Charging too much...

player coach

Member
Oct 7, 2004
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Ok, so without going into too much detail as I dont want to reveal too much about my personal life, I provide services to customers who will call me to basically install, service or repair things. Well, last week I went to a customers house and did my thing. I charged them. IN hindsight, I realize I charged too much and am feeling really guilty about it. I can cheat on a gf and feel less guilt than I do overcharging someone. Wtf.....
 
No wonder your employment application to AIG was rejected. A guilty conscience. You are not Wall Street or Bay Street material. Smarten up!:p
 
A guilty concience about something like this is a good thing. We need more people like you. Now take the next step and refund them the excess amount.
 
I guess you could never be a Lawyer or a politician then either. :p
 
Phone them up and admit you overcharged them... I assume by mistake.

You'll feel better in the long run and have a guaranteed customer for life. They in turn will also promote you more for being honest.
 
player coach said:
Thought about that but that would make me look like an incompetent business man.

Are you waiting for your customer to call you instead of being proactive first? This is what happened with Rogers. I called them about their billing mistakes and suggested they offer a goodwill gesture and they did.

Refund the excess money with a bottle of wine. Customers realize that service people are human too and make the occasional mistake.
 
If you were repairing something you could always phone him up and say you thought the part you had on hand and used cost more to replace than it actually did when you got another one, so you are refunding him the difference. That makes you seem nice not incompetent.
 
player coach said:
Thought about that but that would make me look like an incompetent business man.


No it makes you look honest. I have done it before. Doing invoicing at 3am, bot a good thing. I simply mail a cheque in the amount of the over payment with a letter expressing my deepest apologizes. My business revolves around mail, or I would phone.

I have actually gotten more business because I am honest and admit my mistakes.
 
Send them a gift certificate for a nice dinner out to thank them for their business (for the amount that you over charged of coarse)..you freed your mind and they get a dinner out LOL
 
Or hang onto the money, and next time you have a customer who really needs your service but can't afford it, or you are in the house and see that they need money, do the work for nothing to help them out, and call it even.
 
ang said:
Send them a gift certificate for a nice dinner out to thank them for their business (for the amount that you over charged of coarse)..you freed your mind and they get a dinner out LOL
Nice gesture, but I would be more likely to do more business with you, or recommend you to others if you were straight forward and honest with me.
 
You haven't cheated anyone, unless you keep silent. If they don't think more of you for being honest as well as technically proficient, you don't want them as a continuing client anyway.
 
Send them the money that you overcharged...do not send an 'alternate' as they may prefer the money...don't assume they drink wine or anything else.

You will certainly gain more than you give back - conscience, goodwill and a customer for life, although just do it because it is the right thing to do.
 
calloway said:
Phone them up and admit you overcharged them... I assume by mistake.

You'll feel better in the long run and have a guaranteed customer for life. They in turn will also promote you more for being honest.

Ditto, Calloway has the best answer
 
calloway said:
Phone them up and admit you overcharged them... I assume by mistake.

You'll feel better in the long run and have a guaranteed customer for life. They in turn will also promote you more for being honest.
I agree. That would be a great business move and it shows a lot of integrity.