Josef Katz {Marketing Maestro}

C & E Professional Painting – A lesson learned the hard way

A few months ago we started a home improvement project. I was hoping to blog about the whole experience. Boy was it an experience that I hope I don’t have to do again. Well I didn’t get to post regularly between working and dealing with the daily “issues” there wasn’t much time left. Well I hope to write a few posts on the various lessons learned, highlight some of the great contractors, some of the not so great and who knows what else…

Working backwards I realized I learned a few valuable lessons from, of all people, the painter we hired (and in hind sight we shouldn’t have hired) so here goes…

C & E Professional Painting in NJ who use the tagline of “Wizard of Walls”

First some background

1. When he asked for cash payments or a 7% premium for paying by check we should have turned and run.
2. When he showed up and repeatedly told us his plans but didn’t finish them we should have told him to go!
3. When he provided an extra invoice for “extras” that far exceeded our agreement we should have tossed him to the curb.
4. When we found out the reason for all his delays was due to him having a full time job and his “guys” knowing he wouldn’t be there (so naturally they took their time) we should have asked him to leave.
5. When we were too far in to start over and we noticed he doesn’t have an address on his estimates – we should have run
6. Since he was referred to us we didn’t bother to check his references or reputation online. Turns out he doesn’t have a website or presence online. Go figure.
7. When he asked us for references and referrals before he was a quarter of the way through the work, we should have just sent him on his way.
8. When every touch up became an issue and an argument we were so frustrated that we wanted to kick his a.. out but just wanted the work done so we could move on.
9. He did what he claimed to do but I have to say there is nothing “Wizardry” about it. Here is the latest conversation:

Chris – I put two coats on but you can see the old paint is still bleeding through
Josef – So what do you want to do?
Chris – I can do a third coat. (Basically saying it is going to cost you)

10 – Over 4 months we had all sorts of contractors through our house and none of them were as messy or disruptive to our daily lives (even the demolition guys were cleaner) than C and E professional Painting

If you are a professional don’t you want to do whatever is necessary for your client within reason regardless of the black and white contract?

So what do I take away from this situation

1. Check references and web presence regardless of how you find a contractor
2. If the main “guy” is not going to be on the job every day I am not interested
3. If you want cash payments give me a discount.
4. Your friends may not always have the best recommendations
5. When dealing with extended project contractors add a clause to the contract the gives you a credit for principles not showing up or delays beyond agreed upon time frame.

By the time this was all done I was so ticked off that I didn’t even want to talk to this guy and just wanted him out of the house. Yes I got taken and probably will need to hire someone else in a few months to fix all the stuff he didn’t do correctly but we got Chris and C & E painting out of our house!

The best part of this whole situation is he wanted a reference and referrals from us. So Chris of C & E Professional Painting in Bergen County NJ here is our recommendation – Don’t use C & E professional Painters. There is nothing professional about them and there is no wizardry about their painted walls.

Just another set of life lessons I learned the hard way.

Now to try and enjoy our updated home…

The worst massage ever

Last night I went to a day spa (name withheld for now) in River Edge NJ to get a deep tissue massage. I should have canceled at the first sign something was off but here is what happened and why it was the worse massage ever:

11:00 AM Thursday I called in the morning to make an appointment with a specific massage therapist. Great all set for 7 PM (love the late appointment so you can go home and go right to bed). I was informed I couldn’t cancel since it was day of etc. I said no problem.

6:15 PM the day spa calls to say the therapist is running 30 minutes late. Fine not a big deal.

7:15 PM I check in so I can get settled. I fill out the paper work etc

7:25 PM I am now informed the therapist is running an additional 25 minutes behind (if you are following she is now almost a full hour late). I should have left at this point. I am told I can wait or someone else (“equally strong and skilled”) can give me the massage. Fine I say and am told to wait.

7:35 PM I inquire if they are ready and told another 5 minutes.

7:40 PM I meet the therapist who does not seem happy to be there this late after being called to replace the other therapist. Again I should have left but figured I am here let’s see what happens.

From this point forward I don’t know the exact times since I was in the massage room.

I inform the therapist to work on two areas and not to worry or work on others and I try to relax.

A few minutes later she is working on the very areas I didn’t want worked on so I stop her and tell her again. She inquires why I didn’t want those areas worked on and I explained (not that I should have to explain since this is my massage, right?)

A little while later I hear a buzzing. It’s a cell phone. Would you believe she answered it! Bad enough it was on in the room, but to answer it? She apologized and continued.

The same thing happened again approximately 20 minutes later. This time she had a longer discussion in a low voice, as if that mattered, and at the same time worked on me with one hand! Now I am really not happy but try to relax and just finish the massage.

