It can be the customer rather than the job itself that can be more trouble than it's worth.
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Rob Foster
Esteemed
Rob Foster
Esteemed
I am never discreet on a domestic level we always practice open business except with our corporate friends and that is private ...chking
Rob Foster
Esteemed
I'm not a plumber but a pc fixer. I don't buy cheapest parts because the early failure is trouble for me and the customer.
I rarely buy off cheaper box mover sites, for the same product, either, because the replacements, if they fail are time consuming to sort out. My trade source will give me a fast turn around.
These failures are not usually costed into the overall quote by the public. They have the luxury of spending two hours trawling to save sometimes pennies. They also forget next day delivery costs for when they want a quick fix.. Like yesterday.
I will say that when I was employed I didn't have a clue what it was like to be self employed! Chalk and cheese.
It is not a simple thing like component prices that's for sure.
I rarely buy off cheaper box mover sites, for the same product, either, because the replacements, if they fail are time consuming to sort out. My trade source will give me a fast turn around.
These failures are not usually costed into the overall quote by the public. They have the luxury of spending two hours trawling to save sometimes pennies. They also forget next day delivery costs for when they want a quick fix.. Like yesterday.
I will say that when I was employed I didn't have a clue what it was like to be self employed! Chalk and cheese.
It is not a simple thing like component prices that's for sure.
Something I have decided to say to anyone who has a fairly well paid job who is demanding a cheap rate of me, is to say I will do the work for half the wage that they earn, plus my expenses.
Rude perhaps, but might make them consider how inconsiderate they are.
I never used to be assertive, but should have been. Makes people often respect you and hopefully consider your viewpoint.
Say it with a smile.
If you are not desperate for that job, then tell it how it is.
W
Welder
At the end of the day, most of us are professionals. Unfortunately we rarely act as such. To begin to alter public perceptions of us we need to act as such and, in this instance, it means being assertive. As already mentioned, it can be done so that it reinforces that professionalism. Personally, I do not grin when faced with those questions as I believe it demeans my reply. My typical reply is, "As a fellow professional you fully understand the value of hard earned experience and the peace of mind that delivers. If you would like a cheap job I'm sure you will be well served but I'm afraid I dont not lower my standards." Then you SHUT UP. With an impassive face you wait for THEM to speak. When they do it will be to say sorry or to say goodbye. Either means you win... 😎
You are probably correct to say not to smile when giving a response to such customers, but sometimes smiling makes our comment to the customer appear less rude.
Bit like adding a Smilie to show the tone of our posts on here 🙂
Rob Foster
Esteemed
I was taught transactional analysis years ago...its quite a good tool with customers positive and negative.
Rob Foster aka centralheatking
It is always a bit annoying when a customer asks for a detailed price breakdown. It usually means that they want to compare the prices on line but fail to understand that we’re in business and don’t spend time organising, procuring and taking responsibility for products free of charge. Like any business products are marked up otherwise we’re spending time working and taking risk for free.
That said, I’m up front about that and ask customers if they want to purchase those products themselves and assume the risk.
These same customers wouldn’t ask Mr Sainsbury’s how much he pays for a tin of beans and accept this business model but strangely expect that they should have our trade discount and assume no risk themselves.
That said, I’m up front about that and ask customers if they want to purchase those products themselves and assume the risk.
These same customers wouldn’t ask Mr Sainsbury’s how much he pays for a tin of beans and accept this business model but strangely expect that they should have our trade discount and assume no risk themselves.
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