This kind of situation drives me crazy.

[jaymark]

Received a referral from a DIG member who I work for often.

The person calling for an estimate requires me to be at the estimate today at exactly 2:15 and it can only last 10 minutes, and I have to be gone at 2:25.

I knew before asking, but I asked why the time line.

Of course she responded, "because the next power washing company is showing up at 2:30.

 

[Tron]

Give a list of "top secret" questions to ask all the companies about how they work and what they provide. That will make you stand out as the best possible company with the highest Value!

 

[Mojo Rising]

Its all apart of our industry and many others.. so no use getting mad about it.

 

[ColoradoCleaner]

Received a referral from a DIG member who I work for often.

The person calling for an estimate requires me to be at the estimate today at exactly 2:15 and it can only last 10 minutes, and I have to be gone at 2:25.

I knew before asking, but I asked why the time line.

Of course she responded, "because the next power washing company is showing up at 2:30.

Just chuckle and say you can't work within a 10 minute window on a free estimate. Look her house up on Google and give her a quick estimate. I wouldn't waste my time on these types. List off how you're better and a range of what your prices are and that's it.

Personally, I almost never do estimates in person and I book 99% of customers that call me, because my customers already know why they want me instead of the other guy before calling.

 

[jaymark]

Just chuckle and say you can't work within a 10 minute window on a free estimate. Look her house up on Google and give her a quick estimate. I wouldn't waste my time on these types. List off how you're better and a range of what your prices are and that's it.

Personally, I almost never do estimates in person and I book 99% of customers that call me, because my customers already know why they want me instead of the other guy before calling.

I know you are right but she had a list as long as my arm and it was a referral from a really great customer.

I have no idea how I will add everything up the she rattled off in 10 minutes, most likely pull a price out of my head.

 

[ColoradoCleaner]

I know you are right but she had a list as long as my arm and it was a referral from a really great customer.

I have no idea how I will add everything up the she rattled off in 10 minutes, most likely pull a price out of my head.

Yeah man I understand. If you are familiar with how your competition prices things you could just say you'll match their price because you know if both prices are the same she won't go with them over you if you were referred by her friend.

Tough situation. I just can't let customers bulldoze me around... Same thing with my phone in the morning. Lately I've been setting my phone to block calls not on my contacts list until I wake up in the morning. I don't like people calling me at 5am for some little apartment that the other carpet cleaner ditched them on last night. I'm sure you know what I mean..

 

[Citrox1]

Look at it this way Jay, you've got 10 minutes to sell yourself....all of you will be selling power washing, only you will be selling yourself. The difference could be your van, your shirt, or just your personality.

I always feel I have an advantage over my competitors once I get in front of the customer, people seem to like and trust me.....I'm certain you exude the same qualities.

 

[Anolog139]

This is how I would of handled it when she said you only have ten mins because another companies coming after you. " Mrs Smith, I totally understand why you'd have multiple companies come out to give you estimates. Of course you want to find the company that gives you the best deal, that only makes sense. However, I'll be up front now so I don't waste your time. We are usually not the cheapest company. However, most of the time people choose to use our services over our competitors because even though we are a little more expensive, we offer very high quality service compared to our competitors.. To most, its worth paying a little more to make sure the job gets done right. Just from talking with you I can tell you obviously want the job done right and well. How ever, I just wanted to make sure you still wanted us to come out knowing all of that "

Now you have told her that your not going to be the cheapest and will not low ball to get a job. It also shows your not desperate. However, at the same time your telling her " Of course you want the best deal, who wouldnt? " which makes her feel good because your not making her feel stupid or cheap. Now after saying that little script to her, you can tell whether shes a price shopper or someone who wants quality. If she still wants you to come out, your already 1 or 2 steps ahead of the competition. Now show up, show her how good and honest of a person you are. Give her your fancy estimate sheet and your almost always gonna land it.. Good luck

 

[jaymark]

This is how I would of handled it when she said you only have ten mins because another companies coming after you. " Mrs Smith, I totally understand why you'd have multiple companies come out to give you estimates. Of course you want to find the company that gives you the best deal, that only makes sense. However, I'll be up front now so I don't waste your time. We are usually not the cheapest company. However, most of the time people choose to use our services over our competitors because even though we are a little more expensive, we offer very high quality service compared to our competitors.. To most, its worth paying a little more to make sure the job gets done right. Just from talking with you I can tell you obviously want the job done right and well. How ever, I just wanted to make sure you still wanted us to come out knowing all of that "

Now you have told her that your not going to be the cheapest and will not low ball to get a job. It also shows your not desperate. However, at the same time your telling her " Of course you want the best deal, who wouldnt? " which makes her feel good because your not making her feel stupid or cheap. Now after saying that little script to her, you can tell whether shes a price shopper or someone who wants quality. If she still wants you to come out, your already 1 or 2 steps ahead of the competition. Now show up, show her how good and honest of a person you are. Give her your fancy estimate sheet and your almost always gonna land it.. Good luck

I fully agree but this is a flipper, DIG stands for Diversified Investment Group. Its like a BNI meeting or LeTip meeting for flippers.

