Customer keeps telling me to ask for more money.

[ForTheArborist]

I've never encountered this in my business practice so far. I'm working on a nice estate taking out a few trees and some other tasks.

I've developed my prices for services around the average craigs list customer. My prices are competitive on the chicken scratch level craigs list market. I've just got the customer I've got now through another customer instead of craigs list. It's his boss.

I keep giving him numbers for the services, and he keeps telling me to ask for more. "I'm going to pay you. Don't be scared to ask for more" he says. Usually my customers pee themselves when I tell them the truth about what these things cost, but this guy is insinuates something else.

Thats my story. What should I do with this guy? I could really use some extra money to expand my gear and service level here. Should I just ask for the same price I get from everybody else, or should I round those digits up?

 

[bulldoglover]

I do work in two parts of the state, in my home town area I charge a lower price. Blue collar guys, old mill towns etc., when I go to the sea coast my rate goes up. I don't raise it to screw them, I raise it to keep in line with the other companies out there. The people expect a higher price, so I adjust for it. I often get one of two responses after a quote... "wow" (bad wow) or "Is that it?" (knowing that I should have quoted a few more bucks). As far as your question, I say adjust your prices slightly (as long as you have not given him all your quotes). If your in a nicer area, they probably expect a hight price and a better product. Just deliver a good end product and you should be all set.

 

[ForTheArborist]

I do work in two parts of the state, in my home town area I charge a lower price. Blue collar guys, old mill towns etc., when I go to the sea coast my rate goes up. I don't raise it to screw them, I raise it to keep in line with the other companies out there. The people expect a higher price, so I adjust for it. I often get one of two responses after a quote... "wow" (bad wow) or "Is that it?" (knowing that I should have quoted a few more bucks). As far as your question, I say adjust your prices slightly (as long as you have not given him all your quotes). If your in a nicer area, they probably expect a hight price and a better product. Just deliver a good end product and you should be all set.

Right.

 

[48"BAR PINCHER]

I have a customer for several years now who does the same to me. He has done very well for himself and retired @ 50 yrs old with lots of green to play with. He loves to tell me " Boy... you got to get it from those that got it!! Charge them till they squeal then back off till they stop the squealing and hold it there. If they ain't got it... find someone who does!!" Can't say I live by that but it is food for thought and yes there are those few kind of people out there.

 

[ForTheArborist]

I have a customer for several years now who does the same to me. He has done very well for himself and retired @ 50 yrs old with lots of green to play with. He loves to tell me " Boy... you got to get it from those that got it!! Charge them till they squeal then back off till they stop the squealing and hold it there. If they ain't got it... find someone who does!!" Can't say I live by that but it is food for thought and yes there are those few kind of people out there.

I know how to do that, and they live in my area. I'll probably try it out before too long to see what can happen. As long as I don't disreputize myself and my business, it's worth a joust.

 

[familytreeman]

pay

If it werent for those bubbas out there doin it for cheap, than the industry would gain respect more quickly.

Being a certified arborist is starting to be THE LAW in order to do tree work.

 

[davistree]

Money

Here in lies a moral issue in my opinion. Do you charge more just because a person has a greater liquid income to play with? Or charge less than you normally would based upon a person s inability to pay? I have found great success by bidding the job. Bid the job. Customers that have bankrolled a greater income over their lives maybe trying to teach you a thing or two about business. I would listen to all that they offer. However, at the end of the day, you have to make the decision. I have found small niches all over my area that are high income estates that no longer call for other estimates, I get a call to do the work, they don t want a bid, just the same fair bill that they have always received. They call and tell me to come take care of a hanging limb, tree, etc. and give me permission to trim or remove any other tree that I see an issue with. Everyone gets the same fair deal in my book.

 

[anne929]

I am talking for myself here, and this is just my opinion. I would just charge him the same price and if he is really satisfied with my work, then he can recommend me to his friends.


Greensboro Tree Service
tree service Birmingham

 

[RAG66]

Tell him to refer you, it would be the best compliment. You also might try to bump him $25-50 on a given job and see how it goes. Because he is a repeat customer you need to keep up your quality, that is why he uses you in the first place.

 

[homemade]

Iv never been a huge fan of asking for more money, Do your best and you'll get it your just rewards in the end. I would say "This is my rate, if you feel I deserve more, then I'm willing to accept what you feel confortable on giving me." I wouldn't exactly turn it down for two reasons. It may be insulting, like refusing a gift. And we could always use more money.....bigger saws, better equipment...

 

[COUNTRY6543]

I give a fair price no matter who it is and I sleep good at night. I am my own worst enemy.

 

[formationrx]

about the price...

for me.... they are rarely happy no matter what .... i always get .... "that much?" and they are shocked.... or its "thats all!" and they cant believe it. ....i give old people a cheap price. and i give rich snotty bastards an outrageous price.. thats me... is it fair?... i dont care!

 

[tree md]

Personally, I don't like getting tips... Makes me feel like I left money on the table... :eek2:

 

[ewoolsey]

i get $25-50 bonus on a lot of my jobs, most just add it to check, just be there when they need you.

 

[justme23005]

I have one regular customer that gives me an extra $100 every time.. I take that into consideration when I write his estimates.

 

[shooterschafer]

My friends and family tell me I dont charge enough, but I like to be fair and not rape my customers. Now if its a high risk job I tend to charge a little more. Usually its the rich ones that are stingy and want the cheapest price, thats how they got there.

 

[Oak E Doke]

Charge em till he Squeals then back off. :yoyo:

 

[Fairbanks Stump]

Just do your best work EVERY time

Be the very best in attitude and aptitude, charge what the market will bear and never feel uncomfortable if the customer truly appreciates you for the professional that you are. And enjoy the success that comes with being the BEST !
Thanks
Jon

 

[ashevilletree]

I would'nt rip off anyone, I think it's a good idea to charge differently for the craigslist people because we all know they're all about "bottom of the barrel pricing" but you've got to stay competitive with the rest of your market.

 

[littlestinger]

If some potential customers are not telling you that you are charging too much and they are going with someone cheaper, you are not charging enough.

There is always someone willing to go broke faster than you are...