Caller's first question is "How much do you charge?"

[Trevor Brindle]

Just coming from a consumer point of view, and an aspiring business owner. I generally do my research before I start looking around for prices, so when I call the businesses in my area looking for "X" service, and they quote me 30% higher than the going price or they act like they don't have time, I don't waste MY time on the phone with them. If it's a reasonable price, then I move into details. I don't think I would ever immediately talk myself out of a potential client customer based on their interest in my fee scale even knowing that almost every job is going to be unique.

 

[Thedog]

I just tell them what my minimum is, why complicate things? If they cannot even pay the minimum amount I want for even looking at the situation then what is the point of doing business with them...

When people want more details I basically tell them that it could be "anything from xx to xx" but that I will also always do what makes most sense economically, ie. I will not spend more on anything than it is worth (to the client)

 

[chrisbitz]

I would always say "what's wrong with it to begin with?" I always try to get into a friendly chatty dialogue with them first, and then they get to experience what a warm, friendly and communicative human being I am, rather than a geeky complicated grumpy stereotype that "doesn't like to be watched". I've never had a problem afterwards telling them that's it's £40 per hour flat fee.

I've always thought that a pleasant attitude, and whether the customer likes you as a person is a significant decider on whether "you're worth your fee".

 

[fastremotehelp.com]

One quick way I deal with this is if I suspect a price conscious caller: Me-"Are you looking for the lowest price in town". If the answer is yes, I refer them to someone that's much cheaper than I aka "pizza techs" or tell them to go to Craigslist. It's win/win. I'm helpful in resolving the issue of finding a cheap tech, and I avoid a cheap customer.

I actually like that one, although of course it's fatal to making a sale. But there are some calls that I'd like to just address that way!

 

[Bryce W]

I did a podcast on this. It talks about converting the call into a sale but it covers how to handle people who's first question is "How much?".

https://www.technibble.com/turning-a-phone-call-into-a-customer/

 

[calldrdave]

I actually like that one, although of course it's fatal to making a sale. But there are some calls that I'd like to just address that way!

When I take a price conscious customer on without realizing it, a few things happen. First they may cancel if they find someone cheaper. They'll cancel sometimes without notice. We get to the client and they say "Oh, I got it fixed already for half the price." Now we've lost business because that slot is open on the schedule and not billable. Then they'll try to negotiate price while on-site. They'll want to deduct for time we spent downloading or scanning. I once had a client track my bathroom visit and time out in the car. After the sale, they'll expect a certain about of free service because they don't respect our time and value.

Loss of a short term sale along with loss of a huge headache. I consider that a good bargain!

 

[cypress]

When I take a price conscious customer on without realizing it, a few things happen. First they may cancel if they find someone cheaper. They'll cancel sometimes without notice. We get to the client and they say "Oh, I got it fixed already for half the price." Now we've lost business because that slot is open on the schedule and not billable. Then they'll try to negotiate price while on-site. They'll want to deduct for time we spent downloading or scanning. I once had a client track my bathroom visit and time out in the car. After the sale, they'll expect a certain about of free service because they don't respect our time and value.

Loss of a short term sale along with loss of a huge headache. I consider that a good bargain!

Wow! Now that is a new one. I try to go to the bathroom before going on site at all times, worse case I go after the job is done lol.

 

[calldrdave]

Wow! Now that is a new one. I try to go to the bathroom before going on site at all times, worse case I go after the job is done lol.

When you get older you'll find that if you drink coffee in the car on the way to a client, you can't wait an hour to go to the bathroom #oldmanproblems.

 

[cypress]

Coffee used to go right through me. Now? Not so much

 

[Christopher Lucas]

I get asked this question so much, i'm also having trouble coming up with a good response to it. I would always try to get them talking about the issue and then i could give them an estimate but usually it's hard getting to that point.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Well when I call businesses with the first question being how much do you charge its because I already did my research and I just want to make sure price is within reasonable range. Ideally the business would give me a range but never actually charge the max of the range so give yourself a small buffer if providing a price range.

You would be surprised how much some businesses try to charge for things. Yelp reviews and stuff like that don't mean jack as a lot of them are fake. A few months ago I contacted a guy with a ton of 5 star reviews about replacing some pipe boots on my roof. This guy tried to charge me 500 dollars for 3 pipe boots. I also asked him about installing replacing some attic stairs he wanted 700 dollars for it.

 

[Diggs]

When you get older you'll find that if you drink coffee in the car on the way to a client, you can't wait an hour to go to the bathroom #oldmanproblems.

What he said - heh!

If there was allot of "wheel-spinning" or I felt I wasn't as productive as the call could have been and if my schedule allows I stay a few extra minutes and give a quick 1-on-1 teach session with the client on little things. (Scrolling their desktop icons, block (shift) and select (ctl) group email/file manipulation, etc. A few simple parlor tricks empowering the client go a long way to a happy client........