Do They Really Expect Me To Call Back?

Leo G

[rant]


I have a lady that wanted a bamboo vanity. 100" long total, 3 sections. outside sections will hold sinks and have two doors one faux drawer. The inner section will have 6 drawers. I gave her a price on her answering machine. I never do this. I got a gut feeling she was a tire kicker. A few days went by and she did call back.

We talked and they sounded interested. She wanted to see some samples of the bamboo. So I went to my distributor and got a sample pak and went by a few days later per appointment. They liked the samples, we discussed this and that about the project and at the end of the meeting they said they wanted the price to be about $1000 lower. I told them that my price was firm, I had formulas I used to calculate this out and give my best price up front. I don't front load it to haggle later on. They were discouraged and told me they would think about it. I expected the deal was dead.

A few days later she called up and wanted to discuss price. Of course she still want me to lower my price. She asks about my construction techniques and materials used. I did learn something that I didn't know. The cabinet was trapped between walls and would not need finished ends, that would lower the price. Then she decided she didn't want to see the edge grain on the bamboo plywood. It is actually kind of neat, I personally would leave it exposed for my own project. I offered edge taping. It comes in 500' rolls, unglued. So I would have to get the extra material, bring it to another woodshop with an edgebander to get it done. She expects it to be cheaper than before.

I left it with her that my prices were not flexible, if she wanted it lower she would have to change the design and lose something. I also asked her if she had gotten prices from another shop. She said she did and of course it was lower. By a few hundred dollars. At this point I really felt like saying to her, you found a good deal, go for it. But I didn't. I did tell her that I would email her after I "sharpened my pencil" with a new bid. Well, after the changes the price was going to be higher than before. So I figured this is a lost deal, I didn't make a new bid or email her. Cutting my losses.

She apparently doesn't get the hint. She has a lower bid than mine, but wants me because of a great recommendation by someone that I don't even know. She of course wants me to lower my price to the other guys level. I won't do it. She called again today. 1st at my shop phone and then on my cell, I let the machine take it. Thank gawd for caller ID. She is still looking for that elusive lower price from me. Some people just don't get it. This lady is already giving me a hard time and I don't even have the job. I couldn't imagine working for her. So I won't.

[/rant]


How many times a year do you guys get something like this. They hear about your great reputation and quality work but are unwilling to pay the price for it. I almost feel like calling this lady a stalker.

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dan-o

Constantly. Makes me want to shoot people in the face.

Meetre

Send her a bill for your time. She'll get the hint real fast.

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dakzaag

Leo,

Easiest way to solve this problem is to quote her the higher price with an additional "fudge" factor (say 15%.)

She will either quit calling or sign up before the price goes higher.

Either way you win.

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Bodger

I've had this happen many times. They want you, because they've seen your work or someone they know that you have worked for has raved about you, or both.
But they want you to match the lower bidder, whom they probably know nothing about.

The potential client here is probably well aware that the lower priced guy is not going to deliver the same quality you will, but they want you to match his price anyway so they can feel as though they have the best of both worlds. Best quality they can find, at the lowest price they've heard.

The times I have lowered my price and done the work anyway, I have set the tone for the client to be in control and disrespected myself and my work.
Never again. F 'em.

Mike(VA)

One question I ask in situations like this is: "Why do you think the other guys price is lower than mine?" Usually, no matter what their answer is, you can justify your price.

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tinner666

I get these often. I tell them I will go over my proposal again to see if I cn make any changes.
I add 10% and send it back with a letter saying "Thank You. I reviewed my costs and material list for you. If I hadn't done so, I would have come up short because I had omitted the costs for ***x and ***x. As for scheduling, I can still start the job next Wednseday."

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bwalley

Just tell her your prices are what they are and when she brings up the other bid just tell her since she likes his price better, she should hire him quick before he changes her mind and wish her good luck with her project.

J F

Hell, call her back and tell you can lower your price by 50%, but....

...she's going to have to wait a few years until you can start collecting your soc. sec. check (or win the lotto) so you can afford to fund her project for her...

Or tell her when you move into that cardboard box, under the interstate bridge, your overhead should be a lot less and then you'll be able to meet her price...

IHI

Cut back on material and perfection...use more chaulk!!!!


Yep, get this crap all the time here. We want a new garage, if you can do it for $4-5000 we'll go with you

we want a complete room remodel and we have a budget of $3K, can you make it work??


