Every Fire A Client?

moonlightandmargaritas · 12-21-2007, 09:27 PM

I fired a client today. Too much trouble. I don't do it often, and it feels bad during the season of "peace on earth, goodwill toward men", but it had to be done.

Ever do it?

PS-Did enjoy a nice lunch at Hooters with another client though. Nice snow crab leg special - and two cold drafts!

TXINSURANCE · 12-21-2007, 10:18 PM

I have fired a lot of perspective clients - one said "If they don't take my (individual) application I am suing you and the carrier" - I said well "you can't sue me because I won't be your agent - CLICK"

Yes sometimes is is healthy to fire clients , for example if they swear (not in general) but at you directly, it is time to hang up the phone or walk away.

*STIBROKER@AUSTIN.RR.COM* · 12-21-2007, 10:50 PM

daham...I fired one also today....it was a sticky divorce mandate kid risk pool....I already went the 9's 2 years ago and got him set up and the stupid asshole let it lapse after 6 mo....now its I gotta have this done yesterday.....

Bob_The_Insurance_Guy · 12-21-2007, 11:40 PM

Being independent, and not having any externally-imposed quotas, I have fired several clients along the way.

I simply tell them that I will not be able to satisfy their needs, and I refer them to someone else.

I then fill the new agent in on what's been going on, and let him/her take it from there. I tell them the chemistry just wasn't there, and that they may work better with this person.

I do not send the fired client a thank you note, and I delete any and all recollection of them from my files, electronic or otherwise.

Mr. Bill · 12-22-2007, 01:00 AM

I've fired 'em, mostly for being PIA's who don't follow my advice or if they question me too much. I appreciate Play-Doh clients that I can mold into the client that's right for me.

Most of the time I would not be referring them to a new agent. That is, unless I didn't like the agent.

honestagent · 12-22-2007, 02:20 AM

I did one too.... not in such a bold way though... turned them over to BCBS, and that sold itself so I didn't appear to be 'firing' them.

I am so happy to be rid of them; and I'm not sorry to say.

I know customer service will help them. lol...

Laterrrrrrrrrrrr and I don't feel any remorse about this decision at all.

GreenSky · 12-22-2007, 10:47 AM

I used to run a small P&C ageny and had a client with an auto policy that was an absolute PIA. He moved to San Diego and although I could service him thought it better to give the account to another agent.

So I sent him a letter saying it would be in his best interest to contact an agent with the company in San Diego. I also informed the comany of this.

The little bastard turned me in to the BBB! Somehow he thought I was canceling his coverage.

In the past few years, I have told a few people that I would not be able to help them but these have mostly been prospects. There are a few seniors that are a PIA, but I forgive them because of their age. I figure they won't be my clients forever.

Rick

Dave020 · 12-22-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSky

...There are a few seniors that are a PIA, but I forgive them because of their age. I figure they won't be my clients forever.

Rick

Cue spooky Boris Karloff music here.........Rick doesn't just fire clients, he....yikes

Just kidding Rick! It's Saturday - go get coffee or something and get off of this forum for a while LOL

Dave

TXINSURANCE · 12-22-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

The little bastard turned me in to the BBB! Somehow he thought I was canceling his coverage.

I am proudly NOT a BBB member.

I filed a complaint once to the BBB on the BBB - lol... That was a classic.

I have always questioned the BBB tactics and I just do not agree with them at all... Occasionally a customer asks if I am a member of the BBB , and my reply is NO I would never join such an organization of thieves.

insuremojo · 12-22-2007, 02:41 PM

I fired a client last week (small group of 5). After having them on the books for about 6 months I find out that they had lied to me about actual employees and other things. I took this group over with a BOR change. Then I find out not all the employees showed up on de-6 and they were pulling some underhanded stuff to try and fool bluecross. I wasn't having it and fired them.

arnguy · 12-22-2007, 04:11 PM

Hey there The New Guy, are you on vacation or just asleep at the switch. TXInsurance said "perspective clients" instead of "prospective clients."

moonlightandmargaritas · 12-22-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXINSURANCE

I am proudly NOT a BBB member.

I filed a complaint once to the BBB on the BBB - lol... That was a classic.

I have always questioned the BBB tactics and I just do not agree with them at all... Occasionally a customer asks if I am a member of the BBB , and my reply is NO I would never join such an organization of thieves.

Never understood why BBB membership for insurance...

You are government regulated by the TX DOI.

That's a WAY higher authority.

Insuranceman · 12-23-2007, 02:58 PM

I used to be an account rep for a large manufactorer. I was the guy who had to take the all the hard to deal with clients that the other reps refused to deal with . The company had me add a additional 10 -20
Percent ( a** hole charge) to there price. It worked out great for the company but I didn't see a extra dime on my paycheck for all the extra BS I had to deal with every day.

SME · 12-24-2007, 01:10 PM

When I lived in a small town there were only 2 health brokers, me and my former employer (who hated me). So when we fired clients we would refer them to each other. It was a nice little game.

Chkndinner14 · 12-24-2007, 06:07 PM

I have never had to fire a client. I do get involved when customers swear at, or don't show respect to my staff members. It has always worked. I give them the ultimatum, change or go. Maybe I have been lucky, because a few of the clients actually became great clients after the conversation. And some of them have probably left on their own. Sometimes people with an aggressive personality respect you more after you call their bluff. As far as having to fire an employee, when the headache bar is higher than the production bar, it is time to start thinking about it.

Golddoor · 12-27-2007, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonlightandmargaritas

I fired a client today. Too much trouble. I don't do it often, and it feels bad during the season of "peace on earth, goodwill toward men", but it had to be done.

Ever do it?

PS-Did enjoy a nice lunch at Hooters with another client though. Nice snow crab leg special - and two cold drafts!

Do you mean Ever Fire A Client? Sorry, I was having a hard time getting the title of your post. LMAO

Frank Stastny · 12-29-2007, 11:31 AM

I look at it this way, cock your head to the left, if you have never fired a client, not just refused to take a prospect, then you aren't a "real" independent agent.

warrenins · 01-11-2008, 06:52 PM

Here's one. Have you ever tried politely to fire a client and they were so suprised, they wouldn't leave you? LOL yup it happened to me, lucky they went out of business sometime later