[ianharper]

Guys

who has success quoting over the phone and what do you put it down to? we are getting enquires that are worth cleaning but not worth the time to visit and quote?

My opinion is that most people that get jobs over the phone are price based business, am i right?

respect

Ian harper

[Fresh Clean]

i quote easily half of my jobs over the phone & most are domestic quotes. i try to gain as much info as poss before entering into the price, eg; how did you get my number, history on carpet/upholstery to be cleaned,anymarksof particular concern, the custy's opinion of the carpets condition, ie; lightly soiled, mild & heavy (but peoples perception of heavy soiling & light is a million miles away), i cover the different types of cleaning that i provide, material/fibre type if poss (i'll always do a burn test when i get there), how soon would they like the job done, then i price it. freshi

[Shaun_Ashmore]

for the best prices you often have to go out to see them but over the phone will be dependant on if you really want the job as it shows in your voice.

Shaun

[Mike Halliday]

first thing to find out is do you want the job if its a rug 30 miles away they don't waste time on it.

2nd find out where they got your number, if you did their mother or best friend etc..etc  then more than likely they asked them how much you charged, so wouldn't have called you if they didn't have an idea how much you charge, so won't be too price conscious.

if its  a cold call then work on the theory that the more time you talk to them the more repore you will build up,,  so they will feel more obligated to use you.

Mike

[2cleanright]

Estimate over the phone on most domestic jobs - only go to quote if it is unusual or no idea of room sizes, fabric type etc. Make sure custy knows that it is only an estimate. Get as much info. as poss re carpet / upholstery type, age, soiling levels, and give an informed estimate with the condition that this may change dramatically on seeing the job.
Build rapport with custy on the phone, and only lose price shoppers with this attitude.
ALWAYS go to quote on commercial.
Works for me :

[carpetworx]

what price per m2 on commercial carpet,say flotex would you quote?
i have to quote 1000m2 at a retierment home. it was a referal.

[ianharper]

if your not sure the give three prices with different levels of service

[Jeremy]

I only go to domestics to do quotes if asked to do so or the description of the property sounds complex. I have got to know the areas that I work pretty well. I have a grasp of the typical sizes of rooms and have decided that it is better for me and the client if I quote over the phone. I NEVER change the price once at the premises unless the client has not described the job correctly.

If they argue then I will back down (within reason). Some I win and some I loose.

Works for me.

Jeremy

[Mike Osbourne]

Whenever I get a call and it starts. 'How much will it cost to.....' I already start thinking it won't be worth the joureny even if I do persuade them to quote face to face. ( I know you should assume)

I do give them a second chance by asking lots of qualifying and leading questions but if they come back with 'So how much will it cost to......' I have qualified them out.

Now, even I sometimes put the phone down and think, what an idoit, I can't afford to turn work down. But pretty much each time I go along they turn out to be complete wasters. Or is that too harsh?

[lands]

Every reply makes sense for different reasons. Mike is right about rapport (and I personally think this is the most important one) because if you get this you should get the job at the right price or you get to tell the custy t ring someone like Freshi coz they want it done on the cheap

[Fresh Clean]

yer that's right, i've heard ducks fart in church!!!! "i refuse to give a cheap quote out of principle" as soon as the custy says i'm looking for the cheapest quote, i switch off & discontinue the call quickly! & belch down the receiver in a aggressive manner!   buuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrpppppppppppp!!!!!!!!!!! & i suffer with flatulence for up to 30min's after the call!!!! freshisoiledundergarments

[lands]

yer that's right, i've heard ducks fart in church!!!! "i refuse to give a cheap quote out of principle" as soon as the custy says i'm looking for the cheapest quote, i switch off & discontinue the call quickly! & belch down the receiver in a aggressive manner!   buuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrpppppppppppp!!!!!!!!!!! & i suffer with flatulence for up to 30min's after the call!!!! freshisoiledundergarments

I thought that belching & far&?%ing was the natural lingo in (??), don't wory I won't say it. (I would'nt admit to it either)