Property damage (flowerpot)

cajun cleanin

cajun cleanin

New member
One of my helpers moved a flowerpot away from a landing on a condo job last week and when he moved it back it fell over broken at the base.

Homeowner freaked out and called the property manager before I could even get over there.I talk to the homeowner give her my card and ask where she bought it from so I can replace it.

The next day I leave the job to drive 25 miles to this place and when I get there she has called the owner several times and scheduled him for a site visit ($$$$).No one wanted to talk to me about it.

I go by the job site and there are two new flowerpots there now and no one has contacted me about price or paying or anything.I'm completely on the dark on this thing and I feel the big price tag is coming.

Has anyone else run into a situation like this and how did you handle it?Lay down and pay it?Pay what you think is fair?Pay what she can prove the thing is worth?
 
I would want the old pot to see any signature type markings so you can at least see that it was replaced with the same type, or make or brand or whatever. Then I would want to see the receipt. Don't know if there is depreciation with a flower pot or not?? If it's not extreme it may just be easier to pay with a smile and move on.

Jeff
 
Hey JC

Bad luck my friend - we all run into customers like this at times.

I had one recently where I broke the plastic outlet cover for an exterior electrical outlet... However, homeowner could not have been nicer about it. I called the homeowner to let her know what happened and that I would replace it as soon as I was done - went to home depot and it was fitted straight after the job, no hassles.

If I was in your position, I would try to get a 'face to face' meeting with PM or Resident to offer my sincere apologies - would then ask how much, or is there anything else I can do. Obviously you don't want them to take you for a ride - but I would try to go that extra mile so that you don't leave a bad taste in their mouth.

If they don't want to talk - Get their address, write them a letter, throw in a restaurant voucher or a gift card or something - it's crap when folk play hard ball, but you'd rather someone was saying good things about your company than bad things.

Customers will always tell others about bad experiences... if you make every effort to appease them, it may not be bad and may work in your favor - DAMAGE CONTROL!!!

... surely the Property Manager will speak to you and work with you on this? It's a plant pot.... what, was it from the Ming Dynasty?!?!?

some people have too much time on their hands.
 
We do as Russ does we also have in the contract a release so that if something gets damaged that should have been moved we are not responsible.
 
Your liability insurance should cover that, and while the pot was probably cracked to begin with it was still damaged by your employee.

While you probably should not have to pay it, Steve is correct it is time for damage control. Do what you can to reduce the charge and let your insurance carrier know right away. Definitely ask for the bill and compare like to like items and only pay for what you broke not floral arrangement fees etc.

If you work it right and the owner/manager has more properties you can turn this around into an opportunity.
 
Did they re-landscape the whole place? That is insane! Someone is sleeping with the florist!:eek:
 
Mobi Clean Inc. said:
Your liability insurance should cover that
Click to expand...

There is absolutely NO way I would turn in a claim for $835.00, and risk my insurance premium going through the roof!:eek: I would either take that off the bill, or pay it out of pocket. The situation stinks, but it is a lesson learned.:eek:
 
BUNN said:
There is absolutely NO way I would turn in a claim for $835.00, and risk my insurance premium going through the roof!:eek: I would either take that off the bill, or pay it out of pocket. The situation stinks, but it is a lesson learned.:eek:
Click to expand...

you took the words out of my mouth
 
That sucks when people wanna be difficult like that! I have to ask... Can we see a picture of this flower pot???
 
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