posted
Story of what happened today with an old customer we've discounted for, given art work for free, basically been really stupid with. Custom made items for her trade show. You know - been stupid.
Today she tells me she needs her banner by Saturday. She gave me the layout at the beginning of the week after not being able to transfer it through e-mail last week. We went and picked it up. She said that she told me she was opening this Sat when we spoke last week. I said ok I honestly didn't remember this, evenso, it's still cutting it close.
Then she goes on to say that Fast Signs could have it done in 2 working days. I was SO mad/hurt. It almost ended our business relationship but we managed to savor it.
We had our first on May 15th. She's opening her doll museum in her factory building (with 7 tennants). She manufacturers them. She wanted a real nice sign. We spent about two hours with her because her husband didn't get there until after we explained everything to her for an hour. We took the time to show him everything. I asked what their budget was and they seemed like they wanted a nice sign but didn't get a dollar amount.
BIG MISTAKE!!!!!!!!!!!! ALWAYS ask the budget - this will elliminate huge headaches and tears. You can't get time back. Stupid me thinking oh, one of our first customers, I'll do a layout and give them a discount and they'll definately go for it. WRONG!!! It's turned into a cheap $125 banner.
Learn the hard way - again. Find out the customer's budget!!!!!!!! NO DESIGNS FOR FREE!! I'm sooo mad at myself. I, once again, gave her a new custom layout with color. I'm firing myself.
BTW - did I tell you her and her husband both drive mercedes benz cars?
That's my rant.
Diane a.k.a. stupid drama queen
------------------ Summit Signs Sellersville, PA summitsigns@erols.com
Honestly, some people are only out to get what they can for nothing. They will keep taking advantage of you as long as you will let them. And, they will refer others to you who expect the same treatment. I'd try turning the tables on her, ask her why should you pay that much $ for one of her dolls when you can go to K-Mart and buy a barbie for a few bucks.
Tell her to go to Fast Signs or Cheap Ugly Signs or Signs R Us, whichever it was. Ask her if they'll give her free art work and jump through hoops and bend over backwards for her, still giving her a discount.
This is one client you can do without.
And one more morsel to ponder: If they can give her a banner in 2 days, is it.... ugly? simple layout (or no layout)? that they're that slow they can immediately work on it? Just another fast ugly sign from a cookie-cutter pattern? that they're stupid enough to re-arrange their schedule for her, thinking she is a great customer?
Whichever the case is, let them have her. Either she'll give them headaches too or she'll realize what she gets from them doesn't even compare to what she gets from you.
------------------ Chris King Paper Works & Graphix Indiana, PA
Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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1st question you should asked yourself was: gee they drive a mecedes....wonder how many people they have cheated outa their money to pay for it?....i used to work in a NAPA auto parts..guy comes in one day drivin a new 500S...wanted an oil filter, went to the shelf, put it on the counter, billed it out at $15-$18...the guy goes off on me.."how come its so expensive, wheres my discount?" i said what did you pay for that car" he says $50,000...told him go to mercedes and buy an oil filter...he said he was there and they wanted... $27...i told him ..trade in the mercedes and get a ford.!always remember, most people that have money got it one of 2 ways....they either inherited it..or worked their butts off for it.....and none of em wana part with any of their money...if they can get it cheaper!
------------------ joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-944-5060 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND
Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thanks!! I needed that. Would rather focus my time on carving or designing or reading ANYTHING but that crap.
I had a post about time worked in a day and I like the one reply that said he works 3 days on production and leaves Mon & Fri for the negotiation part.
Great advice - as usual.
d
------------------ Summit Signs Sellersville, PA summitsigns@erols.com
posted
I have learned the hard way, that, no matter who it is to whom you are helpful, lower your prices, or go out of your way for – it is never enough, is not appreciated, and the kindness is expected to be repeated over and over. Chances are very slim that any repayment is worth what you gave. First: I am not thru learning, there are always setbacks to re-in force the progress I’ve made, and Second: Of course I know about not saying always and never, because along the way there will be an exception, someone who genuinely appreciates you and figures a way to repay you – but don’t hold your breath ‘cause then you might never get to meet that person. And like Chris said, the people they send to you (and whom they announce with a fanfare wanting to be praised for it) are invariably set up to expect the same treatment. So it is loss and irritation repeated and you feel bad about yourself because you let it happen, instead of stopping the parade of clods expecting royal treatment and who, in return, have no respect for you.
I have, in my pricing program, a drop down menu of standard discounts. They are MY standards. One of them is a discount for friends and family. It says so. The discount is 25%, the program allows me to override the price and massage things up on the front end, and so I don’t lose my shirt. Of course I have that discount properly listed, as 25%, and I point to it on the printout, accept the thanks, if I get them, and go on with business. If that sounds manipulative, so be it. It works a lot better in such a situation than anything else I have tried, and even seems to produce a hair more gratitude. Sure makes me feel less used.
I realize these people were not friends and family, Diane. You just treated them that way and spoiled them. And then they disrespected your value to them with the threats of just using the competition if you did not continue it. The only way in which they are valuable to you is as a learning situation. Remembering what happened could pay for the loss you suffered right now over and over in the future. Bet you won’t ever quite do that again.
------------------ Myra A. Grozinger Signs Limited Winston-Salem, NC V 336-722-1033/F 336-723-6112 signslimited@triad.rr.com
Posts: 1244 | From: Winston-Salem, NC USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Dear Drama Queen...LOL! Don't fire yourself, it is hard to get good help these days. Just chalk it up to experience. We all have to learn the hard way. Never give designs out before paid for. Get a deposit. Charge for any changes. I have also learned not to give discounts to relatives. Sometimes they can be the biggest pain in the you know what.
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Diane, By realizing your mistake also means you have learned by it and thats a good step in seeing that it never happens again. We all fall in the trap of trying to help people but as you've learned, some don't deserve it. We look for clients that are successful and try to cater to their needs. People building new offices and driving expensive cars doesn't always prove a 'successful' client is in your presence, most of the time it just proves they are working off of borrowed money. Some day you will acquire the ability to spot these types as soon as they come through your door, until then, it may be an expensive education. My best clients aren't the millionaires in my area but the hard working business people that want something nice for a fair price are,,,, these are the ones to look for.
------------------ Larry
Elliott Design McLemoresville, Tn.
If you can't find the time to do it right, where gonna find the time to do it over?
Posts: 486 | From: McLemoresville, TN. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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