Just stop already!!!

[skyhigh]

We require all quotes to be via email; this way there is written documentation of your quote given and the specifics.

If someone asks for a quote by any means, either on the phone or electronically, we refer them to the email address to get their quote. This also adds them to our email database, automatically, and allows us to market them in the future for specific or general ad campaigns.

Just a thought.

Quotes should never be done thru email. Email is great to send a pdf "agreement", spelling out the details of the job (including the price you talked about over the phone). Then for proofs, after you have received your deposit (as spelled out in the agreement).

Email.....
Potential customer: How much do you charge for a sign?
ME: What type of a sign? Lighted, carved, flat panel...ect.? How big?
Customer: I want it to be pretty big. Do the lighted ones cost more?
Me: Yes..... Well tell me where its going at your property.
Customer: out front
Me: On a post? On the building?
Customer: Yes. Can you quote me for both ways?
yada yada yada......

All this is handled in a matter of a minute over the phone vs. that "back and forth" idiotic email exchange, with a customer that doesn't have a clue what you're talking about.

Emails can be very frustrating, and an enormous waste of time. I'd much rather put the head-set on, and continue with my carving or weeding.

When dealing with a wholesaler, email is the only way to go. Both sides know what they are talking about.

 

[Mosh]

I still get customers that "ain't got a computer"...LOL

 

[Gino]

I'm another one for phone conversations, picking brains and followed up with a hard copy with both parties signing and dating.

I had a dealing with a vendor, who had in writing, the pertinent information, guarantees and so forth for the purchase of a rather large piece of equipment. About two years later, I had to replace something under total warranty in their quote and invoice to me. The would not honor their quote and told me I had photo-shopped it and they would not stand behind it.

Even when they were here setting up the machine, I had asked for the piece of equipment they promised my and they said, no need to, we always have one or two in stock. Bunch of a**wipes hiding behind technology. They e-mailed their new quote and said, see.... it wasn't on there. They omitted the part I needed.

Conduct business anyway you want, but if you need legal backup, I'd never trust an e-mail or a phone conversation, just signed and dated hard copies with the pen being in a different color ink, so no one can say it was photocopied.

Want good customers.... e-mail, walk-ins, whatever.... they're all around you.
Want tire kickers...... they too are all around you.

Stop waiting for business to come to you and start physically going after what type and who you want as your customers. Take control of your business and start running it like a business and not a penny candy store.


A few months ago, I got wind of a company who was looking for a sign shop to do their work. They were practically going with one of my competitors when I was there with bells on and talked them to death and guess what, we got the work. First order wasn't too shabby and it's been great ever since with them.. I'm sure it will level out, but you can't wait for phone calls or things to get mixed up via the internet.

I'm dealing with a lady right now about a sign for her building. Do you know how many meanings the word 'HANG' can have.... especially when the party on the other end isn't listening and just trying to get the job over with ?? Darn good thing, she works for a company we already have for years as a good account, or I'd maybe toss this girl out.

 

[Joe Diaz]

When it comes to selling a job, I prefer to talk on the phone over the email. In person or face to face is above all other forms of communication though. The main reason I prefer those other forms of communication over email is because with emails there is too much back and forth and waiting. I would rather hear their voice and get to the bottom of what they need in one conversation.

As far as giving quotes, I'm coming to the conclusion that most (not all) emails or messages that start out with "what do you charge for..." do not result in sales. So, we've been discussing not following up with those types of inquires unless we can get them on the phone and find out what they really want. We figure someone that will spend the time to talk to us on the phone, is more likely to do business with us. Also I think my voice is a little more disarming then what I type sometimes. I've been drafting up some auto responses for those types of contacts that will hopefully lead to phone conversations, where we seem to be doing a better job.

Also, I'm rebuilding our website now, and our contact forms kind of force a person to give us the details we need, even what their budget is. Hopefully that will help.

We've been getting more and more inquiries as of late that don't really lead to jobs, so we really do need to do something because it takes up a lot of time. Don't get me wrong, we've got plenty of work, and that's kind of why wasting time on these contacts that don't lead anywhere is becoming such a problem.