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Memories of clients past
Seen a lot of good discussion here lately about clients and work load. After almost 47 years in the business all I can tell you is “work is where you find it”.
And the type of client really has nothing to do with whether the work will be profitable. I generally stay away from realtors. Same for attorneys. But I have been through enough of them and actually have a handful of clients that fit in those categories that are always good for a big project or two. I guess the only type of client I try and keep a good distance from is construction. Did it for 35 years. Can’t stand the conditions and the inevitable “crisis-ho” that usually runs the job.But I got to thinking…who was my bestus client that paid quick and always had a butt load of work? The answer surprised me after I realized it had been an outfit that managed several cemeteries.
A number of years ago I got a cold call from a gentleman that needed a few gravesites located. These were in a cemetery with a recorded plat. I thought it would be a quick one-day ordeal. It took about three and I was worried about the bill. When I talked to the client he showed me some invoiced from other surveyors…I didn’t feel so bad. Money wasn’t his concern, scheduling was a priority. For a number of years I kept things tidy in four or five local “marble orchards” and totally enjoyed the work. One job turned into a month long mapping and location expedition of an almost 60 acre cemetery.
So if someone was to ask me who was my best all around client?…I’d have to say the cemetery management folks. And the place is always peaceful, Never got one ounce of friction from any of the neighbors either.
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