[Lee Decorating Corp.]

25 years ago, my Grandfather taught me about "The Fold" when going on an estimate. I was as confused about this term as everyone else is as they read this post.
"The Fold" is when you give the homeowner "Paint Shock" just like sticker shock. They cannot even bear to look at the proposal so they fold it inward. Usually you will get a polite "thank you" and we will call.
You will not get that job. Has anyone ever noticed "The Fold"? If not keep your eyes out and eventually you will see it.
I think of my Grandfather on every "Fold" and smile.

 

[TJ Paint]

Is this about those situations where you've already written the potential customer off as a non-starter because of your perceived impression?

 

[Lee Decorating Corp.]

No, just an observation made by my Grandfather for 50 years and that I have seen for 25 years. I never write anyone off, but I have never had a folder call me back.

 

[TJ Paint]

oh I get it. I didn't read your post correctly.

I thought that your Granddaddy folded the estimate before it met their hands, but it's the other way around.

 

[Lee Decorating Corp.]

exactly

 

[WisePainter]

I call it the "making it smaller to fit into the trash can 10 seconds after I pull away".


the "fold" is much easier to say.


I once counted 8 folds.

 

[Lee Decorating Corp.]

8 Wow. Usually I see 1 or 2.:thumbup:

 

[WisePainter]

8 Wow. Usually I see 1 or 2.:thumbup:

I offered my usual "evening check up email" to address any questions.
It was a large 6 day, highly technical exterior with the H.O. away all day.

He fires back in a nasty jerkface tone: "I'm not looking for a friend, just getting a f***ing paint job!!"

The $8,000 looked more like $15,000 on the estimate...

oops.

"typo".


lol.

 

[Schmidt & Co.]

I offered my usual "evening check up email" to address any questions.
It was a large 6 day, highly technical exterior with the H.O. away all day.

He fires back in a nasty jerkface tone: "I'm not looking for a friend, just getting a f***ing paint job!!"

The $8,000 looked more like $15,000 on the estimate...

oops.

"typo".


lol.

Its OK Kevin, I can be your friend.

 

[WisePainter]

Its OK Kevin, I can be your friend.

get ready new friend, nightly emailvalanche on the waaaaaaaay!!!


new friends are the most bestest evar!

 

[PressurePros]

I call it the "making it smaller to fit into the trash can 10 seconds after I pull away".


the "fold" is much easier to say.


I once counted 8 folds.

12 folds, flattened with a blacktop roller, sprayed with lighter fluid, ignited with a grand finale urination on the ashes..

Me: "I'll call you on Tuesday to follow up".

 

[DeanV]

12 folds, flattened with a blacktop roller, sprayed with lighter fluid, ignited with a grand finale urination on the ashes..

Me: "I'll call you on Tuesday to follow up".

I call it the "making it smaller to fit into the trash can 10 seconds after I pull away".


the "fold" is much easier to say.


I once counted 8 folds.

I call bs. Conventional wisdom says you can only fold standard paper in half 7 times and myth busters needed a steam roller and huge paper to break the myth.

 

[RH]

25 years ago, my Grandfather taught me about "The Fold" when going on an estimate. I was as confused about this term as everyone else is as they read this post.
"The Fold" is when you give the homeowner "Paint Shock" just like sticker shock. They cannot even bear to look at the proposal so the fold it inward. Usually you will get a polite "thank you" and we will call.
You will not get that job. Has anyone ever noticed "The Fold"? If not keep your eyes out and eventually you will see it.
I think of my Grandfather on every "Fold" and smile.

oh I get it. I didn't read your post correctly.

I thought that your Granddaddy folded the estimate before it met their hands, but it's the other way around.

Same here TJ. Should have been "they fold it inward." When I first read it I got, "the fold is inward" which implied granddad did it. Until I reread it a few times I was a bit confused as well.

As regarding "the fold" (great term), before I ever hand them the quote, I go over what is involved that may cause their job to be more expensive than they might expect. Sometimes explaining it out prior to hitting them with the cost can soften the blow - sometime not. I gave up long ago trying to figure out what a customer may have in mind as a reasonable price, or even caring about their expectations, since it has no bearing on my quote. I'm sure most others here do the same.

 

[WisePainter]

I call bs. Conventional wisdom says you can only fold standard paper in half 7 times and myth busters needed a steam roller and huge paper to break the myth.

chuck norris can get infinite folds from a single piece of paper.

 

[RH]

get ready new friend, nightly emailvalanche on the waaaaaaaay!!!


new friends are the most bestest evar!

Awwwwww..... sick

 

[Lee Decorating Corp.]

I fixed the typo. I prefer the fold to the "Are you crazy?" or "my last painter was half your price, I just cannot find him."

 

[RH]

I fixed the typo. I prefer the fold to the "Are you crazy?" or "my last painter was half your price, I just cannot find him."

No need - the denser ones of us finally figured it out. :thumbsup:

Like I stated, "the fold" is great and does exactly catch the tone of some customers' reactions.

 

[PressurePros]

I call bs. Conventional wisdom says you can only fold standard paper in half 7 times and myth busters needed a steam roller and huge paper to break the myth.

Damn, I knew the 12 fold thing would give it away.

I saw that episode with the humungous paper.

 

[daArch]

When I'm railroading a very long strip of liner paper, I need to fold in MANY more times than eight.

So I ACCORDION fold it.



(It's all how you word the challenge - yes Dean said "in half", but I didn't see anyone else specify that)

 

[CliffK]

I fixed the typo. I prefer the fold to the "Are you crazy?" or "my last painter was half your price, I just cannot find him."

I get the dead silence on the other end of the phone. I find if I have to ask them "are you still there" the chances of making a love connection go way down! If I hear a gasp, it's pretty much slim to none......