. I have a very, very, very short list of clients I will take commissions from without being salty about it. Amusingly enough, my shop policy is that if you aren't on that short list, I won't even discuss a commission unless it is a minimum of a $10,000 commission, there is a signed contract and a fifty percent deposit. When yall pulled the 10k figure out of the air, it made me chuckle.

  • @bobwadsworth4799
    @bobwadsworth4799 3 года назад +1

    I've had to tell several friends no many times. They know that I am a woodworker, mainly USA flags, AZ flags and clocks, so they ask me if I can build them this or that. If I can, sure I would do it in a heart beat, however, the projects they wanted me to build were out of my current skill level so I had to politely say no. No hard feelings and they are still friends. :-)

  • @Azurko
    @Azurko 3 года назад +1

    A time I should have said no was to a cousin that lived on the other side of the state. A few years ago, she wanted a window seat bench for her bay window area, but wanted it with lots of storage, a high back (odd I know), and prepped for paint (she wanted to do that herself). I quoted her what I thought was reasonable, about $500 if memory serves, she sent me the measurements and I got to work. There was no timeframe for delivery when I agreed to it (around Thanksgiving) and due to some personal issues and the fact that the shop was cold AF, it was taking longer than I expected. The week of Christmas she out of the blue asked where I was. Confused, I told her I was working on the bench and she flipped out saying she expected it to be there that day because she was doing a Christmas party for her husbands family that night. Long story cut short, I wasn't able to delivery the bench until the first week of January. The measurements she gave me were completely wrong (never trust a client to give you measurements, lessons learned), and she HATED the design (told me she didn't care when I tried showing her sketches and even the few pictures I sent). Hadn't seen her since, but I did see a picture from this past Christmas and the bench is gone. Asked my aunt and she said she thinks she saw a pile of wood in the garage that matched what I made.

  • @Itsthatoneguy371
    @Itsthatoneguy371 3 года назад

    You are awesome! These are a great series of videos! Thank you! 🙏

  • @mpbc48
    @mpbc48 3 года назад +10

    The old adage "The customer is always right" is majorly flawed. We all know the customer is not always correct. That saying really is about customer relations. It is better written as: "The customer is not always right; but the customer is never wrong." This mindset teaches you to use diplomacy and creative persuasion to get the customer to come to understand what you know is correct.

    • @cummerou1
      @cummerou1 3 года назад

      The entire saying is "the customer is always right in matters of taste", aka, you should sell what your customers want to buy the most. It has been perverted so people can feel justified acting completely unreasonably.

    • @theragingdolphinsmaniac4696
      @theragingdolphinsmaniac4696 3 года назад

      The customer is NOT always right, but they do always get what they want. That's part of providing a product or service.

  • @DebtFreeDIY
    @DebtFreeDIY 3 года назад

    From one husband/wife duo to another...great video! Lots of good wisdom packed into this one. Knowing and accepting your limitations is huge.
    Also I was never offered any free drugs as a kid either, so don't feel bad, Davis ...😂
    -Jeremy

  • @rudyswoodwork7236
    @rudyswoodwork7236 3 года назад +1

    I’m in business for 25 years now and I say no every day.. that helps to stay in business.. u don’t have to take all the jobs ..

  • @Taco-TannerVODS
    @Taco-TannerVODS 3 года назад

    Same. Years in shady places and no strangers ever offered me free drugs.

  • @beyondthegrainllc
    @beyondthegrainllc 3 года назад +3

    Agree sometimes you just have to hit them with the GA price. "The go away price"

    • @theragingdolphinsmaniac4696
      @theragingdolphinsmaniac4696 3 года назад

      Except I had a customer who was willing to pay it once. So it doesn't always work...then what do you do?

    • @beyondthegrainllc
      @beyondthegrainllc 3 года назад +1

      @@theragingdolphinsmaniac4696 at that point at least maybe you made it worth the headaches

  • @MsRmaclaren
    @MsRmaclaren 3 года назад

    When I sold satellite systems and cell phones. I had to say no a LOT to customers. When I built computers, I had a devil of a time with certain customers always bringing their systems back with "porn virus" on them. Some where just too plain stupid to use them. I am now a Maker and am very careful with my comissions.

