Do You Find This Behavior Annoying Also?

Eric S

Two separate estimates given to two separate customers. 1 and 2.

1. My first written estimate. Two coats on living rm walls. I provided a scope of work which detailed moving furniture, covering all surfaces to protect against drips, splatter. Wall prep. Patching settling crack. Two coats of paint etc...

This one called back a week later claiming that the estimate was not recieved via e-mail. "Can you tell me how much for just painting?"

Translation: This customer wanted a "dropcloth only" painter.

I shot the paint only price back and tacked on a $200.00 waste disposal fee. If this customer calls again I will tack on another $200.00.


2. Second written estimate. This was for an appartment. Two weeks later..."how much to just paint the living rm?" "I already have all the sundries." "so you will not have to buy any of that stuff."

So we agree to a price to work and schedule job. Nearing job I start to think about all of these sundries that customer has. So I call and ask, "what do you have?" "The dropcloths." So there was to be no use of tape, plastic, paper or anything...just drop cloths.

After initially stating that I would be there next day and an hour of occasional thinking had gone by I call back and state that I am not the "dropcloth" only slap it on up painter you are looking for. Additionally I am not going to put your new lights in either.

These two customers can now feel free to go out and find the hacks that they were origionally looking for to do the work like hacks and charge accordingly or, perhaps they will hire pros and find out that they used to have a real bargain in this person wanting to do better than hack and charge less than the pro's.

I think I'll charge like the pro's exclusively so I can continue to avoid this un-necessary stress.

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"One time I bought some used paint...It was in the shape of a house." -Steven Wright

dougchips

Communicate your standards and the importance of them to the people that want paint on the wall. If they find your standards important, you can invite them to join your client list. If they fail to find them important refer them to the $70 a room guys on craigslist.

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Richard

I think it's more than what you're saying. You need to start doing higher end residential work. The ONLY time I ever have problems with people haggling and switching and such is when I start doing lower end residentials.

It's not about what you are doing that's the problem

It's where you're looking

...and I don't believe you have much experience painting (previous posts) so there is no way you can charge what an experienced painter can

Good luck

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Rich

Danahy

you ARE what you PAINT...

Wolverine-Eric

eric... aren't you a plumber?

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Some things just shouldn't be mixed... like... Kids & Paint

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