****** how do I handle a situation like this..

[pceinc]

He had them split into 22 list.. because he claimed it only worked when he split up the list. I explained to him that using JUST outlook was not the way to go. I even gave him names of a few programs and even companies that would take care of that for him. He didnt want to spend the money and he insisted on only using outlook.

This is the point where you should of said, "Have a nice day.", and left.

 

[oldtech]

Guessing you had/have no paperwork signed by the customer? If you did , take him to small claims. You may also (depending on where you live and the amount involved) file a police report for defrauding a business (the stop payment).

If you have no paperwork then consider it an inexpensive lesson and move on. He is definitely not a customer you want to deal with long term.

 

[Rosco]

The way to have never even let it get to this point is setup a mail chimp account. I think someone lese even mentioned it. Its free for up to 12,000 e-mail a month i think. That guy would have ate it up. You could have been the hero. It is a great service and the right price for this guy. Its about finding what is right for the customer.

 

[JustInspired]

The way to have never even let it get to this point is setup a mail chimp account. I think someone lese even mentioned it. Its free for up to 12,000 e-mail a month i think. That guy would have ate it up. You could have been the hero. It is a great service and the right price for this guy. Its about finding what is right for the customer.

Sounds a bit familiar

 

[citizensmith]

With that being said, I am new to all this and I do agree that I should of walked away when the client exhibited signs of being "shady." I have learned from this and will be better prepared for a similar situation.

Well done for learning something that cant be taught - Experience.
People are more complicated than computers and consequentley theres so much much more to being in the tech business beyond just having da tech skillz

 

[Bryce W]

I mirror what others say by "Forget him and move on" with a slight change.

Since he has threatened court, write down everything you can remember of the whole experience. eg. I arrived at 1pm at X address on date X. Mr Asshole was 20 minutes late. We then proceed to X where I showed him X. I said X to which he replied X. I was handed a check, tried to cash it on X when resulted in a stop payment" etc..

Write down everything you remember, keep any documentation the bank may have gave you, THEN forget him. Just in case he ever does follow through with the court threat.

 

[Tony_Scarpelli]

I agree with Bryce with one more suggestion.

You have one thing going for you: He did write you a check.

The judge will say "why did you write the check if he did not do what you asked?"

You bill for time, you spent x time with him earing xx. End of story. If he didn't explain it correctly or if he asked you to do something that wasn't the best way to do it, that is on him.

If I ask for a contractor to dig a hole at point x and it ends up point x is wrong so the hole gets dug in the wrong spot, its still my problem.

Secondly, go file small claims court. IMO when you file the action the other guys complaints look like a way to beat a bill.

if he sues you, then its 50/50.

 

[altrenda]

let this be your start to learning the signs of good and bad customers. Him not wanting to spend the money on a system that works, is a bad sign. Don't ever try to make a system that you know isnt setup right...work. Thats where you get yourself in trouble, because then the client will blame you for it continuing to not work. I hate these types of customers.

+1
I wish I had learned this sooner. It was at this point that I made the change from working on computers for fun and became a business man.

 

[Tony_Scarpelli]

Well done for learning something that cant be taught - Experience.
People are more complicated than computers and consequentley theres so much much more to being in the tech business beyond just having da tech skillz

Most of what we need to learn to run a IT business is about relationships and communications. The IT is the absolute easiest part of it-IMO.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

I've heard some techs have regular rates and rates for people who tick them off, like double or triple price lol.

In all honesty document all you remember and don't worry about the guy. I usually tell people about constant contact in these cases. I'll keep mail chimp in mind that sounds pretty good. But customers that won't take my advice, I can try to help but after a point or if they get irritable then it's time to exit.

 

[hightechrex]

Either he realizes he was being a jackass, someone talked him out of it, or he realized that he actually has no case. It's been over a week now and I have not heard from his "lawyer" so I don't think I have anything to worry about. Either way this was a lesson learned.

 

[RegEdit]

I agree with Bryce with one more suggestion.

You have one thing going for you: He did write you a check.

The judge will say "why did you write the check if he did not do what you asked?"

Good point! The customer would need to say that it was something he discovered afterwards. Expect him to lie.

Let him know that the main problem is very likely that he's being marked as a spammer (and that's why he can't send them all at once, to begin with).

Did you try not sending them in big bunches??