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I also am a craftsman in my small (but
successful) landscape design and construction business. I have
learned plumbing and electrical skills (irrigation system design and
installation); masonry, carpentry and metal working skills. I enjoy
the 'artsy' part of my business (the creative end) but I also am
very aware of how important it is to remain in touch with
clients and to meet their needs in a timely manner. I am a workaholic and
often work long days as well as Saturdays. My philosophy and work ethic
are to provide a quality product (or service) for a fair amount of money and to
keep my clients satisfied. I am proud of the clientele I have been able to
establish over the last 20 years by adhering to the principles my dad taught me
as a child. I am extremely selective as to the type of employee I will
hire as my 'carriage trade' clientele does not want 'trashy' looking or acting
people working on their property. So I am also aware of the difficulty in
finding decent, qualified help.
Having said all that, I empathize with Gary
(sincerely) in his difficulty to find help. But to blatantly ignore a
customer (when the problem originated on his end no less) is, in my book,
totally unacceptable! I have bent over backwards over the years to
see to it my clients are happy campers and are satisfied with the product and/or
service they are paying me to provide. That is why this entire scenario
with Goers has been so frustrating. I don't conduct business this way
and can't stand dealing with someone who does!
I concede he does magnificent work. The
pleats, buttons and overall craftsmanship of the covers is
unquestionable! But the pleasure and joy I once had (when the covers
arrived) has been overshadowed by the total hassle of dealing with him and the
ridiculously long time it took to finally get the covers! My guess on the
17 month thing is he was just putting off the job as it wasn't an easy
one with all those pleats and he was dreading it! Then why in the heck did
he agree to do it in the first place and cash my check so quickly?
Stupid me, I thought letting him off the hook
regarding the dye (I finally got Leatheriqe to make it) would ease
the tension he was experiencing. I thought it fair to ask for the
pads instead of having him go to all the trouble of matching the
original gold color he created. Oh well, live and learn! Again, the
purpose of my email (in addition to venting a little, sorry!) was to let other
potential customers of his know what to expect and what I have gone
through with obviously no resolution! How incredibly frustrating this
entire experience has been!
Greg
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