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Here is my vote for contractor’s tool of the week:
b The telephone.
I have been looking for a concrete contractor to do a small job. I admit, it may not be a great gig in these busy, non-recessionary times, however…
Out of nearly a dozen calls to different contractors, only 4 bothered to return a phone call. Two quoted over the phone, but could not do the job in my timeframe or close to budget. Two came out to quote, one made two trips. I assume this is a time investment. Neither ever called back again. The one who made two trips promised me a call and a quote ‘later in the evening’. I never heard from him again.
I can appreciate that the work I am offering may not be wanted, but this type of behaviour does not encourage me to call these guys when I have a better gig to offer. I would not even recommend them.
As for the guy who took two trips, you would think a quick ‘no thank you’ call would be a good way to promote his business for the future. Heck, I’m the customer and I at least had the courtesy to call the over bidders back and let them know I couldn’t afford their prices. It gave them a chance to requote if they wanted to or not plan for my job in their schedule. Basic courtesy.
So for those of you running a business, it might be fun to go home a stroke that new power saw after a day on the job, but I would recommend you get some advanced training on how to use the phone. Your customers will love it.
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Here is my vote for contractor's tool of the week:
b The telephone.
I have been looking for a concrete contractor to do a small job. I admit, it may not be a great gig in these busy, non-recessionary times, however...
Out of nearly a dozen calls to different contractors, only 4 bothered to return a phone call. Two quoted over the phone, but could not do the job in my timeframe or close to budget. Two came out to quote, one made two trips. I assume this is a time investment. Neither ever called back again. The one who made two trips promised me a call and a quote 'later in the evening'. I never heard from him again.
I can appreciate that the work I am offering may not be wanted, but this type of behaviour does not encourage me to call these guys when I have a better gig to offer. I would not even recommend them.
As for the guy who took two trips, you would think a quick 'no thank you' call would be a good way to promote his business for the future. Heck, I'm the customer and I at least had the courtesy to call the over bidders back and let them know I couldn't afford their prices. It gave them a chance to requote if they wanted to or not plan for my job in their schedule. Basic courtesy.
So for those of you running a business, it might be fun to go home a stroke that new power saw after a day on the job, but I would recommend you get some advanced training on how to use the phone. Your customers will love it.