Spelling & Grammar

[icemeister]

Originally posted by frozensolid
Most customers care more about if can you fix it, than if you can spell it. Actions speak louder than words, always have, and always will.

Although I agree that the customer's immediate concern is to get a problem corrected, if there are many who can do the job equally well, the one who best represents himself as a professional who can communicate effectively in writing (as well as orally) will be the one at the top of the customer's list.

I present a fairly detailed description of the service work performed on every invoice I make. The diagnosis and repair work done is spelled out in a sort of technical shorthand so as to keep it short and to the point, lessening the chance of grammatical error. Here's a simple example.....

1. Found system low on refrigerant
2. Found refrigerant leak at rub-through of suction line
3. Recovered system refrigerant, repaired leak and rechecked for leaks. OK
4. Installed new filter-drier, evacuated system and charged with new refrigerant per data plate
5. Checked system operation. OK

I use a laptop with Quickbooks, so it has a spellchecker to catch the majority of spelling mistakes or typos, but even if you're writing service tickets out in longhand, the verbiage becomes quite repetitive.

If I were to count the total number of different words I use in my invoice writing, the vocabulary required would be very small.....maybe a couple hundred words used over and over again.

I see no excuse for anyone who has the aptitude and abilities to learn and perform well in this trade to not be able to master his language skills sufficiently well enough to offer a complete professional presentation.

[hvacmd2002]

If I see an invoice that looks like a 3rd grader wrote it, it definitely leaves me with a negative impression of the mechanic. It may not seem like a big deal for those of you that struggle with spelling and grammar, but to some people, you may seem ignorant.

Now I'd rather have a top notch mechanic who couldn't spell, than a piss poor one who could. But if I had to choose between a top notch mechanic who could spell, and a top notch one who couldn't, it's no contest. I had a guy working for me who couldn't spell worth a lick, and his invoices embarrassed me, and left people with a negative impression of the company (in my opinion).

[texan30]

If you have mechanics that have trouble in this area, consider using what many doctors offices use. They have a form that covers the vast majority of illnesses, tests, and diagnoses and they simply check off the things that apply to your bill. Flu test, x-ray, blah, blah. Each item carries a fee for service price. Noone has to write anything but a patient name at the top, and that usually can't be read. But it works quite nicely for them and I get to see all the services given to me and can 'verify' the bill.

Seems like a simple idea for a simple everyday problem that many employers face, and it's a cheap effective solution.

[duc dowg]

On a work order I try to make sure things are right.If I can't spell something I find a word to change it.

[tinman]

With the increasing competition in this trade why not take every advantage to be more professional? I have seen invoices and proposals from other companies that were frightfull. It was easy to compete against this. At the very least a better presented proposal will catch the customers eye. There are times we sell our work at higher prices than our competitors, could this be the reason? or part of it?

[NormChris]

Originally posted by duc dowg
On a work order I try to make sure things are right.If I can't spell something I find a word to change it.

A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the word you wanted to use.

[NormChris]

Speaking of synonyms, what is another word for "thesaurus"?

[texan30]

thingamabob, floomaditchy, and whatchacallit are a few you can use.

[Diceman]

Originally posted by NormChris


Speaking of synonyms, what is another word for "thesaurus"?

Wasn't that a dinosaur that became extinct after the big meteor hit?
Norman......you are a trip...

[Diceman]

But you are right....... in a way.

[frozensolid]

A person can be a good communicator without good spelling skills. Granted good spelling and grammar are desirable things. They are not deal breakers though. Many customers have made deals with people sporting excellent linguistic skills; only to find out they were idiots.

A Quality mechanic will seem very articulate to your customer.

[simpleman]

Originally posted by NormChris

Originally posted by duc dowg
On a work order I try to make sure things are right.If I can't spell something I find a word to change it.

A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the word you wanted to use.

Hey...I do that all the time.Hmmmmmmmmm.

[duc dowg]

Originally posted by NormChris

Originally posted by duc dowg
On a work order I try to make sure things are right.If I can't spell something I find a word to change it.

A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the word you wanted to use.

yea thats it thanks norm