Apples To Apples Policy

ultimatetouch

I have heard this mentioned before. Does anyone on here have an apples to apples policy. You have 30 days after you sign the contract to find the same value and we will match it. Anyone care to share there ideas on this.

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Ultimatetouch
Illinois Remodeling Company, Kitchen Remodeling Chicago, Room Additions Illinois

dirt diggler

i wouldn't mess with a 3 day old signed contract


why lose money before you start


you're not Circuit City

Second Look

Dirt is right on with the Circuit City comment. Price guarantees are for sellers of commodities. There IS NO apples to apples, since the work would be performed by someone else. Suppose the homeowner does come up with a quote for doing the same work, but the contractor is on probation for drunk driving (3rd offense), constantly smells like an ashtray, is rude and abrasive, showers infrequently, parks his truck in the middle of the front yard... you get the idea.

OK, that's an extreme example made to illustrate a point. But a part of what they're buying is having the work done by YOU, or someone you hired. Having major work done to one's home is very personal, and can be an emotional decision driven by more than just cost.

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Second Look home improvement www.SecondLookHome.com
Handyman and Home Repair Specialist in Rhode Island
RI Licensed Lead Safe Remodeler/Renovator, RI Registered & Insured Contractor

dougchips

You will never have to match the price since most people will end their search. If you can build the value of your company to the HO but are having a hard time closing the deal then a price match might work.

I forget everything that is on my list, somewhere I have posted it before.

--in business for over 5 years
--zero BBB complaints
--zero state contractor database complaints
--1 mil or more insurance
--workers comp policy if employees on the job site
--factory trained installers
--all installers have a current and clean criminal background check
--all installers are drug tested
--exact same products (no off brands)
--established business location (no companies that operate from their moms basement or the bed of their truck)
--can count to ten

We just implemented a new one that is in testing now.

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To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

Crawdad

This is how Circuit City can do it...
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070328/circu...ffs.html?.v=10

Lay off the highest paid store workers, then they'll offer them their jobs back for less money.

ultimatetouch

Doug your letterhead doesnt go on this sheet does it?

Also I would imagine there are no signatures. I like factory trained installers.

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Ultimatetouch
Illinois Remodeling Company, Kitchen Remodeling Chicago, Room Additions Illinois

Ed the Roofer

Why invite them to screen other competitors?

Initially, it would seem to make no sense, but upon further review.....




Well, I have started doing something similar, but I do not have to get into a price matching comparison.

The idea is to set yourself so far ahead of any other competitor, that you would be the only logical choice, irregardless of the higher costs.

When your proposal is so detailed, and you are the only one that has dealt with providing the complete solution to all of their problems, you have eliminated the other competitors immediately.

I use a Contractor Comparison Grading Form and also provide a guide on the " 10 Tips On How To Choose Any Contractor ", which I created over the past 6-9 months after extensive research on other comparison lists and guides to choose a contractor.

My list and guides are much more extensive and should eliminate most any one else from the parameters listed.

There really is no such thing as an apples to apples comparison, unless the alternative company has been in business for over 23 years, provides a list of satisfied residential customers all close by totalling over 2,000 customers, and provides similar items included in DougChips list too.

Set yourself apart and live up to your higher standards and there will be less need to actually be compared to any other contractor.

Ed

dougchips

Ed, it kills the guy who is coming the next day before he gets there. Same day incentive and price match used together.

__________________
To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

Ed the Roofer

I have utilized the 3 day right to rescind form as a bargaining chip. It inherently would seem to give the customer 3 days to think about it.

I still; do no feel comfortable with the price match method. What about lowballer coming over tomorrow night as you stated. He says and then adds everything into his contract to match your specifications.

Only by requiring the following parameters, would I consider some type of match policy.

You need some seperation qualification pretext in the write up of that type of policy. Here are some examples off the top of my head for what would reduce the competition potential who could even offer to price match the job.

For instance if I were to choose to do that, I may add:

1) Company must have been in business under the same name and ownership for a minimum of 20 years, or 23 years like myself.

2) Company must present a list of over 2,000 previous satisfied customers to qualify as a matching competitor.

3) Company must use employees instead of farming out the job installation to any subcontractors.

4) Company must belong to the following trade organization(s).....

5) Etc.....Think of other qualifications that others probably may not match to be considered a qualifying party to compare to.

Ed

vinylguy

can this low baller meet your superior service and the superior products you sell ? i would hope not! al these things you guys bring up are great pionts except it sounds like your afriad someone else will be able to match your quality of service and products if they match your price its ok cause they must be able to match your credentials as well. lifetime warranty on labor, exclusive brands on products, factory trained installers, manufacturer indorsements, voted best of the best, member of the cheif joints of staff to the president ( well ok out there a little ) but you get the piont. its not about price its about quality of you and your company and products. if it comes to price than you didn't do your job. and any one who is concerned about doing business at the same level you are than you don't have to worry about them lowballing you. hope this helps.

Ed the Roofer

Here is some useful fodder for those that want to discern the psychology of price matching guarantees.

Maybe you guys are on to something!

Check out page 5 of this 7 part article. They are all very short reads, but # 5 is most applicable to this topic.

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0703/gallery.science_of_pricing.moneymag/5.html

Ed

Susan Betz

If there is going to be a price comparison, the client will generally do his homework before he signs a contract with you. At this time any price objections are fair. After the contract is signed, the client shouldn't be shopping. If he is, you didn't do your job selling and confirming the sale.

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http://www.fencesofdistinction.com