About two weeks ago, a very regular but cheap customer calls me about doing a bunch of t-shirts and coroplast signs for them.
We are talking 150-300 T's and originally just a few signs.
I priced him white coroplast with 1-color on both sides (same copy) with heavy duty stake, $28 each or $24 each if he goes a dozen.
He said that was too much. I said ok.... he said he wanted 100 - price that.
So I came up with $14 each (sign w/HD stake, screenprinted this time).
He said he called around and found a guy that would do them for $7 each, and asked if I would match it. Figuring him for a good customer I said sure - fax me over a copy of that quote, and its a done deal.
Two hours past...
It gets to be 4:45pm and I called him instead of waiting any more.
me: "hey,just checking on that fax" him: "oh, another guy called and said he'd do it for $5.10 each with HD Stand, so I didnt want to cut you anymore, and I went with him"
I said fine, let him have it for that.
So folks I ask you - hows those prices fit in your schedule? Was I off base or what?
I can tell you my local suppliers prices - white 18x24 coroplast - $.70 each HD stand - $2.68 each $5 delivery charge (no matter whats on the truck)
Thanks for your views,
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Don't feel so bad Rob. I got an e-mail the other day from someone checking prices. Someone was actually willing to print 100 18x24 coroplast signs, 2 colors, both sides and provide the stands for $4.50 each.
There is stupid, and then there is stupid.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Hey Rob,
I wouldn't get your undies in a wad over this one. Shake it off and move on. Go get a RC and a Moon Pie and smile!
As far as the customer goes, I figure you called his bluff and he couldn't answer the bell. He just didn't want a confrontation. The world is made up of all kinds.
Have a great one!
Posted by Bill Dirkes (Member # 1000) on :
Rob, It's election time around here, a friend calls and we meet for design and planning. Price him 18x24 with stakes from Grimco at 12.50. He only wants 20, Grimco has a 25 count minimum. I told him I would do the 20 at that price. I knew I needed $20 to make any profit, but he,s a good friend, so... Since then I've had 2 additional orders, also found out that I am stuck with that price for these guys. Campaign laws say I have to charge the same to all. Wish I'd known that sooner!
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
Hi Robb...just this week I have 'weeded' out another 2 customers. These are the type that try to talk you down in price every single time. The type who change their mind AFTER you have cut their letters. And it is all for a small order. Customer # 1....calls to say he has changed his hours. Can I cut the new letters and be there Tuesday to apply then? (He knows I have a 55.00 minimum order charge for out of shop trip) I show up on Tues. He has changed his mind....he is not going to change his hours after all. So I hand him the invoice and say; 'you ordered the change, here are your letters, here is your invoice..I will wait for you to write a check' Custmer #2 I have dealt with for years. He always tries to get you to do things for free. He wants 8 small letters. I remind him min. charge is 25.00 to cut any letter. He says go ahead. I mail out the letters. He calls at 6:45 this morning to say he wants a different font (after giving me the OK on the other one) I told him he needs to start going to FastSigns...I am very busy and don't have time for all his changes.
[ February 22, 2002, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: cheryl nordby ]
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Hey Cheryl...
Way to go! Stand up for yourself to these boogers. I have taken a stand with several clients who try to push "the envelope" so to speak... Some changed their ways and others went somewhere else.
I have one client that always pulled crap like your first guy... LOL! The story is so funny I can't even type it... Hahahahahahahaha!
Have a great one!
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Robb,
There are signs stuck on the side of the road all over this area that say "Signs just like this $3.00" with a phone number.
Let them work themselves to death and stay poor! I'm with you, I couldn't hardly buy the supplies for that, in fact I couldn't buy the supplies for that!
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
What would I do? I'd tell the guy I was pretty busy right now shopping for a new F-150 pick up, that I had gotten a price from one dealer and I was looking for one to sell me the same type truck for half the price, then I was going to try to get the first dealer to match the price. I'd do his signs when I close out the deal on the truck:)
Posted by Linda Silver Eagle (Member # 274) on :
