Have you noticed more and more lately that people want you to email so much. Even the walk in customers for over the counter orders. I had a lady walk in for a simple vinyl word to change on her existing sign. OK I quote her $50 for 2 white patch strips and 2 vinyl words (SIMPLE). I can cut that for you right now. Now she wants me to email a drawing to her 2 other partners for approval! I said that this will make the simple job cost a little more due to the time involved....she walked.
I just had another walk in customer wanting a $50 coraplast sign job. He told me exactly what the sign needed to say, (Quoted him $50)OK,so I set it up on the screen for him right then. Perfect...now can you email this to someone else for approval? Turned into a much larger job ($95)by all the time into the 3 emails and 4 phone calls just for a simple job. Now comes the bill....Can you email it to me??? I sure spend a lot of time on the computer. It's great for larger projects, but even the quick little jobs are turning into a major pain in the arse! How do you handle this????
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
I have had this new pheomenon happening all of the time now. I get the email requesting a bid for a sign. Am I supposed to take these people seriously? I usually give a high quote based on the fact that this is just a ballpark figure because of me not having enough information on the sign. Being that 95% of my work is within 15 miles, I will tell them "Lets make an appoiontment, get-together, so I can see exactly what you need. You might be ordering the wrong type of sign for this project and/or it might not be within city sign regulations." If I don't hear back from them, then I know they are just "Tire Kickers". As far as billing, I send the bill via snail mail or hand it to them right after completion of the job. And yes, for people who's main corportate office is out of state, I will do the email thing for them. As long asI get my money in the end. If I know in advance thie whole process is gonna take me longer, I figure it into the price. "I sneeks it in"
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Those software programs that help you on accurate pricing should also have an "Azzhole Cuztomer" section.
Posted by Elaine Beauchemin (Member # 136) on :
the one I use have the function on the "margin" slider
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :
How about texts? I get old clients text me with "Call me" and then I call and get their voice mail with no return call. I have since turned off my texting.
I get clients all the time who want me to submit my ideas to them via email. I love it. I capture their email and insist they reply, before I send the design. This gives me certainty that their address goes into the address book automatically and then when I send out a big promo campaign via email, I already have them. It works. If they do not respond to the Email me back or else no art work, they always fall for it.
I just sent out a hundred snail mail letters to some of my old clients about showroom windows. Big effort with the lables, client list update and getting it all together. I find these do help snag some business and it keeps my name in front of them a bit. People do not use snail mail as much anymore and I definitely see better results with these campaigns than just five years ago. I include a one page pitch and a business card, addressed to the specific person at the business. I called ahead to get all of the current names. Alot of work, but the results pay off.
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
I have never, and will never text. I can dial a number and tell them what I want in half the time it takes to text a message.
I'm finding everyone wants to e mail everything also. I hate that. Scan the document then e mail, much faster to fax it, but faxing is going to be an extinct process also.
Posted by Craig Sjoquist (Member # 4684) on :
I stop it right there. a quick hand sketch, $20 or more for jobs that do not need a Coreldraw workout.
Send a email no way, they can see my work on the website if they like it that far they can trust it will look great when done.
As for a Coreldraw workout they have already paid me for design and already know it will turn out my best. Sending emails well if needed because of face to face contact can not be done.
I do accept text or text
Then again I do not deal with high dollar jobs.
Posted by Len Mort (Member # 7030) on :
I would text but just can't figure this new phone out. Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
John...I'll email you my response.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Outside of requests for 300 banners saying "Save the Children" ... I love emails.
Usually went someting like this :
Si, Check the attachments. Need them by the 18th. Bill Gulley is the Super on the job.
Mike
Attachments would be high rez scans of blueprints.
It would be up to me to get with the Super and arrange what equipment is needed ... and if I wanted a helper.
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
It's the new way of doing business. Myself, I find there is more waste of time and less production. People just do not work as hard as they used to, they goof off on the computer all day at work. "Would you like his/her voice mai?" why, they never return a single phone call. E-mailing, the same thing, you fire e-mails back and forth and then all of a sudden , nothing from their end. I've got a guy that wants a bicycle pinstriped. He has sent at least eight e-mails...it's a friggin bicycle for crying out loud, it may take me twenty minutes...get a life!
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
i received 1 text on my phone............looking at my bill I WAS CHARGED FOR SOMEONE ELSE TEXTING ME. called the cell phone provider and asked WHY i had to pay for other people texting me? they said i can choose not to receive or send text... THAT WORKS FOR ME..ITS A DAMN PHONE.......nothing more!!!
[ August 24, 2012, 08:55 AM: Message edited by: old paint ]
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
I love emails! This week alone, I booked about $2,200 worth of work without even picking up the phone.
And, given the choice, I wouldn't have it any other way because everything is clearly documented
The real time wasters I contend with are the phone calls from tire kickers and price shoppers.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
Me too! I don't want to see their faces or hear their voices alot of times....I LOVE EMAILS! I, also, love the written correspondence because its right there in front of you. Now I dont give my cell number out because I'm not a Dr. and I don't play one on TV. At best one of my email addys will come thru on the phone...and my most important clients have that one. Plus I can answer emails at 10pm or 4am....guess I'm a freak...along with Checkers.
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