Let the chaos begin !!!!!!!

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JustWood

JustWood

Minister of Fire
Aug 14, 2007
3,595
Arrow Bridge,NY
Today was the kick-off to our busy season, the phone rang off the hook with last minute shoppers placing their wood order for fall delivery ( probably due to the chill in the air today - got people thinkin about their wood supply). Been in this business for 20 years and it's always the same customers that procrastinate till the last minute that complain about higher prices and long delivery times. I get disgusted on a daily basis this time of year(impatient customers) and relate the old Ant and Grasshopper story many times.Doesn't matter what you tell them they'll call even later next year! Any other vendors have these problems on a yearly basis????
 
In the boat business, First warm day I WANT MY BOAT!!!!
 
In the floral business, everybody waits until Valentines Day to place their orders, same with mother's day, then they're surprised and dissapointed when we can't fill it for them... geeze!
 
People always call the week of thanksgiving or christmas and expect us to be right out the next day to fix thier gas logs or fireplace for the holiday.... "What... you are booked solid for 3 weeks?"

Like we have extra guy sitting in the warehouse waiting for them to call us.
 
I guess it's like that in any business.... I always get the calls around April 13 and 14... I oughta learn to take the phone off the hook.
 
I've learned to love and hate big family get together Holidays. It's the time when I get a call to restore the family dining table and all the chairs for the get together. Of course, it's November 15 and they want it in a week. Or just before Easter. I do first in and first out. You can't jump the line, but dining sets are big in November, December, March and April.

Last year I had a designer call and ask for a set to be done in three days, said I could do it but the price would be $2,600, she reminded me that I quoted $1,200 in July, and I asked,"So why didn't you have it done then?"
 
I don't think anyone plans ahead for anything anymore.

When I was in the car business, they all wanted the AC repaired on the first 90 degree day because they were leaving on the 3000 mile round trip vacation the next morning. Or the "last minute" brake job so the family would make it to Disney; after all, we're leaving in an hour.

Now, in the flooring and window coverings business, it's carpet my living room and get the silhouettes up before the family comes over for (insert occasion) in two days.....

Oh well, I'll keep answering the phone as long as they keep brewing beer ;-)
 
Lees-Wood co, what you getting for a cord of seasoned (ready to burn) hardwood delivered?
 
wow....You dont want to know what I sell it for.. I guess I didnt really want to know what you sell it for!!!!!!!! Where is this operation?
 
I certainly do not want to step on any toes but fellas, rather than complaining about those who refuse to think ahead and always order at the last minute, perhaps you should stop and thank the Lord that you have customers! Seems too many start getting aggravated about those type of things and believe it or not, it shows in everything you do, especially when in front of a customer. No, just be thankful you have the customer (as long as he is a paying customer) because without customers, where would we be?
 
We actually made some efforts to reduce the number of emergency calls over the winter. We sent out nearly 20,000 post cards this summer to all our previous customers, detailing a summer special price for an annual service on the gas units. Hopefully this will lighten our load a little come winter, since they are all tuned up and any weak / going bad pilot parts got replaced.
 
I must agree, I have not had a mad rush, in fact Ive been playing POstal 2 all day, 1 phone call and quite Honestly getting worried. This better change next week or were in trouble!
 
I get this quote every so often. " I'm playing in a golf tournament tomorrow. do you have time for a lesson?" I reply. Let me know how you make out at the tourny then will talk lessons.
 
Backwoods Savage said:
I certainly do not want to step on any toes but fellas, rather than complaining about those who refuse to think ahead and always order at the last minute, perhaps you should stop and thank the Lord that you have customers! Seems too many start getting aggravated about those type of things and believe it or not, it shows in everything you do, especially when in front of a customer. No, just be thankful you have the customer (as long as he is a paying customer) because without customers, where would we be?
Click to expand...

Well I hear your message but would like to add that as soon as a customer hears "NO" anything you say from that point you are wasting your breath!

(First heatwave)..."I've been thinking of installing ceiling fans/having an air conditioner outlet installed for quite some time". As soon as they hear anything other than "Yes" they tune right out.

Im very diplomatic but can't explain the "mexican roof leak concept" to them. When they do want it done right away...okay its X amount of $$$. "Why so much???" Hard to find the words..."You want a ceiling fan because its' hot and un-comfortable...Do you know how hot and uncomfortable it is to crawl around in an attic to install the wiring on a 90 degree day???"

Even the regulars "drop the ball". Fix something that has blown up and they ask..."When would be the best time to call for a ceiling fan???" You explain the whole thing all they hear is "January" and forget everything.
 
keyman512us said:
Backwoods Savage said:
I certainly do not want to step on any toes but fellas, rather than complaining about those who refuse to think ahead and always order at the last minute, perhaps you should stop and thank the Lord that you have customers! Seems too many start getting aggravated about those type of things and believe it or not, it shows in everything you do, especially when in front of a customer. No, just be thankful you have the customer (as long as he is a paying customer) because without customers, where would we be?
Click to expand...

Well I hear your message but would like to add that as soon as a customer hears "NO" anything you say from that point you are wasting your breath!

(First heatwave)..."I've been thinking of installing ceiling fans/having an air conditioner outlet installed for quite some time". As soon as they hear anything other than "Yes" they tune right out.

Even the regulars "drop the ball". Fix something that has blown up and they ask..."When would be the best time to call for a ceiling fan???" You explain the whole thing all they hear is "January" and forget everything.
Click to expand...

AMEN BROTHER !!!!! I have literally been sworn at and verbally defiled because I couldn't service a customer as per their needs !!!!!!!!
 
All in all, I would still rather have the problem of dealing with the last minute customer than the problem of wondering where the next sale was going to come from.

How does that saying go?.... Something like, "A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."
 
My intentions were not to be negetative believe me! We sell a cord of seasoned (ready to burn) wood for $190 delivered right now. A cord of green is $150. But I really do think its all in where you are from and the current market value. We get logs for a decent rate right now..It would probably make your head spin..
 
Mr Griz,

That is a really good answer. Very smart-assy, but to the point and correct too.

I always call me maintenance guy in August for a tuneup of the oil fired heaters. And I was told to order firewood in April.

Beat the rush, is what I have been told more than once.

Thanks

CarpNiels
 
Carpniels, I wish I could take credit for that one, but I'm just passing it along. In fact, come to think of it, it may actually have been directed at me when I first heard it :eek:hh:
 
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