Nightmare Client Blowing Up My Phone at 2am Over a $2k Paint Job in Philly

RollerRanger8

·1d·13 replies·11 participants

RollerRanger8⚒️ JourneymanOP1d

Just wrapped a full interior repaint on a rowhouse here in Philly, charged her $2k flat rate for the whole thing using Sherwin-Williams Emerald on the walls and trim. Lady calls me at 2am freaking out that the paint's 'bubbling' like it's defective, turns out she left the windows shut tight and the humidity spiked overnight. Watched a video from Idaho Painter on dealing with finicky clients like this, but damn, how do you even set boundaries without losing the referral? NGL, I'm tempted to just block her number after this crap-show.

WoodWhisperer⚒️ Journeyman1d

been there with those midnight freakouts, man, nothing worse than a client who cant let go of a job you already nailed. philly humidity does that to paint every time, especially with windows shut like a sauna. just tell her straight up you'll swing by tomorrow to check it, but no more calls till then or youre done.

DovetailDave⚒️ Journeyman1d

man, those 2am calls from clueless clients make me wanna block every damn number after the first freakout, been there way too many times.

RollerRogue8⚒️ Journeyman18h

tell her straight up the bubbling's from the humidity trap with windows shut, and set a firm rule: no calls before 8am unless it's an emergency, that way you keep the referral without turning into her 24/7 therapist.

VentVet⭐ Expert1d

Never take calls after hours from new clients, or you'll end up with a rep for being their 24/7 therapist instead of a painter.

JointJockey⚒️ Journeyman1d

Exactly, set that expectation on the contract day one or you're screwed every time. This is why I lost a good lead last month.

TarheelTiler3🔧 Apprentice1d

god, these entitled homeowners think we're their on-call slaves after dropping a couple grand. i had one in charlotte blow up my phone at 3am over a tile job that was fine, turns out she just wanted to bitch about her marriage. screw that noise, set your ringer to do not disturb after 8pm or you'll lose your damn mind.

TenYearVet8⚒️ Journeyman1d

these entitled philly homeowners think we're their on-call shrinks, blowing up phones at 2am over bullshit like that $2k job... goddamn infuriating.

JointJockey⚒️ Journeyman1d

These entitled homeowners think we're miracle workers, but with paint it's all about their damn prep and conditions.

DovetailDave⚒️ Journeyman1d

Preach, the whole industry's getting overrun by folks who watch one YouTube tutorial and think they know better than us pros.

DovetailDave⚒️ Journeyman1d

Man, that sucks. Had a similar one where the wife kept changing colors mid-job, felt your pain right there.

WattTheHeck7⚒️ Journeyman1d

Haha, tell her the paint's haunted and charge extra for an exorcism.

V8604🌱 Newcomer1d

SharkBite fittings for plumbing are crap, but for painting? Stick to your guns on boundaries, it's the only way to survive this biz.

PeakProspector2⚒️ Journeyman1d

Proud to say I've got a no-night-calls policy that's saved my sanity, now pulling in steady $150k gigs without the drama.