:agree2: it's seems the customer called and told everyone to show up at the same time, like your supposed to get there take a number and wait your turn. "Next Please!" that is so annoying, you can bet that someone like that doesn't care about customer service and doing a good job. It's all about the price. I'll walk away from jobs like that anymore. Its like a pack of hungry dogs begging for a piece of meat.
Odd sales call
- Thread starter danieltree
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:agree2: it's seems the customer called and told everyone to show up at the same time, like your supposed to get there take a number and wait your turn. "Next Please!" that is so annoying, you can bet that someone like that doesn't care about customer service and doing a good job. It's all about the price. I'll walk away from jobs like that anymore. Its like a pack of hungry dogs begging for a piece of meat.
danieltree
ArboristSite Operative
The time to meet was sort of open after 10 no later than 11, so that may have been the case. She said she only called 3 companies so I am sure price was something they were concerned about but I did not get the feeling that that was the only concern. The customer that called me around 8 months ago who had called 10 other companies they were price shopping. I have seen other companies at job bids but we give each other space nod our heads at one another and go about our own business. The other guy was very friendly in the way the snake in Geneses was friendly . I think that him doing what he did was some devious attempt to get the job . I can sympathize, with the Mercedes note to pay and all I would probably be a little more aggressive as well.
southernoutdoor
ArboristSite Lurker
Heres what you do; call him up for a little chat out in the sticks, hide and wait on him in a ski mask and a baseball bat, well you know the rest, good luck, take some pics
You never know it could of been an inside job, she might of known mercedes. Maybe he showed up to see how you handle it and to get an idea on how you bid jobs. I've had one or two like that that I swear were just set ups.
Norwayclimber
ArboristSite Operative
I had the same thing happen to me 5 years ago. Ended up with me not giving a price and letting the other guy have the job as it was just a hedge that needed cutting. Now that other guy gives me all his difficult trees 
If it had happened today, i'd probably talk with the other guy before the homeowner came and we would decide that one of us would price it high, and the other extremly high. That way one of us would most likely end up with a well paid job and the other with a treeguy that ows you a favour. A win/win situation!
If it had happened today, i'd probably talk with the other guy before the homeowner came and we would decide that one of us would price it high, and the other extremly high. That way one of us would most likely end up with a well paid job and the other with a treeguy that ows you a favour. A win/win situation!
arbor pro
Addicted to ArboristSite
It seams that, lately, I keep showing up to bid jobs at the same time as one of our other tree services - strange how it's always him and not the others. Anyhow, I always give him his space and he gives me mine. We're cordial and sometimes make small talk but we're professional towards each other and towards the client in that we don't try to 'double' up on the conversation. To me, that's unprofessional and I would be upset at both the customer and other gentleman for trying to make this other than a one-on-one meeting.
I know I'm not the lowest price in the area so, when I see other tree services showing up that I know from experience are going to offer a lower price to the client, I usually get in and out of there pretty quickly. In this case, I probably would have asked straight out what the customer was looking for - best price or best service. Body language says a lot. If I get bad vibes, I'm outa there. If the client seems receptive to my sales pitch, I'll stick it out and try to persuade them my direction with a brochure, history of my experience, etc.
I'm lucky that, in my area, I pretty much know the other tree services and what their reputations are. If I'm bidding against someone who I don't think I have a good chance of beating, I'll just slip out quickly and let it go at that. If I think the other guy is a hack who can't handle the job the way the customer wants it done, I'll tactfully explain why I can do it better.
Tough situation to know how to handle correctly. Tact and professionalism, in any situation, is usually the best way to proceed. No need to storm off or blow up at the customer or the other tree guy. I think you handled it ok but, like others said, I would not have handed an open bid form to the client before leaving. I would have either mailed it to her or told her I would call or stop back later when the other guy was gone. You just set him up to lowball you if he's that kind of guy and if the customer is that kind of customer who would ask him to do so.
I know I'm not the lowest price in the area so, when I see other tree services showing up that I know from experience are going to offer a lower price to the client, I usually get in and out of there pretty quickly. In this case, I probably would have asked straight out what the customer was looking for - best price or best service. Body language says a lot. If I get bad vibes, I'm outa there. If the client seems receptive to my sales pitch, I'll stick it out and try to persuade them my direction with a brochure, history of my experience, etc.
I'm lucky that, in my area, I pretty much know the other tree services and what their reputations are. If I'm bidding against someone who I don't think I have a good chance of beating, I'll just slip out quickly and let it go at that. If I think the other guy is a hack who can't handle the job the way the customer wants it done, I'll tactfully explain why I can do it better.
Tough situation to know how to handle correctly. Tact and professionalism, in any situation, is usually the best way to proceed. No need to storm off or blow up at the customer or the other tree guy. I think you handled it ok but, like others said, I would not have handed an open bid form to the client before leaving. I would have either mailed it to her or told her I would call or stop back later when the other guy was gone. You just set him up to lowball you if he's that kind of guy and if the customer is that kind of customer who would ask him to do so.
danieltree
ArboristSite Operative
Just got off of phone with the customer. I got the job. She said my price was higher but she liked how courteous I was and would like to have me do the work. As far as the other guy goes she told me that after I left he tried to work out a deal to remove another tree on the neighbors property and only offered a 25.00 dollar discount. So I guess the other guy was one of the good guys and didn't do any throat cutting or trash talking. Figured I would let you know how it turned out. Looks like the starving time is coming to an end .
