How "NOT" to Get Good Referrals

We've all seen the posts on Social Media, "Help! My air conditioning is out. I need an expert who is available right now, who is licensed, insured, has references, and won't charge an arm and a leg."

I know quite a few skilled people who are in service industries such as heat and air, electric, plumbing, carpentry, and cleaning. Yes, they absolutely should be licensed, insured and have references. However, the phrases, "right now, immediately, and won't charge an arm and a leg," are the things that will cut off your quality referrals.

Most service technicians have their work scheduled at a minimum of one week ahead. While I understand you want someone affordable, you're setting yourself up for failure if you think cheap work will bring you anything other than amateurs.

Many experts aren't available right now or immediately. We each make appointments that may fill our schedules. Is it out of the realm of possibility that one can come immediately? No, but it's rare.

When you put in a statement such as, "I can't pay an arm and a leg," this tells the qualified technician that either you have no money or not enough to pay the contractor's rate. Even if you agree to the cost, will the payment clear the bank? Will you try to renegotiate the price after the work has been completed? This is why many of our contractors now charge for an estimate. A seasoned craftsman is evaluating you just as you are evaluating them.

I often suggest one of the service professionals that I know and trust. But I never refer anyone when the need is immediate or the price is questioned before it's even given.

There's also the phrase, "reasonably priced." Who determines that? My reasonably priced and your reasonably priced can be fathoms apart. If you haven't had any type of work or service on your home since 1995, then you could find today's prices shocking. I still suffer sticker shock over many things.

Have your groceries, gas, insurance, parts and building materials gone up? These professionals have had all the same price increases you have. They have families to feed and bills to pay.

I recently met a lady from New Jersey who said she used a painter that I referred to her on Facebook. She thanked me by saying, "Oh, he did such a great job, but he was pricey."

Why couldn't she give a positive without throwing in a negative? Had I known she wanted cheap, I wouldn't have referred this excellent painter. My reply to her was "You didn't ask for cheap. You asked for good."

I'm certain this painter gave her the price quote before he began working. She accepted that quote but had to goad me by saying he was expensive.

Please, if you see a referral I made on social media, do not call or reach out to them unless you want a professional who does a great job and deserves their pay. Once you've met with them, if you agree to their quote, then you've taken that on.

There will always be those who won't show up, who didn't answer your call, or just replied that they don't have availability right now. But, how did you approach them? How did you talk to them? Were you respectful or were you immediately suspicious and accusing? If you're rude and obnoxious from the start, perhaps that's why no one is living up to your expectations.

The hardest posts I see are those that state, "I'm on a fixed income and can't afford much." Personally, I hurt for the people who can't afford to live in these times. In the last three years all of the necessities have tripled in cost.

I get it. I see it. I live it every day.