Is anybody else getting sick of..... - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

FthillGuy · 11-19-2009, 08:38 PM

Is anybody else getting sick of being asked for discounts? I have been asked by four perspective clients in the last week alone!

Client number one just bought a vacation home that needs repairs. They were quoted for the repairs prior to closing escrow. Now they are low on money , and want me to work for nothing, because of the "state of the economy".

Client number two also bought a vacation home that needs repairs. He would like a discount on the repairs because "he hired us to do the septic inspection" and "his pockets are tight".

The list goes on...

ARGGGG.....I guess I can consider myself fortunate that I have work to quote, but I'm just getting sick of people asking me to take a cut, using the overall economy as an excuse. I don't own a vacation home, but they want me to work for nothing so they can repair the one they just bought....?

Sorry for the rant. Just had to vent.

katoman · 11-19-2009, 08:46 PM

Generaly my clients don't ask for discounts. But those that do I simply tell them no, I don't give discounts, and I don't overcharge either. My price is fair to all and not negotiable.

I tell new clients up front that if they want a cheap price, they called the wrong guy. This saves everyone time and money, and I don't waste my time quoting jobs I'll never get.

Strangely, I'm busy as all get out. Go figure.

FthillGuy · 11-19-2009, 08:57 PM

One of the things that irritate me the most, is that everyone wants to use the economy as a reason to try and get something for nothing. Which actually contributes to the whole problem with the economy. If these people were really that tight on money, they wouldn't be purchasing a second or third home.

bconley · 11-19-2009, 09:00 PM

Tell them it will be twice as much you have to pay last months rent too!

**framerman** · 11-19-2009, 09:01 PM

Tell them "Gee, that's too bad on the timing. I just had a promotion last month and gave discounts out like candy at Halloween. Next month, I'm planning on one too."

rselectric1 · 11-19-2009, 09:02 PM

They got to a point where they could afford that second home somehow.

Usually by negotiating their way through life. There's nothing wrong with that but don't fall for it.

Bill Z · 11-19-2009, 09:38 PM

Someday this will make sense.

Just quit thinking about discounts, and the problem will go away.

Metro M & L · 11-19-2009, 09:53 PM

I have a lot of sympathy with people who can barely pay for their SECOND HOME. I felt bad for a guy the other week who rented a sprayer to paint his garage and couldn't get it to work. Long story short I gave him a hand and let him use my pump. He's selling his free and clear house for $750k. I feel kinda stoopid.

owtm · 11-19-2009, 11:16 PM

ask them if sam waltham ran the registar at walmart would they ask for a discount at checkout?

WilsonRMDL · 11-20-2009, 12:12 AM

almost as bad as customers asking me to use my "discount" at lowes or home depot. They look at me like I'm lying to them when i tell them I dont get any discount.

Zinsco · 11-20-2009, 12:50 AM

I just play the game. I add 10% to estimates and if they ask for a discount, I knock off 10%, if they don't, I ask if "they have my coupon", naturally they don't, so I say "well, I'll give you the discount anyway" and I knock off 10%.

c.c.co. · 11-26-2009, 12:56 PM

Yes I think you should discount because the economy. There are many items that are discounted right now. I take a little less profit, the subs take a little less for their labor and I negotiate a little more for the materials. Basically if anyone in the equation does not want to discount then there is no deal and they can stay home or keep their product. I may be wrong in doing this but isnt this supply and demand?

zkorpionx · 11-26-2009, 01:22 PM

What you have to do is to have a bottom number in mind and then play around until you hit it.
I'm ask for discounts in every estimate I do,witch makes the customer believe that they are getting a deal when we reach "their"(mine) number.

mahlere · 11-26-2009, 01:43 PM

how many of you, when you worked for someone else for an hourly wage, would have given a 'discount' to your boss and accepted a lower wage cause 'times are hard'?.....

DetailHandyman · 11-26-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilsonRMDL

almost as bad as customers asking me to use my "discount" at lowes or home depot. They look at me like I'm lying to them when i tell them I dont get any discount.

LOL...I've had customers ask about that.

I had one lady ask if Lowe's would give her a discount for a quantity purchase...of 10 receptacles.

bconley · 11-26-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zinsco

I just play the game. I add 10% to estimates and if they ask for a discount, I knock off 10%, if they don't, I ask if "they have my coupon", naturally they don't, so I say "well, I'll give you the discount anyway" and I knock off 10%.

