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Last night we attended a Christmas dinner theater with several couples. It was a nice time and everyone was in a festive mood.
Then when we were going thru the buffet line, the husband of one of my best friends ex wife asked me how much it would cost to letter his boat.
It was one of those buffet lines where you go down either side of the table. I looked up and all eyes were on me -- waiting for my answer.
Is it just me in my old age? Or is it rude as hell to be asking about prices in a buffet line or in the grocery store check out line or in line at a funeral visitation. Yeah it's happened to me at all those places. I'm sure I can think of a thousand more inappropriate places to ask somebody about a price. Am I supposed to carry a little book with me at all times in case somebody fires me that question?
I was wondering if this person would ask "how much" if I was a lawyer, doctor or even a car salesman. Would he ask "how much" for certain occupations and not others. I think it's rude and shows lack of respect. How do others feel?
I told this guy I didn't price jobs and he'd have to check with Jane which is mostly true, but after thinking about it at length, I should have told him the price would be a percentage of the current price of the boat and that I would have to look that up when I returned to work because the percentage would be determined on a sliding scale (or some such b***s**t like that). I should also have told him that he would need to have his boat appraised and bring me a notarized copy of the appraisal to determine how that price works in to the percentage.
Sorry to rant ... it must be age, fumes, orneriness or maybe too many potato chips.
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2107 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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Bill, Just happened to me two days ago in a bar in Watkins Glen. Guy comes up to me and says, "Hey you're the sign guy! How much to letter my truck?" I don't know where it came from (guess I'm getting old and don't give much of a sh*t anymore)but I blurted out, "The Bar Price is $5,000.00! For the Shop Price, you have to call the shop!" Without saying another word, he turned and walked away. Phone rang the next morning, "Hey you're the sign guy! How much to letter my truck?"
-------------------- Tony Vickio The World Famous Vickio Signs 3364 Rt.329 Watkins Glen, NY 14891 t30v@vickiosigns.com 607-535-6241 http://www.vickiosigns.com Posts: 1063 | From: Watkins Glen, New York | Registered: Sep 2001
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return his question with a question.... HOW MUCH DID YOUR BOAT/TRUCK COST? after he tells you what a great deal he got on it.......tell him........the lettering job wont be near as much)))))))
[ December 23, 2011, 11:32 AM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Bill, I was approached at the funeral parlor where my uncle who worked for me passed away. The guy wanted to know if he could have his job. I could not even answer him, it seemed so out of place. Bill
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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My stock answer in those situations is to pull out a business card and hand it to them. I say "Here, give me a call when we can both really focus on what you need and I'll get you some numbers. If it's something I can ballpark- I do." I try not to look at it as rude but as potential business. I've sold more than one project based on a two minute exchange at the grocery store, hardware store and local pizza place. If I know them well- I might even have a little fun with them.
A guy I know pretty well who builds homes saw me at the gas station just yesterday. He said "Hey, how much would it be to do one of those mural things?" I smiled and said, "That's a tough question. Let me ask you this, How much does it cost to build a house?"
He stopped for a moment and said "Well, a house depends...how big is it? how complicated is it? What's the budget? You know..not easy to throw a number out."
I handed him my card and said "OK...a mural..How big is it, how complicated and what's the budget...good place to start!"
-------------------- Doug Haffner Haffner Signs www.haffnersigns.com 309-338-9570 211 W. Williams Wyoming, Il 61491 Posts: 211 | From: Wyoming, Illinois | Registered: May 2010
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No, I think it is rude. Bill you are right. There are very few people that understand that business should be done during business hours.
There are exceptions of friends and family, but in your case..this guy was out of line. It happens to me all the time. i live in a small town and if I go to a local bar for a drink, or out for the evening, I always get cornered.
It's frustrating because 9 times out of 10 they don't order it anyhow!
However... I hope you all have a Merry Christmas
T
-------------------- Theresa N. Hoying Visual Concepts 130 South Lester Avenue Sidney, Ohio 45365 937.492.2110 Posts: 176 | From: Sidney, Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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I know it's wrong, but it makes you want to be rude back. But to reduce what you do down to a single pat answer leads me to believe the person asking for the price thinks your business is a simple one. That's what gets to me.
I think the years of condescending retorts from rude people regarding the business I love has made me bitter.
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2107 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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I get that ALL the time, so I don't even hesitate or blink when I respond: "Ten Thousand Dollars" then I just get real quiet and stare at them, waiting for them to soak it in... it is such an awkward question with so many variables, that my response usually brings that to their attention. We usually laugh it off, then talk about a few particulars- I always let them know that I have learned the hard way NEVER to give prices over the phone, or without all the particulars.
I always tell them that one day, somebody's gonna pay that without haggling.
Another irritating one "how much?, just a ballpark figure..." so I always say "well, I'm not sure how much ballparks are going for, but I think Yankee stadium kinda expensive..."
or "when you say ballpark, are talking about a stadium or the hot dog, because they cost different..."
