Gino
Premium Subscriber
Over the years, this has happened a few times, but it just happened about a week ago to me, again. Has this happened to any of you, and if so, how do you handle such things ??
Had a long time customer [about 28 years] who has gotten things from banners to trucks lettered to site signs and even his main sign. In that time, we've become good friends and have talked about many things. Saw him about a week ago at a function, not long after he bought another large sign. About $3,500 worth of a sign. He was happy with it and all, but said he had to tell me something.
He got me aside, told me he feels bad about this, but he had gone elsewhere to get another sign made. The other shop's price was less than mine and he said I was overpriced. I laughed and said, there's someone for everyone's taste. No harm, if you wanna go to him from now on, we'll still be friends and all. No-no, you got it all wrong. Ya see, I had him do a sign for me and I wasn't thrilled with it and then had him letter a truck for me. It was Okay, but I found so many things wrong with it, that, I don't know what to do ?? He told me he'd fix things and make them right, but he's batting 1,000 now. That's why I came back to you for my big sign.
I met this guy at a party and we got to talking and I said what I do and he said what he did and I thought, I'd give him a try, since he said he was so much cheaper than you. I never thought about craftsmanship and professionalism. I just thought that was standard practice in everyone's business.
Well, thanks, but if price is what you're interested in, then we can lower our standards and use lesser quality products, let little mistakes get through and you'll be happy, right ?? No, you have it all wrong. Would you mind correcting my truck, even though you didn't do it ?? Sure and to show there's no hard feelings, I'll remove the old stuff from the other guy for nothing. You just pay me to do it right, Okay ?? You gotta deal.
Ya gonna go looking elsewhere again ??
Nooooo...... I learned my lesson.
So, how many of you have had this or something similar happen where you felt perhaps your customer was unloyal or sneaking around behind your back ??
It happens more than you know or think. Why ?? Because some people are out there looking for business, schmoozing, networking and everything else to get more work. They're still hungry and promising the moon to get work. They don't care if they steal it from you or me, just so long as they get work. With this in mind, remember, ya never stop selling or pleasing your customers. Just when ya think ya have 'em in your pocket, they might jump ship and the sea breeze might be gentler on the other ship.
Had a long time customer [about 28 years] who has gotten things from banners to trucks lettered to site signs and even his main sign. In that time, we've become good friends and have talked about many things. Saw him about a week ago at a function, not long after he bought another large sign. About $3,500 worth of a sign. He was happy with it and all, but said he had to tell me something.
He got me aside, told me he feels bad about this, but he had gone elsewhere to get another sign made. The other shop's price was less than mine and he said I was overpriced. I laughed and said, there's someone for everyone's taste. No harm, if you wanna go to him from now on, we'll still be friends and all. No-no, you got it all wrong. Ya see, I had him do a sign for me and I wasn't thrilled with it and then had him letter a truck for me. It was Okay, but I found so many things wrong with it, that, I don't know what to do ?? He told me he'd fix things and make them right, but he's batting 1,000 now. That's why I came back to you for my big sign.
I met this guy at a party and we got to talking and I said what I do and he said what he did and I thought, I'd give him a try, since he said he was so much cheaper than you. I never thought about craftsmanship and professionalism. I just thought that was standard practice in everyone's business.
Well, thanks, but if price is what you're interested in, then we can lower our standards and use lesser quality products, let little mistakes get through and you'll be happy, right ?? No, you have it all wrong. Would you mind correcting my truck, even though you didn't do it ?? Sure and to show there's no hard feelings, I'll remove the old stuff from the other guy for nothing. You just pay me to do it right, Okay ?? You gotta deal.
Ya gonna go looking elsewhere again ??
Nooooo...... I learned my lesson.
So, how many of you have had this or something similar happen where you felt perhaps your customer was unloyal or sneaking around behind your back ??
It happens more than you know or think. Why ?? Because some people are out there looking for business, schmoozing, networking and everything else to get more work. They're still hungry and promising the moon to get work. They don't care if they steal it from you or me, just so long as they get work. With this in mind, remember, ya never stop selling or pleasing your customers. Just when ya think ya have 'em in your pocket, they might jump ship and the sea breeze might be gentler on the other ship.
Gino 
