itemised quotes/estimates

[Fencing]

I gave up long ago splitting materials and labour. Its a total price from me now.

 

If this guy is being like this hell be a nightmare to work for!

[swinny]

He has no right to your suppliers info, he is buying the job and materials from you.

 

Tell him to do one.

 

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Arbtalk mobile app

 

[Treewolf]

Hell will freeze over before I tell a customer what I pay for parts and materials! It is commercially sensitive information and nobody's business except mine and the supplier's.

 

Can you imagine taking your car for servicing and asking for details of what the garage pays (rather than charges) for parts, or for copies of their suppliers' invoices? You'd be laughed off the premises!

 

The potential customer is either an idiot with no idea how business works or a bully trying to manipulate you. Just quote as you normally would and do the job on your terms if at all not his.

 

As had been stated already I predict hassle with this one.

 

Good luck anyway!

[TGB]

As has already been said, he'd be buying the whole job from you. Him wanting prices from your suppliers is irrelevant to what you sell at. Perhaps you could itemise your weekly grocery, as that supplies fuel for the body to complete the work. Also diesel costs to & fro the dealers' to get materials.

 

No. I reckon your prospective customer, is just that, prospecting. Armed with your figures, he intends to go to your suppliers and bargain them down. Then do some of the work himself and for the other stuff, grub round for a cheap job.

 

Give your normal quote in your normal manner. If he's not satisfied with the way you choose to run your business. He's not the customer you want and walk away.

Edited April 25, 2014 by TGB

[bggc]

Hell will freeze over before I tell a customer what I pay for parts and materials! It is commercially sensitive information and nobody's business except mine and the supplier's.

 

Can you imagine taking your car for servicing and asking for details of what the garage pays (rather than charges) for parts, or for copies of their suppliers' invoices? You'd be laughed off the premises!

 

The potential customer is either an idiot with no idea how business works or a bully trying to manipulate you. Just quote as you normally would and do the job on your terms if at all not his.

 

As had been stated already I predict hassle with this one.

 

Good luck anyway!

 

Totally agree, 100%! I give a total price and that's it. I present it professionally and politely then it's a case of take it or leave it. People like this make me run a mile as they sound like trouble from the off. When I first started out I would stress over trying to accommodate them but now I'm wiser and more experienced I just cut them loose. My advice would be to politely tell him your complete price for the job and if he questions you why you haven't given a breakdown like he asked for just reply that it's not your policy, if he persists in asking why simply explain, you are a businessman who has presented a price for a job they require to be done and it's his prerogative to accept or decline the quote. If he declines then politely thank him for his enquiry and before you leave just say I'll leave it with you then say your goodbyes, no matter what happens don't give them an excuse to run you down, always remain friendly,polite and professional.