In the present day, I need to share a small victory.
Like all people, I’ve flaws. Certainly one of mine is that I hate confrontation. It is a household factor. I am unsure why, however none of us like battle. Certain, this trait has some upsides. My brothers and I do not get into numerous arguments and fights with our household and pals. And once we do have battle, we do our greatest to resolve issues rapidly.
However this battle avoidance has some huge downsides. When making an attempt to make peace, for example, we’re possible to provide far an excessive amount of in an effort to succeed in compromise rapidly. Plus, we do not like to barter. Negotiation is, inherently, battle. No thanks!
In my life, that is particularly problematic in circumstances the place I would like to face up for myself. Let me offer you an instance.
Just lately, the roof of our residence developed a small leak. After making an preliminary evaluation, I made a decision it was an excessive amount of for me to deal with one my very own. I referred to as an area roofing contractor.
“We may be out tomorrow,” mentioned the person who answered the telephone. “However there is a $250 minimal cost for the journey. That $250 may be utilized to the primary hour of labor, then every extra hour is $150. Plus, we’ll cost you for supplies, in fact.”
“Sounds fantastic,” I mentioned.
The roofing firm referred to as me at 8:16 the following morning to let me know they have been on their means. They confirmed up about ten minutes later.
I crawled into the attic with one of many roofers to point out them the issue. “That is not so dangerous,” he mentioned. “We are able to repair that rapidly.” And so they did. At 9:06, the roofers waved goodbye and advised me the workplace would ship an bill. As a result of they’d been on website lower than an hour, I figured the invoice could be possibly $400 or $500.
Sure, I famous the time once I was interacting with the roofers. I at all times attempt to do that when working with contractors who cost by the hour. And, as you will see, it is good that I accomplish that.
“What’s fallacious?” Kim requested. She may see that I used to be silently fuming on the piece of paper in my hand.
“The roofing firm charged me about twice what I used to be anticipating to repair that leak,” I mentioned.
“Uh oh,” she mentioned. After a decade collectively, Kim knew the basis drawback instantly: I used to be going to have to interact in battle. If I did not need to pay $850, I must problem the bill. “You are going to should name them, aren’t you?”
“Sure,” I mentioned. “Sure, I’m.”
I hated each second of it, however I did name the roofing firm.
“Hey,” I mentioned. “I am making an attempt to determine this bill you despatched. I do know your guys have been right here lower than an hour, so this cost cannot be for time. Did they actually use $600 in supplies to restore our roof?” I used to be calm. I used to be well mannered. I used to be confused.
“Let me test on that for you,” the workplace supervisor mentioned. “I will name you again.”
The following day, the man referred to as me again. “I apologize,” he mentioned. “That is our mistake. You are proper. We have been lower than an hour and we used little or no to repair your roof. Ignore that bill. We’ll ship you a brand new one for $275. I am sorry this occurred.”
I do know this would possibly sound very, very fundamental to most of you, however I used to be pleased with myself on this second. For me, this was a small victory. Regardless of dreading the battle inherent in asking about the issue, I did so anyhow. And in doing so, I saved myself $575!
Whereas this has in no way cured my battle avoidant nature, the expertise has demonstrated that it may well typically pay to face up for your self when you recognize you are proper. A few minutes of discomfort yielded a $575 revenue. That is a reasonably rattling fantastic charge of return. Now I merely want to recollect this end result the following time I am confronted with the prospect of one other uncomfortable name…