Meeting With HO

Fuzzycram

We get a lot of requests for estimates off the internet, because we have so far put all our advertisting cash into the net(which is great! if you haven't invested in the yellowpages.com, yer missin out). A lot of them after you talk to them face to face just want you to shoot a number at them through an e-mail. I personally like to talk to them so they can hear my voice inflections and really get a feel for what they're getting. Do you think it's just the same to e-mail a quote, or is there a good way to make sure they all hear my voice or we meet face to face again to discuss them?

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Quality over Quantity

Ed the Roofer

First, I ask them so many questions about the details and specs that they desire, that they usually realize a face to face discussions would be better. I also, tel them that I provide many product related brochures and consumer guides, which would not be available if they want it faxed or e-mailed. If they think that they know enough to make e decision already without meeting with me, I try to provide them enough reasons why it would be better to have me there to consult and advise them about the choices and options they probably are not aware of.

After that, if they do not want to meet me in person, I wil not send or drop off any of my proposals, because I offer too much in the initial package, and if left at that, then pricing will be the only consideration, and I wil lose out for sure anyway.

Just my opinion, but I have not successfully hurdled this chalenge of internet only type requests for my proposal and services.

Ed

Glasshousebltr

Pop told me way back.... Only talk money eye to eye.

Bob

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Bob

AtlanticWBConst

We ususally do:

Small jobs: Prefer to mail or fax an initial proposal.

Once in a blue moon for impatient HO's that want a price right away: Phone quote with a written one to follow if they want to go forward with the work.

Mid-size jobs: Always a written INITIAL proposal mailed or faxed.

Large jobs: Always a written and detailed lengthy INITIAL proposal mailed or faxed. face to face meetings to follow...

I say INITIAL proposal, since things always change and 95% of the time additional work is added on. Some jobs have even doubled from the initial work layout.


I don't like the idea of Emailing quotes. This seems way too informal and not serious. People tend to view Email info. and correspondence - as less .... "official".

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- Build Well -

LennyV-NHSNOLA

Basically, if the HO does not want to meet you face-to-face, you might as well give them a bare-bones estimate with a low-ball price... but something you can honor if they choose you.

We all know they are going to have plenty of add-ons so if you do not want to lose out to someone else giving them a low-ball estimate... and IF you want the job... then you need to compete at that level.

If you don't want that kind of work, then tell them you only give estimates in person after meeting first to go over everything.

Tom M

"Basically, if the HO does not want to meet you face-to-face, you might as well give them a bare-bones estimate with a low-ball price... but something you can honor if they choose you."

Isnt anyone else tired of doing estimates for free much less all the shoppers you get with advertising out of a book. The net does not seems like a place for serious people, its getting to big. I always thought people refer people from their area and check numbers from public ads. Im sure I would be running around another 50hours a week for internet generated shoppers.