posted
Ah, the beauty of projects we don't want to do. Yes, they do pay some bills, but at what cost?
I've found out the perfect way to turn down some work. STALL the project. Your integrity is still somewhat intact as you had a pretty good excuse (mine was moving my shop) and you didn't have to say an outright NO.
Other than the dog eating your workorder, what do you use?
posted
If it's one of those oddball jobs that are a hassle or tough to make money on I just say the accountant won't let us do those anymore. Who's going to argue with the accountant?
This seems to end it there and there's not the "long goodbyes" we had with the stalling technique.
------------------ Rick Cooper Sierra Sign & Award Lake Tahoe, USA www.engrave.pctrader.com $$$Letterheads Website Supporter$$$
"The early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese."
Posts: 135 | From: Incline Village, NV, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Price it so high that the customer won't won't even consider having you do it. This only works for oddball stuff. I do "pain in the butt" stuff all the time....for GOOD customers.
The other way is to just say..Sorry I don't think I can fit that in..I am booked up for the next 2 months and can't take on anything new.
------------------ Dave Grundy AKA "applicator" on mIRC "stickin' sticky stuff to valuable vessels and vehicles!" in Granton, Ontario, Canada 1-519-225-2634 dave.grundy@quadro.net www.quadro.net/~shirley
posted
Hi Donna...nice pic (first time we seen you in anything but red).
My approach isn't exactly "gutless" but it works well...I send them to my competitor (the one I want to be the busiest at the time I want him busy) Leaves the good stuff for me and leaves plenty of time to do the nice jobs, plus he's happy because he's busy! Once in a while it bites me...(they get the next "nice" job that guy might have) but I'll risk it (this has been working for me for a lot of years)I aint changin now!
"Werks fer me, it'll werk fer anyone"
------------------ Monte Jumper SIGNLanguage/Norman.Okla.
[This message has been edited by Monte Jumper (edited April 09, 2001).]
posted
i price it high! at my motorcycle shop we'd charge double for some jobs (the PITA fee...). and, sometimes (often) the customer said yes. (doh!) when that customer came back for a regular job, it was easier to increase the basic price, and they felt they were getting a bargain. i'd rather be known as "willing to work (but expensive)" than "too fussy to work with". it leads to better referrals.
------------------ :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: San Francisco :: :: don't blame me... i'm just a beginner ::
Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Around here we use the up the price and then send them to the most dihonest sign guy in town. You know the one. It will cost you this. Then the day before the guy really needs it he says "Sorry but the suppliers had a big price hike and you sign will now cost you this much." I always get a laugh out of that one.
posted
I've told a few that I don't want to use my skills to promote what they're doing. I'd explain my beliefs and ideals and at the same time be respecting them as a person. There has always been a comfortable mutual respect when we see each other in public.
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Oh, for the faith of a spider! He begins his web without any thread.
Posts: 6806 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I try never to kick a customer to the curb! As you never know the other potential work to come from him or the word of mouth!
Price hacking is something everyone goes through. But information on the quality of your work is the only thing to convince him of your ability! Always trying to improve his "Look and Your Business." I wish this always worked! Sometimes it does and other times they are only interested in the dollar factor. "We all have our budgets.." Still said "You get what you paid for!"
LOL
------------------ Raven/2001 Airbrushed by Raven Lower Sackville N.S. deveausdiscovery@sprint.ca
Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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posted
I just tell them the truth. I am too busy to take the job on at this time (this can be indefinitly). I am always busy. (I am not always busy with work however)
Two conditions apply to the work I take on.
Is it a creative job that will be fun? Am I going to be paid with no worry.
Those are the jobs I have time for.
-dan
------------------ Dan Sawatzky Sawatzky's Imagination Corporation Cultus Lake , British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.ca
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