Seem to find time wasters

[brodders97]

Hi all,

I’ve not long started out on my own, and so because of this I try to keep my quotes down to generate business to start, but I seem to spend half my time giving out estimations to people and that’s the end of it. I seem to only find tire kickers.

I know my prices are on the lower side, I believe I present myself well, chat to the customers a little while and get to know them etc, but when I sent the price out they’re never to be heard from again, and if they do reply, it’s always the same, too expensive!!!

For example, yesterday I priced one up, 2 days work. £800 in total including around £400 materials, to get told I’m too expensive… it seems most people want something for nothing.

Anyway, my question is, is this experienced by most tradesmen, or is it just my luck at the moment?

Cheers

 

[Dustydazzler]

But getting back onto the subject of cash, I’ll readily accept it as a payment.

It’s when people offer it up as a payment option expecting you to do the job cheaper. Sorry mate, my price is my price, how you want to pay is completely up to you.

In the past if my initial quote was say £220 for a quick job , I 'sometimes' would take say £200 'for cash'

But not so much now as most people prefer to pay bank transfer and very rarely offer up 'cash in hand'

I do know some builders who will knock 10% OFF for cash but they are all a bit wheeler dealer types

 

[Risteard]

It’s more expensive for me as a business to handle cash than a bank transfer.

Exactly. There should be a surcharge rather than discount for cash. I accept payment in cash but certainly don't encourage it.

 

[mainline]

Exactly. There should be a surcharge rather than discount for cash. I accept payment in cash but certainly don't encourage it.

If anyone has spare cash, give it to me and i'll put it in your bank account less the %5 handling

 

[LukeD]

It’s more expensive for me as a business to handle cash than a bank transfer.

It’s more expensive for me as a business to handle cash than a bank transfer.

Plus the time to go to the bank.....

 

[nicebutdim]

Plus the time to go to the bank.....

For large amounts it can be a pain, but smaller amounts I add to petty cash and keep it on hand.

I've always said that I'll accept any form of payment feasible, including Japanese Yen, provided all costs are covered, but I'd draw the line at Vietnamese Dong.


Different types of payment will be more prevalent in certain places and I'd expect people large cities to be more inclined to pay by card/apple/bank transfer etc than country folk.

 

[JBW175]

Getting back to waste of time customers…

Had a landlord message me on Tuesday night that’s got a rental near me, kitchen electrics have tripped and asked if I could attend.

Said earliest I can do is the next morning and gave him my rates, £60 first hour and £50 thereafter.

He comes back with, can you do it for £40?

I goes, no mate, but I’m sat here with all my electrics fully functioning and know how to fix them should they go ----.

Not the most professional response I know, but I was 4 cans of Tyskie deep at this point, had a clear diary until 1300, and thought I’d rather have a fry up and a late start than deal with idiots that try knock you down.

Needless to say, I didn’t hear back from him.

 

[nicebutdim]

Getting back to waste of time customers…

Had a landlord message me on Tuesday night that’s got a rental near me, kitchen electrics have tripped and asked if I could attend.

Said earliest I can do is the next morning and gave him my rates, £60 first hour and £50 thereafter.

He comes back with, can you do it for £40?

I goes, no mate, but I’m sat here with all my electrics fully functioning and know how to fix them should they go ----.

Not the most professional response I know, but I was 4 cans of Tyskie deep at this point, had a clear diary until 1300, and thought I’d rather have a fry up and a late start than deal with idiots that try knock you down.

Needless to say, I didn’t hear back from him.

That sort of mindset always has to gain some concession or a bargain price. It probably never occurred to him that he was asking you a favour and not doing you a favour by throwing an hour's work your way.

 

[JBW175]

That sort of mindset always has to gain some concession or a bargain price. It probably never occurred to him that he was asking you a favour and not doing you a favour by throwing an hour's work your way.

That’s the trouble, half of them think that they’re doing you a favour, but I’d rather work 3 days a week at my price, than 5 days a week at theirs.

Now I don’t get it right all the time and still struggle with pricing occasionally, but coming on here and reading through some of the threads we have on the subject, has given me the confidence to realise my worth and stick to my rates.

I’d also like to point out that I’m not normally a dick to potential customers, but I’d had a few beers and was finding myself funny.

 

[nicebutdim]

I’d also like to point out that I’m not normally a dick to potential customers, but I’d had a few beers and was finding myself funny.

I doubt it did him any harm - sometimes we all need to have things put to us straight.

 

[timhoward]

Some people HAVE to have the last word on price. Last week I was clearing out the shed, and realised I have 3 tents. It was clear one of them would never be used by us again - we'd got it in Netherlands as an emergency purchase when our caravan awning collapsed. It now was 4 years old, used once, and in perfect condition so I stuck it on facebook marketplace for a £15 bargain. It sold quickly and was collected.
Before I had the chance to mark it as sold, someone had the temerity to offer me £11.50 for it!!!

 

[123]

Some people HAVE to have the last word on price. Last week I was clearing out the shed, and realised I have 3 tents. It was clear one of them would never be used by us again - we'd got it in Netherlands as an emergency purchase when our caravan awning collapsed. It now was 4 years old, used once, and in perfect condition so I stuck it on facebook marketplace for a £15 bargain. It sold quickly and was collected.
Before I had the chance to mark it as sold, someone had the temerity to offer me £11.50 for it!!!

Ha, that's nowt. Wait till you list something you want shot of for free, that brings the best of them out. We did that with mother in laws old kitchen appliances...all old Miele stuff fully working, the amount after free delivery & installation was shocking.

 

[nicebutdim]

I hope you offered a decent warranty on those appliances.

 

[mainline]

Some people HAVE to have the last word on price. Last week I was clearing out the shed, and realised I have 3 tents. It was clear one of them would never be used by us again - we'd got it in Netherlands as an emergency purchase when our caravan awning collapsed. It now was 4 years old, used once, and in perfect condition so I stuck it on facebook marketplace for a £15 bargain. It sold quickly and was collected.
Before I had the chance to mark it as sold, someone had the temerity to offer me £11.50 for it!!!

Terrible, worth at least £12

 

[Dustydazzler]

Ha, that's nowt. Wait till you list something you want shot of for free, that brings the best of them out. We did that with mother in laws old kitchen appliances...all old Miele stuff fully working, the amount after free delivery & installation was shocking.

There are one or two good people who pick up freebies

I wanted rid of our old wooden decking boards, big pile of them I took up with most in good nick and perfectly reusable.
I stuck them on Gumtree saying free to pick up from outside our house.
A guy messaged me and said he would come take them away, great I said they are all yours.

He came when we were out but when got home I found some big real ale bottles on the doorstep as a thankyou

 

[123]

There are one or two good people who pick up freebies

I wanted rid of our old wooden decking boards, big pile of them I took up with most in good nick and perfectly reusable.
I stuck them on Gumtree saying free to pick up from outside our house.
A guy messaged me and said he would come take them away, great I said they are all yours.

He came when we were out but when got home I found some big real ale bottles on the doorstep as a thankyou

See, I can see if that was me I'd come home to be left with the decking boards they didn't need or the less good ones all left behind and a negative seller review left for me