Got told my fireboxes looked like a saturday side job

I had a customer in Omaha last spring who used to be a mason. He pointed out my firebox mortar joints were all uneven and said I was smearing instead of packing. Idk, I thought I was doing fine for 8 years. So I spent a weekend practicing on a mockup in my driveway with a trowel and a level. The change was simple: pack the mortar deeper and finish with a slicker motion. Now my repairs pass inspection way faster and the older sweeps in my local guild actually nod when they see my work. Has anyone else had a customer call them out on something basic that ended up helping?

3 comments

3 Comments

aaron7407d ago

Did you just ignore his advice or did it actually change how you work?

the_jamie7d ago

Customers calling you out usually just means they're bored and want to feel important.

jakeb817d ago

Not sure I agree with that take @the_jamie. I've had customers point out legit blindspots in my work that I honestly just missed because I was too close to it. Sure some people just want to argue, but I think writing off every complaint as boredom is missing a chance to actually improve.