What would you do

[UKBob]

Im in the web design business. I get calls from all sorts of weird and wonderful people, many of whom are time wasters. Time is my most valuable asset.

I got a call from a youngster yesterday, who came right out and said several things which didnt seem/feel quite right. To cut a long story short, we agreed a meeting for today at 1pm, halfway between where he is and where I am.

I was hoping for the requested confirmation of the meeting via email, havnt had a reply, cant get hold of him. And his voicemail message is: "Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo. XXX aint here. (long pause) ... OK! Yeah, leave ahh message!"

I take business/clients seriously, and cant decide whether to turn up or not.

[tampon]

If you have a busy day and your not sure, leave it.

If not, go.

Some of my biggest clients I have had looked like they didn't have a pot to piss in.

Whats the worse that could happen if he didn't turn up ?

Whats the best thing that could happen if he did ?

Weigh up the difference, only you can decide

[blindswelledrat]

him
Anyone with that answerphone message deserves to be stood up.
If you were conducting serious business (even with suppliers) you would have a more proffessional attitude than that.
Just have a good excuse ready about why you needed to cancel but couldn't get hold of him.

[UKBob]

tampon said:

If you have a busy day and your not sure, leave it. If not, go. Some of my biggest clients I have had looked like they didn't have a pot to piss in. Whats the worse that could happen if he didn't turn up ? Whats the best thing that could happen if he did ? Weigh up the difference, only you can decide

I feel obligated to go, Ive always taken every client seriously and given them the benefit of the doubt. I need all the new business I can get but alarm bells are ringing, and I work 12-14 hours a day as it is.

[PhillT]

I'm reminded of an article about Robbie Williams trying to buy a pool table in New York that I read a while back. Not that I like the guy, but the message contained within:
‘Rob went into the shop in New York and asked the bloke how much it was. And because Rob’s just in jeans, the bloke looked at him and said, ‘It’s out of your price bracket, buddy.’ Rob’s like, ‘I was just wondering how much a
pool table like that cost.’ All casual. So the bloke, who is now getting a bit
annoyed, says, ‘It’s a quarter of a million dollars, okay?’ Rob goes, ‘I’ll take it. Have it shipped over.’ Slaps down the credit card and walks outside to have a fag while they sort out the paperwork. How cool was that? I’ll tell you, the bloke’s expression was priceless. It was worth spending all that on a pool table just to see his face.’
You can never tell...

[UKBob]

PhillT said:

I'm reminded of an article about Robbie Williams trying to buy a pool table in New York that I read a while back. Not that I like the guy, but the message contained within: ‘Rob went into the shop in New York and asked the bloke how much it was. And because Rob’s just in jeans, the bloke looked at him and said, ‘It’s out of your price bracket, buddy.’ Rob’s like, ‘I was just wondering how much a pool table like that cost.’ All casual. So the bloke, who is now getting a bit annoyed, says, ‘It’s a quarter of a million dollars, okay?’ Rob goes, ‘I’ll take it. Have it shipped over.’ Slaps down the credit card and walks outside to have a fag while they sort out the paperwork. How cool was that? I’ll tell you, the bloke’s expression was priceless. It was worth spending all that on a pool table just to see his face.’ You can never tell...

The guy sounds like he has an IQ of about 2. He said he has £100k to spend. He refused to tell me even vaguely what business he was in, said it was too hard to explain. The meeting feels premature, every alarm bell that could ring is ringing.

My problem isnt that I dont take people seriously enough, its that I take them too seriously. Im too nice

Cool story!

[Cotty]

PhillT said:

I'm reminded of an article about Robbie Williams trying to buy a pool table in New York that I read a while back. Not that I like the guy, but the message contained within: ‘Rob went into the shop in New York and asked the bloke how much it was. And because Rob’s just in jeans, the bloke looked at him and said, ‘It’s out of your price bracket, buddy.’ Rob’s like, ‘I was just wondering how much a pool table like that cost.’ All casual. So the bloke, who is now getting a bit annoyed, says, ‘It’s a quarter of a million dollars, okay?’ Rob goes, ‘I’ll take it. Have it shipped over.’ Slaps down the credit card and walks outside to have a fag while they sort out the paperwork. How cool was that? I’ll tell you, the bloke’s expression was priceless. It was worth spending all that on a pool table just to see his face.’ You can never tell...

I prefer the Julia Roberts approach in Pretty Woman. Buy it somewhere else and then rub their noses in it

[esselte]

UKBob said:

PhillT said: I'm reminded of an article about Robbie Williams trying to buy a pool table in New York that I read a while back. Not that I like the guy, but the message contained within: ‘Rob went into the shop in New York and asked the bloke how much it was. And because Rob’s just in jeans, the bloke looked at him and said, ‘It’s out of your price bracket, buddy.’ Rob’s like, ‘I was just wondering how much a pool table like that cost.’ All casual. So the bloke, who is now getting a bit annoyed, says, ‘It’s a quarter of a million dollars, okay?’ Rob goes, ‘I’ll take it. Have it shipped over.’ Slaps down the credit card and walks outside to have a fag while they sort out the paperwork. How cool was that? I’ll tell you, the bloke’s expression was priceless. It was worth spending all that on a pool table just to see his face.’ You can never tell... The guy sounds like he has an IQ of about 2. He said he has £100k to spend. He refused to tell me even vaguely what business he was in, said it was too hard to explain. The meeting feels premature, every alarm bell that could ring is ringing. My problem isnt that I dont take people seriously enough, its that I take them too seriously. Im too nice Cool story!

