[finaltouchfloor]

I do alot of bids that aren't local , some jobs are 45-50 minutes away. I drive a clean 07 3/4 diesel Dodge that gets about 15 mpg. Its white with signs , looks professional , but isn't tricked out so the HO doesn't think i'm making a killing off them.

I recently bought a motorcycle to save on gas to do bids on, but i feel stupid showing up on it. Any thoughts on this? Anyone else drive to bids on a bike?

 

[nlgutters]

I do alot of bids that aren't local , some jobs are 45-50 minutes away. I drive a clean 07 3/4 diesel Dodge that gets about 15 mpg. Its white with signs , looks professional , but isn't tricked out so the HO doesn't think i'm making a killing off them.

I recently bought a motorcycle to save on gas to do bids on, but i feel stupid showing up on it. Any thoughts on this? Anyone else drive to bids on a bike?

Do NOT show up on a bike for an estimate.

 

[Floorwizard]

I am going to send this to general discussion.
But I like the topic.

I have used my motorcycle for an inspection, and I was not meeteing a homeowner, it was a restoration company.
I would not use the bike because it takes your advertising away from you.
Theres nothing better than one of your trucks in front of a home.

 

[AtlanticWBConst]

I'd have to agree with Floorwizard.

It's the "concept".

Home Owners and Clients have certain expectations. They may not always be balanced.

However, when you are seeking to land a contract (and work) with them, there are efforts that we all logically make to "present" ourselves, our company, our work, etc - in the best possible light. One, that creates a positive, serious, professional image that they (the Client), desires to see.

IMHO - Arriving for an appointment, in one's professional looking vehicle, sends the image, that you are 100% legit, professional, and serious, rather, than looking like you squeezed their appointment into your recreational time.

 

[Willie T]

I'd have to agree with Floorwizard.

It's the "concept".

Home Owners and Clients have certain expectations. They may not always be balanced.

However, when you are seeking to land a contract (and work) with them, there are efforts that we all logically make to "present" ourselves, our company, our work, etc - in the best possible light. One, that creates a positive, serious, professional image that they (the Client), desires to see.

IMHO - Arriving for an appointment, in one's professional looking vehicle, sends the image, that you are 100% legit, professional, and serious, rather, than looking like you squeezed their appointment into your recreational time.

I'll take the motorcycle if it is for a commercial job where the bike is lost somewhere in a big parking lot. Not to a residence.

 

[abacab]

I once had a demolition crew (the homeowner hired them) come to work on a bus. I sure never hired them again. They had to carry their tools with them on the bus.:laughing:

 

[jtpro]

I believe the others summed it up nicely. Go with the truck:thumbsup:

 

[finaltouchfloor]

Thanks guys , guess the truck it is.

 

[Anderson]

I showed up to do an estimate in a BMW, as I was leaving the lady walked out and said Wow "I guess you must be expensive"
Never drove the Beemer again.

 

[App-ironworks]

I showed up to do an estimate in a BMW, as I was leaving the lady walked out and said Wow "I guess you must be expensive"
Never drove the Beemer again.

Years ago I used to work for a handyman outfit, the owner drove an old 'Benz 240D. It was in decent shape but by no means pristine, not even close. I think he paid less than 4 grand. He claimed he liked the mileage the diesel got and they lasted forever. It caused him grief every time he used it to meet a prospect, he finally gave up and only drove his work truck when bidding.

 

[jhark123]

I am think about getting a toyota tacoma or ford ranger truck for estimates. If it's white and has a logo it should look good enough and still save on gas

 

[trptman]

If you have a decent looking work truck, I'd just drive that.
Are you really going to save enough in gas with a ranger vs. a full size truck to warrant the additional expense to your business of the purchase price+insurance+plates for an "estimates only" vehicle?
a ranger is pretty worthless as a real work truck-it's more like a car disguised as a truck
I guess that's something only you can answer, ...if you drive enough miles doing estimates to justify the additional costs.

IMO, you have to walk a fine line with vehicles for estimating. Show up in a rustbucket and you might give the impression that you are barely scraping by and don't really know what you are doing. Show up in some F350 dually with leather interior and every feature imaginable and people are going to think they are paying more than they should just so you can drive some unnecessary toy for yourself.

 

[TileLady]

I just bought a used Nissan Titan for my business. The main reason I bought it was because I liked all the creature comforts it has. And obviously for it's size and capacity.

I've been getting compliments like crazy on it so I'm wondering what customers think when I pull up in it for an estimate. Although it's used, it looks new.

But honestly, what difference does it make what customers think of your ride (I mean being too expensive). You know most customers just care mainly about price so I doubt they care if you spend your money on a nice ride. All they care about is do they like your price and YOU.

From a customer's perspective (I would think), if a contractor has enough money to buy a nice ride for his/her business, he/she must be doing something right with their business.