Odd request

I have a client who has requested a totally inappropriate device to protect a jewelry factory. He wants to use a microwave radar motion detector inside to protect a jewelry factory. It will not work in that application, will generate too many false alarms. Client is determined that this is what he wants. Factory says no, will not work. I have tried repeatedly to tell my client that this will be a disaster, but no success. Can anyone suggest how this can be done to convince this moron how he is making a huge mistake, other than saying no bid? I have a lot of experience doing systems on jobs like this, am totally frustrated dealing with stupid of this level. Any help out there?

"My company does not offer a product for your application at this time."

I run into this on occasion. At some point you have to decide which way to jump.

If they are determined, quote the job, note on the quote that this equipment is not recommended for this application and will not be guaranteed to work properly. Get them to sign the quote and send it back to you. Then sell them the stuff. At that point, it's on them. You did your job.

Edit: If they have a tiny bit of brains, signing off to assume responsibility for the product not working, will sometimes turn on the idiot light and they will start asking questions. Then you can steer them in the right direction.

But what would the word of mouth backlash be? Sure, you have a signed piece of paper, but since when has that stopped anyone from talking E36 M3?

In reply to Appleseed:

Word of mouth is where 99% of my business comes from. That 1% isn't enough to worry about.

To put it another way. If you are reading reviews and 99% are glowing and perfect, 1% is mindless, "This crap doesn't work." Are you going to pay any attention to the 1%. I don't.

Oh, just give him a PFO quote, then if he bites, get the contract written properly to CYA and take his money.

Some people deserve to be broke.

I'm with Woody on this one - sounds like the customer knows better so even if you have a signed piece of paper that says "I know it won't work", you'll still end up with an unhappy customer.

My favourite mantra in situations like this - the customer may be king, but not everybody needs to be your customer.

If you really need the gig to contribute to the bottom line then: Toyman
If you do not: Woody

In a perfect world I like the simplicity of refusing the work but the realities of running a business make a sign off on the statement of work and maybe making them read it aloud in front of their own attorney an acceptable way to cash a check.

( I know it's not the same thing )

Get a microwave off craigslist, bust out the glass, and give it to him for oh I don't know $95K. Tell him it's the newest state of the art, and it'll solve any theft problems by actively burning the thieves.

In seriousness, I agree with Huckleberry.

In reply to Toyman: I usually stick on the 1% bad review because that's what will happen to me if I buy whatever product or service that I'm looking at. Kind of a "this is awesome but I gotta keep an eye out for that" Either what's in the bad review, or something totally off the wall that english google can't solve.

Are you sure he has told you everything you need to know about his business?

Maybe he has a need to cover a larger warehouse than he has admitted to, or cover through walls. Secret room?

Sell the guy what he wants. Toyman's approach.

Consider it job security. If it doesn't work, sell him another system.

cwh, I used to be in the alarm business years ago. The odds are good that one reason this guy wants an alarm system is because of his insurance policy. The odds are even better that his policy includes generic wording such as that the system must be "suitable for the application" and "fully operational." There will also probably be a requirement that the system be monitored and alarms responded to by somebody. You can give it as your professional opinion that the system is wrong for the task, that it will cause repeated false alarms so that response is discontinued. Once he violates his insurance policy, it's game over. (Reaching out to his insurance company right now might help too.)

The only other thing I can add is that, FWIW, the craziest clients usually pay the worst.

Stealthtercel wrote: the craziest clients usually pay the worst.

Truer words are seldom spoken.

I had a similar thing happen a few years ago. I was the plumber on a spec house being built. During the construction the house was sold to a rich immigrant doctor and his family. They insisted on plumbing fixtures that were not Massachusetts approved fixtures. Yea , Mass can be a stickler about that. Anyway, after a lengthy discussing with the town's plumbing inspector, he allowed them on one condition. The family's lawyer had to draw up a document stating that unapproved fixtures were used and it absolved the plumber, the inspector, the town and most importantly the insurance company of any liability. Flash one year later. Toilet or bidet, clogs and keeps on running flooding out the master bath and the kitchen below. Massive damage... no insurance money. How do you think a jewelry store owner would feel about a security system that absolved the insurance company from liability if it doesn't work?

Can you offer an "appropriate" system that happens to have some redundant Doppler motion detectors?

I have offered a secure system using PIRs, photo beams, and a legit vault system. A place like this requires a very good system, as it will attract high quality thieves from all over the world. I have seen vaults blown, it is not that hard to do. I have seen them torched. The requested microwave units are pricy, 2K each. I have a drawing of the facility, his layout will not work, period. Too many unprotected areas. I don't need this sale to keep the doors open, but my client is a good one, don't want to lose him, but this level of stupid is more than I want to deal with. I think "No Bid" is the only answer. Dealing with a high end security company in Trinidad. Rats. And now he is not taking my calls.

Yeah, I think "I suggest this... for this price..., otherwise, No Bid. Thanks."

I've got Doppler Motion Sensors on LEDS in front of my house. They are neat.

This does not apply to the circumstances of the post.

Good day.

I'd no quote. You're never going make a satisfied customer from that guy.

I'm also with the "turn the job down" camp here. It sounds like the money from the sale is not going to be worth the expense and headache of support later down the road.

Sell him the faulty system, P.M. me the address after it's installed. I need college money.

Thanks for all the advice, guys. I'm not going to bid the job. Client can't be too mad about the decision, better than unhappy I sold him bad parts.

Also, I have spoken with the factory several times, so they know the job, will not sell him for the job. Did find out that they have a killer electric fence product, though.

cwh wrote: Also, I have spoken with the factory several times, so they know the job, will not sell him for the job. Did find out that they have a killer electric fence product, though.

Now we're talking.

I run in to this all the time. I just make sure to thoroughly document everything and make sure that the proposal and signed quote include language stating what the solution can and cannot accomplish. When we deliver the proposal, I go over in detail where this solution is likely to fall down and include a second solution that would better meet the prospect's needs. They get a copy and I keep a copy. Sometimes it works out just fine, but when it goes south I bring out the original proposal and highlight the issues that I predicted. They're not usually happy, but they aren't very quick to escalate to their management because they know what will happen when their boss or their boss's boss calls us in to a meeting.

Yeah, a pulsing 8000 volts will affect your desire to steal things.