Many years ago, 15 or 20, we had a customer call for an estimate on an over stuffed club chair. At the end of the conversation she asked if we ever have dogs in our work shop. She considers dogs filthy creatures and would be grossed out if she found any dog hair on her fabric. So I did what any other red blooded American male would do, I lied. I'm sorry but we keep a pretty clean shop dog and all. Its not like we let our dog lay on the fabric. If she had told me she had allergies I would have given her a different answer. So we did the job and I made sure I blew it off extra good when finished. She loved the job and promised more work in the future. Funny thing is we never heard from her again. Hmmm.
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Do you suppose it could have been a case of animal smell? Some customers mention animal smell is detected easily by them.
I try to keep the shop free of take off materials that pets have been on. Hope it continues to work. We prefer they do not come inside.
??
Doyle
I could tell you some really nasty pet smell on furniture stories. I'm sure we all could.
This isn't really a white lie.........just a mild case of withholding the facts.
Occasionally, a job might go really quickly. For example, I might pick up a sofa on Monday morning and finish it by Tuesday afternoon.
Do I call them and say it's ready? Hell no. Customers think you should toil laboriously for days, weeks, even months if you expect them to write you a check.
So I put it in the back for a week or 2 before I call them. I made the mistake of calling too soon once. The customer assumed that since I got it done so quickly, I must have "slopped through it". She nit picked it to death. I spent the next 2 weeks fixing things that weren't even wrong with it.
Also, when I'm starting a job that I've had for a while, I'll call the customer first and pretend to have some little question about their job. I don't really have one. It's just my way of letting them know that it will be done soon, and I just want to make sure they're ready to pay up when I'm finished.
And if I have to blame a delay on my supplier or UPS, I won't hesitate to.
I wonder if when I reach judgement day, God is going to rub my nose in all these things. Surely settling for being an upholsterer all my life should be good for a few mulligans?
Customer: Do you have a dog in your shop?
Upholsterer: Yes I do. But if he poops I'll use a scrap of your fabric to pick up the poop right away. I never allow old dried dog poop to collect on the floor of my shop. And you can trust me in that I will not use a piece of your fabric to pick up my dog's poop if I am going to need that piece of fabric to reupholster your furniture.
Upholsterer: Hello? Helloooo?
I've had folks ask me if I have a dog in my shop. I have a yellow lab and he has never been in my shop. I don't want dog hair getting on anyone's fabric. If someone were to ask me if I have a dog in my shop because they love dogs and only want to work with people who enjoy the companionship of a dog while they work, what would I say? If that ever happens, I will let you know.
Zig Ziggler said, "Sell the sizzle, not the steak." To me, that's what SofaD is talking about.
gene
I don't think you can make the case that the presence of a dog in your shop may have been detected by the customer who now won't call you. What do they have noses like bloodhounds ?
I think some customers are just head cases and good riddance to them.
SA
I don't really understand how dog hairs will get on the customer's fabric, assuming that the dog is on the floor and the sofa is on a table or sawhorses and the fabric is on a cutting table.
Of course, if you allow the dog to hop up on completed furniture...............
I had a shop dog for nearly 15 years. Customers liked him WAY more than they liked me. He's been gone a couple years now. Customers still come in expecting "George" to greet them.
If only they knew we use that nasty old fabric to make templates. It *may* touch the new fabric.
Quote from: sofadoc on April 23, 2017, 08:57:23 am
I had a shop dog for nearly 15 years. Customers liked him WAY more than they liked me. He's been gone a couple years now. Customers still come in expecting "George" to greet them.
Ya'll are cracking me up. I needed a good laugh after working all day on Sunday on a sofa headed to Wisconsin next week.
We did this chair last January. You can't help but cut the hairs as you're cutting the pattern. Hair everywhere and so hard to clean up.
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Quote from: 65Buick on April 23, 2017, 02:40:07 pm
If only they knew we use that nasty old fabric to make templates. It *may* touch the new fabric.
That's funny. If they could see some of the nasty stuff that comes through my shop, a dog would be the last of their worries.
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1179.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fx386%2FEdwinNorthuis%2Fth_27_Finished.jpg&hash=1cfbb37ecef4f8d9189fd644019fdf5c) (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/EdwinNorthuis/media/27_Finished.jpg.html)
PS. Does photobucket have any practical use except on this forum?
Photobucket has over 10 billion pictures so it must be doing something right. I read that teenagers and old tired out upholsterers use it a lot.
A guy across the street from me makes kitchen cabinets. His dog stinks so bad that you can actually smell the dog before you know the dog is walking around near you. Hot and humid days are especially bad.
My daughter got a new dog. This is the first dog for her and her husband. They already had a cat. I made a very nice sleeping pad for the dog with left over fabric. I got a photo last week showing the cat sleeping on the pad. The dog was on the floor.
Dog's drool and cats rule.
gene
Quote from: gene on April 24, 2017, 05:59:38 am
I read that teenagers and old tired out upholsterers use it a lot.
gene
Tired out upholsterers and teenagers. Great, the circle of life has began. Soon I'll have a pureed diet and have my diapers changed by sexy young interns. And on special occasions they will let me play with my... staple gun.