  • @necrojoe
    @necrojoe 3 года назад

    Just said "no" today. We make concrete pots. The look they were looking for, the time frame they wanted them, and their budget were all things we could have worked around...if the issue was just one from that list. This was all 3. We had to let them know we weren't the right fit for their wish, and let them know as quickly as we could so the customer would have the time to find someone else.

  • @calebsanz9826
    @calebsanz9826 3 года назад

    I needed to hear this video!! Great job

  • @schlossercustommillworks2376
    @schlossercustommillworks2376 3 года назад

    I agree with politely saying no if it's something out of your wheel house. BUT, taking on those difficult projects is also what helps us grow. So it's kind of a case by case scenario. I've also made the mistake of taking on one of those challenging project when things were slow, only to have them heat up in the middle of it & make completing that project, while keeping up with normal demand, challenging. I also don't necessarily agree with throwing out a ridiculously high number. That could turn away a potentially good project & client in the future who doesn't bother to contact you because they think you're too expensive. As always, love the content!

  • @emudan1
    @emudan1 3 года назад

    But it's sooooooo hard to say no. But wow that hit hit me right in the face when you said if they throw a fit when you say no up front imagine what they would do of you were working for them.

  • @LastElf
    @LastElf 3 года назад +1

    If only workers in my country will be able to say no. Instead they say yes and you spend 12 months daily calling then, when they are going to start, before ... you find someone else, who will say yes... :'(

  • @wildearpsadventures4991
    @wildearpsadventures4991 3 года назад +1

    Generally I just tell them that what they are asking is beyond my skill level and I could not in good faith accept the job.

  • @adrianluica6960
    @adrianluica6960 3 года назад

    Thinking about that, I sad NO so many times and now is easier to say no rather then Yes :))

  • @wildearpsadventures4991
    @wildearpsadventures4991 3 года назад +1

    If it's something that is slightly out of my ability range and Im pretty sure I could do it.. I price insanely high and give them an extremely extended time frame.
    Extreme example "I want a super custom 12"x12" cutting board" "okay that will be about $1k, $500 upfront. I could probably have it done 2 months." that gives me extra money to pay for my learning mistakes (if any) and time to learn or perfect what needs to be done. If it wasn't as hard as I though I would price appropriately and only charge the customer anything over the $500. If it was less then it stays at $500.

  • @InTheLab3d
    @InTheLab3d 3 года назад +2

    Customer (and friend) I made an end grain cutting board for with a custom walnut inlay (400$) asked me to build him a desk the same way 6'x2'. I told him it was going to take time, I couldnt ensure the integrity (not a climate controlled area) and it would be at least $4000. "Do it" was his response.... So now, I get to "do it" haha

    • @jennieanddavis
      @jennieanddavis  3 года назад +1

      That's amazing! Great job!

    • @reddogwoodcraft3508
      @reddogwoodcraft3508 3 года назад +1

      @@jennieanddavis Well, sorta... Ive never made one, so hes paying me to learn, which is ok... I just hope I can pull it offf haha. thank you

  • @AntonSutarmin
    @AntonSutarmin 3 года назад

    The last piece of advice about pricing too high can be dangerous sometimes. There is a small chance that customer answer will be "deal" and that would put you in a weird situation: you are still underqualified/don't want to do the project, but customer expectations now are much higher ("wow, what they gonna build for me for that much money").

    • @jennieanddavis
      @jennieanddavis  3 года назад

      You're absolutely right. Managing expectations well during an exchange is the essence of running a successful business.

  • @StevenDavisPhoto
    @StevenDavisPhoto 3 года назад

    I charge cost of materials, plus AT LEAST $50/hr, plus whatever the market will bear. $50 is my FLOOR.

  • @kzhowell116
    @kzhowell116 3 года назад +3

    No is one of the most important skills to learn.

  • @SecurityHawk12
    @SecurityHawk12 3 года назад

    I'm impressed....Smart thinking for your age.

