So I think I know what to say to my farrier to fire him. He does a wonderful job and I really like him. I have been with him about 2.5 years now. He is reasonably priced as well. BUT… he has to travel 2 hours to get to me…so it makes it really difficult for him to get to me if I so happen to need something in between shoeings. I am the only one at my barn he does and he shoes my horse when he comes to a bigger barn in the area, which is every 3 and 4 weeks.
Then if something happens and he has to cancel it is an ordeal. My horse can’t go without a pour-in and cannot go more than 4 weeks. This has been happening the past 2 shoeings that he has rescheduled twice and then didn’t do a good job and she lost the pour in. He couldn’t come fix it so we couldn’t ride, etc.
ANYWAY … got a new great farrier, close to my barn, good price, works my vet, etc.
So my question is… old farrier currently scheduled to come shoe horse, should I let him do this last one and tell him in person?
or
Do I text (we communicate this way mostly) him my decision and cancel the upcoming shoeing?
I don’t want any ill feelings because he really is great.
TIA!
Speak on the phone or in person. “Thank you for your years of service to me and my horse. Realizing that you come from such a distance, I appreciate it all the more. However, I’ve just found a farrier much more local to us, so would like to switch. Hopefully that will free you up to attend to closer clients. Do not hesitate to list me as a reference.”
As to when to speak, your choice… either at that last shoeing job or before…but not, ever in text.
When is your next appointment? I think my actions here would be different if the appt is in 3 days vs 3 weeks…
Wow. Bless his heart!
Do you not have a truck and trailer? Why can’t you go to him for in-between problems?
I would call him and thank him for taking care of your horse for the past 3 years, but that you did find someone closer.
Simple and leave it at that.
[QUOTE As to when to speak, your choice… either at that last shoeing job or before…but not, ever in text.[/QUOTE]
Sigh. I know it is probably an older generation thing, but there is NOTHING wrong with texting/putting it in writing, especially if that is how you usually communicate. I feel like people stressing that you HAVE to call a professional to tell them you are no longer going to use them are the type of people that confuse friendships and professional relationships. He is a professional you hired to do a job. He is not going to curl into a sobbing ball if you no longer use his services (and especially not because you didn’t call him to tell him but sent a text). I am a lawyer in my profession and a barn owner/manager in my “other” life (because I am nuts and like to be busy). I have had people both text/email me to tell me they were no longer going to use my legal services or my horse boarding services and it was complete fine. I don’t need them to call me because it was unnecessary, and because I usually communicated with these clients via email or text, so that kind of message was completely appropriate.
You like this farrier’s work (somewhat?? You said the last time that he “didn’t do a good job”). You are switching for logistical reasons that make total sense. You normally communicate via text. So if (and the “IF” is important here) the appointment is not pending in the next few days, text and thank him for his work, explain you are switching to someone closer. If the appointment is in the next few days, I feel like it would be rude to cancel, as he has probably arranged his schedule specifically to do your horse. If that is the case, tell him at your appointment.
EDITED TO ADD: putting things in writing can also be a huge help in eliminating the childish but prevalent “he said, she said” crap that happens in this industry. So if someone walks around saying, OP hated (farrier) and told him to pound sand because he sucked!" OP can calmly say, well, my text message to him said differently . . .
Lawyers love things in writing. It’s hard to prove the contents of a conversation.
3 years ago I let go my farrier of 18 years. I’m kinda old school so I called his home number in the evening when he wouldn’t be working. I got the answering machine and left my message of “thank you but I’m changing to another farrier”. He rang me back later and appreciated the heads up and asked a few questions.
My new farrier is a young person and all our communication is done by texting.
If your typical communication with him is using texting then I see nothing wrong with texting him that you found a more local farrier.
I agree with the thought that doing it before or after your next appointment depends on the scheduling of the next appointment. If he is due to come out tomorrow then have him out, pay him, and then tell him you appreciate all he has done but you found a more local farrier.
Thanks guys! He is scheduled for late next week. He comes to town for another big barn and does 16 horses there split between two visits across 2 weeks. He just comes to my barn for me (I left the big barn and was the reason he has them has clients now).
So that being said…
Should I cancel now and let him know via phone call… or … let him know after he shoes my horse late next week?
I probably should’ve originally included this… sorry:/
He is probably doing your horse as a favor because you got him the bigger gig in the first place. Let the guy off the hook. Given the circumstance, it shouldn’t be an emotional break-up. I’d text or call immediately and save him the hassle of coming by one more time.
Hear hear. My twin sister (in sales) is all about the phone call, in person even better. Myself, I much prefer texting/emailing/in writing, both personally and professionally.
If the new farrier is scheduled then:
Call on the phone and speak in person and just tell him that you are happy with his work but found someone who is closer and able to get to you quickly when a need arises. Thank him and call him TODAY so he can adjust his schedule if he needs to.
Have you asked him if he can set you up with some one local to “stand in” for him in the event you need something in between regular shoeings and he can not get there? As for the rescheduling of regular appointments it all depends how far out he pushes them and wether it is actually any pain to the horse or just a pain in your a$$… I totally feel you on that one…I schedule mine for 4 weeks and usually they get done by 6 weeks but it is really inconvenient to keep carving out 3-4 hour blocks of time since there are 2 horses to be done and we are working on improving their feet so I have always been there to discuss.
This is amazing that your farrier has been traveling 2 hours for the last 2.5 years to shoe your horse. Kudos to him!
It seems perfectly reasonable to change farriers. If I were you, I would call and thank your current farrier profusely for his help over the years and by all means do your best to keep the door open. Your “new” farrier might not work out or become too busy or move away, etc. So it is always good to leave bridges intact.
An earlier poster suggested personal interaction is “old school”. However, with these types of situations, a personal call demonstrates respect and consideration. If you text as a normal course of events, you could feel justified in firing him via text, but if the tables were turned, would you appreciate a personal call thanking you for all your help over the years? Or would you feel unappreciated and cast aside receiving a obligatory text letting you know you were fired?
Put his hat and shoes on for a moment and see what feels most considerate, compassionate and professional to you.
