I have a terrible time with confrontation. So much so that I avoid it like the plague and as a result I often get taken advantage of.
Now don't get me wrong, if I get upset enough, I can and will address the issue (IE: my recent air conditioner problems). But for the most part I have a hard time confronting people with issues that affect me.
The funny thing is that I was never afraid of confrontation. But ever since I went off work in 2004 on long term disability, I just shy away from it ever since. I felt so battered and defeated during those 4.5 years, that it affected my self esteem and my self confidence.
However I've been trying to work on it and while it takes me awhile, I eventually do get up enough nerve to deal with the matter. Over the last 3 days I've confronted 2 issues, and got good results!
The first one was my hair dresser. About 18 months ago I went to a hair stylist and was extremely happy with the cut/colour/highlight. However, the price was astronomical. My hair is short and the price was $185.00!! I couldn't justify that kind of expense no matter how much I liked the look. So I tried a few other salons but I wasn't ecstatic with the results even though the prices were much better. So I resigned myself to continuing to go to the first stylist despite the expense because I really, really loved the cut and the outcome of the colour. I justified the expense because I don't drink, smoke and I don't go out often, so instead of spending my money on that, I spend it on my hair.
Well, I've been to see her 5 or 6 times since and each time the price is different. I'm not talking a little; it's all over the map. The first time it was $185.00 (the cut was free). After that it was between $210.00 and $230.00! Each time I went I was determined to speak to them about the variant pricing! But shied away each time.
On Saturday I finally got the guts to speak up! As a result the Assistant Manager charged me $185.00 for my cut/colour/highlight (the cut was free), and told me that future ones would be the same price. I asked for it in writing!!!
She gave me her business card and put the price on the back and signed it! Now if I have problems with variant pricing, I just pull out the card and show them and I will only pay for the colour/highlight.
Yesterday my cleaning girl was here. I'm usually at work when she comes but because I'm currently on medical leave I've been home the last 4 or 5 times that she's been here. I noticed that each of those times that she isn't even here 2 hours but I've been paying her for 3 hours. She has a 2 hour minimum charge.
When I initially hired her she told me that if I'm paying for 3 hours, she stays for 3 hours and if she is finished the general cleaning she will look for things to do IE: spot wash walls, clean out cupboards, fridge, stove etc. Well, that's not what has been happening, at least while I've been home. She finishes the general cleaning and then she leaves.
Yesterday I spoke to her about it and told her that I've noticed that the last several times she finishes in less than 2 hours and that I've been paying her for 3 hours. I think she was a little shocked that I brought it up, but she recovered quickly.
The result is that I am now paying her for 2 hours every week, a total of $33.60 vs $50.00. And if I leave extra tasks (ie: stove or fridge etc), and it takes her longer than 2 hours, she will leave me a note and I'll pay her the difference the following week.
Now don't get me wrong, if I get upset enough, I can and will address the issue (IE: my recent air conditioner problems). But for the most part I have a hard time confronting people with issues that affect me.
The funny thing is that I was never afraid of confrontation. But ever since I went off work in 2004 on long term disability, I just shy away from it ever since. I felt so battered and defeated during those 4.5 years, that it affected my self esteem and my self confidence.
However I've been trying to work on it and while it takes me awhile, I eventually do get up enough nerve to deal with the matter. Over the last 3 days I've confronted 2 issues, and got good results!
The first one was my hair dresser. About 18 months ago I went to a hair stylist and was extremely happy with the cut/colour/highlight. However, the price was astronomical. My hair is short and the price was $185.00!! I couldn't justify that kind of expense no matter how much I liked the look. So I tried a few other salons but I wasn't ecstatic with the results even though the prices were much better. So I resigned myself to continuing to go to the first stylist despite the expense because I really, really loved the cut and the outcome of the colour. I justified the expense because I don't drink, smoke and I don't go out often, so instead of spending my money on that, I spend it on my hair.
Well, I've been to see her 5 or 6 times since and each time the price is different. I'm not talking a little; it's all over the map. The first time it was $185.00 (the cut was free). After that it was between $210.00 and $230.00! Each time I went I was determined to speak to them about the variant pricing! But shied away each time.
On Saturday I finally got the guts to speak up! As a result the Assistant Manager charged me $185.00 for my cut/colour/highlight (the cut was free), and told me that future ones would be the same price. I asked for it in writing!!!
Yesterday my cleaning girl was here. I'm usually at work when she comes but because I'm currently on medical leave I've been home the last 4 or 5 times that she's been here. I noticed that each of those times that she isn't even here 2 hours but I've been paying her for 3 hours. She has a 2 hour minimum charge.
When I initially hired her she told me that if I'm paying for 3 hours, she stays for 3 hours and if she is finished the general cleaning she will look for things to do IE: spot wash walls, clean out cupboards, fridge, stove etc. Well, that's not what has been happening, at least while I've been home. She finishes the general cleaning and then she leaves.
Yesterday I spoke to her about it and told her that I've noticed that the last several times she finishes in less than 2 hours and that I've been paying her for 3 hours. I think she was a little shocked that I brought it up, but she recovered quickly.
The result is that I am now paying her for 2 hours every week, a total of $33.60 vs $50.00. And if I leave extra tasks (ie: stove or fridge etc), and it takes her longer than 2 hours, she will leave me a note and I'll pay her the difference the following week.