Quotethey will let me play with my... staple gun.
No worries about anyone getting hurt. Your air compressor will have quit working a long time ago. :D
gene
No one's every asked me, my two dogs wonder in when they feel like it, usually sleep on their own 'day' beds.
I do try to keep the cat out though, he always heads for the finished work which is a definate no no.
My customers are always amused by Missy & Joe. I'm upfront about my dogs having the run of my shop/studio and make no apologies about it. No one has ever taken issue with it.
When we still had our two cats, a customer noticed the pet door that went back to the utility room. Cats food dishes and litter boxes were in the utility room. I explained that we had 2 cats. She said she was amazed as she not only did not smell "dog", she could not detect even a trace of cats and/or litter box smell. I was quite pleased.
I always give everything a good once over before turning it over to the customers. I told one lady that I didn't care if her item came in with her dog/cat/whatever hairs on it but I didn't want it leaving with my animals' fur all over it.
Animal hair/smell has not been an issue for me.
Virginia
No one seems to have mentioned smoking. I know Gene has gotten a number of new customers because he runs a smoke-free shop. I am very sensitive to smoke -- I can smell it going down the expressway with my windows up. I'd be really upset if I had a re-upholstery job done and it came back smelling of smoke. I did an in-home job a couple of weeks ago and the owners where smoking in the next room. I came home reeking (to me) of smoke and stripped and showered as soon as I got home. Last time I had to do that was when I was doing cleaning for "the cat lady" -- always scheduled last job of the day, too. At one trip, she said, "I don't know why he peed on the sofa -- he's never done that before." Ugh, when I opened up the cover, there were a dozen 10" diameter cat urine stains.
A person brought this up on a fb group page,
What are your thoughts....
"A young couple recently bought a restoration business in our area with an established client base. They do great work, hustle to get work done, and are enthusiatic. They bring upholstery work to me. I send frame restoration work to them.
But I've noticed a strong smell of cigarette smoke on any furniture and fabric they bring to me [Please note: I'm not judging them. Our customers, however, may be quick to judge and take their business elsewhere if furniture is delivered smelling of smoke.] The other day I visited the restoration shop for the first time since they've taken ownership. They were smoking cigarettes in the shop. You know, the shop where they handle solvents & wood furniture. Now I'm worried for their safety and that of the many pieces of furniture in the shop.
Should I say anything to them? It's not my business yet I'd like to see them do well or at least not burn down the building"
I think the answer is a no-brainer.
It's their shop and their call. No offense Kidy but none of your business. I smoked for 30 years + in my shop. Had one complaint and that was when my Dad had a cigar. That was then and this is now and I don't smoke in the shop of van anymore. My choice. I'm sure these new people are not stupid and know what they are doing. The exuse of "Fire" is kinda lame.. They wont start a fire I'm sure. They are just smoking.
I do a fair amount of upholstery cleaning -- most of which is to remove one-time occurrence stains like food and body fluids and all of it within the first five years of their protection plan. The average consumer would be surprised just how dirty their upholstery fabric gets. If I'm doing just a seat cushion, back, arm, or two, the rinse water can come out as dark as coffee. I had one once where the guy tried to clean it himself and "got a light spot." I didn't tell him, but that was actually just a "cleaner" spot. When I do these jobs, I do a "seam to seam" cleaning so it's uniformly clean. Not many people wear the same clothes or use the same bed linens for 5 years without ever washing them. Although the guys that did my driveway this year were close ;-) You guys that strip off panels and use them for templates/patterns probably know that.
I think the worst I ever had was a woman moving into an apartment after an apparently bitter break up / divorce. She had a hard time getting some furniture out of her ex. I think he took the dog out into the mud and let it rub off on the furniture. There was about 1/4" of caked on mud on the outside arms and corners.
It's been my experience that micro-suede can't handle any heat. A dropped ember on it would probably leave a permanent melted spot.
Growing up in the family business, my step-dad smoked in the shop for many years.
Did customers complain? You bet they did. We had lots of complaints that they could smell cigarette smoke on their newly upholstered furniture. And there were many jobs that we didn't get because of him smoking.
But what was funny about that was.......the only people that EVER complained were the ones that actually entered our shop, and saw him smoking with their own 2 eyes. The ones that just called us on the phone never once complained.
I tried to convince my mother to tell step-dad to just stay home (since he didn't participate in the business anyway). All he did, was answer the phone and light one cigarette right off the other. But she insisted that he come to the shop every day so she could make sure that he didn't start drinking before noon. He would leave around 2PM and head to the nearest bar.
I always tried to make up some excuse why customers couldn't visit our shop before 2PM.
Another "Little white lie" I guess.
I think Paul is right - you shouldn't say anything - there is the risk leaving a cigarette burning when the doors are locked and a concern if they don't have bailee coverage. The more important issue is second hand smoke for people who work there.
I deliver pieces with a lacquer finish and have people call me to say that can't take the smell - usually 5-6 days after coating is OK for delivery but a sensitive nose can detect the odor for several weeks - gassing off period
SA
Paul said about the owners of the restoration business,
QuoteI'm sure these new people are not stupid and know what they are doing.
