Trade Prices

[FreeD]

how do u guys work out what price to charge the customer for materials...I see some people take the trade price/retail price work out the difference between and discount the customer a percentage...problem i find with this method is prices are constantly changing...also i never get a receipt from the retailer that states trade/retail price for each item...these prices also change for example i tried to put together a price list i looked at my old CTD receipts and for tubbed adhesive i was sold the same gear at 5 different prices over 2 weeks. :mad2:

Whats the best way to make money on materials and to keep track of price changes?

Or is it better to just charge trade prices on all mats and make money on the labour?

 

[kilty55]

hi freed...i just call my supplier as jobs come in on a weekly basis to see whats on offer,,most customers want mats picked up so i take the retail and the trade cost and meet in the middle,hope this helps buddy

 

[david campbell]

with kilty on this,i pass on some of my discount to customers,but tend to have a mental note of what the basics cost i.e bags of flex and raipd set addy's and grouts cost and work it out from there!

 

[smurf21]

I allways charge retail for materials minus 15% coz our suppliers give us 30% share the discount with customer but allways check te retail with supplier for each job before quoting.

 

[Fekin]

If I have to get the mats then it's trade plus some, depending on what the jobs worth really can affect what I charge for mats.

 

[Dan]

I used to charge my rate, AND make the profit on the materials. But I believe in these times you can clinch the deal if you give them the difference between trade and retail, and then charge your rate per meter or per job or whatever.

If you're itemising your invoice, you need to get the RRP from the retailer, and show the customer the price you paid - therefore they pay - and they should be pleased really. On a job that materials cost £500, you could be looking at a £150 - £200 saving in some cases - so they're getting their job £150 cheaper. Therefore if they pay you your decent rate per meter, with no discount, you should be both happy - and the customer should come to you rather than 'the other quote' that didn't spend time explaining how you work and what you can save them. Hopefully.

Though we need to all do it a bit differently else the customer would see 3 quotes all the same.

I know Dave gives his customer all the difference, and he charges his good rate for labour and he's alright doing it that way.

Remember if you're buying the gear your turnover could reach the VAT threshold, so getting the customer to get the gear might help with that.

 

[doug boardley]

I charge a little to cover costs of getting materials.If people have got me in to revamp their bathroom/kitchen with a view to selling their house I've no qualms about charging full retail price for materials tho'

 

[brian c]

Normally give them my discount to get the job.got to do what you got to do.

 

[Eddie]

Im with you Brian, got to give it up, if it gets you the job.

 

[DHTiling]

I'm with bri...i pass on my discount....because i get the customer to buy the materials...no cost to me and no vat threshold to go over...

I do supply materials some times and make alittle but mainly i tell my customers that i save them THIS amount and i think it helps land me the jobs....

Remember though i am only domestics so me saving the customer pennies dose help get me the jobs...

 

[hillhead]

I've seen me getting caught before supplying at less than iv been invoiced for,the prices do fluctuate regulary,still more expensive over here from england etc.
people like a discount in the current climate.

 

[FreeD]

To be honest guys i find it a freaking nightmare as i buy from lots of different suppliers...plastering and tiling...i can't keep up with prices for everything and some suppliers seem to be charging me different percentages each time i go in e.g bradfords i have to go into the freaking sales office everytime to negotiate...i haven't got time to spend phoning up suppliers...

what i'm thinking of doing is charging trade price...having a price list of all my suppliers which i can refer to...and charging closer to retail for extras.

I figure the time it takes me trying to work out the difference with all these prices i could work and make the up the difference lol. :incazzato:

 

[Dave Ramsden]

I'm with bri...i pass on my discount....because i get the customer to buy the materials...no cost to me and no vat threshold to go over...

I do supply materials some times and make alittle but mainly i tell my customers that i save them THIS amount and i think it helps land me the jobs....

Remember though i am only domestics so me saving the customer pennies dose help get me the jobs...

Thats exactly how I work!

 

[Eddie]

i pass on my discount....because i get the customer to buy the materials...

How do you get the customer to buy the materials, AND, pass on your discount? I have to go to the shop, and put the order in my name, to get my discount. they won't give it to anyone else.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Eddie.
I think it is the relationship you build up with your supplier. If you tell them that you are sending in a customer for materials and you want them to have your discount - then they get it. Where i am the supplier normally only gives customers retail quotes. However not all are so long sighted and just want a sale. Be careful!
John