Go ,but don't take your wallet or watch?

[lunarscope]

PhillT said:

I'm reminded of an article about Robbie Williams trying to buy a pool table in New York that I read a while back. Not that I like the guy, but the message contained within: ‘Rob went into the shop in New York and asked the bloke how much it was. And because Rob’s just in jeans, the bloke looked at him and said, ‘It’s out of your price bracket, buddy.’ Rob’s like, ‘I was just wondering how much a pool table like that cost.’ All casual. So the bloke, who is now getting a bit annoyed, says, ‘It’s a quarter of a million dollars, okay?’ Rob goes, ‘I’ll take it. Have it shipped over.’ Slaps down the credit card and walks outside to have a fag while they sort out the paperwork. How cool was that? I’ll tell you, the bloke’s expression was priceless. It was worth spending all that on a pool table just to see his face.’ You can never tell...

Basic sales pschycology to get the customer to spend more than he originally planned.

[puggit]

I'd say this needs a telephone conversation/meeting to screen the customer.

Definitely leave a message for him requesting a callback to confirm the meeting. Maybe be vague back and say you weren't sure of the time/date/place...

However if you're meeting somewhere public what's the worst that can happen?

[esselte]

puggit said:

However if you're meeting somewhere public what's the worst that can happen?

[Munter]

Cotty said:

PhillT said: I'm reminded of an article about Robbie Williams trying to buy a pool table in New York that I read a while back. Not that I like the guy, but the message contained within: ‘Rob went into the shop in New York and asked the bloke how much it was. And because Rob’s just in jeans, the bloke looked at him and said, ‘It’s out of your price bracket, buddy.’ Rob’s like, ‘I was just wondering how much a pool table like that cost.’ All casual. So the bloke, who is now getting a bit annoyed, says, ‘It’s a quarter of a million dollars, okay?’ Rob goes, ‘I’ll take it. Have it shipped over.’ Slaps down the credit card and walks outside to have a fag while they sort out the paperwork. How cool was that? I’ll tell you, the bloke’s expression was priceless. It was worth spending all that on a pool table just to see his face.’ You can never tell... I prefer the Julia Roberts approach in Pretty Woman. Buy it somewhere else and then rub their noses in it

Indeed. I knew a guy who came into some money. Wanted a Jeep so drove his sisters Micra to the Jeep dealer. Basically got told to flock off. Went around to the nearest Land Rover dealer and got a bright red Range Rover. "Mistake, Big mistake".

[Plotloss]

Go and see him.

You never know, some of the biggest tossers I've met on first impressions turned out to be rather successful, if not slightly misguided, young chaps.

[Psychobert]

Munter said:

Went around to the nearest Land Rover dealer and got a bright red Range Rover. "Mistake, Big mistake".

Oh I don't know. More traditionally green, but red is ok..

[Carrera2]

Is he there?

Have you told him he's got the worst Voiecmail in the world?

[tonyvid]

Probably too late now - has UKBob still got his Cerby do you think, is it a scam to get him out the office while fellow scrots do the web-designers place over? If all your bells are ringing it is sometimes a good thing to listen - I have had my cars broken into twice over the years and each time I had a horrrrrible feeling something was going to happen, maybe it is your sixth sense kicking in if someone is watching you(or maybe just the voices in my head)Hope UKBob is back later to tell us all about the deal of the year for Robbie Williams' new website featuring his swanky new pool table.

[UKBob]

puggit said:

However if you're meeting somewhere public what's the worst that can happen?

I wasnt worried "what might happen" I just hoped the guy would show up. I knew he wouldnt. He didnt

Had a nice drive though

For a businessman who just got a 6 figure loan, he must be really be on the ball. So much so, Im going to try and record his his voicemail message to share with the PH collective.

In other new client related news (as well as gaining two new PHer clients this week ) I got a call from a dominatrix woman on Tuesday If only I could replay That conversation!! But thats another story
Im not sure why the entire adult industry is decending upon me lately, but I have no objections

[mutt k]

UKBob said:

Im not sure why the entire adult industry is decending upon me lately, but I have no objections

I think you owe it to the collective to post all the links to these sites you are building. You can then score points with your clients showing how much traffic you can drive to their sites "Oooh, I know 50000 ph'ers who'd have a look"

[UKBob]

mutt k said:

UKBob said: Im not sure why the entire adult industry is decending upon me lately, but I have no objections I think you owe it to the collective to post all the links to these sites you are building. You can then score points with your clients showing how much traffic you can drive to their sites "Oooh, I know 50000 ph'ers who'd have a look"

I havnt closed this deal yet - she said (repeatedly!) "Im not sure, you'll have to entire me into it"

Any suggestions?

[bigandclever]

UKBob said:

she said (repeatedly!) "Im not sure, you'll have to entire me into it" Any suggestions?

Elocution lessons? Sounds like she meant entice.