posted
Im starting to set up my pricing structure for the shop and I was curous on how many of you charge a trip charge. Im debating on it cause it wastes so much time to "Just come and Look at it". No one else around here does this and I dont want to scare off Clients but I sure get tired of wasting my time also. I think it might weed out alot of the Oh Hum customers.. I was thinking of just including that in my Deposit but I usally don't get he deposit till I look at it..
"Oh the Confusion" Maybee I'll just go work at Wally World"
posted
I do free estimates and can usually get the potential customer to give me enough info to quote a ballpark over the phone... then if they haven't fainted from the price range I will go out and do my actual measurements (never trust customer measurements). The only time I charge a trip charge is if there will be more than 45 min each way to do the actual job, and even then it is a flat fee of $50 for my gas and lunch. Now if someone wants me to go way out of the way for something that would require an overnight or whole days work I would adjust accordingly.
-------------------- -------------------- Dave Cox C2 Media Services (Formerly That Sign Guy) dave@c2mediaservices.com -------------------- Full Color Printing Posts: 295 | From: Sacramento CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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I never went in for a bid charge. I know, here I am "Mr. Profit Any Way You Can," but I think that estimates are part of the service we offer our community. Many will disagree with me, I'm sure, but I think it's better to establish up front in your conversation with the customer what the job is about, how you see yourself able to assist them, and then go quote it if you both see a potential relationship forming. Then when you go for the quote make sure it's a real appointment, the decision-maker will be there, and you have your portfolio in hand.
Good luck!
-------------------- Best Regards, Mark Smith EstiMate Sign Pricing Software It's Not Luck. It's EstiMate.™ http://www.EstiMateSoftware.com 1-888-304-3300 Posts: 724 | From: Asheville, NC, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I always figure trip charges into quotes and never make trips on speculation. If you go out to look at every quote, whether you get the job or not, the jobs you get will have to reflect all that wasted time. If a customer wants me to visit the site (sometime it is necessary), I don't go unless there is a commitment to do the job. Ask alot of questions before making a trip, we all have made a trip to look at a job only to find out it was for 3 small no parking signs.
-------------------- Carper's Signs 594 Union School Rd. Mount Joy, PA 17552 carpersign@earthlink.net Posts: 157 | From: Lancaster, PA, USA | Registered: Aug 1999
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posted
I never charge for quotes. If it is within a 20 mile radius, I will look at the site, and figure that time into my quote. If it is farther away, all info is received via fax, or e-mail, and copies are included in my folder for future reference.
When it comes to doing the actual project, I charge $50.00 to leave the shop. If it is outside the 20 miles, I charge $1.20 per mile(round trip) plus $125.00 per night if staying over. Any variations from the original info require change orders to adjust the price.
-------------------- Don Hulsey Strokes by DON signs Utica, KY 270-275-9552 sbdsigns@aol.com
I've always been crazy... but it's kept me from going insane. Posts: 2277 | From: Utica, KY U.S.A. | Registered: Jan 1999
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posted
i got the best way...i take my sign shop..to GIVE A QUOTE!!!! then when they ask when can you do the job..i say RIGHT NOW!!!! this stops the "price shopping" for signs...and i get treated like the plumber or electrican when they show up for service call! i have charged trip charges...in the past but only when i had to go outa my local area.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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I think the trick here is to accept that a certain amount of this sort of travel is part of the cost of doing business...and rather than billing it as a seperate line item, plan to recoup it through the "shop rate" you establish.
Check out Mark Smith's EstiMate Software...he has developed a great system for ensuring that all of your costs are covered in your pricing structure. Great way to start out on the right foot!
-------------------- Jon Aston MARKETING PARTNERS "Strategy, Marketing and Business Development" Tel 705-719-9209 Posts: 1724 | From: Barrie, ON, CANADA | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
i have a job im going to do next weekend that i charged $150.00 for travel time , other then that trvael is the only thing ive ever charged for ive been to canda to do work and a lot of jobs in the state of washington that i normally charge $100 a day plus travel plus the job ... it all depends on how some one wants YOU TO DO THE WORK ... any one can it ... in my work i usually find the customer wants my work over some one else .... jut my .02 on the matter
matt
-------------------- Matt Fontaine Crown Designs Modesto, CA Posts: 23 | From: Modesto, CA | Registered: Nov 2002
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