If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

I'm just starting out so I'm not really in a place to turn anyone away, but I kind of feel like I can't make one of my customers happy despite my best efforts. Do I gently let them down or do I suck it up and do it?

Has anyone ever dealt with this?

Please don't quote - I will be taking this down.

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

yes, dh has

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

I think it depends, somewhat, on what type of work you do. I am a lawyer and I turn away more clients than I accept. There are certain red flags about some people and their cases. FM me if you want to discuss further.

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

BUMP

Thanks ladies - anyone else?

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

Is it costing you more than it's worth? Are they badmouthing your business to others?

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

Yes, I have turned down clients because they are difficult to work with or unreasonable. Or sometimes because of scheduling conflicts with other work. Or sometimes because the pay is not worth it.

Right now, I have just clients that I like. lol.

I remember reading an article about types of clients...and it said the ones that can never be happy despite all your hard work can really drain you, and the compensation won't turn out to be fair.

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

My FIL does.

Then again he's been in business for decades and is semi-retired.

DH is in sales and recetnly one account was so ridiculous they just let it go.

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

I deal with difficult people all the time. I can't remember turning anyone down though. I try to please them...and then it gets to a point where I say 'that's the best we can do'. They will probably chose to leave then.

At this point in my career, I would probably turn them away. However, you are at the beginning...so I would do my best to accomodate them.

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

my husband has - many times lol

when you deal with the public in large numbers - some people just need to be put in their place and that usually involves him or my FIL yelling at them to get off the property lol lol

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

Message edited 12/5/2007 1:50:31 PM.

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

yes, im a REA and i turn away people that dont qualify for a mortgage (for obvious reasons lol). but i've also ended relationships with buyers because they just had unrealistic expectations. if you dont see yourself ever achieving the goal or them ever working towards that goal with you, then i wouldnt waste any more time on them and tell them politely that you just dont have the time to work with them anymore. its hard, but its business.

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

i've watched my old boss do it many tiems for various reasons. and i've seen people in other industries do it as well. just a few weeks ago i watched mil's realtor tell her that she (the realtor) doesn't want to work with her anymore. sometimes its just not worth the $$$

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

Yes. We have to turn down clients and also about once a year we purge some clients. Our rates change, their businesses change, our services shift. On average we drop about 10% of clients per year. Of course, there is an appropriate way to do this, by transferring them to another firm perhaps. Bottom line is that you do not want people out in the world with a negative vocal opinion about your business especially if you are just starting out.

We have partnerships set up with other companies that we refer leads to based on what the right fit for the client is.

HTH!

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

yes, I have.

Re: If you own a business - have you ever turned away a client?

If your making money, continue to do business with them. If not end your relationship with them. I assume your in business to make money not for practice.