Hung-up quotes

[Hill-Billy]

Forgive the ignorance - I only started my business recently - but does anyone have any good tips for successive quotes that you do that are being ignored even though you know them to be good competative quotes? Is there anyway to prompt a customer without crossing the no-obligation rule?

[Acg128]

Idea is to get busy enough so even if they said yes and say to you when can you do it?! You can say its going to be atleast 2-3 weeks. Some people accept quotes and want it done in the future I only received an email yesterday from a client saying can you provide me with dates and times to carry out the tree work, he accepted my quote in September last year! Don't worry about other people your price is your price. You don't want the stress etc of putting in hours for peanuts.

 

Ash

[Stubby]

As above and whatever you do don't pester people .

[Le Sanglier]

Forgive the ignorance - I only started my business recently - but does anyone have any good tips for successive quotes that you do that are being ignored even though you know them to be good competative quotes? Is there anyway to prompt a customer without crossing the no-obligation rule?

 

Phone 'em, ask 'em! you've gone to the effort of going out there, no harm in asking. Then you'll know more about why you're not getting the work.

[[email protected]]

Phone 'em, ask 'em! you've gone to the effort of going out there, no harm in asking. Then you'll know more about why you're not getting the work.

 

as above!

[Acg128]

Give em the quote and let them crack on with it wouldn't waste my minutes on the blower let alone my breath if someone chose not to have me in there garden!!

[Shane]

I've never understood how a quote can be anything but 'no obligation'.

If I asked someone to give me a quote and they said 'only if you accept it' you can guess the rest.

 

If you want to find out about the missed jobs you could mention it at quote time

'I'd be grateful if you could let me know either way..... or whatever, then you could more likely call back if you hear nothing.

Only problem with stuff like that is that it can make you sound desperate.

 

Try it - you could be on to a winner.

[Le Sanglier]

Give em the quote and let them crack on with it wouldn't waste my minutes on the blower let alone my breath if someone chose not to have me in there garden!!

 

I think the point is he's not getting the work and he wants to know why.

Where's the harm in phoning to ask if they had received the quote and what do they think?

[oldwoodcutter]

Sometimes if i havnt heard back after about a month,and i notice that the job hasnt been done,i ring them and ask if theyve had any more thoughts about the tree/hedge/connies what have you.

They either say oh yes when can you do it,or i accepted a quote 1/4 of your price.

Edited February 28, 2013 by oldwoodcutter
added a bit

[SiW]

In an ideal world a client would call and let you know you were unsucesful, the majority don't, half that do say we really liked you and your professionalism but Joe bloggs down the road is a £100 cheaper, can you beat his price. In most cases the you find out by driving past and seeing the work done, usually badly or something completely different to what you quoted for, this is commonly called LIFE and the pleasures of self employment. Be grateful you are actually getting out to quote work, not everyone is as lucky