[paulchambers]

After quoting a job and the lady of the house needs to talk to husband first regarding carpet cleaning would you do a follow up and if so how long afterwards.  Paul

[Big_Fish]

Always. Give it a couple of days and then make a polite follow up call.
Better still, get her to make a provisional booking for a couple of weeks time +, (because you are so busy ) and then talk to the other half. She can always cancel but they hardly ever do.

BFN

[paulchambers]

I like the provisional booking idea thanks for that i will use it next time i quote.   paul

[Len Gribble]

Wife asking husband that a new one, bells ringing competitors checking, but worth a follow up to hear the reply.

Len

[Ian Gourlay]

Although I can see merits in Big Fishes method it could lead to blow outs unless you send out confirmation letters

[strakercleaning]

I recently contacted a client, by email, regarding a quote i gave. My approach was  the tack that i am gathering results on reasons why i did not get job ...ie. price, presentation, knowledge imparted etc. to improve my service in the future.
This job is for £900+ and have been provisionally booked for this as a result of my follow up. I only got to quote in first place as i was the only CC to offer to visit and quote,out of 6 called.

[Big_Fish]

There is obviously more to our appointment system than just making a provisional booking and leaving it.
My point was to use it as a piece of the jigsaw instead of just walking away and leaving the door open to anyone else that the customer calls.

This type of excuse is usually because they are shopping around as Len said. Often to take the step of a provisional booking will make them feel obligated and they stop shopping.

You can get to know which customers to use this approach with quite early on in the survey, and by doing this can pick up about 30% more work than just leaving. Follow up calls are also a good way of bringing the customer back to you...if done correctly, and as part of a complete customer service package.

BFN

[woodman]

Quite simply

when you go out to quote and they do not commit there and then, ask the lady/man of the house if they would mind if you carried out a follow up call in a few days.

[Ken Wainwright]

I'm so lucky. Or am I just good?

I don't make a follow up call. After handing over the quotation I say that they can discuss and consider it in their own time, and if they want to proceed with some or all of the work, just call me to make an appointment. I usually walk out the door with the order. If I don't, it's very rare for them not to call me. It's called the soft sell. I don't compete on price. In fact I don't compete in anything. If they like my presentation and what I have to offer they're mine If not, I'm not interested. It's very, very rare not to convert a site quotation.

Safe and happy quoting:)
Ken

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Yes Ken but you are well established, only working with old customers, don't advertise and don't put a full day or week in. You don't do that many jobs so you can afford to cherry pick, some of the forum me,bers are not in that scinario yet.

Shaun

[paulchambers]

Made follow up calls today manage to 1 of 2 jobs second custumer said she had got another quote a lot cheaper, though she would prefer i did the work as i  came and looked and checked backing dye test and burns test the other chap hasn't done any of that he quoted over the phone. He is driving 20 odd miles for a third of what i was charging. (husband wants the cheapest)   Paul

[declanb]

Call her back and tell her that your existing quote is void if she gets another cc in as you dont know what kind of damage he will do to the carpet. Tell her that you are often called in after so called cheaper cleaners and it usually ends up costing the customer alot more

Dec