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1735 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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Old age does that...or so I'm told. I wouldn't know myself.
If they are friends, I usually say, "As much as I can get - how much you got?" or..."you're in luck. Today we are having a special - signs are only $50,000. How many do you need?"
Otherwise, I normally ask them to call me at the studio.
It's not uncommon to overhear someone talking to a lawyer or doctor at church, trying to get some free advice or have the doctor write them a prescription. I'm sure it's annoying to them, also.
By the way, Bill - I really enjoyed the weekend with your sons at Atlantic City. You have every reason to be proud.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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A bit like Joe, I'd say "How much would you like to spend...?"
-------------------- "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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It happens all the time. I hand them a b card and say. I am off work now and do not talk shop. Please call me tomorrow.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5273 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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I usually say $50,000 right off the bat. They say just to do the doors. I then say hell I don't know off the top of my head, but we can talk about it later, give me a call. But I understand what you mean hitting you up for the question in front of everyone. So next time say 50 grand and you get shadows with an outline....
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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One of the local "blood suckers" was at a public meeting of a non-profit group and was asked a question about the legality of something...he expounded upon it for some time. A few days later the group got a bill for his time and advice.
A few weeks afterward, my wife and I were having breakfast at a local restaurant when the same SOB walks over to our table wanting to know all about what his sign should be made of, how much it would cost, how long it would last, what colors I recommended and other pertinent info. He pretty much took up all of our breakfast time. He would have thought is was awful if I had sent him a bill and would probably have refused to pay. Then he became a politician....go figure!
[ December 25, 2011, 10:12 PM: Message edited by: Roy Frisby ]
-------------------- Frisby Signs, Inc. El Dorado, Arkansas Posts: 902 | From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Bill, she could have been looking for something to talk about as she felt awkward in line like that, not saying anything. I don't take offense to it, I give a card, tell them to call me so we can discuss what they want when we can both focus on it. I do love the bar price/shop price & see me using that a lot in the future.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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"If you are really serious, give me one of your business cards and I will call you tomorrow to arrange a sit down. What, you do not carry business cards? (that makes him feel like an unoprofessional and you the pro) OK Call me tomorrow and we can meet for lunch and talk about the project that I would like to help you with. By the way, doesn't the food here look tasty?"
Take control, change the subject, make him think you are serious and move it toward a friendlier business environment. Smile. Chalk it up to the fact that he actually thinks you are someone special and is wanting to do business with you, but is not really thinking.
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1552 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
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A buffet line isn't the place to pull out a card, but I'd try to smile and ask for a call during business hours and change the subject or ask what they use the boat for or how long have they had it. Get them talking about their recreation choices.
Some folks don't have a sense of appropriateness and need some guidance.
-------------------- 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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I will agree that the idea of someone coming up at a funeral is where I'd even have to draw the line. There are times where you have to let people know where you stand as a person...not just a business person.
-------------------- Doug Haffner Haffner Signs www.haffnersigns.com 309-338-9570 211 W. Williams Wyoming, Il 61491 Posts: 211 | From: Wyoming, Illinois | Registered: May 2010
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Having lived next to, or over my shop for most of my career, I enjoy the seperation I have now. I think it really comes down to boundaries. I wouldn't appreciate that either, but I've done the business card and politely told them to call or stop by during business hours at the shop.
Doctors don't diagnose in the buffett line either.
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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I get this no matter where I go (including the funeral home)in a way, it's nice, because it makes you realize that you are known for your work. I'll usually reply with something smart-assy like "a million dollars". If I have a business card I will hand them one but it's not always an option. I think that people know what I do, see me, remember they may need something that I can do, and just blurt it out. It's not meant in a disrespectful way. People are just dumb. My brother, the lawyer, gets asked legal questions no matter where he goes. My sister, the notary, gets asked about transferring titles. And my other sister, a dental office manager, has the extreme pleasure of people actually showing her a rotten tooth every now and again. Love....Jill PS I have never, ever, gotten a job via this sort of approach, and I have been asked about the same potential job by the same person at different events over the years.
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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99% of the time people ask you dumbass questions in dumbass places, they are just mouth running!IF this happens to me I tell them to call my office monday and they say Ill do that....notice they didnt ask for my number! lol...
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
posted
I'm going to disagree with you and the others Bill.
I feel that, as a small business owner, I'm pretty much on the job 24/7. If I'm out and about, regardless where I am or what I'm doing, I'll happily answer a business question to the best of my ability. The one reason being is that trip, dinner, etc, just became a business expense
I also answer the business phone in the evening and on weekends too because you never know what might happen. One recent Saturday morning, I answered the phone and managed to land a ~$1,000 job for $20 in materials and 6 hours of travel and installation time.
Happy New Year,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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