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There Is A Place Where Businesses Can Review Bad Customers

Posted by Shawn McCadden on Thu, Dec 13,2012 @ 03:15 PM

There Is A Place Where Businesses Can Review Bad Customers

Dietz Lawsuit

The recent Lawsuit against Jane Perez by Chris Dietz, owner of Dietz Development, has certainly sparked a lot of conversation and opinion on the internet.   I first posted a blog about the Angie’s List and Yelp reviews lawsuit just yesterday and the comments started pouring in right away.   Most were from contractors who expressed their gratitude to Dietz for what he is doing.  Many of these same contractors shared stories of how they too felt they were abused and taken advantage of by unreasonable and what many referred to as “crazy” clients.   One common theme I have picked up in the comments on my site and others is the desire for a web site where business owners can post reviews about bad customers.   So I did some research to see what’s out there and I found two:

 

Rate my Customers

 

Bad Consumers


It appears that Rate My Customers is a free service, but Bad Consumers does charge a fee after a six month free trial.   

I am not recommending or encouraging business owners use either of these services.  My purpose here is to make my readers aware of what’s out there because they asked.

 

Here are a few things you can do at these sites:

  • Post reviews about problem customers and or consumers
  • Tell problem customers and consumers you will post a review about them if they do not work things out with you.
  • Read about what other businesses have posted about consumers and customers before you decide to do business with them or not.
  • Help other businesses avoid the “Customer from Hell”
  • The data base of info at Rate My Consumers can only be searched in alphabetic order by name.   On Bad Consumers you can search by name and zip code.

Dietz lawsuitSuccess Stories might make you feel good about leveling the playing field

Rate My Customers offers a few “Success Stories” from business that used their site.  Here are a couple of examples:


" After seeing my previous post at this website, Mr. C____ contacted us and offered to settle his debt.  We were happy to mitigate late and finance fees and he paid when he said he would. "

“Thanks for your site; the minute this woman saw her name listed on your site she called us and offered to work it out. We finally got paid. Thank You so much!"

“I am a building contractor and was contacted by a person on your "bad customer list" and was concerned about doing business with this person. When I asked him about the complaint that the other contractor reported on your site this person suddenly went crazy and it became obvious to me I did NOT want to business with him. Thanks for your web site, it saved me a big headache I am sure... "


(Click here to take the quick Dietz Lawsuit Survey)


Before You Start Reviewing

I suggest if you want to consider posting a review on either of these sites that you first consider the downstream effects of doing so.   You might want to consult with your attorney first rather than after your review generates push back from a consumer.  Also, keep in mind, if you are a business and a consumer decides to sue you; as a business you will be considered guilty until you prove your innocence.  And, you will have to cover the costs of doing so most likely without the ability to recover your legal costs even if you win.

What do you think? 

Would you post a negative review about a consumer or customer?  If you would, why would you do it; what’s your purpose?

 


Topics: New Business Realities, Questions from Visitors, Success Strategies, Legal Considerations, Customer Relations

Going From Carpenter to Businessman as a Remodeler

Posted by Shawn McCadden on Tue, May 15,2012 @ 06:00 AM

Going From Carpenter to Businessman as a Remodeler

from carpenter to business owner

 

 

I received the follow question from a carpenter via the send a message function of my web site:

“Where is a good start for a carpenter to become a business man as a remodeler?”

 

 

Here is my reply:

 

Bruce:

Differentiation for remodlers and design buildersThanks for your question.   It’s a great one! I’m glad you are asking before you start out on your own.  That makes you very different than most. 

I suggest you find a mentor to help you get started.   Find a person who has done it before so they have the experience and knowledge to guide you.   Even if you have to pay this person it will end up being an investment that can be quickly paid off if you do your part because you will get going toward success much faster and will save a lot of money in tuition at the lumberyard school of hard knocks.

One of my current remodeler clients got his parents to finance the coaching and mentoring I am giving him to help him get going.   We prepare reports for him to share with his parents so they can see how the money is invested and so they can see how he is doing regarding actual profitability against the plans and budget I have been helping him with.  In actuality it’s the same information any business owner needs to know how the business is doing.  It’s the same information a bank would want to see if it loaned you the money.

Why remodelers fail

 

 Thinking about and planning what you will do before you get going is critical.   

Consider this: "You can either set up what you want to have happen or you can settle for what you get."

For a good overview see if you can find the book below.  It’s an old one that is out of print, and some of it is dated, but I think if you read it you will get a lot of good info to consider before you get started.  Try Amazon to find it.

 

Professional Remodeling ManagementProfessional Remodeling Management

By Walter Stoeppelwerth

Using the book as a guide, find out about all the legal requirements, insurances and all the overhead costs you will have before you start.   That’s what I did before I started my business.   Then, do a budget so you will know what to expect for costs and what markup to use so you don’t guess at it.

 Keep in mind, 9 out of 10 contractors will fail within 10 years.   You can beat the odds by doing your homework before getting going.

Keep me posted about how you are making out.  Let me know if I can help.

 

Topics: Questions from Visitors, Starting a Business, Success Strategies, Mentoring/Coaching, Business Planning