[vermontpainter]

I went into the paint store today to pick up some supplies.One of my reps was dealing with a customer on the floor and asked me if I could come over to assist. Customer was looking for a base color for some faux finishes she wants to get done. They are doing the base coats themselves and have an idea of the glaze look they want. I help her pick the appropriate base coat color, and she asks if I would be willing to do the glaze work. I give her my card and company info and set up an appointment for tomorrow afternoon.

I get home one hour later and she has left a message saying that she has been to our website and seen several examples of the ragged glazing effect she is looking for, and is quite excited about our meeting tomorrow. I return the call, and we look at the website pics simultaneously over the phone. We discuss price ranges for different multiple color glaze options and will proceed with what turns out to be the obligatory site visit tomorrow.

Lessons I have learned that were in action today:

1. Supplier relationships contribute to success
2. Listen and help a homeowner even if no obvious gain to me
3. Carry an enclosed notepad with pockets containing promotional info
4. Keep website updated
5. Return phone calls asap
6. Make appointments reasonably asap
7. Infinite ROI on lead placed in front of you when all of above are in place
8. Being "Out of Bucket" creates the time for all of above to be in place

I humbly submit to you that I would not have been in position to close a job I havent even seen if not for my experiences and exchanges on painttalk. Absolutely no question about it. Thanks.

(Sticky please)

 

[timhag]

Follow up calls are just as important as the above. I submitted a bid last week and was told that he is obtaining another bid. Said he would call when he makes his decision. I waited four days to make my follow up call to keep my company name in his head. Once again I went over the complete process from start to finish. I feel it is important, not only on paper but verbally, to go thru the complete process from start to finish. I also reminded him to compare apples to apple when he does receive the other. He was really impressed with my call and thanked me for making him a priority.

 

[vermontpainter]

Tim

I agree...follow up phone calls and emails go a long way. If we show interest, that helps our chances greatly. There's another mistake I used to make.

 

[GMack]

Very nice work, Scott . . . I had a similar reminder today about the benefits of being out of the bucket. (Although I'll be honest about the fact that tommorrow morning, I get thrown right back in)! Anyhow, I had just left the paint store, got a call from a re-model contractor I work for. They're builing a garage on a prop. we painted two years ago. He's trying to come up with a budget for the customer and he wants me to give him a ballpark over the phone for paint.

"What if I come down to your office right now and look at the prints?" I ask him. "Are you sure?" "Absolutely."

Everybody's happy and it doesn't happen it I'm stuck somewhere swinging a purdy back and forth. Excellent point, Scott.

 

[painttofish]

I went into the paint store today to pick up some supplies.One of my reps was dealing with a customer on the floor and asked me if I could come over to assist. Customer was looking for a base color for some faux finishes she wants to get done. They are doing the base coats themselves and have an idea of the glaze look they want. I help her pick the appropriate base coat color, and she asks if I would be willing to do the glaze work. I give her my card and company info and set up an appointment for tomorrow afternoon.

I get home one hour later and she has left a message saying that she has been to our website and seen several examples of the ragged glazing effect she is looking for, and is quite excited about our meeting tomorrow. I return the call, and we look at the website pics simultaneously over the phone. We discuss price ranges for different multiple color glaze options and will proceed with what turns out to be the obligatory site visit tomorrow.

Lessons I have learned that were in action today:

1. Supplier relationships contribute to success
2. Listen and help a homeowner even if no obvious gain to me
3. Carry an enclosed notepad with pockets containing promotional info
4. Keep website updated
5. Return phone calls asap
6. Make appointments reasonably asap
7. Infinite ROI on lead placed in front of you when all of above are in place
8. Being "Out of Bucket" creates the time for all of above to be in place

I humbly submit to you that I would not have been in position to close a job I havent even seen if not for my experiences and exchanges on painttalk. Absolutely no question about it. Thanks.

(Sticky please)

Yea, but what about ACCUBRUSHING the walls? :whistling2:

 

[AALory]

The one thread I pick up reading the above posts is confidence. You are all well prepared to speak with the customer about the job, whatever type of job it may be, and you all seem to exude the proper confidence to be able to sell the job. All the little things count of course, like prompt call backs and contact info on hand, but in the end I believe that most customers will sign your contract as a result of trusting and having confidence in you.

 

[painttofish]

Good relationship with your store manager/rep = $ Being professional and prompt = $$ Having the time to work on (instead of in) your business = $$$$ or I guess priceless.

 

[NEPS.US]

..............gather around kiddie's ....I do believe Scott may be taking over as the man to read on this site..... if you want to learn something....follow his threads!

 

[vermontpainter]

..............gather around kiddie's ....I do believe Scott may be taking over as the man to read on this site..... if you want to learn something....follow his threads!

NEPS

Thanks for the vote of confidence. To quote a former employee of mine:

"There are 5 painters working in this house right now, and I'd be happy to make the top 5!"