I always hated that game, just about everyone sees through that one.
I don't want to be perceived that way

Baron · 11-26-2009, 02:53 PM

I have never given discounts as I think my quality is %10 better than they would have gotten by hiring some one else.........

.

My brother says to add a percentage to every job so when he negotiates, that is the figure that is expendable. I myself try to offer something for nothing that they didn't include as a bonus, or try to get them to add to the job and I will reduce the cost of that a percentage.

For instance I just sold a window replacement job for a fair price but the people were balking a little as SM was sending them two more contractors or more. I decided to go for an increase in the job sales and said that I noticed they needed other windows replaced and with my quantity discount, and the fact the window company was offering a deal this month alone, that I could sell them all the windows for $25 less per window.

Got it.

I am in negotiations to do their kitchen floor tile work for January now as they liked my work.

DaVinciRemodel · 11-26-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c.c.co.

Yes I think you should discount because the economy. There are many items that are discounted right now. I take a little less profit, the subs take a little less for their labor and I negotiate a little more for the materials. Basically if anyone in the equation does not want to discount then there is no deal and they can stay home or keep their product. I may be wrong in doing this but isnt this supply and demand?

Let's dissect this post a bit:

"We should discount because of the economy"? So when the economy is good - we should rape-em?

"There are many items that are discounted right now"? There are also many that are not - my mortgage, gas, insurance, medical, TAXES...

"...the subs take a little less..." How many can you put out of biz and still keep your biz?

You are not wrong - it is supply and demand - I am of the school of increase demand for you products and services and demand you price!

You can discount your subs, suppliers and yourself into bankruptcy with an excuse like "because of the economy..."

I'm sorry to be argumentative on Thanksgiving my friend, but discounting your way into business and blaming the economy is only an excuse for a lack of basic business skills (superior product, superior service and superior salesmanship).

Price is only one factor, don't let it dominate all the other factors.

Inner10 · 11-26-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

I had one lady ask if Lowe's would give her a discount for a quantity purchase...of 10 receptacles.

They will....if she selects the box of 10 instead of grabbing 10 individual ones.

c.c.co. · 11-26-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaVinciRemodel

Let's dissect this post a bit:

"We should discount because of the economy"? So when the economy is good - we should rape-em?

"There are many items that are discounted right now"? There are also many that are not - my mortgage, gas, insurance, medical, TAXES...

"...the subs take a little less..." How many can you put out of biz and still keep your biz?

You are not wrong - it is supply and demand - I am of the school of increase demand for you products and services and demand you price!

You can discount your subs, suppliers and yourself into bankruptcy with an excuse like "because of the economy..."

I'm sorry to be argumentative on Thanksgiving my friend, but discounting your way into business and blaming the economy is only an excuse for a lack of basic business skills (superior product, superior service and superior salesmanship).

Price is only one factor, don't let it dominate all the other factors.

When the economy is good or in other words usual and eveyone is making the same money they used to you would charge your normal price not do any raping. The prices everyone is used to using was established during the normal times.

Yes as I said there are many things that are discounted including property taxes and oil prices (less demand) and mortgage (you should have refinanced cause rates were super low due to economy and gov pouring in money, key rate and such).

I take care of the workers that take care of me and we work well together. We all take a little less and it works out nicely and we all still have work to do. The guys that just say "my price is my price and thats it" are most likely siting at home. If things are bad enough I would broker the deal for free if it means the customer can have their electrical up and running again and the tradesman can barter for the extra meat the customer has in their freezer so his kids can eat.

No bankruptcy anywhere just exchanging things for an appropriate rate. There is no magical set price from exactimate. It all comes down to what it took to get the product to where it is and how much someone will work for. Again something is better than nothing when money is needed and there is only a small amount available.

No need to be sorry but thanks for the statement. We are all here to help each other out to make our lives easier. The superior thing is kind of generic. Most of our work has always been high end and the craftsmenship is about as good as it gets. Ya there can always be a little more time spend but there has to be a stopping point at 95% perfection. When you install a new comp roof there is only so much quality you can get, you know. Just install the shingles, flashing etc correctly and to manufactures specs.

Original poster just be fair and realize people dont have the money they used to. Now the second home people they can just pay normal prices I guess. If an old lady was on the side of the road and needed help changing a tire you should do it for free cause she needs the service and you can help.

Remember guys, buy made in the usa as much as possible because one of these day china will not need us to buy all their products cause they will be able to buy it on their own and then they will want their money back with interest. Get ready for higher taxes.