She was uber nasty on the phone, in a way that says to me, she is allllll business. Again if it wasnt a direct referral from a great customer, I would have handled it differently.

I am sure she will go with the lowest price, and if the lowest bidder does a crappy job, she will hound him down until its correct.

Thats the impression I got.

 

[Anolog139]

I fully agree but this is a flipper, DIG stands for Diversified Investment Group. Its like a BNI meeting or LeTip meeting for flippers.

She was uber nasty on the phone, in a way that says to me, she is allllll business. Again if it wasnt a direct referral from a great customer, I would have handled it differently.

I am sure she will go with the lowest price, and if the lowest bidder does a crappy job, she will hound him down until its correct.

Thats the impression I got.

It wouldn't matter where it came from. I would handle it all the same.. You could have even said, " I know this was a referral from *** so I just wanted to make sure I took care of you and made it really clear how we do business. Most the time people really love how we do business but there is the rare occasion that our business model doesn't fit the people who just want the lowest price. "

 

[Spazznout]

I fully agree but this is a flipper, DIG stands for Diversified Investment Group. Its like a BNI meeting or LeTip meeting for flippers.

She was uber nasty on the phone, in a way that says to me, she is allllll business. Again if it wasnt a direct referral from a great customer, I would have handled it differently.

I am sure she will go with the lowest price, and if the lowest bidder does a crappy job, she will hound him down until its correct.

Thats the impression I got.

Bid high. Look at it on google maps. Pre write your estimate considering A the amount of work you think it will take, and B how much extra do you need to continue to deal with this person.

Have the estimate all done in printed format from your computer before you arrive and just walk through with her and sell yourself and what makes you different, better, why she should choose you. Hand her your number, enjoy her expression ..........................and thank her for the opportunity.

This is how I would handle it. Be very professional and above the BS and condescending attitudes. Its all just drama anyways.

 

[sean morey]

Try not to take it so personal, we enter into people's lives and never really know what happened that day.

 

[jaymark]

Well here is how it went.

This home of course is a flip home. The flippers are new, this is their third home and I could tell right away they were newbys.

The woman was nice but you could tell she must have watched HGTV way to much and expected this to be done easily and cheaply. You know the type, high heels, bleached blonde hair and coach sunglasses.

The man, her partner was very nice. Turns out since I was local he wanted my opinion on lots of things around the home. Looks like the other power washer didn't show up or who knows what because I was the only one there minus the landscapers.

I actually really liked the home.

 

[Responder]

Went to a termite inspection/estimate a few weeks ago and there were two other companies there. Wasted as little time as possible.

 

[Blacktiedetailing]

already setting you up to demand the lowest price, period. If she was going to pay you what you are worth, then she would have scheduled to have the work done

 

[LarryJones]

Well here is how it went.

This home of course is a flip home. The flippers are new, this is their third home and I could tell right away they were newbys.

The woman was nice but you could tell she must have watched HGTV way to much and expected this to be done easily and cheaply. You know the type, high heels, bleached blonde hair and coach sunglasses.

The man, her partner was very nice. Turns out since I was local he wanted my opinion on lots of things around the home. Looks like the other power washer didn't show up or who knows what because I was the only one there minus the landscapers.

I actually really liked the home.

You are joking right Jay??? That house is a tacky looking dump.

 

[Spazznout]

You are joking right Jay??? That house is a tacky looking dump.

That might be a bit harsh Larry. I can see potential there

Gotta get the hot tub out of the front yard though.

That screams hillbilly white trash.

 

[Gasoline]

That might be a bit harsh Larry. I can see potential there

Gotta get the hot tub out of the front yard though.

That screams hillbilly white trash.

Where's the hot tub? I see a gazebo. Is there one in there?

I see it. Far right. Pretty non de script. Easy to remove.

 

[LarryJones]

That might be a bit harsh Larry. I can see potential there

Gotta get the hot tub out of the front yard though.

That screams hillbilly white trash.

Had that house been Jay's house, I would not have commented here at all. I myself at first glance disliked the house alot. It does look tacky. Anyway Jay is a big boy. He will not be insulted by what I said here about that house. In another month or so Jay or someone may post a pic of a different house. If it leaps out at me at first glance as an appealing house, I'll say "awesome house"! If the house portrays to me "tacky dump of a house", I'll say so. If the house says nothing, I'll post nothing. Man, no hard feelings here ok? I never meant to put Jay down in this thread. Jay is a winner and I have said so in other posts. Everybody has their own personal tastes in a house.

 

[jaymark]

You are joking right Jay??? That house is a tacky looking dump.

Aw man its has some serious potential.

Inside was awesome. Basement had lots of stone, it was really cool!