“I wouldn’t touch that Request for Quotation with a ten foot pole!”

Last week, we showed you a Request for Quotation email from a Mississauga, Ontario “client,” copied to us by a local contractor.  He wanted to know if any of YOU would do business with this individual.  So far, the verdict (via email and online) is:

YES – 0

NO – 17

MAYBE – 1

Here is a NO, sent in by Phil Peters…

“Wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole. Alarms: #1….”interested in”…”free estimate” (contractor’s time is valuable). #2…”work may start later”….”I want estimate ASAP” (who’s already taken charge here). #3….”legal counsel” (I got a lawyer engaged already so watch your step)…..”avoid getting sued”…..”before contractor steps on MY PROPERTY”……”I require..attached liability waiver”…”meet the contractor (first) at a public location” (when he has or she has passed my suspicious grueling – my interpretation)…”I shall then take him/her to the property”. These are not just red flags. The whole discourse screams, DANGER, KEEP BACK, YOU COULD GET HURT.
I would most certainly respectfully inform this person that my company is not able to quote his job, but thanks for the offer (you usually get back what you put out (be nice)…like don’t spit into the wind).
Every time through the years I went against my gut feeling as alarms were going off it didn’t end up pretty. When work is a bit short one can be tempted to tempt fate only to get pummeled with a repeat life lesson.”