Client wanted cheap Ryobi fixes but ended up paying $150 anyway

Had this lady call me for a quick shelf install in her garage, swore she only wanted Ryobi drill bits and screws to keep it under budget. I quoted her $150 flat for the job using their basic kit, but she haggled down to $120 thinking it'd save her cash. Next day she calls back pissed because the cheap bits stripped out and now the whole thing's wobbly, so I fixed it proper with DeWalt anchors for no extra.

that's when you laugh and say 'told ya so' while charging the emergency fee 😂

Don't ever lowball your materials, had a similar gig where the knockoff stuff failed and I ate the redo cost.

These clients who think they're saving money end up costing us all time and sanity, damn the cheapskates.

Client pulled the same crap on a paint job, wanted dollar store brushes and now it's streaked everywhere. FML.

Overestimate the time for bargain hunters, they deserve the full bill.

Man, I feel that. Just had a guy insist on Home Depot clearance caulk for his bathroom reno, leaked in a week.

We all been there with the 'budget' crowd.

yep, lost a whole afternoon to a similar screwup last month.

it's the same story every time, they learn the hard way.

Totally get it, these folks drive me nuts.

The industry is flooded with clients who undervalue our work, time to unionize or something.

Insurance companies love these cases too, hikes our rates for their mess.

Handymen get screwed the most by this nonsense.

What do you usually quote for a basic shelf install like that?

This one's got me raging, why can't they just trust pros?

Feel your pain, bro. Lost a client over pushing for quality.

PE firms buying up handyman services are making clients even cheaper.

Exactly, now everyone's lowballing to compete.

Saw a post in Handyman Nation about this, guy charged double after the fail.

Use TaskRabbit rates as a baseline, they're always getting undercut.

Watched a Tommy Mello video on handling cheap clients, he says walk away early.

SharkBite fittings are overrated anyway, stick to soldered for real jobs.

I hear ya, been fixing DIY disasters all week.

Debate on Ryobi vs Milwaukee is endless, but cheap bits are always a nope.

Same boat, client wanted IKEA hacks and now it's a rebuild.

Document with photos before and after, covers your ass every time.