By and large people focking suck, and i suspect with the laziness/cluelessness of this next generation we're in even more trouble.

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DetailHandyman

And it goes up 5% every time they call after that!

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greg24k

I spoke to a few friends who are GC's in the area, and every trade they used who gave them low bid's, it end up costing them more. If a Builder knows you and knows your work, he will not look for a lower price, I am sure he wants the job done right the first time and not run back and forth fixing things. The cost will be much higher in the end.

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Bill Z

Leo, your work is fabulous. Those pictures you have in some of your posts make every homeowner want your work. You can easily understand that some people just have a little more trouble letting go of their money. Not a bad quality, it's actually one of the reasons she can buy at all in this economy.

Bodger makes a great point about "control", if you drop to their price you'll be miserable all through the job. But, what if you can keep control, get your price and do the vanity the way you want? Do you want the job?

Send her an email with three of your best pictures that show vanities or the bamboo similar to what she wants. At the bottom of the email write the following (with her name and prices filled in of course), don't change anything else.

"Mrs. _________, You want a quality vanity for your project. You mentioned you have a lower price from someone else. Inside your own mind, you have already made the decision you want me to build your vanity, and you've told yourself you won't be happy unless you buy from me. As you can see by the photos, I am an artist, your vanity is one-of-a-kind, and you trust me to create the centerpiece of your project. I am busy, and the efforts to reduce the price without reducing quality are a waste of time for us both. Because I need to either get you on my schedule, or get you off my schedule, you need to make a decision now. Whether you decide to leave the beauty of the exposed grain show through for $***x, or if you want to cover the edges for an additional $***x, send me a check for 70% of the option you choose to get you on my schedule. Otherwise, I'll assume you are not interested."

Leo, you are an artist. Taking away the opportunity will cause her to go away or give you total control. I guessed that you may get 50% down normally, increase the DP significantly for her. At the worst, she tells other people you are a fussy artist who is hard to get along with. What have you got to lose?

J F

We just got a call from someone wanting to finish their 1500 sq. ft. basement to match the finishes in the rest of the house (neighborhood of newer homes in the 6-800k range)...wants bathroom, bar, theater room, etc....and wants it done for 15k...

....hmmm let's see...about $10 sq. ft. out the door.......WTF

...he was told that we would love to come out and discuss his project, bring out portfolio, references, etc...made appt. for 3 days out...he calls back next day, saying he feels like he can get someone to do the project for his budget (from our discussion, he knew we couldn't/wouldn't...so meeting cancelled).

Probably a good thing....when he found out we don't do "free estimates" he probably would've had a heart attack...hate to have that on my conscience..

Because of course, our time/expertise has no value and should be "free", including detailed design work...

I think it's probably going to get worse before it gets better...I would love to be wrong though.

Wolfgang

Happens quite a bit. I just tell them they need to go with the other bid. These end up being the people who are a pita and want everything for nothing. Wont do it.


"Life's a bitch and misery is optional"

480sparky

When I hear a comment like this, I usually am at the point where I know what the person does for a living, and can fire a volley right back at them, using their profession as a racket.

"Well, Mrs. Smith, I understand your position. But suppose I walked into your office and earnesty requested your services, your experience, your professionalism, but asked that you drop your price $1,000? Now, if every one of your customers asked you to do that, would you be able to afford this project today?"

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Leo G

Looks like I struck a nerve

I figured I wasn't alone in this. After all this lady has put me through, the explaining of why I should get a higher price, the discussion of each and every little detail and how I should be able to do it for less, the meeting with her knowing the price upfront and then saying they want it to be $1000 less. I don't even want to give her a chance to get the job. One of those gut feelings. Even if I up the price, I be it will be a miserable project to work on be cause "I know" what is going to happen. I guess if she offered me 100% up front I would do it. But seeing as I am not going to respond to her, I'll never know. I know it is not a good business tactic to ignore a potential client. I might lose future work because of it. But I am willing to take that chance as to not have to deal with her. After years of ignoring it, I have learned my gut is right 90% of the time.

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Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

bwalley

If you aren't going to work for her (which is a good idea) just call her to let her know that you are unable to accomodate her and she should look elsewhere.

I wouldnt work for the lady either, she will end up being a PITA.

J F

Yeah, I agree with either calling, emailing or snail mailing her regarding declining the project.

Even if she's a pita it is still the professional way to do it....and yeah, she'll probably still bad mouth you to anyone who will listen, but at least you did the right thing.