You don’t want the work? Refer him to your competitor.

“Thanks for contacting me! I’ve reviewed my notes from your case, and based on my notes I cannot guarantee the outcome will meet our quality standards.

I’ve known x business to handle many cases similar to yours. You can reach them here. Thank you for the opportunity!”

“I don’t want your business.”

Just say it’ll be on his receipt at the end if he wants to move forward. Company policy doesn’t let you do that before a job is completed

You are booked solid for several months now…

“I have a back log of 9 months right now. If you’d like I can put you on the waiting list to get an appointment. Just leave a number and someone should call you in a few months.”

Triple your labor costs and double your parts. Send him a new invoice with an explanation about supply and demand. Leave the option up to him.

“Unfortunately, I am no longer available for your project. If you’d like recommendations, I can provide you with some other reputable businesses that may be able to work on this for you.”

If you do decide to work for him, then follow this one rule: no unilateral discounts. If he wants to pay less, ask what items to take out of the job or which corners he wants you to cut. If he wants you to order a product from Amazon, offer to do so if he pays for your time to order it and releases you from liability if the item is not up to standard.

Just say, no thanks. I have moved on to other work. Best of luck.

Charge him for the parts up front at a minimum. Make him negotiate before you spend money on him.

Another option is to write an invoice, have him sign it with something stating “I, (customer name), am confirming the work above and will be charged (insert total cost of the job).”

I’m sorry but my calendar filled up.

Imagine going to a restaurant and asking for a breakdown of ingredients and labor before you buy? It sounds like he wants it done soonest, so maybe just tell him, “we’ve taken on a big job and can’t take on new work right now.” Oh, and add a line in your estimate something like: Our business model does not offer a breakdown of fees as we offer an overall value to our clients… or something like that.

“We work as a lump sum contractor, which prevents me from providing an itemization of material. Our sales tax is paid when we purchase needed material, this option is not allowable when material cost itemization is provided.”

That’s my part A response. As far as not wanting his business, “Corporate has decided that we do not want this job, I wish you the best going forward.”

I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can meet your standards, so I’m declining your job. I hope you find someone more able to do so.

Tell him you have taken in a lot of Business since you last spoke. Give him a wait time that is longer than you think he wants to wait and tell Him his item needs to Be in store, no virtual line. This often scares most people away I don’t want to work with, without telling them explicitly that they suck. Another option is that you will do the work sooner for an “expedited” cost, and make sure that cost makes it worth you working with them. I will tel folks if they want to skip the line they can pay 2x the estimated cost at normal rate.

I don’t do itemized receipts before work gets done, I can provide estimates, and I’m always happy to work with pets folks bring me, if they are the right parts. I work with guitars for example, if they bring me a part that now I have to do extra work to make usable, they will be charged for it. So I tell customers it behooves them to have me order parts so that I know they will work with as little effort as possible.

Hope this helps