[Cover Story] More Reasons PCOs Walk Away

MORE REASONS PEST MANAGEMENT PROs SHOULD WALK AWAY FROM AN ACCOUNT

An insurance expert explains some additional situations in which a pest management professional should look carefully before taking on a new account:

1. Customer says: "I sued the last pest management professional that messed up my house, just wanted you to be aware of that."

2. Customer says: "We don’t expect any problems. I just wanted you to know that my wife is pregnant, my son is very allergic and we have a dog and a cat we never let out of the house. By the way, what chemicals will you be using?"

3. Customer tells you about an area that may need treatment but he or she doesn’t allow you to enter that area of the home.

4. Customer says: "I want to be protected from everything! Give me the full treatment and don’t spare the chemicals. I never want to see a bug! I want your guarantee of NO BUGS EVER!"

5. Customer says: "I want the cheapest job you can do. No frills, I know what I need."

6. Customer says: "Just sell me the chemicals and tell me what to do. I’ll do the rest. And by the way, give me some of that GOOD STUFF that I can’t buy on my own."

7. Customer says: "I need a WDI/WDO inspection and I don’t need you to find anything wrong, understand? I must have a clean report."

8. Customer says: "I like your quotation for the work I need done. If you cut your price in half, I’ll consider using you."

And finally, an "insurance caveat" — Don’t promise too much. Your insurance covers your negligence, not necessarily what you promise. You may do a perfect job and something may go wrong that you are not responsible for. When you are sued, your insurance company has the obligation to defend you. If you are found not guilty, they don’t have to pay. If you have promised to pay for damages, even if you are not responsible, you may have to do that without your insurance company’s help. — Michael Weisburger, Weisburger Insurance Brokerage, White Plains, N.Y.