lostinmidmich
ArboristSite Lurker
Michigan has been hit hard by the economy. Not only is it hard to get the price I would like but I'm getting underbid left and right. Many laid off workers from the auto industry are picking up lawn mowers and chainsaws and starting companies. Many of which are uninsured and are bidding half of what I say. Straight bidding I have found has been scaring off a lot of my customers. They see $1200 as huge number, panic and call undercut tree care. So I have decided to try out time and material bids and to my surprise they have been fairly successful. 8 hours @ $150 doesn't scare as much as $1200. Although I do get the people who still want the straight bid, I am understanding how much linguistics can play a part in being a salesman. I don't want to be a sales man. I always worked by the philosophy that quality work will bring customers. I was wrong. Quality work, conviction and a bit of sales brings the customers.
If the tree care industry is to survive we need to self regulate our standards. Lets bump out yahoo tree care by example. Thoughts? Ideas?
If the tree care industry is to survive we need to self regulate our standards. Lets bump out yahoo tree care by example. Thoughts? Ideas?