PSA: That "quick trim" I offered a customer turned into a 45 minute argument about symmetry

I was trimming hedges for a lady in Oak Park last Tuesday and she asked if I could do a quick shape-up on her small boxwoods too. Said it would take 5 minutes. I told her flat out that shaping takes longer than that unless you want it looking hacked. She insisted so I did a rough pass and she started pointing out every uneven spot. I ended up spending 45 minutes fixing it while she watched and critiqued. My question is do you hold firm on your time estimates even when a customer pressures you or do you just do the quick job and deal with the complaints?

2 comments

2 Comments

mason.drew2d ago

Maybe it's just me but she was probably lonely and wanted someone to talk to.

ward.diana1d ago

Oh man, that's the classic "just a quick trim" trap. It's never quick. So let me ask you this: did she end up tipping you for that extra 45 minutes or just the agreed price? Because that's where the real test is. @mason.drew might be onto something about loneliness, but I'd argue it's more about control - some people get a weird power trip out of making you redo work they insisted on rushing.