Okay, dice,you can pick on me.----- What would Dale Carneige do in a situation like this.
" This is a critical part of the installation. I have to devote my full concentration to this part of the job. You do want me to devote my full concentration to your installation don't you???"
The way i do it is buy a 3 "d" flashlight and ask them to hold it steady "so you can see" ten minutes and they remember they have something they have to do. Works everytime!
Bottom line: It's their home, their unit, and THEIR money. If "looking over your shoulder" amounts to just that, I don't see the problem. I do believe it varies with the individual as to how much this interferes with their work, and like mentioned earlier, how much concentration is required. If I can't talk and chew gum at the same time, AND change out a motor, etc. then there are bigger issues at work here. Think of it this way, in a positive manner. After watching you do your work, they may just have a greater appreciation for what you do and what you charge to do it! Let's not make a snap judgement and try to figure out how to get the guy out of his own basement! How many times would you have liked to watch the guy "repairing" your car when you back in for the same problem the 3rd or 4th time!!??
really now, have you taken the vehicle to the shop... signs all over, only authorized personell only. If he distracts you in the middle of a crucial repair and it blows cause you were distracted. who's at fault. hello homeowners(if they have it). insert mag lite(4 battery style).If it's huffin & puffin, i'm goin.
"INCOMING."
Depends on the situation. If the HO is polite, and asks if I mind if they watch, then most times I don't mind. But if it's some old fella that just stands there watching and jiggling the change in his pocket, then it drives me nuts. Had a little old lady this week who was watching so closely, every time I moved, I bumped into her. Finally told her "I need some room to work". Then she moved a few feet away.(snapping her gum all the time I was there.) Grrrrrrr!
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me, than a frontal lobotomy.
The "irish-one" has a valid point. It's their money. I once worked in a facility where the owner was up everyones a$$. He had an electrician come in and followed him around asking "why" for every step. Electrician would answer every question, in GREAT DETAIL, electrician also billed by the hours he spent on the job. Business owner probably remembers more about the bill than what "Sparky" told him about electricity. Last I heard they still work together and owner just says "Hi, where can I find the shut-off for that machine?"
Money talks and so can I. $75/hour will buy you a conversation about whatever I'm doing.
Newcooler: Move to the head of the class! Unless your on a "flat rate" call, I'm like you, i.e. talk about whatever pleases them @ whatever your street rate is.
I do not mind when they watch,hell I tell them to pull up a chair!What I do mind is when they tell you how to fix it.I have told that type"If you know more about fixing this than I do I can leave if you want."I found that if they are just to close if you come right out & tell them to back up a little & give you some more room to work most all people will.
I tend to take Irish's position too, but I used to work with a guy that stopped what he was doing, faced the HO and talked. Sooner or later they caught on that they were paying for his time.
TB
Everyone knows something I don't.
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
'Had a little old lady this week who was watching so closely, every time I moved, I bumped into her. Finally told her "I need some room to work". Then she moved a few feet away.(snapping her gum all the time I was there.) Grrrrrrr
'
ME: Once i had a very elderly couple follow me down in the dungeon of a basement and set up two lawn chairs about 8 feet away from me . They didnt say a word for the entire time i serviced thier 50 year old furnace. I felt like i was 'in' thier T.V. !! Started to bother me after awhile...so, i turned my back to them .
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