Some Days, You Just Can’t Make This Stuff Up!

When a Simple Question Turns Into Anything But Simple

Monday started with a rather unpleasant text from a gentleman who had signed up for a sprinkler blowout on October 16.

He complained that he hadn’t received a phone call or a scheduled date, claimed our website instructed him to request service by email, and informed me that if he didn’t hear back, he’d take his business elsewhere.

Well, that’s certainly one way to start a conversation!

Here’s the interesting part.

His request was already in our system. He had signed up properly, and there wasn’t a problem with his registration.

What he apparently overlooked were the terms of service he agreed to when signing up.

Those terms explain how we schedule sprinkler blowouts, why customers don’t receive individual appointment dates when they register, and why we ask customers to communicate by text rather than email during our busiest season.

We have customers who signed up back in August and are still waiting for their turn. His request was only ten days old.

I pointed these things out and even provided him with a copy of the terms he’d agreed to.

Apparently, that wasn’t the answer he wanted.

He responded by saying he had only wanted acknowledgment that he was in the queue, brought up a disagreement about a previous service, criticized my attitude, canceled his request, and promised to tell everyone he knew not to use our company.

All because I explained the procedures he’d already agreed to!

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that his original ultimatum rubbed me the wrong way, and my response wasn’t exactly dripping with sunshine and rainbows.

But here’s the thing.

If you want to know whether we’ve received your request, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with asking. We’re happy to clarify things.

However, starting with a threat to take your business elsewhere isn’t exactly the best way to encourage a friendly conversation.

And if the information you’re asking about was already provided when you signed up, it might be worth reviewing it before assuming somebody has dropped the ball.

We honored his cancellation, of course.

I just wish canceling a service request could also cancel the headache that came with it!

But Monday was only getting started.

While I was dealing with that little adventure, Eddie was about to discover that his truck tire had its own ideas about how the day should go.

Meanwhile, Eddie’s Tire Had Other Plans

While I was dealing with that little adventure, Eddie was out trying to get his sprinkler blowout route completed.

Unfortunately, one of his truck tires developed a flat.

No problem, right? Plug the tire, get back on the road, and finish the route.

Except the first plug didn’t hold!

Apparently, the tire hadn’t received the memo that we have a schedule to maintain.

Between the flat tire and the unsuccessful first repair, Eddie wasn’t able to complete his assigned route.

And, of course, that creates a domino effect.

Because when you’re operating with two technicians and a schedule that’s already packed, losing several hours doesn’t just affect one day.

It affects the days that follow.

Jesse to the Rescue — Again!

Tuesday was originally supposed to be a full day in Meridian 83646, with both Eddie and Jesse working in that area.

Well, so much for that plan!

Jesse will now be finishing Eddie’s unfinished route, followed by the route Jesse himself wasn’t able to complete last Friday.

That means we won’t have both technicians working in Meridian 83646 all day as originally planned.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly why I don’t like scheduling our calendar more than a week in advance.

It’s not because we don’t know how to plan. It’s because plans have a nasty habit of meeting reality!

Flat tires, equipment problems, inaccessible properties, unexpected delays, and other surprises can throw an otherwise perfectly good schedule into chaos.

We do our best to keep everything moving, but sometimes adjustments are unavoidable.

If you’re watching our online calendar, please remember that it represents our current plans, not a guarantee that every route will happen exactly as originally scheduled.

We’ll continue updating it as circumstances change.

And Now, a Word From Our Scheduling Department

After reviewing Monday’s events, I’ve come up with a few possible improvements to our operations:

• Equip every truck with tires that understand the importance of deadlines
• Require all flat tires to submit a written request at least 48 hours before going flat
• Have customers sign an agreement acknowledging that yelling at me does not alter the laws of mathematics, physics, or common sense
• Purchase Jesse a superhero cape, although I’m not sure how well that would work while he’s towing a compressor
• Replace our scheduling calendar with a Magic 8 Ball

Actually, I’m beginning to like that last idea.

“Will we finish tomorrow’s routes as scheduled?”

Reply hazy. Try again later.

Sounds about right!

And if anyone knows where I can purchase a set of tires that only go flat on weekends, please send me the information. I’ll buy them in bulk!

All Joking Aside

We’re still working hard to get everyone’s sprinkler systems winterized before the cold weather becomes a serious concern.

Our technicians are putting in long hours, and we’re doing everything we reasonably can to keep up with the schedule.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of the overwhelming majority of our customers.

And to Eddie and Jesse, thanks for continuing to roll with the punches, even when Monday seems determined to throw a few extra ones.

Here’s hoping today is a little less entertaining!

Because after Monday, I think we’ve had enough excitement to last us until at least Wednesday.

Then again, with our luck, Wednesday is probably already making plans of its own!

Today’s Routes

Eddie — Meridian 83646 with Blowzilla

West Willowbrook Drive
Kenmere Drive
West Delmar Drive
Northwest 12th Street
North Linder Road
West Chateau Drive
North Springtime Way
North Cinnamon Place
West Andrew Creek Street
West Lowry Street
West Fieldstream Drive
North Whitebird Place
West Tana Court
North Monaco Way
West Sandalwood Drive
North Waterfall Avenue
North Glennfield Place

Jesse — Boise 83702, Boise 83712, Meridian 83646 with Orange Julius (OJ)

Wyndemere Drive
West Highland View Drive
North 13th Street
North 6th Street
North San Felipe Way
East State Street
East Jefferson Street
East Walling Court
South Draco Place
South Travertine Way
South Toluka Way
South Ridgeview Way
North Voyager Avenue
North Larchmont Place
North Arrowwood Way
North Lark Avenue
East Chateau Drive
Northeast 10th Avenue
North Jericho Road