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Fenn Man
Senior Member
Ireland
209 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Dec 2006 : 00:17:41
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Here's one for ye; I'm round the back of a cow shed, in deep fog. It's dark and I'm checking boxes by lamp light. My mobile rings: Mr Borderline Hysterical has, " A mouse in the sofa. ".
Mr H is in one of my locals. I Know all ears will be straining. I'm trying to establish in an area where Everyone 'Knows how to deal with vermin'. I have to look my best.
Hour or so later, as agreed, I turn up at this posh house. I'm shown to the immaculate living room and Survey. Yep. There's the access - Who in gods name fitted this laminate floor and skirting?!  There's the aggrieved sofa. Few mouse droppings. A scattering of cheap, nasty little " Mouse Traps ", in all the wrong places and - Dah, da da Daaaaahh! - a small, neat heap of blue grain. Right there. On the floor! 
Ok. It's late. I'm bushed. I ask the poison be removed. Pick up the crap traps and set my own. All the while hearing how they caught one, a week ago. Fill out a report. Quick pep talk and off home I go.
To get a text, next day: " He's dead. Found in living room. Poisoned. "
Oh.
Ok. I'll talk to the guy about Proofing. His own efforts had involved placing a brikette of peat against the hole. But I'm walking a tight rope here. Demand payment for setting my traps? Reports to the pub will say I'm a con man! So much as let me On ye property and I have my hand out!
Seem like I'm pushing too hard about the Proofing job? I'm then trying to wangle jobs.
Way I'm seeing it? I'll waive the setting up. But I'll get him to sign my next report, where I'll strongly urge Proofing. Up to him. We all know, if he doesn't bother, he'll get more mice. He then May call me. Or he May get his poison back out. Only I'll have warned of chewed wires, reminding him it took him a week or more to poison this second mouse. If he burns? He burns. I'll have tried.
Just out of curiosity: How would You play a situation like that?
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Paul W
Junior Member
United Kingdom
27 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2006 : 10:25:12
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| I'd waive the first visit,and do as you are thinking of doing if he's not too far from you.He may call you back for more mice or other problems he encounters.He will think your a good guy by not charging for the first visit and be more inclined to call you again. |
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vermincontrol
Member
United Kingdom
99 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2006 : 10:20:14
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I have to agree with Paul on this one, if there was no payment in the first place after the first visit then it is better long term to bow out gracefully and be charitable the first time and learn for the next time.
I was caught in a similar situation a few years back, and now i state there is a call out fee for the first visit plus materials used and sell them the traps and bait etc after the first visit that way i dont get any problems as you have just encountered.
I consider that under the circumstances and with hindsight you will benefit in the long term.
Steve
It Has 2 Be Done Pest Control
www.ithas2bedone.co.uk
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Paulf
Junior Member
23 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2006 : 17:52:52
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You came straight out in the evening and set traps, for me any call out is a minimum of �45.
I will aways charge for my time even if a treatment is not needed, at the end of the day they are paying for my skill and travel costs.
Presumably you will be visiting again to collect your traps?, this is yet more time.
What I always do is explain my chrges over the phone so they know what to expect, no timewasters then.
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vermincontrol
Member
United Kingdom
99 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2006 : 19:09:15
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Same as you there Paul
Steve
It Has 2 Be Done Pest Control
www.ithas2bedone.co.uk
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Dusty
Senior Member
Australia
382 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2006 : 22:59:21
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Try getting a plummer or the washing machine repair man to waive a charge if they make an uneventful call out.
Don't feed them, get Rid of them |
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Fenn Man
Senior Member
Ireland
209 Posts |
Posted - 28 Dec 2006 : 02:22:32
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 What happened there? Moddie hold up? Sorry guys; I came back and found Paul W's response ~ agreed with it. Went along with it. Waited for any more input ... waited ... waited. Now It's all come at a back dated rush. Thanks anyway :)
No, basicly, I've given the guy that one. 'Hearts and Minds' ;) Lady who called next morning with 'scratchings in the roof space' came and got me there and then. (I should point out to you lads that I'm in the middle of no where, sans personal transport. First guy paid my taxi fare - both ways). That lady? I sorted her mice out. Just as well as they were at her cables up there. I showed her photographic evidence on my Digi.
But that's how I'm working here, for now. People either come and fetch me or they have to wait till I'm up their end. Obviously, I work a small catchment area, but it's growing within itself by the week. I'm happy :)
Vermincontrol; You Sell Them the traps and bait, etc?!? Jay Suss! Is that not like Dustys Plummer leaving them with the Manual and wrenches? Hell, no! I hunker down over my Boxes and shield Everything I do from the client. They get a Report Sheet, stating I've used X Bait or have left Lethal / Non Lethal traps. But that's all I let on.
Tell them too much and they'll be pestering Killgerm for 'My' Snappa Boxes!!! Sod that! As Paul F says; 'at the end of the day they are paying for my skill and ...' knowing what kit to use. How. And where to get it! I don't even let them get a good look at my Keys!
Gotta keep Some mystique! 
Cheers, lads!
(Boss / Moddies: Feel free to Edit At Will if I've snapped any Rules here. I'm not too familiar ;))
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When A Job May Not Be A Job ....?
