[suffolkclean]

I've given quotes over the phone for carpet cleaning (with their very rough measurements)!, I say we can do it......Then I get well I'm phoning round for some quotes!!

I really feel like saying - Oh well I won't hear back from you then cos you probably will get it cheaper but we'll do a better job!!

What can I say that dosn't sound cheeky

Thanks - Barbara

[Neil Grainger]

Barbara

This is the dilema with phone qouting, I have to go 25 miles tonight to qoute for a Suite clean carpets and rugs, doing this over the phone just wont cut it as i have so much to look at. Estimating over the phone can be hit and miss.

I give them the option of home and phone quote as I can explain both to them. I always say I would prefer to come and see you as I need to make sure your happy and I am happy to do the job.

You will always get price shoppers that just want the cheapest price and dont care what they are having done.

Try a week of going and quoting in person, saying you only give quotes in person, check what your conversion rate is and then decided if its the way to go.

[markpowell]

I have had work in the past because i am the only cc in my area that will quote over the phone, especially from the elderly. They dont want pushy salesman in there homes, thats what they tell us anyway!!
I ahve always quoted over the phone, some you win some you loose. i dont have the time to travell round all day quoting jobs id rather be cleaning.
How do you guys that only go out and survey, manage in Nov and Dec?
Mark

[kelly acs]

I would just explain how difficult it is to give a precise quote over the phone but that you can give them a rough estimate based on the measurements they have given you.

Explain that once you go to do the job if it is going to cost more than you have quoted that you will discuss this with them before you start the job.

As for them ringing around for quotes etc I find that it really helps to explain what cleaning system you use and any other benifits they will gain for using you and not their competition. Saying you will do a better job is not enough you need to tell them why!

[Neil Grainger]

I do both but conversion rate on visits is much higher, always arrange quotes depending on the amount of potential work, will quote over phone if clients have measurments, know what type of carpet or material is and can advise o amount of stains and dirt. will do quotes when I finish cleaning.

I find the opposit for OAPs, they like to see that you are not an axe murderer.

[maxcarpets]

The amount of work we have done this August would take me a month to go and quote!

How the summer been for you Neil, havnt spoken for a while.

Cheers


Justin

[gwrightson]

I agree Neil,

never had a pensioner yet say they dont want a home survey,
they like to see who they are dealing with , as do the majority of custy,s exactly why conversion rate is much higher than simply pricing over the phone, unless opf course they are regulars.

Mark, never heard so much rubbish " they prefer phone quotes "  
and in answer to your question, " how do we manage in Nov, Dec   same as I do in Jan, feb.march.april,may june. july aug, sept, oct  I get in the van and drive

Geoff

[gwrightson]

I agree Neil,

never had a pensioner yet say they dont want a home survey,
they like to see who they are dealing with , as do the majority of custy,s exactly why conversion rate is much higher than simply pricing over the phone, unless opf course they are regulars.

Mark, never heard so much rubbish " they prefer phone quotes "  
and in answer to your question, " how do we manage in Nov, Dec   same as I do in Jan, feb.march.april,may june. july aug, sept, oct  I get in the van and drive

Geoff

[Mike Osbourne]

If you sound like a pushy salesman when you call then sure they ain't wanting you round.

The best salesman in the world don't come across anything like the 'salesman' we all associate with the word.

Ask lots of questions, then ones they can't answer , then say spose you could come round and advise what the best course of action might be. Oh yes please, oh what a nice carpet man.

[Neil Grainger]

Justin

August has been very good, always the best month for me. I am off today because I have had to take the kids out for the day with the boss.

Sept is really busy, Google has increased the amount of commercial I am getting. Spending a lot of time in dorking Leatherhead and Godalming at the moment.

Just won a contact to clean a chain of childrens Nursery's. I did a private job for a customer and they just asked me to quote for the Nursery business.  10 sites every 3 months. Its got me thinking that this is the way to go as regards new work.

[Mike Halliday]

just tell them you don't give quotes without seeing the carpet, its that easy.

phone quotes basically mean you can't be bothered to visit them,  usually because they are too far away.

THE ANSWER!!!......don't work more than 3 miles away from your front door then you'll always be passing a potential customer to just pop in and have a look

[Neil Grainger]

Thats good if you have a large catchment area. I enjoy traveling like I have this evening but it has to be for the right amount of work.

Customer said tonight that I need'nt of traveled as she was sold on me by my Telephone manor. first Impressions.

[markpowell]

I agree Neil,

never had a pensioner yet say they dont want a home survey,
they like to see who they are dealing with , as do the majority of custy,s exactly why conversion rate is much higher than simply pricing over the phone, unless opf course they are regulars.

Mark, never heard so much rubbish " they prefer phone quotes "  
and in answer to your question, " how do we manage in Nov, Dec   same as I do in Jan, feb.march.april,may june. july aug, sept, oct  I get in the van and drive

Geoff

If you have enough time to drive round all day doing surveys, you cant be doing much cleaning. I am working 8-5 at the mo cleaning so i just dont have the time to visit each job to give a quote.

[markpowell]

Thats good if you have a large catchment area. I enjoy traveling like I have this evening but it has to be for the right amount of work.

Customer said tonight that I need'nt of traveled as she was sold on me by my Telephone manor. first Impressions.

Exactly Neil!

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

If you have enough time to drive round all day doing surveys, you cant be doing much cleaning. I am working 8-5 at the mo cleaning so i just dont have the time to visit each job to give a quote.

So assuming you're happy with your pricing/level of income, why would anybody worry if they don't convert every phone call?

Some would argue that given this state of play you should increase prices to help match supply and demand.

OK Class; please discuss.

[carpet_care]

I agree with mark powell with regards to going out and quoting in nov and dec.

 I dont normally have time to answer the phone never mind go out and give quotes at that time of year.

   Normally end up having to keep my phone off as its always on divert and calnt get any work done with it constantly ringing


 Regards Andy Locke

[markpowell]

If you have enough time to drive round all day doing surveys, you cant be doing much cleaning. I am working 8-5 at the mo cleaning so i just dont have the time to visit each job to give a quote.

So assuming you're happy with your pricing/level of income, why would anybody worry if they don't convert every phone call?

Some would argue that given this state of play you should increase prices to help match supply and demand.

OK Class; please discuss.

I dont convert every call, anyone that converts every enquiry is too cheap.
i convert 70% ish which i am happy with, i work a week in front and have work every day Mon - Fri dinnertime.
mark

[Jim_77]

bloody part timer!

[Neil Grainger]

Mark, if you have that much work, put your prices up and cut the number of hours, you may lose a few Jobs but I bet you still get most of them and make the same if not more money.

I clean for 5hrs max a day so always have time to do the quotes after that. If you do them sort of hrs all the time you'll br screwed in 10 years time.

[Mike Osbourne]

I'm with you Neil. Spend the rest of the time finding better custies, servicing your existing ones, plotting world domination etc.

Some who come from certain backgrounds have a work ethic that revolves around, well, physical work, thinking pure graft will get you on, but actually it's the slowest way.

I'm probably just a lazy sod though.