We always hear stories of idiot or a-hole clients, so I wanted to share a story of a great client. I was contacted about a month ago concerning a boundary dispute. The gentleman lives in FL and drove in to visit his family here when a problem was discovered.
His family's property is about 26 acres in a rural area and an adjoiner was clearing land and moving dirt from an area this client had always thought they owned. The area that was disturbed was about a half acre. I met with him and discussed the issues and I then advised him what I thought needed to happen. Once we got that straightened out, I gave him a price. There was no haggling, no jaw-dropping, just an "ok". We shook hands and parted ways.
I prepared a contract and emailed it to him. He signed it and returned it in the mail along with a retainer check. I began work. I called him or other family members several times with questions (you cannot do a boundary survey in this area without talking to property owners and adjoiners, they provide valuable evidence that would otherwise go uncovered).
I completed the job and contacted him to let him know. He drove back from FL and his son drove here from IN to meet me at the property and walk the boundaries with me. I walked with them, set the missing corners, handed over his plat and met with the adjoiner. When we finished, he gladly handed over another check for the remaining balance. These two checks weren't small amounts either. When we finished talking, he handed me a TIP! First time I have ever received a tip while surveying.
I wish all clients were like this. He recognized the value in the service I provided and was willing to pay a premium price. It didn't hurt that the boundary resolution was interesting either; it was a fun one.
They really do exist. Usually few and far between, but, they really do exist. It is so nice when a client listens to you and wants to understand what we do and how we do it. The money is nice, too. No fuss, no muss.
Congratulations! Clients like that give hope to all of us that we will find some more, soon.
I got a tip from a rancher a few years ago.
He tipped me 100 lbs of rib eyes and t bones.
Right out of his walk in freezer.
I thought I was going to cry. 🙂
I have been tipped a quart of homemade wine or a "mess" of greens or a watermellon before. Never money though.:-)
> I got a tip from a rancher a few years ago.
>
> He tipped me 100 lbs of rib eyes and t bones.
>
> Right out of his walk in freezer.
>
> I thought I was going to cry. 🙂
I want to do a survey for that rancher.
Finger lickin' good!!!B-)
I got a "Tip" from an older client when I was just starting out as an LSIT tech. After we were done with her survey, I went out and walked the boundaries with her and gave her a few extra copies of the filed map. She gave me a GC to a big department store and wouldn't take no for an answer. I asked my boss at the time about it, and whether I should have accepted it or not. His words were.... "It will probably never happen again in your career."....and it never has.
> I got a "Tip" from an older client when I was just starting out as an LSIT tech. After we were done with her survey, I went out and walked the boundaries with her and gave her a few extra copies of the filed map. She gave me a GC to a big department store and wouldn't take no for an answer. I asked my boss at the time about it, and whether I should have accepted it or not. His words were.... "It will probably never happen again in your career."....and it never has.
Sounds like he was correct. Or it could happen again tomorrow. Who Knows? I sure don't.
:-O
The only tip I can remember
getting from a client was was from an "old timer" up in the mountains of north Georgia. It was a particularly hot day that we had spent cutting some TOUGH line. The old fellow drove up and got some ice cold Coca Colas out of an ice chest in the bed of his truck. That was probably the BEST Coke I have ever had. It may not have been worth much monetarily, but I will always have pleasant thoughts of that old man.
Andy