Red Flag customer?

[Papa John]

Sometimes I just don't want to bother with the nut cases in SF. I'm sure I'm the right choice for this lady--
but too old to deal with it. Or maybe it's experience talking? I'll let this simmer for a bit before I decide what to do.

Here is her inquiry:

Greetings, I'm looking for a professional off-site rug cleaning service that includes pickup and return. I am particularly concerned about mold safety and the use of non-toxic, fragrance-free cleaning products, as I have health sensitivities. I have 5 wool rugs: 8x10 6x4 4.5 x 2.5 5.5×3 5.5×3 and I would love to know more about your process. Could you please share: 1. Pickup & Delivery: - Do you offer pickup and return in San Francisco? - What is the typical turnaround time? 2. Drying Process & Mold Prevention: - Do you dry rugs in a climate-controlled facility? - How do you ensure rugs are fully dry and mold-safe before return? - Do you use moisture meters or similar tools to check dryness? 3. Cleaning Agents: - Are your products non-toxic, fragrance-free, and safe for people with mold or chemical sensitivities? - Can you share any ingredient details or certifications (e.g., Green Seal)? 4. Estimate: - Could you provide a quote for the rugs described

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Sometimes I just don't want to bother with the nut cases in SF. I'm sure I'm the right choice for this lady--
but too old to deal with it. Or maybe it's experience talking? I'll let this simmer for a bit before I decide what to do.

Here is her inquiry:

Greetings, I'm looking for a professional off-site rug cleaning service that includes pickup and return. I am particularly concerned about mold safety and the use of non-toxic, fragrance-free cleaning products, as I have health sensitivities. I have 5 wool rugs: 8x10 6x4 4.5 x 2.5 5.5×3 5.5×3 and I would love to know more about your process. Could you please share: 1. Pickup & Delivery: - Do you offer pickup and return in San Francisco? - What is the typical turnaround time? 2. Drying Process & Mold Prevention: - Do you dry rugs in a climate-controlled facility? - How do you ensure rugs are fully dry and mold-safe before return? - Do you use moisture meters or similar tools to check dryness? 3. Cleaning Agents: - Are your products non-toxic, fragrance-free, and safe for people with mold or chemical sensitivities? - Can you share any ingredient details or certifications (e.g., Green Seal)? 4. Estimate: - Could you provide a quote for the rugs described

....Few legitimate inquiries begin with "Greetings"

....Questions about moisture meters make me wonder if it is competitor

....Chemical sensitivies, and mold sensitivities, are both real things, and people do suffer from them. Few suffer from both, except perhaps in their imaginations.

....Concerns about mold contamination may be legitimate concerns, but if they want the burden on you to prove that they are mold free when you are done, they must also meet the burden that these rugs are not already mold contaminated when they are given to you.

There is nothing specifically wrong with any of the concerns listed.

But...

This one has more red flags than a North Korean parade.

Find someone you dislike, and recommend them highly

 

[encapman]

Some fish are keepers.
Some you throw back in the pond.
You're wise to run from this one.

 

[hogjowl]

“Find someone you dislike, and recommend them highly”
This doesn’t sound like Jim but I like the change.

 

[Mikey P]

Send them Matt Cole's number...

 

[Dwain Ray]

If you google my business youll find 2-1star ratings both are from people like the one you speak of and work I've turned down . I view them as dodged bullets and wear them as badges of honor. You might get dinged for walking away buuuuuuttt........ if you do the job it could be worse. Now the angel on my other shoulder says " agreed, but if you do it and she's pleased, and tells her friends, her friends know whata picky pita she is and their take might be ....... well if he can make her happy ill be ecstatic with the results when he does mine". As for me ill never know (i quit listening to that angel a long long time ago

 

[Hoody]

 

[Matt Cole]

Jim has some valid points but is a typical client I deal with is SF all the time. This why I only use products without strong smells or odors. Everyone in SF is chemical sensitive and worried about mold, even though mold is everywhere with the high humility in SF. That is why everything she listed is how I clean my rugs and the equipment I have to do so.
Have her call Nisei Rug Cleaners 415-552-2545 I can help her or him.
I have heard from clients about rugs coming back from other companies that are still wet and smell when unrolled. There are a lot of people out there not properly trained or haven't invested in the correct equipment to clean rugs. If you want to do rug cleaning proper training and equipment are required, there is a lot of money out there to do so.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Jim has some valid points but is a typical client I deal with is SF all the time. This why I only use products without strong smells or odors. Everyone in SF is chemical sensitive and worried about mold, even though mold is everywhere with the high humility in SF. That is why everything she listed is how I clean my rugs and the equipment I have to do so.
Have her call Nisei Rug Cleaners 415-552-2545 I can help her or him.
I have heard from clients about rugs coming back from other companies that are still wet and smell when unrolled. There are a lot of people out there not properly trained or haven't invested in the correct equipment to clean rugs. If you want to do rug cleaning proper training and equipment are required, there is a lot of money out there to do so.

Nicely put Matt.

I hope this is all legitimate and that I'm proven to be wrong

A serious question:

Do people in your area often start a text with "Greetings"?

I also found the manner and detail used in the questions that were asked to give me grave misgivings.

Cynicism about other humans is likely a poor garment to wear, but I find it to be armor at times as well.

If you happen to get this specific job, feel free to shame me for my answer here at MB.

It will be humbling for me....educational for some....and amusing for most

 

[KevinD]

If you google my business youll find 2-1star ratings both are from people like the one you speak of and work I've turned down . I view them as dodged bullets and wear them as badges of honor. You might get dinged for walking away buuuuuuttt........ if you do the job it could be worse. Now the angel on my other shoulder says " agreed, but if you do it and she's pleased, and tells her friends, her friends know whata picky pita she is and their take might be ....... well if he can make her happy ill be ecstatic with the results when he does mine". As for me ill never know (i quit listening to that angel a long long time ago

Yup. My only negative review I have seen on me was from a woman I refused to service.
Sometimes you can just tell and the review that follows just proves you were correct in the assessment.

 

[Brian H]

Cynicism about other humans is likely a poor garment to wear, but I find it to be armor at times as well

x2

After 45 plus years in the customer service business, my first instinct is always distrust.

 

[Papa John]

Jim has some valid points but is a typical client I deal with is SF all the time. This why I only use products without strong smells or odors. Everyone in SF is chemical sensitive and worried about mold, even though mold is everywhere with the high humility in SF. That is why everything she listed is how I clean my rugs and the equipment I have to do so.
Have her call Nisei Rug Cleaners 415-552-2545 I can help her or him.
I have heard from clients about rugs coming back from other companies that are still wet and smell when unrolled. There are a lot of people out there not properly trained or haven't invested in the correct equipment to clean rugs. If you want to do rug cleaning proper training and equipment are required, there is a lot of money out there to do so.

I do have the equipment, training and desire to clean rugs better then most-- im just worried about the imaginary issues she might have.
maybe ill answer her questions and give her your info Matt and let her decide.

 

[Papa John]

maybe ill answer her questions and use my recent stroke as an out and then recommend you @Matt Cole