  • @Boltron
    @Boltron 3 года назад

    had someone ask me to do a job and I gave them a price . they then said someone down the way could do it for less . I said cool then you should probably have them do it. they came back that afternoon saying the person down the street was too busy to do what they wanted. I'm pretty sure it was not less than my price. they just wanted to see if I would go down in price.

    • @douglasmeyer1887
      @douglasmeyer1887 3 года назад

      I had a guy walk away because I quoted to high, came back a month later. I quoted him 10% higher and informed him materials had gone up. He didn’t like the first price and really didn’t like the second price. But. I don’t give my time away.

  • @gabesmith6475
    @gabesmith6475 3 года назад +3

    My favorite way to say no is to give an astronomical price

    • @terrythecomputerguy
      @terrythecomputerguy 3 года назад +1

      I used to manage a shoe repair and did the price 'yourself out of the job' thing a few times to turn away some projects until I had a customer say "Ok" without batting an eye. I did the project for himn and it came out great but I still lost money.

    • @gabesmith6475
      @gabesmith6475 3 года назад

      @@terrythecomputerguy dang that’s crazy

    • @gabesmith6475
      @gabesmith6475 3 года назад +1

      We did a guitar shaped table and some barstools shaped like pics, we made sure that the customer knew that it would take at least 4-6 weeks, and that the price would be $12,000 with $5,000 up front. They looked dead in our eyes and said “do it” In the end it took 8 weeks and about 3 tables worth of material. We lost $1000 and we hated the way it turned out (looked more like an eggplant or squash) but I guess at least the customer was happy.

    • @doubledarefan
      @doubledarefan 3 года назад +1

      @@gabesmith6475 I once did a job that I thought would only take 2 weeks, ended up taking 2 months! Fortunately, I did make a fair bit of cash.
      With your lesson in mind, if I get a job I do not want, not only will I overprice it, I'll add 50% to the overprice. And apply my lesson regarding the lead time.

    • @gabesmith6475
      @gabesmith6475 3 года назад +1

      @@doubledarefan All I can say is that if they believe it’s worth it, and are willing to pay the large price tag, then maybe it’s worth their business. And plus now you have a ton of bonus nachos! Also it’s good to charge a down payment, usually we charge for the cost of materials up front. That keeps you from getting completely screwed if they back out.

  • @phatroguedragon
    @phatroguedragon 3 года назад

    It's okay to say no. The customer is always right...just not for and with your business model.

  • @boydmerriman
    @boydmerriman 3 года назад

    How many times did I say "yes" to jobs I should have said "no" to, especially to low price jobs. Insisting on more money for the job because you know you are worth it, will pay off in the long run, even if you lose that job because of it. One man I quoted for a sign job (sign painter for years) went to another, cheaper painter, only to regret it and said he had wished he stuck with me, so he told another potential client about me and I easily sold that job and did it.

  • @ProfessorDIY
    @ProfessorDIY 3 года назад +1

    The customer is not always right, that mentality leads to bankruptcy

  • @mr.grizzlybear2060
    @mr.grizzlybear2060 3 года назад

    I can definitely think of more than a few times I should have said no

  • @BradsWorkbench
    @BradsWorkbench 3 года назад

    If I say no, I typically like to at least give an alternative to what they may want

  • @tim-hypnotherapist
    @tim-hypnotherapist 3 года назад +1

    Awesome info.

  • @CunninghamFurniture
    @CunninghamFurniture 3 года назад

    Much needed advice!

  • @mikecalhoun8497
    @mikecalhoun8497 3 года назад +3

    Some peoples money is to expensive

  • @bobwadsworth4799
    @bobwadsworth4799 3 года назад +1

    I do want to comment on the cool P-51D in some of your shots. It's a great plane for sure, but the P-38 is a cooler plane. :-)

    • @jennieanddavis
      @jennieanddavis  3 года назад

      Please unsubscribe. Enjoy your delusions. 😂😂.

