jrsaltz
09-26-2008, 01:14 AM
Ok, so I have a guy that is local who just started his own plumbing company. He used to be at another shop around here that is quite popular and well known.
I take care of 90% of their customers for drain cleaning and it works out very well. This guy left there knowing that all of the marketing pieces and phone books have his cell number on it. So he started his own company and takes calls from their customers and runs calls under his new company. He calls himself "The areas best service plumber" and will stop at nothing to get work even if it means he has to LIE.
Well, this guy does refer me occasionally for certain things but he does have a mainline rodder and a sink machine. He also just purchased a camera so he told me he won't be using me for that anymore.:mad: Every time I do something for him he asks me to inflate my price (by a lot) so he can make a buck too. This is fine, I have no problem taking care of someone for throwing me work but he tells the customer that I have a huge minimum charge when in fact I don't. He just wants his cut out of that up front.
He told me he got the camera so he can sell more "DIG" jobs because thats how he can make the big bucks. I know that he convinces people to dig up their yards when they don't really need to because I have inspected sewers where he has made this recommendation.
As most of you know, I use Service Magic to acquire leads. This has become very fruitful for me. Yesterday I get a lead call from them. As the automated message was explaining the details I heard a familiar name but didn't really think twice. Many people have the same name. So I call the customer back and who do I get on the other line? You guessed it.
He even answered the phone by his company name. His voice was shaky and he didn't know what to say.:confused: When I asked him what he was using Service Magic for, he actually said he needed work done in his own home?!?!?!?! I said ok how can I help, he said never mind I'll take care of it. After some awkward silence I said well if you don't need anything I have to get back to work.
Keep in mind, I have to pay for these leads even if I don't get the job. His bogus lead cost me $21.00:mad:
I called Service Magic and filed a complaint. I told them he has lied to them and that if he was looking onto being a member of their service they should think twice. They refunded the mony and said they will investigate the situation further.
I feel he is quite threatened by my company because i am so busy and he is slow going. He seems to always want info from me on my rates and pays close attention to what i am up to as far as marketing goes. He must have learned I am using SM and is jumping on the band wagon.
I am unsure how to deal with this guy now. I have lost respect for him after this last move. I am afraid to tell him I won't do work for him anymore for fear that he will bad mouth me around the area.
Can anyone give me some ideas about how to handle this situation? I'm am sure our next encounter will be uncomfortable. This guy is really pissing me off to say the least. :mad: Any advise is appreciated. Thanks.
I take care of 90% of their customers for drain cleaning and it works out very well. This guy left there knowing that all of the marketing pieces and phone books have his cell number on it. So he started his own company and takes calls from their customers and runs calls under his new company. He calls himself "The areas best service plumber" and will stop at nothing to get work even if it means he has to LIE.
Well, this guy does refer me occasionally for certain things but he does have a mainline rodder and a sink machine. He also just purchased a camera so he told me he won't be using me for that anymore.:mad: Every time I do something for him he asks me to inflate my price (by a lot) so he can make a buck too. This is fine, I have no problem taking care of someone for throwing me work but he tells the customer that I have a huge minimum charge when in fact I don't. He just wants his cut out of that up front.
He told me he got the camera so he can sell more "DIG" jobs because thats how he can make the big bucks. I know that he convinces people to dig up their yards when they don't really need to because I have inspected sewers where he has made this recommendation.
As most of you know, I use Service Magic to acquire leads. This has become very fruitful for me. Yesterday I get a lead call from them. As the automated message was explaining the details I heard a familiar name but didn't really think twice. Many people have the same name. So I call the customer back and who do I get on the other line? You guessed it.
He even answered the phone by his company name. His voice was shaky and he didn't know what to say.:confused: When I asked him what he was using Service Magic for, he actually said he needed work done in his own home?!?!?!?! I said ok how can I help, he said never mind I'll take care of it. After some awkward silence I said well if you don't need anything I have to get back to work.
Keep in mind, I have to pay for these leads even if I don't get the job. His bogus lead cost me $21.00:mad:
I called Service Magic and filed a complaint. I told them he has lied to them and that if he was looking onto being a member of their service they should think twice. They refunded the mony and said they will investigate the situation further.
I feel he is quite threatened by my company because i am so busy and he is slow going. He seems to always want info from me on my rates and pays close attention to what i am up to as far as marketing goes. He must have learned I am using SM and is jumping on the band wagon.
I am unsure how to deal with this guy now. I have lost respect for him after this last move. I am afraid to tell him I won't do work for him anymore for fear that he will bad mouth me around the area.
Can anyone give me some ideas about how to handle this situation? I'm am sure our next encounter will be uncomfortable. This guy is really pissing me off to say the least. :mad: Any advise is appreciated. Thanks.