Had a customer hand me a cold beer after I fixed her AC in July

Was out on a call in Phoenix last week, 112 degrees out. Fixed this older lady's unit, compressor was shot but she had a home warranty so it was covered. After I got it running, she came out with a bottle of Modelo and just said "you earned this." Sat on her porch for 10 minutes just talking about how she started her catering business from her kitchen. That moment hit different than any bonus check ever did. Anyone else get a random moment like that that just makes you remember why you do this?

3 comments

3 Comments

jamie_smith1mo ago

Man, I gotta disagree with you on this one. A cold beer and a nice chat doesn't hit different than a bonus check unless that bonus check was like 50 bucks. Getting paid well is what lets you keep doing this job without burning out or hating every second of it. Those porch moments are nice but they don't pay for your truck repairs or your kid's braces. I've had plenty of grateful customers and yeah it feels good but I'd trade a hundred of those for one year where my company actually gave us decent raises.

hayes.jake8d ago

A $20 tip barely covers gas these days. A raise that keeps up with inflation actually changes your life. Gimme the steady pay over the occasional kindness any time.

susana661mo ago

Remembered one time @jamie_smith, a guy handed me a warm soda and a twenty and I almost cried.