Next thing I know she working on the areas I specifically asked her not to work and ignoring the requested areas. I figure the massage is almost over and just wait for it to end.

When she is done she leaves the room without a word.

8:30 I don’t feel relaxed but I change, get a drink and go to leave and of course she is there waiting for a tip.

At the main desk the person is on the phone and I didn’t want to wait to discuss this issue so I just leave.

Today I called and spoke to the spa explaining the issues (I just have the highlights here) and am told the owner will call me on Monday.

So tune in on Monday for the conclusion of the worst massage ever. What do you think was this the worst massage ever or do you think I am over reacting.

UPDATE

They gave me a credit for the massage and one additional one for free. So in the end they did the right thing. I still don't feel like going there but I will have to use my credits and determine if I stick with this spa or move on.

If you know a University of Akron Student looking for work please pass this along.

StraighterLine is looking for students from The University of Akron to promote and implement marketing initiatives on their campus. This position allows you to set the hours and amount of work you are able to do while still going to school full or part-time. It is an opportunity to use your innovative ideas and marketing techniques, while also helping your friends and peers find a more viable and cost effective way to a college degree. You can also make some good money and get work experience in the process.

We are hiring Campus Representatives right now to start promoting StraighterLine courses on The University of Akron campus. Compensation is generous and there are many opportunities for additional bonuses along the way.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Spread the word about StraighterLine courses on your campus and to your peers.
• Communicate with the Campus Coordinator on a regular basis.
• Generate marketing plans, promotional ideas, and use different online marketing techniques in relation to your campus.
• Have fun and meet new people on campus!

REQUIREMENTS:

• Active in on-campus groups/clubs/activities or enrolled in classes
• Interested in marketing/sales/promotions
• A knowledge of social networking sites and communication skills
• Driven and entrepreneurial person who wants to be more active on campus or seeks to meet their peers

If you are interested or know someone who might be, please apply and someone will be in contact with you to discuss the program in more detail.

The company I work for, StraighterLine, is moving its offices to the Emerging Technology Centers (ETC) at 1101 East 33rd Street, Baltimore MD. I saw the space a few weeks ago and it is a great building. Of course I forgot to snap some photos of the place. The facility used to be a high school that was converted into offices. The track and field are still in place and usable. Don't worry, all the other high school signs are basically gone. There are no lockers in the halls, blackboards, science labs etc. I do wonder if there is a gym and cafeteria...hmm I'll have to check that out on my next trip down.

Our team has been working remotely and this is exciting for us to have a formal office. Even if some of us will continue to work from other locations.

What is so special about this move to the Emerging Technology Centers (ETC)?

Well, the ETC, a venture of the Baltimore Development Corporation, is a non-profit business incubator focused on growing early-stage technology and biotechnology companies. The ETC promotes economic development, providing business, technical, and networking connections to help these companies grow and prosper – adding to both the job and tax base of Baltimore City. To date, ETC client companies have received over $865 million in funding and have been issued nearly 200 patents. Since 1999 ETC has provided assistance to 201 companies of which 71 are current companies. Eighty-three percent of its graduate clients are still in business.

Moving into Emerging Technology Centers (ETC) is so noteworthy that the Baltimore Sun wrote an article about the move in yesterday's paper.

We hope that this move helps our education company grow and continue to succeed.

If you are in the area give us a call and stop by.

I have been bike riding around a number of towns in Bergen County for the last couple of years. Here is some advice for my fellow cyclists:

Avoid Bergenfield when Biking in Bergen County, NJ.

I have found the roads in Bergenfield to be in the worst condition compared to other Bergen county towns. Now I understand roads get worn out and degrade over time but Bergenfield has not taken care of any of their streets. There are pot holes of all shapes, sizes and depths, cracks, debris on the ground and anything else you can imagine that would negatively affect a road bike or cycling enjoyment.

Like all good cyclists I take care of my bike and make sure the tires are properly inflated but the roads are so bad that my wheels are now misaligned. So no more biking in Bergenfield even after I get the wheels realigned.

So where do I ride when biking in Bergen County?

I start out in New Milford, NJ and ride through the following towns (not necessarily in this order):

Oradell
Haworth
Hawthorne
Emerson
Westwood
River Edge

This route is about 15 miles and is a great ride when I just need to get out for a quick bike ride.

If you love to ride and are in the area just let me know. Always happy for the company when biking in Bergen County but remember we are not going through Bergenfield.

Related Post
Bicycling in Bergen County with the Tenafly Bicycle Workshop