So I run my own business now. I take calls from people, schedule appointments to go to their homes, and do computer, printer and network repair. Basically, I do Geek Squad's job, but at a fraction of the cost.
So yesterday, I get a call about a network issue at someone's home. I head down the person's home, and nothing is wrong when I get there. Nice neighborhood, shoveled driveway, shoveled walk, house in proper repair, all that. I ring the doorbell, introduced myself, and have them sign the service agreement, which is my insurance in case they try to stiff me. After they sign it, I enter their home, and I am smacked in the face with the most horrible stench I have ever experienced. I'm talking the smell of an uncleaned catbox, rotting fish, rotting meat, spoiled cheese, vomit...basically, the worst things you can think of regarding stench.
The best part of all this? No physical evidence of any of this. House was clean, trash was taken out, no pets in the house. It LOOKED clean, well taken care of, and in proper order. So I put this out of my mind, and I get to work. I go through the whole house, taking care of the network, secure in the fact that I'm going to have a nice little payday from this. Once I am done with the upper floors, I am finally led to the final floor I haven't worked on; the basement.
And in the basement? They are running a small time butcher shop. This is where the smell came from. Oh, it was clean, yes. As clean as a butcher shop needs to be in order to stay in business. But somehow, the smells from the basement seeped through the rest of the house. My mind goes to 2 places; one, how has this house NOT been able able to operate a butcher shop without being shut down, and that I am definitely charging my business fee for having to deal with this.
Now, before I go on, I have to explain that. I have two sets of quotable prices; homes, and businesses. Homes are far cheaper than a business of course, but I do this because a place of business takes a HELL of a lot more work to secure it properly, and ensure business software works properly.
So I finish the job, and I tell this homeowner my fee. They are a bit miffed of course, because they expected my home fee, and not my business fee. And I said "Look, you signed the service agreement. You agreed to pay me what I am asking. You outright lied to me when I asked whether this was a home or place of business, and I am charging you accordingly for it."
Homeowner: But It's not a place of business!
Me: I'm sure the health department would disagree. Now, you either pay me what is owed, or I am calling the health department right now and telling them about the butcher shop.
Homeowner: But they are fine with it!
Me: Okay, then pay me what is owed, or I will take you to court for breech of contract.
The homeowner begrudgingly writes me a check for the amount owned, and I added "Now, this isn't going to bounce, is it?" The homeowner gives me a curt "no", and I leave, making sure I write down the house number and phone number to tell people to never go to this butcher shop.
What gets me is how the health department didn't condemn the house due to the smell. They probably need to change out their insulation or something.
EDIT: Check has since cleared, and health department called on this house. Still, I won't forget the stinky house.
So yesterday, I get a call about a network issue at someone's home. I head down the person's home, and nothing is wrong when I get there. Nice neighborhood, shoveled driveway, shoveled walk, house in proper repair, all that. I ring the doorbell, introduced myself, and have them sign the service agreement, which is my insurance in case they try to stiff me. After they sign it, I enter their home, and I am smacked in the face with the most horrible stench I have ever experienced. I'm talking the smell of an uncleaned catbox, rotting fish, rotting meat, spoiled cheese, vomit...basically, the worst things you can think of regarding stench.
The best part of all this? No physical evidence of any of this. House was clean, trash was taken out, no pets in the house. It LOOKED clean, well taken care of, and in proper order. So I put this out of my mind, and I get to work. I go through the whole house, taking care of the network, secure in the fact that I'm going to have a nice little payday from this. Once I am done with the upper floors, I am finally led to the final floor I haven't worked on; the basement.
And in the basement? They are running a small time butcher shop. This is where the smell came from. Oh, it was clean, yes. As clean as a butcher shop needs to be in order to stay in business. But somehow, the smells from the basement seeped through the rest of the house. My mind goes to 2 places; one, how has this house NOT been able able to operate a butcher shop without being shut down, and that I am definitely charging my business fee for having to deal with this.
Now, before I go on, I have to explain that. I have two sets of quotable prices; homes, and businesses. Homes are far cheaper than a business of course, but I do this because a place of business takes a HELL of a lot more work to secure it properly, and ensure business software works properly.
So I finish the job, and I tell this homeowner my fee. They are a bit miffed of course, because they expected my home fee, and not my business fee. And I said "Look, you signed the service agreement. You agreed to pay me what I am asking. You outright lied to me when I asked whether this was a home or place of business, and I am charging you accordingly for it."
Homeowner: But It's not a place of business!
Me: I'm sure the health department would disagree. Now, you either pay me what is owed, or I am calling the health department right now and telling them about the butcher shop.
Homeowner: But they are fine with it!
Me: Okay, then pay me what is owed, or I will take you to court for breech of contract.
The homeowner begrudgingly writes me a check for the amount owned, and I added "Now, this isn't going to bounce, is it?" The homeowner gives me a curt "no", and I leave, making sure I write down the house number and phone number to tell people to never go to this butcher shop.
What gets me is how the health department didn't condemn the house due to the smell. They probably need to change out their insulation or something.
EDIT: Check has since cleared, and health department called on this house. Still, I won't forget the stinky house.
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