Prices on website, yes or no?

[MrUnknown]

While browsing everyone's business websites and some local places, I notice that it is basically random on if you list prices for the services you offer. Small local places don't list anything while GeekSquad proudly displays their $200, $300 on-site, fee for virus removal.

I was wondering what everyone thinks is the advantages or disadvantages for listing the prices on their website and why they chose to go the route they did.

I currently do not list my prices because I would rather the user call or email me so I can get a better idea as to what service they need and give them a price on that instead of them browsing my website and picking the service they think they need and thinking it costs too much.

On the other hand, if I was browsing Amazon wanting to purchase something, I don't feel like I should have to call to figure out the price. I even hate those "Click here to view the price" things that companies do.

 

[Jamie3188]

I was looking at this too?

On one hand I would like my clients to see exactly what they want and how much a service would be.
On the other had I would like them to call me for a tailored service.

I have bookmarked a good few UK and US companys websites to compaire how they are advitising thier Services/Prices.

I would be interested in what other people had to say on this matter.

 

[NickCat11]

I put my prices on my site. I have fixed prices for most of my in shop services but I also specify on my site that I will offer discounts on combined services. This way if they are interested in multiple services they still would have to call to see what kind of discounts I offer. I also think it's convienient for the customer. I know for me personally when I go to a web site for something and look for prices I get kind of annoyed when I can't find them.

My area has been infiltrated with pizza techs so I had to drop all my prices to stay within reason because people in my area are always looking for the best price and not so much the best tech. If they find me through my web site I am banking on that they see the professionalism of it along with my competitive rates and hopefully I get the call. So far so good.

 

[jbutler9]

This site reminded me to put a statement on my site reminding customers that they are getting what they pay for and that pizza techs and $25 for repairs is a bad idea.

If they want to spend $15 to $25 for some hero to come fix their computer, they can go right ahead, because after he hoses their OS or compromises their personal data, they are gonna wish they had called me first, because now it will be alot more expensive.

Another thing is the quality of the website. The more relavent information the better, I put all of my prices on my site because I want them to know what they are paying and what they are getting for their money.

 

[theFakeGeek]

I don't put prices on my website simply because it encourages people to shop based on price. I simply devote the entire website to my phone number, I try to get people to call for a "free estimate" and so on. Anything to get them to talk to me over the phone or face to face.

 

[ClickRight]

I have prices on my website. I tried for a while without, but I kept getting calls from people asking "how much will this cost?" and then never calling me back. By being up front it's easier for the customer and myself, I find.

 

[thebeardedone]

I am going to have prices on my site once it is completed

As ClickRight said, it simplifies things by being up front.

 

[cybermaven]

Prices - YES!

I know when I look at any provider of a service, I will stick with those that list their price upfront. That way, there is no haggling and no "hidden" or "unknown" add on cost. As a service provider, I feel that an upfront listing of service pricing saves a lot of time and gives a clear answer to the customer. No high's no low's - and a no fix, no fee guarantee is always helpful.

 

[MrUnknown]

Thank you everyone for your replies. It seems most people are learning torwards putting the prices up because it looks more honest and keeps your customers from being surprised.

I am not sure yet what I am going to do. I might put a sample of prices to give people an idea of my prices and maybe compare them to the retail outlets or something so they look like they are getting a huge deal.

 

[cybermaven]

Prices

I've seen a few sites that do comparisons, seems good to do, but if you have a lot of pizza techs in the area, their lower prices can seem like a bargain to less informed (and possibly) future customers. Just compare your rates to the local geeksquad - that should do you just fine.

 

[MrUnknown]

I, thankfully, don't really have many "pizza" techs in my area. I live in Small Town, USA, so even if there were pizza techs, they can't advertise very easily without spending some money.

There is a surprising amount of computer repair businesses in my area though, but not many offer on-site. My main perk is free pickup and return of the computer as I charge more per-hour than the closest competitor by $10. However, for my fixed priced services, I can actually be cheaper.