Given the nature of the damage (basically cosmetic), I'd politely let the customer know that you were taking care of the damage that occurred when the trailer was in their care, and that they didn't need to worry about it - they probably weren't.... Depending on the kind of customer, it might buy you some potentially goodwill down the road, but at least the customer doesn't think they've pulled one over on you.
This seems to be the overwhelming consensus from people I’ve asked and lot of people in the business. I did speak with the customer and she was very apologetic.
Does an apology negate the fact that it happened? Pay for your education this time, put things in place in writing so you don't continue to allow others to have no consequences for their actions or lack of knowledge. Have the conversation of providing a solution and service(s). If you are just going with a low baller, try a package priced deal. Trying to be as involved in the health of your business equipment, right now as a startup, after there is more equipment available for you to rent then relax a little bit. If you put a value on your time per hour, did you make money on this deal or did you loose money if you bend it back yourself?
@@247averagejoe overhead is one element of operational costs. Your time is worth a rate. ( if your rate for your time is 30 dollars per hour and you spend 4 hours fixing the damage you lost 120 dollars of the profit, which also snowballed to you not being able to get new jobs even more of a loss) I assume that is figured into the day rate of your current rental prices. You are pulling the trailer with a truck paid for as well however, everything only has so many revolutions in it. Truck and trailer. Hopefully part of each rental is going into an equipment maintenance &replacement fund. I don't say any of this to be negative, sharing some of my experiences where I didn't look at all the variables for the equation. Thanks for sharing a difficult situation to address. I wish you nothing but success. I had to make a line item for each thing that has a cost. Insurance, registration, fuel, tires, brakes, oil changes electrical wiring and bulbs. You can look at a mileage charge to cover that after say 50 mile radius, an additional flat rate per hour for any repairs can help reduce daily fees. Maybe you look into different options for trailer drop a roll off bin verses leaving a trailer to get stolen or damaged. Now if you have the trailer you are in control of the trailer tires and what get run over at the dump and a billable service, not to mention if you're running two or more bins for one location even more profitable.
Is it just "cosmetic" the material in this case;metal was stressed or weakened taking some of its life away. With a care less person damaging both sides and in multiple spots, as a business owner one may consider down time, vetting the customer's & project getting a solid contract drawn up like every other rental company has in place. The equipment cannot make money if it's in your yard or shop being worked on. You could put it in your contract to require while loading they hang the provided.... bumpers. bolt a chain to some old tires with a hook, place them in-front of axles to protect the sides. Maybe inspect the spare tire mount, that may have been used as a bumper too. Options and an opinion, hopefully everything works out for you.
@@247averagejoe I dont know that the contract really matters in this instance. If someone damages your property they are responsible. Next time just file an insurance claim against the contractors insurance. The customer is kept out of it so its a win from that standpoint.
I would have talked to the customer before I even left with the trailer ! I know its a construction dump trailer but as a business man your equipment has a value and that value has been depreciated by the damage ! Charge them !
Your customer needs to pay for damages, she’s responsible for it, next time when you drop off trailer, take pictures before, that way you are cover. You’re running a business, remember that.
I haven’t before this but now I will. Learning experience for sure. My contract is going to have to have a lot more detail than I originally expected too.
Problem is they hired someone else to load the trailer. So she didn’t do it herself, although the trailer was in her possession. I need a tighter contract for sure. Lessons learned!
It might be a good idea to do like U-Haul does with pictures before and after they take possession of your trailer and also do a deposit. Let your customers know the reason on why you’re having to do a deposit now. This time, you might want to take the hit on your trailer and just try to bend everything back out. By the way, don’t forget your rifle. Haha 😝😝😝
Thats terrible! They should pay for damages! Good luck my friend!
Lessons learned!
you didn't send it out like that, the next guy won't take care of it at all looking like that
True. Gonna try to get out pulled back out.
Have them pay the damages. You sure don't wont to rent to them again anyways.
Rental yard would charge for damage like that . Have them purchase insurance through you .
I’ll look into that!
Given the nature of the damage (basically cosmetic), I'd politely let the customer know that you were taking care of the damage that occurred when the trailer was in their care, and that they didn't need to worry about it - they probably weren't.... Depending on the kind of customer, it might buy you some potentially goodwill down the road, but at least the customer doesn't think they've pulled one over on you.
This seems to be the overwhelming consensus from people I’ve asked and lot of people in the business. I did speak with the customer and she was very apologetic.
