Customers trying to be chancers

[Cadgey123]

How do you guys react when a customer tries to drive you down on price?

I am struggling at the moment to deal with that side of things because I take offence a little, when I know they have every reason to barter with me.
I just know I am very fair on pricing so maybe should stop being too sensitive.

 

[Octopus]

Are they doing this before you start or during the job?

 

[Cadgey123]

Are they doing this before you start or during the job?

A bit of both.

Recent scenario:

I went to quote a job and I bent over backwards to meet the customer and their carpenter on 2 separate occasions to price a job.
Supplied them with a quote very quickly, same day, then I got a reply that I was too expensive.

I said I would review the quote and try to make to make it cheaper. I replied saying I couldn't help them with the price anymore as I had priced it accurately.

Then they text Sunday night with a price they thought was acceptable and said if you want you start tomorrow for this price (£600 cheaper) ....

Long story short they are now wanting to go with the original price but I am booked up for the week and they are calling me for everything because I can start this week??

 

[telectrix]

their fault for pi$$ing you about., so they'll have to wait till next week now

 

[Cadgey123]

their fault for pi$$ing you about., so they'll have to wait till next week now

I was in Monday mode this morning and told the guy that. If the accepted the price last week when discussed we wouldn't be in the position.
Makes it worse when you see the size of the house they bought....

 

[Octopus]

Makes it worse when you see the size of the house they bought....

How much, as a percentage of your original price was £600?

I tell people when I do the site visit, that I'm booked for at least 3 weeks (or more) and this avoids these situations.. if they think you need the work, they will try it on....

 

[Cadgey123]

How much, as a percentage of your original price was £600?

I tell people when I do the site visit, that I'm booked for at least 3 weeks (or more) and this avoids these situations.. if they think you need the work, they will try it on....

Usually story though, when you send a legit quote out these days..... " Can you do it cash to save the VAT."

£3000+

 

[Octopus]

Usually story though, when you send a legit quote out these days..... " Can you do it cash to save the VAT."

£3000+

I'm not VAT reg so I'm always 20% cheaper

 

[The Ghost]

I quite happily explain the price they have just received is based on a fair and honest price and because I am not a used car salesman I do not have any margin to offer on the price.

 

[Cadgey123]

I'm not VAT reg so I'm always 20% cheaper"

Sometimes I wish I wasn't VAT registered with the amount of work I lose because of it.
Even still it's not just the VAT I have been asked to discount.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I feel like hitting my head against the wall sometimes. you quote for a job and then they turn round and say joe bloggs who says he is an electrician will do it far cheaper. Quoted for a CU change recently, the bloke turned round and said he has a quote for £200 inclusive of materials. I just looked at him like he was mad. i told him i cant compete with cowboys. at least im registered, insured and know what im doing. I did say that when it goes wrong or catches fire then i would be happy to quote the market rate to put it right.
It seems the customer thinks when you quote them that you are having them over as they all too often have there own copy of screwfix brochure and have added a few bits together. i swear it is because the cables are out of sight. if they call a plumber/engineer to fix a boiler they think nothing of paying for the service but call an electrician and they give you the evil eye as if you are robbing them.

 

[Octopus]

^^ a screwfix catalogue on view always rings alarm bells.........

I've got a fairly good "nose" for difficult customers - and try to confirm this by giving a verbal indication of a price when I'm talking to them to see how they react.....

when they ask if they can save money by paying cash, I simply say the price will be the same for cash, cheque, or BAC's transfer....

 

[Cadgey123]

I feel like hitting my head against the wall sometimes. you quote for a job and then they turn round and say joe bloggs who says he is an electrician will do it far cheaper. Quoted for a CU change recently, the bloke turned round and said he has a quote for £200 inclusive of materials. I just looked at him like he was mad. i told him i cant compete with cowboys. at least im registered, insured and know what im doing. I did say that when it goes wrong or catches fire then i would be happy to quote the market rate to put it right.
It seems the customer thinks when you quote them that you are having them over as they all too often have there own copy of screwfix brochure and have added a few bits together. i swear it is because the cables are out of sight. if they call a plumber/engineer to fix a boiler they think nothing of paying for the service but call an electrician and they give you the evil eye as if you are robbing them.

I feel you mate!! Screwfix is so convenient, but fills customers will heads full of carp what they think everything actually will cost

 

[Cadgey123]

^^ a screwfix catalogue on view always rings alarm bells.........

I've got a fairly good "nose" for difficult customers - and try to confirm this by giving a verbal indication of a price when I'm talking to them to see how they react.....

when they ask if they can save money by paying cash, I simply say the price will be the same for cash, cheque, or BAC's transfer....

I am definitely still learning and even with this particular customer I and glad I stood my ground and told them no.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I feel you mate!! Screwfix is so convenient, but fills customers will heads full of carp what they think everything actually will cost

The worst i have come across was a guy who had prepared a spreadsheet and had itemised bits he felt the job needed down to individual clips. He had priced all the materials from ebay to the penny... done a method statement for what he wanted (couple of lights and 2 sockets in attic) and including timings for how long it should take. the bloke was a statistician and i swear a bit autistic..
when i quoted him he pulled it out.. i almost burst out laughing. thankfully i didnt get the job due to my exceptionally high quote...