Good deal dude, 
ropensaddle
Feel Lucky
I hate those timed bids I have been on them with five services there and three circling the block like buzzards. I once told a lady my estimates are free but waiting to give an estimate is one hundred per hour 2 hour minimum. She looked at me odd then I told her I will likely be the higher priced here so wasting time needs covered.We have too many tree services
ropensaddle
Feel Lucky
nova fer ya
danieltree
ArboristSite Operative
treeslayer
Addicted to ArboristSite
think about this.
you can buy a clean, decent Benz for $10,000. A big 1 ton 4WD pickup with all the bells and whistles is $50,000+
I sell work right now out of a older Malibu, and sell AFFORDABLE work. in this economy, in middle class 'hoods that works very well.
In upper class McMansion-ville, image matters, unless we luck out and get a cheapskate.
I always tell the HO let me bid last, and never ever leave written estimates. I make em beg for one, and negotiate my pricing anyway, "what do think is fair?"
and then offer them options to get the price in their ballpark. works very well too. I might not get rich, but I'm working.
In good weather and a good economy, NO DEALS though.
you can buy a clean, decent Benz for $10,000. A big 1 ton 4WD pickup with all the bells and whistles is $50,000+
I sell work right now out of a older Malibu, and sell AFFORDABLE work. in this economy, in middle class 'hoods that works very well.
In upper class McMansion-ville, image matters, unless we luck out and get a cheapskate.
I always tell the HO let me bid last, and never ever leave written estimates. I make em beg for one, and negotiate my pricing anyway, "what do think is fair?"
and then offer them options to get the price in their ballpark. works very well too. I might not get rich, but I'm working.
In good weather and a good economy, NO DEALS though.
treemandan
Tree Freak
think about this.
you can buy a clean, decent Benz for $10,000. A big 1 ton 4WD pickup with all the bells and whistles is $50,000+
I sell work right now out of a older Malibu, and sell AFFORDABLE work. in this economy, in middle class 'hoods that works very well.
In upper class McMansion-ville, image matters, unless we luck out and get a cheapskate.
I always tell the HO let me bid last, and never ever leave written estimates. I make em beg for one, and negotiate my pricing anyway, "what do think is fair?"
and then offer them options to get the price in their ballpark. works very well too. I might not get rich, but I'm working.
In good weather and a good economy, NO DEALS though.
Very true.
danieltree
ArboristSite Operative
There are 36 tree services listed in our local directory. That is not counting door knockers . Begging for an estimate is not something the customer has to do here. We had a major storm here a few years back(Katrina) and it turned the industry on its ear. It is slowly getting back to normal. I heard about one tree guy this last week that blew his head off, they say it was over being so behind on bills, I am sure that was not all there was to it but I bet it played a role in it. I agree with you on the benz. I drive a half ton white chevy to do bid work in. Some customers do hire the vehicle over the man.
treeslayer
Addicted to ArboristSite
Isabel filled the Wmsbg area with tree companies, one major reason why I travel. The nature of a free economy is the very demise of most who try to be in business, I have seen a LOT of guys go under, overextending in good times, and starving in slow times. In this economy? you can't eat a 2nd bobcat or any other new equipment. sucks about the suicide.
Oh yeah, and I meant beg ME for a written estimate.
I get a call, I'm calling the same day, there the next if not sooner. I bid EVERY job like I ain't got one. written estimates just lock prices down too much for me.In storm work, its fun to collect em, they are everywhere. blowing down the street, stuck all over houses, cars, mailboxes, nailed to trees, etc.......
gwiley
Addicted to ArboristSite
I had the same thing happen to me 5 years ago. Ended up with me not giving a price and letting the other guy have the job as it was just a hedge that needed cutting. Now that other guy gives me all his difficult trees
If it had happened today, i'd probably talk with the other guy before the homeowner came and we would decide that one of us would price it high, and the other extremly high. That way one of us would most likely end up with a well paid job and the other with a treeguy that ows you a favour. A win/win situation!
Hmmm....sounds lite that is on the darker side of ethical, in some places it is illegal. I wouldn't appreciate a contractor doing that to me - I'd encourage you to think about that idea a while before doing it.
arbor pro
Addicted to ArboristSite
Called price fixing. Federal offense. The ethical or unethical debate aside, it's illegal and, in today's poor economy, taking advantage of 'Joe Homeowner' is not going to be well-received by any jury if you get caught and prosecuted. I sure wouldn't be suggesting on a public forum that that's how I'd conduct my business!
gwiley
Addicted to ArboristSite
Called price fixing. Federal offense. The ethical or unethical debate aside, it's illegal and, in today's poor economy, taking advantage of 'Joe Homeowner' is not going to be well-received by any jury if you get caught and prosecuted. I sure wouldn't be suggesting on a public forum that that's how I'd conduct my business!
I was trying to be diplomatic, you articulated the issue more clearly.