I also would be sure that these new people are not stupid and know what they are doing. More's the pity.
If there was some appropriate context, such as they were talking about ways to grow their business, I would mention it. As a subcontractor new to their world I would put that in the class of "none of my business".
I would certainly ask them to NOT smoke in my shop if they came in and started to light up a Marlboro.
gene
So, if you were working with this refinisher would you just stop using them or would you give them a chance and try to explain why you cannot have furniture coming back smelling like cigarette smoke?
I've had people who stopped using my business. Decorators for instance. I always assumed it was price but back in my mind I always wondered if it was something I could have fixed or changed.
I'm not sure what the situation is that you are talking about. Are you reupholstering furniture for the Restoration Company and the furniture goes to the homeowner with the Restoration Company's name on it, or does the homeowner somehow know that Ladd's is the upholsterer?
I've thought the same thing about customers who I no longer see. I occasionally think of picking up the phone
"So I can call just to tell 'em I'm fine and to show
I've overcome the blow, I've learned to take it well
I only wish my words could just convince myself
That it just wasn't real, but that's not the way it feels"
gene
Upholsterer
Oh would you come and fix my couch
Seems the fabric on the cushion is already faded
Bought it just last May
They had a sale that day
But it didn't last like the warranty stated
But isn't that the way they say it goes
Well let's forget all that
Match my fabric if you can find it
Or cut some off of the back behind it (it won't sho-o-o-w)
I've got to make it last
Just a few more years
My bank account
Is in arrears
And I'm bro-o-o-ke (I'll be paying till I croak)
Upholsterer
Just forget the service call
It's an ugly couch
And I never liked it
Got a call from the store
They extended my credit some more
But the interest rate.......they really spiked it
But isn't that the way they say it goes
So I bought a new set
I paid for leather..........got leatherette
I just can't wi-i-i-n
Now I am broke again
Awesome Dennis! I love it. What a true commentary on life for so many folks.
He really did have some good songs.
gene
Operator
TV - Bob's - flirtatious blond
My Son's sofa - shredded - conned
Only wish my words would have convinced him
Furniture made their with intentions to skim
SA
This all makes me grateful we do outside awnings.
Either our dogs or myself can urinate or shed our hair on an awning and it wont smell for long nor the hair stay attached once it is blowing in the breeze.
In regards to dog smell....... I admit that " the more I know about people..the more I love our dogs. ".
I can fathom this phone call - Customer: " My new awning smells like dog ". Me: " Get your old ass off the roof of your bus and quit smelling your awning then ".
Mojo
This discussion made me think of all the work that goes into a piece of furniture just to get it delivered safe and sound. Its all about making that little extra effort.
We make sure the shop is swept clean, the work benches and cutting table are free of dirt and dust. We keep the sewing machine wiped down. The same goes for the inside of the delivery vehicle.
We use silicone with no chlorinated of fluorinated solvents and spray glue with low VOC's to help keep down odors. And we make sure no other odors are picked up while in our shop.
When stuffing a cushion we make sure the welt seam is turned down and all loose threads are trimmed. We stuff out the corners to give it that extra touch.
We touch up, spray, clean and polish any exposed wood and do our best not to add extra nicks, dings or scratches.
We make sure the skirt lays flat and everything is steamed and blown off. We make sure the delivery helper lifts the skirt before lifting the furniture.
We make deliveries with a smile on our face and when the customer asks, was it hard? We say, not to bad.
Quote from: kodydog on April 28, 2017, 09:43:07 pm
We make sure the delivery helper lifts the skirt before lifting the furniture.
I had the same helper for nearly 15 years. I had to remind him every single time to lift the skirt. If I didn't remind him, he didn't do it.
A local furniture store brings in stuff for repair. Their drivers NEVER lift the skirt.
We haven't had a delivery helper for over a 1-1/2 years. Rose helps me with the small stuff. On sofas she simply tells the customer if they can have someone there to lift one end they can save $60. Sometimes they have two helpers. :)
The supplied helper is always eager to help so the first thing I tell them is how hard it is to get the skirt to lay flat and please lift it. I can see a day in the near future we'll have to tell customers to have the sofa sitting outside and ready to load.
Red Neck couch moving.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAuNCNMp0Go
Does anyone use plastic wrap to put around the chair/sofa to hold the skirt up? I got a box of 4 rolls of stretch wrap and have started using it. It is a bit of a pain to put on because you have to keep the skirts straight, but it does seem to make the moving easier.
I got the 4 rolls on an auction site for $3.00 plus tax. I think it was $45.00 retail.
gene
We use stretch wrap a lot. For wrapping skirts up, wrapping bags on furniture. General wraping most anything. It is not bad when bought by the case I think I pay around 4 bucks a roll for the 4". In the 2 yrs and 4 months we have used a case and a half. The stuff is handy for many uses. The first roll I bought was from walmart I think. It cost 8 or so dollars. That is a bit much but worked for the testing. If anyone is interested I can post the company I get it from just dont know it off hand now.
The rolls I got at the auction are 18" wide. Trying to cut them down is on my "to do" list.
gene