Potential new customers that are cheapos

[Steve]

the fertilizing is done twice a year i told him it would be $120 a month he told me it was fine so i started to work. When you meet up with your clients, do you present them an estimate? Do you ever have them sign or initial it so as to show there was no confusion as to price? Would something like this help or no?

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[shadrach]

Lawn care business tips

Quote a minimum price over the phone - especially on 1 time jobs. Saves time.

[cruzgardening]

Originally Posted by Steve

When you meet up with your clients, do you present them an estimate? Do you ever have them sign or initial it so as to show there was no confusion as to price? Would something like this help or no?

i do create an estimate for them but there is no initials or signature to show them the price i will start using this for my benefit thanks

[cruzgardening]

Originally Posted by shadrach

Quote a minimum price over the phone - especially on 1 time jobs. Saves time.

i learned teh hard way not to do this, a guy called me i told him the average is $40 front and back for a one time cut when i got there he had a jungle, he expected me to do the job at the price i told him over the phone but i couldnt he told me to do it for $50 i did it but he was reluctant to pay the price when i was done, he only paid it after i told him i was going to spread all the debris back on his yard... never again am i quoting over the phone

[shadrach]

I never quote an actual price over the phone for mowing just a minimum.
" I can do it today but our minimum price for one time mows is $35."
The guy that just wants it done right now is not as worried about price.
The guy that is only shopping by price will call someone else and that saves a trip to look at something that you probably were not going to get anyway.

[Steve]

But what about using it as an in to not only gain a new customer but offer upsell services?

Couldn't something that starts off as a one time job, turn into a repetitive job or even more services if you got a chance to speak with them in person?

It seems the hardest thing to do is to place yourself in front of a potential customer where you can then present your sales pitch. When a potential customer calls, they are doing you a big favor because you don't have to go looking for them. They have looked for you.

If you are already there in front of the customer and have your equipment ready to go, they may say yea, since you are already here can you do this and while you are at it, can you do that too.

[cruzgardening]

Originally Posted by shadrach

The guy that is only shopping by price will call someone else and that saves a trip to look at something that you probably were not going to get anyway.

that is very true

[cruzgardening]

Originally Posted by Steve

But what about using it as an in to not only gain a new customer but offer upsell services?

Couldn't something that starts off as a one time job, turn into a repetitive job or even more services if you got a chance to speak with them in person?

It seems the hardest thing to do is to place yourself in front of a potential customer where you can then present your sales pitch. When a potential customer calls, they are doing you a big favor because you don't have to go looking for them. They have looked for you.

If you are already there in front of the customer and have your equipment ready to go, they may say yea, since you are already here can you do this and while you are at it, can you do that too.

yeah thats the reason i dont quote them over the phone more personal touch equals a better chance to start them on a better plan

[CCS & LC]

Originally Posted by cruzgardening

i learned teh hard way not to do this, a guy called me i told him the average is $40 front and back for a one time cut when i got there he had a jungle, he expected me to do the job at the price i told him over the phone but i couldnt he told me to do it for $50 i did it but he was reluctant to pay the price when i was done, he only paid it after i told him i was going to spread all the debris back on his yard... never again am i quoting over the phone

i quote my min fee over the phone but also let them know the price will be higher depending on how the yard looks when i get there.

[Steve]

i quote my min fee over the phone but also let them know the price will be higher depending on how the yard looks when i get there.

What do you feel is the benefit to doing it that way versus other ways you may have experimented with?

Do you feel there is a down side to it or no?