posted
When New Potential customers phone me, I always state "They Start At".... it just makes perfect sense... then you can find out a lot more info on what they think they need. Good Article.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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That's a good idea. At least they know what the ballpark is, and if they can't handle your 'starting at' figure, you probably don't want them anyway.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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Sounds like a good idea, but I'm not so sure. I've been reading articles that seem to contradict this strategy. A technique called "price anchoring" is very powerful...so powerful that even when you know that you're being subjected to it, YOU'RE NEARLY POWERLESS TO COUNTER IT. You can read about it here=>http://www.mint.com/blog/how-to/price-anchoring/.
It seems to me that if you throw out an arbitrary number for a starter price, it could put you in a bad position when you try to raise the price after getting more information. After all, the first number the customer hears is the one they are going to remember.
I know that the pricing discussion is one seemingly without end, so I hope this doesn't rekindle that fire storm.
-------------------- Brian Oliver Paxton Signs Fort Collins, CO paxton@peakpeak.com www.paxtonsignsofcolorado.com Posts: 237 | From: ft. collins, colorado,usa | Registered: Mar 2001
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The starting at price will be the only price they will remember no matter what transpires after the initial contact. That said, we need to give some idea up front because we all need to know if what we are considering is even near our budget.
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2785 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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I usually say for a Lettering Job on a van prices range from $100 to $3ooo, so they usually say well what can I get for around $800, on average that is, 2 doors with a simple name and Ph number.. yep a ton. but that hardly ever happens... but good point all the same on that price anchoring..
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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The way I understand it, price anchoring names prices but it starts with the higher one first. Instead of saying, "We do logos for $300 and up.", you would say, "We charge as much as $1500 for a logo, but we've been known to do them for as low as $600". I can see how that would make people feel better about paying $600 for a logo. But, if they had $150 in mind, they also know they can't afford you. Not a bad thing.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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I know of a shop that asks if they've seen the shop's website to understand the quality being in a league differing from their competitors. After qualifying as someone willing to pay high prices for high quality, they move forward from there.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6712 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Good info all around. I am always encouraged by posts like these to stick to keeping the value of my work, and not cutting my own throat to make a quick buck.
Decreasing price means decreasing the perceived value, which makes your craft less important/valued (at least in a customers eyes.) If you decide you want a nice, good piece of cake do you try the $.50 per slice piece or the $4.50 per slice. They might be the same cake, but you'll think the more expensive one is better.
Thanks for the nice posts everyone.
-------------------- Phil Steffen, 29 Van Rensselaer St City of Saratoga Springs DPW Saratoga Springs NY 12866 Posts: 563 | From: beautiful Saratoga Springs NY | Registered: Aug 2001
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I dont see what all the questioning is about. As Russ said, give a range and say that it all depends on various factors. That's simple, straightforward, and doesnt give the impression that you're out to con them. It's like if someone calls me on the phone. if they wont state their name and business right off the bat, I hang up on them.
-------------------- dennis kiernan independent artist san francisco, calif, usa Posts: 907 | From: san francisco, ca usa | Registered: Feb 2010
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I get calls with "How much does a sign cost?" .My reply is "How much does a house cost? How much does a car or truck cost?". I then tell them it depends on detail, if there is a logo, how much lettering etc. I then ask them if they have a budget, if so how much? I then tell them I'm not asking them the $ amount so that I gouge them, but so I know what to offer, know how much time to spend on design and fabrication. They usually say they didn't realize how much goes into planning out a sign. Most don't have a clue what they want.
Diane
-------------------- Balch Signs 1045 Raymond Rd Malta, NY 12020 518 885-9899 signs@balchsigns.com http://www.balchsigns.com Posts: 1695 | From: MaltaNY | Registered: Jan 2000
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Thanks for both those articles-good food for thought!
That means "It all depends..." !
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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