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My favorite regular customers happen to be managers of a couple of shopping malls, property management companies and a few people who head departments at companies or organizations that are incorporated. They're agreeable to my way of doing business and they always pay promptly. The ones I enjoy the least, just generalizing, are Contractors, Lawyers, and small business owners who have not been in business very long. I do have some very good customers in this category, but for the most part they are a pain. I just made an observation regarding the one thing that seperates them. The good customers are spending someone else's money.
-------------------- Chuck Peterson Designs San Diego, CA Posts: 1072 | From: San Diego, CA USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Yep! My worst customers are the ones that start out the conversation with "Now...I don't have a whole lotta money, so..."
My best customers are the ones that say "Jackson...take your time and I don't think you charged me enuf"
hahahaha ya gotta love em all.
-------------------- Jackson Smart Jackson's Signs Port Angeles, WA ...."The Straits of Juan De Fuca in my front yard and Olympic National Park in my backyard...
"Living on Earth is expensive...but it does include a free trip around the Sun"
Posts: 1002 | From: Port Angeles, Washington | Registered: Jan 1999
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My best customers are those who call and never ask 'how much'. They know I will get thier signs to them quickly and do a great job. For these type of customers I give them top priority. My worst customers seem to be realtors. Cheap, nitpicky, slow~to~pay realtors. Yes, even commercial realtors. For these type of customers I don't bust my butt anymore.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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There are some exceptions, but my experience has been, the pickier and more demanding they are about the art, the less they are willing to spend, and the other way around.
When the picky ones come in, the strategy is to get a high price out on the table very early in the discussion to separate the wannabees from those who can pay to be demanding.
There are, however, some very good clients who are very fussy and are willing to pay to get what they want. I get along fine with these people. The wannabees drive us all crazy. Vic G
-------------------- Victor Georgiou Danville, CA , USA
Posts: 1746 | From: Danville, CA , USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Well, since I riiiiippped the sign right off the side of my shop, sawed it up and chunked it in the trash, my customer base is in the "upper echelon" of the business world. Military, private establishments, golf courses, schools, etc. There is NO haggling over prices. If my price is not acceptable or out of their budget, they just press "next" on their keyboard and I never hear from them again !! The ones that I do get the job with, fully understand the long delivery time and 50-75% deposit right from the git-go. But, I agree with you, the contractors, doctors, lawers, builders and folks much like ourselves are not the best customers. I just got sick and tired of the locals here beating me down to the very bottom dollar. And, I would do just about every job that came through the door just to get the bills paid. Well, thanks to the World Wide Web, I have changed my business tactics.
-------------------- John Smith Kings Bay Signs (Retired) Kissimmee, Florida Posts: 822 | From: Central Florida - The Sunshine State | Registered: Jan 2000
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That's what I like about selling online too... I don't have to listen to locals whining about the price.. Sadly enough, there's a good portion of people in this town that can afford high end stuff but only want it cheap.
I looked at your site and would have to say you've created a niche market for yourself online selling carved signs.. don't see too many places online targeting that market.
I sell mostly vinyl from my site but I try to push more graphic kits and unique items for vehicles as opposed to the little bowties and other cheapie sticker junk you find online... this way I don't have to compete with anyone else if they aren't even selling the same products I am. Every time I get an email from someone, it starts off the same way.. "Man, I have spent a ton of time searching online for real custom stuff and so far your site is the only one I've seen that might be able to help me out!"
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com
Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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I too find that property management companies are some of the best people to deal with. Once you are with them awhile and they know your work, they just call up and order with out asking about price. On some of the bigger jobs they need a price first so it can go before the board, but I always get the job. One of my cheapest clients is a commercial-residential developer, He ALWAYS wants a deal.
-------------------- Rob Thomas 3410 Ketcham Ct Beautiful Springs FL 34134 Posts: 965 | From: Bonita Springs, Florida USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Amazingly, my best customers are the new car dealers, or whom I refer to as the "Car Doggies". They pay their bills 100+%. I have even had to send back duplicate payments from time to time. Sure they want to haggle as they are after all, professional negotiators, but I used to run a Chevy store and know what is up.
The worst are the generals public who decide it is time they go into business for themselves. "How much for window painting. We only wanna spend $150". It happened just this last week. It seems when someone wants to discuss price before we even talk about how big their windows are or what kinda art we want, they are suspicious and I generally ask them to send over dimensions and a rough layout. That usually silences them.
Curiously, it amazes me how the fast fooders come and go. One good market manager will have me do a hundred stores a couple of times and get moved up the food chain for being so strong with changing sales numbers. Somehow they almost never tell the new person about me and I have to start all over.
No retail and more b2b. That is how I think I will continue to go. Still, it does take persistence and a professional attitude. One two minute phone call can spell 60 grand real fast and I never know.
-------------------- Preston McCall 10305 Eby st. Overland Park, KS 66212 text: 5056607370
Posts: 1562 | From: Overland Park, KS | Registered: Nov 1998
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Surprisingly enough, my favorite customers are the ones that want a "ballpark price" when I give it to them they suck all the air out of the room and then hit the door running.
No hassle no haggle ...just gone...and good riddens!
[ October 28, 2001: Message edited by: Monte Jumper ]
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
quote:The good customers are spending someone else's money
Municipalities are my favorite. I've had real good luck with ad agencies and architects too believe it or not. Property management companies would probably fall into that catagory too but I havn't gotten my foot in the door with any around here (yet?).
Oh, that "ballpark price" question is something I initiate as soon as possible. If they're going to hit the door I prefer it happen before I've spent any significant time with them.
posted
Ballpark price, I love that one, I ask them what ball park are they talking about, a rundown little league field or Yankee Stadium? Most of them leave quickly muttering something about a smartass
Why is it the guy/gal in worn jeans driving a ten year old Silverado never quibbles on price whilst the babe/dude dripping in gold driving the Big Benz does?
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
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Hey George....the guy with the worn jeans and 10 year ols Pick up usually has them paid for! The guy with the Mercedes and designer lable clothing usually has maxed out credit cards, and doesn't have a "pot to pee in"!
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
si.allen on Skype
siallen@dslextreme.com
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Never mess with your profile while in a drunken stupor!!!
Brushasaurus on Chat Posts: 8831 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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A few years ago I was hanging around in a buddy of mine's shop when One-of-Them walked in and wanted a "Ball Park price". Bob said : "I think you can get Chavez Ravine for about 14 million".
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