Nightmare Customer

[cpmurphy 0]

Just thought i would make my first post about a nightmare job i am doing at the moment.

 

I was asked by a friend to help out a friend of his and install a CCTV system in the guys home.

 

i had a few 4 channels systems sitting around with build in 15" monitors and some high res cameras 540 lines and such so i said i would call to this guy and see what i could do.

 

After meeting the guy i was left knowing this guy didnt like spending money but i had a look at the job.

1 IR camera on his house 2 IR cameras on his workshop about 150 feet from the house plus a dome in the workshop.

 

The dvr was to be kept in the house and another monitor placed in the workshop. this was also to be networked.

 

Ok since it was for a friend who i owed a few favors to i cut my costs and said €2500 all in.

 

It had to be done as a rush job since the guy was off on holidays and wanted it done before he went in 3 days time.

 

anyhow the camera on the house was easy. the other 3 were a bit harder having to use ducting he had run and was not much room.

got the 2 camreas up on the outside of the workshop working but the dome seemed dead. i told him i would get a new dome and replace it.

 

then he tells me he hadnt got a static IP sorted yet and couldnt use network.

he then tells me he wants more cameras put on the house plus another monitor wired to another room in the house.

 

At this stage im thinking run but through pressure from my friend. i say fine i will put a new system in.

 

so he gets a 8 channel DVR 3 video outputs 500gig hd.

5 good IR cameras and a IR dome. all installed for €3000

 

you think he is happy? not a chance.

he is not saying anything to me but to my friend. he wants a better camera in the workshop so it has the workshop lit up like my friends shed ( friends shed is 4' x 6' ) this guys workshp is 40' x 30'. i told him if he wants to spend more money np but no. again through pressure from my friend i relent and put a out door IR in his workshop that works fine and has good night vision. still not happy he wants it as bright as my friends shed.

 

he wants better cameras on his house now sinse the one pointing from his house doesnt light up his gates 50 feet away.

 

at this stage i am fed up. he had a bit of ground loop coming through the 2 cameras outside his workshop. but only when he put his kettle toaster and hairdryer on in his house i told him i would sort it out if its that big a issue for him. ( no lines showed up on recording).

 

i then give him the invoice and he turns around and says he doesnt want to pay the VAT ( TAX ) that it should be included.

 

he then moans about how long it took. 2 days to replace 3 cameras and install 3 new one plus wire up 2 monitors also wire up a phone line for him while i was at it. 3rd day to tidy up this was done just by me since i couldnt pay for helpers.

 

I turned around and told him to forget it im pulling the system out. he is now refusing to allow me to get near the cables and wants me to leave them in place.

 

Motto dont do favors for friends

 

I feel better having that rant )

[scorpion 0]

It is amazing that these kind of people are a dime a dozen. I run in to these people all of the time.

 

As a joke at the bottom of my presales invoice it says labor at $100.00 an hour for easy going customers, and $200.00 an hour for difficult customers.

 

I always get a a laugh from people, and I never really have used it. I am just waiting for the day when some knuckle head takes something stupid to court. I got in in writing, and then I will demand the other half of my install payment!!

[Smit9352 0]

Hopefully you at least got paid. Also keep this in mind, if he ever has a camera go out or something done on the dvr or heck even cameras moved, you can't go on his property so he's just going to have to pay someone to come do it for him.

 

 

He'll kick himself in the long run but you should be kicking your friend in the short term.

[Rebco 0]

Did yo have a contract with this guy? And if you did, did you amend it when he wanted more work?

[lengfeng203 0]

you did a big favor to your friend this time,he will do more back to you next time,i think that's the meaning of friends..

[scorpion 0]

With friends like RickA, then who needs enemies????

 

LOL!

[RickA 0]

Thanks I will take that as a compliment

[oldtimer 0]

Now you have learned something. Never do a job for a friend. They want the world before it's over. They say things like I know your making big money in this business so give it to me for cost. Then the complaining starts. I never do any jobs until I get half down and a clause in the contract that the balance is due upon completion. Plus I have the right to remove my equipment for non compliance.

[andyscan 0]

A good deed never goes unpunished

[kensplace 0]

And the road to hell is paved with good intentions...

[mr.surveillance 0]

Now I know why its so hot here.