Another Rant - The Pricing Stupid

[Mozza]

I wonder how many of you who are criticising Mozza for his post, actually deal with the public, taking calls and doing quotes. Or run a tree business.

 

2 points. (the first being reason enough on its own, to give the guy, a ‘see ya later’)

 

1) It is unreasonable for Mozza to be asked to give a price without seeing the job. I wouldn’t do it and no matter what the client said the other quote was £50 or £500, I would not comment without assessing it for myself. The client asked him if he could beat £50, over the phone without seeing the job. I would not be able to give an answer, doesn’t matter – “what if” , this or that – you have to see the job.

 

2) My costs for being a tree business are 1/3 of turnover and that’s low, you couldn’t do it with less gear than I do, smaller adverts etc. So the money on this at £50 is £33.50 for me (working alone) . Other tree surgeons I know of have overheads at over 60% of turnover so for them there’s about £20 on it at that price.

 

So the criticisers here on the info available expect mozza to go find the address, park up, get the saw out, go fell an 80ft tree, and just leave it (Best case scenario).

 

He’s got to beat the £50 quote so lets say he won the job sight unseen for £40. So 60% (assuming two people on site) of £40 is £24 leaving a profit of £16.

 

Lets say all jobs were like this – How many would you have to do in a day to make two people a living wage? – I would suggest – Ten such jobs would give you £80 each.

 

Some very good points very well put there Paul, Cracking post

[jamesw]

I am with you mozza now way take on a job like that over the phone bet he didn't even have a £50 quote! Maybe even not a geniune customer, competition messing round or a gardener trying to sus a price. The easy fells 3 cuts and outta there are rare IME. As skyhuck said and IMO you have a duty to leave it safe which enevitably means more time/work then the customer will want more:001_tongue:

 

I would have told him "bite the guys hand off mate" then put the phone down with a smile:lol:

[jamesw]

Oh and for the "well its a quick £50 job for 15mins" we don't know that do we? I have known people who expect me to earn that for 2 days work:laugh1:

[White Noise]

Was he happy to just drop it and walk??

 

I did not want him getting hurt.

 

Had a coffee with him, whole job took around half an hour (including sharpening my saw)

 

Charged him £100, he was more than happy

 

 

Sorted and everyones happy . I could not fell a tree and leave it for some poor soul to come along with his Mculloch saw . The general public just dont realise the sort of pressure and power trees have when under tension . Good call Skyhuck .