If I want customers to give me more lead time and order ahead on seasonal stuff can I bribe them with a guarantee of within one day before or after a specific date (to allow for weather)
Is there a common practice on how to do this type of guarantee? I mean I don't want to work for free and I always get a deposit but can I build in a penalty for me for being late. and a 10% or something reward to the customer for ordering early?
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Use the words "anticipated delivery date", and " weather and other factors not under our control may alter the expected delivery date, but we will do our best to fit in with your timetable".
I've never received a reward for being early...!It'd be nice.
A penalty for being late- no thanks! We do our best, but often others don't follow suit- that's when it's a shame.
If you wish to invent your own terms for seasonal stuff, that sounds good- like order before the 1st day of spring for a 15% discount on all Christmas signs...no reason it wouldn't work!
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
Hiya Dawn, I've learned a long time ago not to guarantee installation dates, even within some "fudge factor". Besides weather issues, there are too many other things that can go wrong. I'll commit to a deadline, conditions permitting on most projects. When it comes to scheduling an installation date for a grand opening, I will plan to install the sign at least a week ahead (or more) before a grand opening. In an effort to motivate buyers, pre-season discounts sometimes work for businesses who plan ahead and have the budget to make their purchases early.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
I know this doesn't exactly answer your question but it brings to my mind penalty clauses for late delivery.
Years ago, I had a salesman who had the perfect answer when someone asked him to write into the contract $100 per day penalty for the sign being late. He said he'd be willing to do it if we got $100 extra for each day early. The customer dropped the request.
Posted by Michael R. Bendel (Member # 5847) on :
You need more lead time? Tell them you need more lead time...?
Good luck Dawn.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
The skies do not always favor the installer.
I have a trailer for a motorcycle shop that I need to get done on site. It will take 2 days to do...all airbrushed. The skies have not been clear for a week and I simply won't risk that much work being ruined by a sudden downpour. Although, the customers would have like to see it done by today, they understand that it is weather sensitive and have to live with what Mother Nature gives us.
I have never believed someone should be penalized for that which they have no control over. Should I feel the need to "bribe", "reward" or otherwise reduce my own income based on the weather or their inability to allow enough reasonable time to do a job, I don't want their business.
Today I had a customer inquire about redesigning the family business. Logo, signage, vehicles, tshirts, newsprint ads...the whole package. He's leaving a deposit for design work this weekend and has stated that he'd like it put together by sometime in OCTOBER.
Them kinds of customers I much prefer. Rapid
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I guarranteed a delivery date for a very large project a number of years ago. The contract had exclusions for the weather but a $1000 fine per day if I was late beyond that. The project went for four months and I used every single day I had available but made it on time. I would never do it again unless I would recieve a similar bonus for every day we were early.... then I would put two or three weeks extra in the schedule to make sure I had wiggle room and a chance to earn the bonus.
That being said I guaranteed delivery of a medium sized project ( a monument sign) three weeks ago. The guaranteed date of installation was two weeks from receipt of the deposit. They were a week late delivering the deposit based on the date of the contract. Even so I had the sign ready for installation on the original date promised... but when I went to install last Thursday they hadn't poured the foundation (owner's responsibility) for the sign... went back today and it still isn't done... a week later.
I'll try again next week, but the sign will probably be two - three weeks late by the time its done although not our fault and I did put the final invoice in on time however.
-grampa dan
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on :
I give them an approxiamate. I dont care if they have open house in one week or not. If thats the case they should have lined up sign 2 months ago. This is not a "overhaulin show" we dont do things in 3 days. you place order and you wait.
If however the sign has unexpected problems on my behalf i will adjust price. if its becuase it rained for 5 days straight they can take it up with God and see how thats works out for them.
I refuse to let a customer run my business because of the lack of timeframe they gave me
Posted by Brad Farha (Member # 931) on :
No, don't do it. I had a customer this past winter who insisted on a guaranteed install date on a monument at the entrance of a subdivision. I told him we'd get the job done by his date barring unforseen circumstances beyond my control. Well, to make a long story short, it got finished about 9 days late and the guy refused to pay the balance of about $4000. It took me 2 months and some legal wrangling to get him to pay the balance (along with interest.)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)