Promise Of Future Work

480sparky

Here’s the situation: You speak with a prospective customer who has a ‘dream project’ that’s right up your alley. You’re chomping at the bit, salivating all the time. Then you hear it. The person says, "If you give me a discount on this, I’ve got lots more work I can send your way."

Yea, I know, we’ve all heard it. But in reality, does the promise of future work in exchange for a lower price today really work? Anyone actually do it?

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Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

Magnettica

I just won't play that game.

Ever go through McDonald's drive-thru and ask for a discount because you'll be back 40 more times?

Of course not.

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ChrWright

Never never never...

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WisePainter

I haven't ever crossed that bridge, but I have been told that if I do a good job that I will get more work.
If I was ever told this by a client, I am not sure what I would do.

Oh I got it, take my regular price, mark it up 30% in my head, then present it and shave off the 30%.

I win!

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My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

480sparky

No, you lose.

If your price is 10,000, and you mark it up 30% to 13,000, then reduce it by 30%, you end up at 9,100.

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Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

oldfrt

It's like putting your hand in the fire.Once is enough to get that OH YEA,Ive been here before feeling.
It becomes to be that silent alarm that says time to hit the road and not look back.

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backhoe1

I just reply with " Oh, you have more work? I better raise my price so that I'll still be in business when you want more work done"

WisePainter

well then Mr. Math...

those were random numbers, I hope I never have to actually do that on the spot.
The potential client may become concerned as smoke pours from my ears.

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My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

loneframer

My response,"Your discount is already figured into the price, as is everyone elses, due to the fact that every prospective customer has more work in the future."

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"Walking the fine line between production and perfection"



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George Z

The old Carrot and Stick approach.
It works with some contractors.

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Celtic

"It’s a sure-fire, 100% guaranteed way to increase both profits and jobs closed."

It's true...I read it on an internet forum






Next poll:
Maximizing profits through discount pricing and volume

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oldfrt

[quote=WisePainter;668037

Oh I got it, take my regular price, mark it up 30% in my head, then present it and shave off the 30%.

I win![/quote]


When I first started out ,I was doing work in a neighborhood where every other house was owned by a relative.They would use this line ,and it worked on me,so I got referred to all their relatives.

I got plenty of work but also learned to start my price high so they would feel better when they "talked me down".

I should have known what I was up against when I saw that they would actually wash out their old Zip Lock Glad Bags and hand them out to dry so they could use them over again!!!!

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480sparky

Not a random number at all. N times 1.3 times 0.7 = N times 0.91.

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Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

macatawacab

I have had neighbors of a job site ask for handyman work with the promise of future big work. I say, pay me for the handyman work and when we sign the big contract I will refund 50 % of the handyman bill toward the new contract.

The only free work I do is if I feel charitable. Then I say "this is a freebie because I feel the need to give back."

WisePainter

I would raise my regular price present it as the my usual price, give a thoughtful pause, then lower it in front of them to my usual price like David Blaine performing some amazing street magic.

i win?

__________________
My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

480sparky

yes.

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Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

WisePainter

lol, you will have to forgive my ignorance in this area as it isn't a usual occurrence for me. However I wouldn't refuse them if they brought it up I would find a way to make it work.

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My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

dirt diggler

not quite.


raise your regular price and present it as your usual ... and then get the job still.


now you win



rinse and repeat



although, damn - evidently, my collection of emoticons can't begin to compete with Sparky's lol

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Thanks in advance!!!

nEighter

happened to me before.. and was like a third degree burn. I still carry scares from it

live and learn, and no.. no more NEVER.

Double-A

I clicked on number one, but should have chosen the second one. Been there, done that, had to buy my clothes at WalMart as a result.

Now my response is, "Sounds good to me. Just as soon as I have that in writing and we have contracts on that work, I'll pass on a discount to you."

Never seems to work out.

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"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006