Heating Help

@ July 2, 2002 12:21 AM in How to Fire a customer? - Jim

The problem here is a triple whammy. 1)I FEEL that I have to greatly increase my liability insurance to cover these buildings replacement at todays real estate prices, (we have experienced a very large increase in housing costs here recently) 2) Its not the man hours as much as it is a 2 man job. Looking at the shear size of things. 3) He has been cheaping out a little to often lately. Yes he pays his bills. thanks for the insite guys, in keeping him and dumping him or passing him along.

Firing a customer or hiring help

@ July 1, 2002 4:11 PM in How to Fire a customer? - Jim

I need an opinion and I just know I will get one here. I have a 1-1/2 man shop now for over 8 years. A 1/2 man is my son who will be going away to school this fall. I have ONE large account that is almost impossible to handle by myself and the rest of my business is almost all residential. The large account grosses $3-5K per year and does not make up a significant percentage of my income,Although time wise though it takes up alot. Annual cleanings take from 4-6 hours per building. The number of residents per building, (mostly elderly) require me to make any service call there a priority. In the past there have been problems that require the owner to make a decision and he always chooses the cheap way out. Seldom is it one of my suggestions, usually one of his own ideas. Without this account I can handle the entire business without my son. With this account I will have to hire another part time helper. Also in the past I have had to increase my liability insurance just to cover these buildings, I am at this point again, due to real estate and building values increasing. Here is the question: Should I hire a part time guy or fire the customer? How would you politely word the letter? thanks