Does an apology negate the fact that it happened? Pay for your education this time, put things in place in writing so you don't continue to allow others to have no consequences for their actions or lack of knowledge. Have the conversation of providing a solution and service(s). If you are just going with a low baller, try a package priced deal. Trying to be as involved in the health of your business equipment, right now as a startup, after there is more equipment available for you to rent then relax a little bit. If you put a value on your time per hour, did you make money on this deal or did you loose money if you bend it back yourself?
@@mandeladams4793 I own the trailer with no overhead so it’s all profit. Thank you for your comments!
@@247averagejoe overhead is one element of operational costs. Your time is worth a rate. ( if your rate for your time is 30 dollars per hour and you spend 4 hours fixing the damage you lost 120 dollars of the profit, which also snowballed to you not being able to get new jobs even more of a loss) I assume that is figured into the day rate of your current rental prices. You are pulling the trailer with a truck paid for as well however, everything only has so many revolutions in it. Truck and trailer. Hopefully part of each rental is going into an equipment maintenance &replacement fund. I don't say any of this to be negative, sharing some of my experiences where I didn't look at all the variables for the equation. Thanks for sharing a difficult situation to address. I wish you nothing but success. I had to make a line item for each thing that has a cost. Insurance, registration, fuel, tires, brakes, oil changes electrical wiring and bulbs. You can look at a mileage charge to cover that after say 50 mile radius, an additional flat rate per hour for any repairs can help reduce daily fees. Maybe you look into different options for trailer drop a roll off bin verses leaving a trailer to get stolen or damaged. Now if you have the trailer you are in control of the trailer tires and what get run over at the dump and a billable service, not to mention if you're running two or more bins for one location even more profitable.
@@mandeladams4793 Greatly appreciate the feedback! Hope you hang around and give more advice on future videos 😅
Is it just "cosmetic" the material in this case;metal was stressed or weakened taking some of its life away. With a care less person damaging both sides and in multiple spots, as a business owner one may consider down time, vetting the customer's & project getting a solid contract drawn up like every other rental company has in place. The equipment cannot make money if it's in your yard or shop being worked on. You could put it in your contract to require while loading they hang the provided.... bumpers. bolt a chain to some old tires with a hook, place them in-front of axles to protect the sides. Maybe inspect the spare tire mount, that may have been used as a bumper too. Options and an opinion, hopefully everything works out for you.
Many thanks! We’re new so taking all the constructive feedback we can get!
Id bill for the damage. The hit it twice.... Once in the middle and once on the back of the fender. Operator was careless.
Definitely got to tighten the terms of my contract!
@@247averagejoe I dont know that the contract really matters in this instance. If someone damages your property they are responsible. Next time just file an insurance claim against the contractors insurance. The customer is kept out of it so its a win from that standpoint.
They would be paying me at minimum of $500 for those damages no excuses on there part accident or not part of it
Ya I definitely need a stronger contract and deposit.
I would have talked to the customer before I even left with the trailer ! I know its a construction dump trailer but as a business man your equipment has a value and that value has been depreciated by the damage ! Charge them !
I’ll be getting a tighter and more precise contract for sure!
It sucks, it's cosmetic, suck it up. It happens in this business.
Gonna make it work! 👊🏼👊🏼
Your customer needs to pay for damages, she’s responsible for it, next time when you drop off trailer, take pictures before, that way you are cover. You’re running a business, remember that.
Yes I definitely should have take pics before. That’s a good idea!
Do you charge a deposit Joey?
I haven’t before this but now I will. Learning experience for sure. My contract is going to have to have a lot more detail than I originally expected too.
You need make them.pay maybe one side u could let it slide but they hit both sides that's just them not caring about ur stuff. That not right
Problem is they hired someone else to load the trailer. So she didn’t do it herself, although the trailer was in her possession. I need a tighter contract for sure. Lessons learned!
It might be a good idea to do like U-Haul does with pictures before and after they take possession of your trailer and also do a deposit. Let your customers know the reason on why you’re having to do a deposit now. This time, you might want to take the hit on your trailer and just try to bend everything back out.
By the way, don’t forget your rifle. Haha 😝😝😝
Yes I’ll have to start taking a deposit after this! Along with pictures and video.
@@247averagejoe you’re doing a fantastic job with everything. Keep it up!
The Customer doesn't care about your shit so get some cash out of them & keep it