    • @douglasmeyer1887
      @douglasmeyer1887 3 года назад

      @@jennieanddavis if you want cool look at the P61

  • @nolanstevenson3510
    @nolanstevenson3510 3 года назад

    I just told a friend no because I don’t do turning and he wanted a bowl

  • @StevenDavisPhoto
    @StevenDavisPhoto 3 года назад

    Those cigar/drink guys could just develop a process for supplying those cutting boards too. Limiting yourself to such a specific product unless it keeps you busy enough seems kinda silly.
    But yes, I say no to jobs all the time. I personally hate building furniture and turn down those jobs all the time. I refer them to a friend who does them.

    • @jennieanddavis
      @jennieanddavis  3 года назад

      Google the term ‘opportunity cost’. To anyone who knows that term, your comment seems kinda silly.

    • @StevenDavisPhoto
      @StevenDavisPhoto 3 года назад

      @@jennieanddavis no I'm aware of that. I specialize too in my specific products. If it keeps u busy full-time and u don't want to try anything else, cool, but those also give u opportunities to expand into a new product that may be in demand and make u just as much money or more once you optimize the work flow. I have developed several new products this way that sell well. I usually just do resin and live edge products but a friend wanted a California shaped cutting board and now it's a very popular product for me with high margins.

  • @LessThanHandy
    @LessThanHandy 3 года назад +1

    You say "No" to me, I'll sue you for "Alienation of affection" that's right - look it up.... jk!
    Your video made plenty of sense - truly agree specifically about those that complain right from the get-go...thank you for the video. 👏👏👏👏

  • @Chidsuey
    @Chidsuey 3 года назад

    How my few drug and cigarette encounters went:
    Them: You want one?
    Me: No thanks, I'm good.
    Them: Cool.
    Fin.

  • @ZestayTaco
    @ZestayTaco 3 года назад

    @0:54 P.O. box ?

  • @thomaskleven8314
    @thomaskleven8314 3 года назад

    We always said more, must of heard the song wrong.

  • @1stresponsevideo
    @1stresponsevideo 3 года назад

    Referrals is what you could do

  • @marcelrasing4801
    @marcelrasing4801 3 года назад

    I have to say. After this channel from the beginning. I still cannot get my head around it. And i want to make some comments and then I restrain myself. I will just do that same thing again today. restrain myself

    • @jennieanddavis
      @jennieanddavis  3 года назад

      Your current way of thinking may not solve this puzzle. If you want to understand something, you'll probably need to change your mindset ;)

  • @b3ardedbarbarian
    @b3ardedbarbarian 3 года назад

    Ok but what about when you say no but your wife tells them yes 🤣

    • @jennieanddavis
      @jennieanddavis  3 года назад +1

      Lol can't help you there, chief!

    • @b3ardedbarbarian
      @b3ardedbarbarian 3 года назад

      @@jennieanddavis she also told them I'd do it for cost 😭😭😭 it's a work friend of hers

  • @homezero
    @homezero 3 года назад

    I want to know what Davis did to capture that face on this vid?

  • @jeffreywilliams1149
    @jeffreywilliams1149 3 года назад

    love your channle

  • @gnarlin4964
    @gnarlin4964 3 года назад

    What about if you're a homophobic baker and a customer wants you to bake a wedding cake for a gay wedding. Is it ok then to say no?

    • @jennieanddavis
      @jennieanddavis  3 года назад

      That situation isn’t even close to the proper context for the principle we’re teaching in this video.
      Please don’t take this video any further than a self confidence/know-your-worth context. Thanks.

  • @thewabisabicollective7170
    @thewabisabicollective7170 3 года назад

    Say yes to free drugs!!! Cause if you don't want 'em, someone else does!!!! Flip it and make that money!!!!! Lol😂🤣🤑🤑🤑🤑. (More cash for wood and tools!!!)

  • @JaredRandal
    @JaredRandal 3 года назад

    I’ve got some acetaminophen or ibuprofen I can send ya! No charge!!

  • @mattbjorklund4930
    @mattbjorklund4930 3 года назад

    no

    • @jennieanddavis
      @jennieanddavis  3 года назад

      Lol great work! Can't get enough practice!

  • @jack317
    @jack317 3 года назад

    Just Say Moe

  • @marzatomika
    @marzatomika 3 года назад +1

    Lol free drugs