Gotta love it!

[Rob Z]

....Or not...this is all part of being self-employeed...I spent 5 hours this morning preparing an estimate and sent it off to my customer. I've worked for these people many times over the years and have done numerous projects for them.

My price for labor and materials was about $13,400. His response: "Oh, that's a lot more than I had hoped for....I was looking for about $5000."

This guy is a somewhat accomplished DIY-er. He should know at least what materials would be, or close to it.

My list of materials, without any markup, was over $4000. :mad2:

Ohhhh, well.....

 

[White Room]

I've been self employed for 30 years and do wonder about certain customers, the diy world that is

 

[Spud]

I have had a couple like this lately, some customers have very unrealistic expectations

 

[doug boardley]

Rob, I'm surroundd by farmers with big ears and bald heads! do you know why they look like that? "How much??" (cupping an ear), "bloody hell!!" (rubbing their heads)

 

[hillhead]

I'v had some lately that think we can work for less than the minimum wage !!!!

 

[Andy Allen]

i find it when quoting stone work, they go out and buy the stuff and think your going to fit it for £20 m2.........inc addy/grout

 

[Scott]

I did one last year i spent a full day plus my evening visit working out their prices for 2 bathroom refurbs. i linked all the websites in their emails and gave them a throrough written estimate. My response was an email that read:

Thanks but no thanks.

How rude!

 

[DHTiling]

I just give the price and await the reply.. i shall leave it with you, let me know.. some you win, some you lose..

 

[Rob Z]

I'v had some lately that think we can work for less than the minimum wage !!!!

Joe, I've misbid jobs and ended up making less than my helper. A lot less. :mad2:

 

[Rob Z]

I just give the price and await the reply.. i shall leave it with you, let me know.. some you win, some you lose..

Dave, that's why I say contracting is legalized gambling!:lol:

 

[Dan]

Tiz right rob!

Probably the only way you can get on with it all, just give the price and move on. if the gamble pays off, you're a winner, if it doesn't you've only lost a bit of time quoting for it.

We've seen a few backfire though lately where the customer has gone for a cheaper option and got stung somehow.

I know Dave had a lass that gave him the hump on a job and then has been let down and asked Dave to do it again. Haha.

 

[Rob Z]

Tiz right rob!

Probably the only way you can get on with it all, just give the price and move on. if the gamble pays off, you're a winner, if it doesn't you've only lost a bit of time quoting for it.

We've seen a few backfire though lately where the customer has gone for a cheaper option and got stung somehow.

I know Dave had a lass that gave him the hump on a job and then has been let down and asked Dave to do it again. Haha.

Dan, sometimes I also say "the best job is the one you don't get". I've had a few that just didn't seem right, and after the fact I realized just how lucky I was not to get the job.

 

[doug boardley]

Tiz right rob!

Probably the only way you can get on with it all, just give the price and move on. if the gamble pays off, you're a winner, if it doesn't you've only lost a bit of time quoting for it.

We've seen a few backfire though lately where the customer has gone for a cheaper option and got stung somehow.

I know Dave had a lass that gave him the hump on a job and then has been let down and asked Dave to do it again. Haha.

I really hope Debs doesn't read this:yikes::yikes:

 

[Rob Z]

Doug, I was gonna say something, but figured "hump" was only used that way here.:lol:

 

[Graham100]

Price conditioning is the answer.

If you dare to, mention a price on your first visit that you know you can beat, then when they get the quote it will be a pleasant surprise to them, You have to be quick with your quote though or they could take you at face value and give the job to someone else.

Women are good at this:

Wife: "I was in town today and saw an expensive pair of shoes and fell in love with them"

You thinking: "here we go"

Wife: "Janet at work has a pair and hers cost £200"

You thinking: "Oh crap!"

Wife: "The ones I saw were marked at £180"

You out loud: "HOW MUCH!!!!?"

Wife: "But I got them in the sale for £90"

You out loud "Brilliant, clever girl!"

You thinking "WTF just happened?"

She price conditioned you.....it works, used in selling all the time.