one for our more learned friends

[turnip]

Here's one for the more astute of you to decipher for me: Nice big Contract priced, QS comes back with "you are the most competitive but not the cheapest". Knowing that price wins all at the moment, what else could this phrase mean?

 

[Ian]

I would say that although your price is not the cheapest, what you are offering for that price is what makes you the most competetive. You are offering better value for money, albeit a bit more money.

 

[Pebbs]

It means you have to go and see him and sit down with him and bash out a deal...and if you can't you walk away...or bash him over the head. Its a common practice they play games, if you have built a 'buffer' in then you know what you can come down on, and if you haven't your screwed. But remember this, you could make everything back on the extras....or the reverse side of it is this, if they are saying this now to you, then they might try and knock you down the line.

Lynn

 

[Daveshadowman]

Has he asked you for a better price? Ask him were you need to be and work out if it is possible if not walk away

 

[AliGage]

I wouldn't be knocking my price at all yet. Bri has it spot on. Better valve for money. That being said if they don't want to pay as much then there's two options. You do less and come down nearer the cheaper quotes or he goes cheaper with someone else and doesn't get as much.
For you to be the most competitive you must be offering something the others aren't. Surely that would justify the extra cost?

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

Yes i would back -off ,and let them come to you !, they are clearly interested in you, and they are just trying to knock you down! if you leave it , this will make them think you are not desperate, then you have them....good-luck mate.

 

[nybor62]

i would be asking them, what are there payment terms for example if they say 60 days, i would maybe reduce for a shorter term , you get
my drift,

as has lynn as said you can make up on extras , which there will surly be

 

[turnip]

Thanks All, had this a few years back when working for a major company that begins with a K....no guessing, we knew we were the cheapest but they still wanted more off!
See it depends on how much the builder had to knock off to get the job, and so it goes down the line, except were at the end of it (finishing trades) and they still need to meet their budget I suppose....
. Well, I guess its time to pressurise the suppliers and see what they can do, they are a lot of unquantified items that we can scrape it back on, worst comes to the worst, I'll get me tools out too, you should see me lay porc flooring, I'm like a workaholic.....

 

[Alan.P]

I've seen you go mate, drop your prices and give me a shout lol

 

[widler]

It does not matter if your price is 'competitive' or your work is 'top quality' 9 times outa 10 they will go for the cheapest on big contracts infact most jobs