[Libertine]

For the customers that don't get back in touch with you, what are their last remarks? :thumbdown:

 

[slickshift]

"...we're still looking (for some cheap labor monkey that can hold a brush)..."

"...it's a little out of our budget (which is some number we basically made up, even though we have no idea what's involved labor and materials wise, that we think would be a good price)..."

"...we think your an a-hole..."

 

[Tonyg]

For the ones that don't get back in touch the last word is usually silence...


For the ones that do - Well, this was the last one...

"The price is outside of our budget for this project. I'm sure that the outcome would be fantastic, however we just aren't in a position to spend that much right now"

 

[PlantainPainting]

People who don't have the courtesy to at least call and thank you for your time are classless. My rule of thumb- if it's going to take longer than an hour (drive time and estimating) then it is $50 for the estimate. Many times people have offered $ "for my time" even though my price was out of their range. One time I estimated a job and had a great feeling when I left the site. It had taken awhile but mainly because the homeowner had talked my ear off. I thought I had the job for sure. Never heard from her and a few weeks later I drove by and sure enough there were like 6 brazilians painting it all. I felt like sneaking back and spraying silicone on all the trim but settled for an age old remedy. I'll leave you all to guess what that was but I am sure she still wonders why her lawn can never look like the nieghbors.

 

[EricTheHandyman]

I've heard some new ones lately:

"That's too expensive, we'll have to do it ourselves."

"I'm going to head in a different direction"

 

[Dave Mac]

I got a follow up call from a prospect the other day, and he left a message saying we got four estimates, said the price of each estimate, and said he was going with lowest one. I almost called him back, just to say thankyou for taking the time and being honest.

 

[Brian]

We often hear: We really liked Brian. He was very professional and offered a lot of great advice, but...

What they say after that varies, but it always comes down to price even though they seldom admit it openly.

My favorite was one time after I tore a ligament in my knee. I was hobbling pretty bad, and when we followed up, the customer said I must have been pretty doped up because my price was so ridiculous.

Brian Phillips

 

[NEPS.US]

I think the best is when they look at you and tell you that for those rates they should start up a painting company themselves. Almost like "How dare that dirt bag painter expect to make a decent living".

 

[Brian]

I think the best is when they look at you and tell you that for those rates they should start up a painting company themselves. Almost like "How dare that dirt bag painter expect to make a decent living".

I like that one too. I'd like to see them try it. The grass is always greener.

For some time I've thought that a really interesting reality show would be "So You Want to be a Contractor". It would pit wanna be contractors against one another for a month. The show would supply the leads, but they would have to sell the jobs and get the work done. It would be sort of like the Apprentice, but with one long task.

Brian Phillips

 

[ProWallGuy]

I like that one too. I'd like to see them try it. The grass is always greener.

For some time I've thought that a really interesting reality show would be "So You Want to be a Contractor". It would pit wanna be contractors against one another for a month. The show would supply the leads, but they would have to sell the jobs and get the work done. It would be sort of like the Apprentice, but with one long task.

Brian Phillips

Cool idea, but I bet half the 'real' contractors would fail just as bad as the wannabes. :yes:

 

[NEPS.US]

For some time I've thought that a really interesting reality show would be "So You Want to be a Contractor". It would pit wanna be contractors against one another for a month. The show would supply the leads, but they would have to sell the jobs and get the work done. It would be sort of like the Apprentice, but with one long task.

Brian Phillips

Thats a great idea. With you great writing talents why dont you write some type of reality show script, copyright it and send it to the major networks. Seriously.....

I'll play "The Donald" ...we all know I'm the biggest **** here and I'd be great at ripping up the wannabe's!

 

[HomeGuardPaints]

I think the best is when they look at you and tell you that for those rates they should start up a painting company themselves. Almost like "How dare that dirt bag painter expect to make a decent living".

I had one say that before, His face was priceless when I responded, " Men better than you have tried and failed."

I can take the HO who just wants a low price, but don't insult me.

 

[vermontpainter]

"Out of the three painters we talked to, we would most like to go with your crew. Would you be able to lower the price by, say, 20%?"

 

[Dave Mac]

Why is your price so high??? Lady i would be more worried about why the others guy's (whose est is on a generic stables est sheet) est is so low. Turn that telescope around.

 

[painttofish]

Had a guy e-mail me back saying I was 8% to high! I e-mailed back, "with all do respect sir, the other painter is 8% to low." I think standing up for yourself, and what you do, can be more impactful when done with courtesy. Saying to a price shopper, "please keep my card in case your coating fails" is a nice parting shot done with a straight face. Keeps em thinkin! Oh yea, YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET.

 

[daArch]

"I'll get back to you in the fall"

"We're going in a different direction"



And here's an actual email after I inquired about continuing a job. Although she DID call at the end of February, I was sure, after this note, I had been blown off. BTW, this lady was not poverty struck !! :

"Hi Bill, thanks for getting in touch with me. I have not forgotten you, just don't have the funds, at this time, for the paper hanging. I am facing property taxes, huge heating bills and plowing bills. It looks like I won't be able to do the room until March. It's a pain having the room unusable, but fortunately, I have not had any house guests. I'll be in touch at the end of February. "

 

[vermontpainter]

"I'll get back to you in the fall"

"We're going in a different direction"



And here's an actual email after I inquired about continuing a job. Although she DID call at the end of February, I was sure, after this note, I had been blown off. BTW, this lady was not poverty struck !! :

"Hi Bill, thanks for getting in touch with me. I have not forgotten you, just don't have the funds, at this time, for the paper hanging. I am facing property taxes, huge heating bills and plowing bills. It looks like I won't be able to do the room until March. It's a pain having the room unusable, but fortunately, I have not had any house guests. I'll be in touch at the end of February. "

Wow. Sure makes you appreciate honesty.

 

[crow]

Ive had them say, well, we think that were sellin the place, so were gonna put it off for now, but well keep you in mind,,,had one just plumb tell me that he forgot,,,,he wasent going to do any paint work this year, it was the roof that he wanted a est. on????????????????!!!!!!!most just dont get back at all. wich isent a bad thing.

 

[George Z]

This is a "feel good" response:

We only take a select few exterior projects.
Yours is not one of them

Thank you for the opportunity.

 

[vermontpainter]

This is a "feel good" response:

We only take a select few exterior projects.
Yours is not one of them

Thank you for the opportunity.

George

I like it. Putting the shoe on the other foot. Sometimes its up to the contractor and not the consumer. Thats the goal.