Get it off your chest!!

[downthesouth]

Custards, cant live with them cant live without them.
So I have just changed my price structure, im no longer a charity. Put in quote for a boiler change, flush, tf1 the lot..result? Undercut, some comedian is going to install it for under a grand all in. I spent time doing the most accurate quote i could, presented on a proper letterhead, discount offered, free service on boiler year one. I helped out the old dear who lived their more than once without charging. but no too expensive.
Next job was to quote bathroom. 2 guys 10 days, doing all of the work, plastering, chippy, tilling, electrics all of it. went over in the evening after 8. As before proper envelopes, letterhead quote, materials price guide, t&c's. Result? too expensive, so it went from being, "I want it done in 2 weeks", which was fine by us because we quoted for that. Turns out some chancer is going to do it on day rate, on his own. I got rejected the day before I was going to start, what a bother that leaves me high and dry. Did a price for a Boiler install, combi change, yesterday. price was agreed, was going to do it today. Result? I get a call at 7am, the custard trying to knock me down on price even more. Plus I got a custard one another job whom hasn't paid in months (church heating repair). And yet he want more work done, I stupidly went round last week to move some rads, got pulled out to an emergency and haven't been back since. He is moaning they have no heat, but to be frank I don't care anymore. Until he coughs I am not returning.
I might jack it all in.
Why are we expected to be virtuous? I have paid all lot of money to get trained up, why do some custards think I charge too much? Im as clear as I can be on price, yet some bodger can come in charge bottom dollar and get the work. No-one is out their supporting our interests as tradesman, GSR do nothing at all, all these other institutions take a huge cut for training? We get called rip-off men and cowboys. Im miffed with it all. Im going to find a bird, give her loads if kids then claim from the state, if its good enough for them.....

:cuss:

 

[PlumbBobBob]

and breath

 

[downthesouth]

and breath

Sorry, needed to vent...............Im ok now!

 

[PlumbBobBob]

no worries, we all have to vent once in a while lol

 

[oz-plumber]

Wake up tomorrow....... and do it all again!!!!!

At least, on a positive note, your customers think you're a dick for trying to rip them off.
They may feel temporarily good for getting a better deal.
The feeling they get is usually short lived.

Keep your chin up.

PS - I am delighted to find that I am not the only one who has these problems / nuances.#

Oz Plumber

 

[gassafe]

I often feel like this! Nothing more annoying when you price up a job and the custard wants you to match or beat there 'cheapest' quote always!

 

[oz-plumber]

In that situation gassafe, I generally ask to see the other quote.
If they can't produce or show it, I generally dismiss the job.
If they do produce the cheaper quote, I generally pick the hell out of it.
Either way, you win the job or you leave the customer with as much doubt as you can about accepting the cheaper quote.

 

[kirkgas]

And ALWAYS make sure you say to every customer who you lose a job on price, "your choice to go for cheap over good, but keep my number as you will need someone to come along and sort the problems they leave" even if you won't go and help them out if they phone you, it's nice to leave a nagging doubt in their mind, and if they do phone you to literally bale them out, tell them you need payment on arrival for the emergency call

 

[MK Heating]

As above. I take no umbrage with loosing a job, I know I do it for my best price. I know I wont cut corners to get the price down, And I also know there is NOTHING more satisfying than putting right someone elses work.

 

[SimonG]

Don't mind losing a job on price. I've priced it for what I want and I don't haggle. If I get called back in because somebody's horlicks'd it then I either laugh and tell them to get lost or charge them mi 'idiot' rate.

 

[Mickplumb]

As above cant remember how may calls I've had you don't know me but I've had a boiler or unvented cylinder installed and I need someone to come and sign it off,
what about the guy who installed it ,phone goes silent ,sorry love no can do stick to your guns ,they will learn the hard way:builder:

 

[SafeGasInstall]

We all have been there , The way I see it : I am better of not working for this idiots .
There is some good customers still out there .....

boiler change in a 1k all in ....... this boiler will not last until spring

 

[LPC]

I usually outright say to customers that they can either get the job done cheaply, or properly. Not both. And explain to them that I am the latter.

I generally spend around 40 minutes to an hour doing a boiler quote. Not only to ask how the customer does and will use the system/ what sort of controls they would have etc, but also to get to know them and 'talk the talk'. Being social with them usually leads to them telling me if they've had other quotes and how much.
I big myself up quite a bit and basically tell them that i'm the best heating engineer around the area (the truth!). I print my quotes on bright white 120 GSM paper, and include leaflets/brochures for everything included (generally the WB brochure, Magnaclean brochure etc) and send it first class from the post office in a high-quality A4, recycled paper envelope.

Sell yourself, not the price. I get on average 8/10 boiler jobs I quote, and I know in many cases I was far from the cheapest.

Although I know not all markets are like this.

 

[Ermintrude]

Try and be the last one in, if you build a good rapport just explain that this is your best price and when custard pipes up, rip other quotes to bits and appear that your not bothered either way. Normally get a call within few hours of job. Combi swap for less than 1k ? Our sales man "billy bs" isn't normally cheaper but he builds interest with custards and makes them feel important and never makes out its a big job . Nothing is too much.

We sell on the day. Quote written up and agreed on the spot. What's there to look at on domestic heating that u can't already have price for ?

Get some valliant hardback brochures and ask ideal to print your credentials on their literature . Looks the daddy!

 

[Easy]

lost a boiler & cylinder replacement job to a jobbing builder from a neighbour as he was way way cheaper hasn't been signed of yet that I know of and to be honest is caused grief as I said I won't and will not ever as I didn't do it, even admitted he knew the guy looked on utube because he was lost, pity really they have a great swimming pool the kids use to use

 

[Ermintrude]

Builder probably fitted latest technology like Vokera or sime as they are the cheapest ........ Not filled in registration for warranty either i bet!

 

[Dotty]

lost a boiler & cylinder replacement job to a jobbing builder from a neighbour as he was way way cheaper hasn't been signed of yet that I know of and to be honest is caused grief as I said I won't and will not ever as I didn't do it, even admitted he knew the guy looked on utube because he was lost, pity really they have a great swimming pool the kids use to use

Had a similar scenario. Next doors boiler burst. I submitted a quote including my call out fee and first years service. Even had conversations with her insurance company.

Looked out the window a few weeks later, her husband and dad were fitting a new boiler.

The thing packed up a few weeks later, she was at the front door... "John, can you have a look at the boiler?".

"No. You'll have to get the boy who fitted it!" And closed the door.

Mrs Croppie said her face was a picture!

Still haven't spoken to them 4 years later!

 

[SafeGasInstall]

well done pal

well done 🙂

 

[SafeGasInstall]

i give price out , and if they like it they take it ......

if i only had won all the jobs i quoted for i would have had a house and house would have been 50 % paid off by now