[Adam P]

i'd have thought this was a lot more common then what we've had so would like to know others experience. do people find when providing a quote for office cleaning that the customer will come back to negotiate the price? we've had a few in the last month saying we only lost it because we were just a tad too high, else they'd gone with us, which is a shame as we'd have gone lower. thinking maybe it's how we word the quote, might sound the like the price is set in stone.

[Steve Rothwell]

If you would have gone lower

You should have gone lower and then you would have got the job.

The idea of a quote is the BEST price.

If they wanted to negotiate the process would be a submit a ball park figure and we will then push to see what we can get off you form......

why should the customer have to do the work to get a best price??

Quote forms mean you give the best price you can if you want the job that is.


 

[Adam P]

you never submitted a quote and had someone come back to try for a bit lower?

i disagree, the idea of the quote isn't for the best price, it's for the most reasonable price for the service.

we have had customers say can we do it for x amount after submitting the price but it's rarer then we'd have thought.

[mike roberts]

Sort of agree with Hect

Customer always after 'best price' whatever...

But best price is not always cheaper if your service level is higher

If you need the job base it on your cheapest price, if you can lose the job skys the limit

we have changed our complete approach ref quotes, provide quote and always follow up with courtesy call  a few days later duration depends on quote.. I have a nice sales lady in office but NO No push... nice and slowwww
Offer beat 'like 4 like quotes'  the clause is 'like 4 like' i.e. if they get cheaper quote ask to see it break it down blah blah

We never used to chase quotes but have found it very rewarding ... seems acceptible now But dont be pushy

[mike roberts]

thinking maybe it's how we word the quote, might sound the like the price is set in stone.

er on the quote it should look like its set in stone

How can you word it otherwise

You could however attach a compliment slip saying you beat 'Like 4 Like' quotes

[Ian Rochester]

We lost out on a £400 job a couple of weeks ago, undercut by £20, but that's life, we put in our quote for the job based on what we were asked to do, the competition put in their quote and it was cheaper than ours so they got it!

Would I have matched their price had I know about it? Yes!  But we weren't given the option.

John Lewis have a strap-line "Never knowingly undersold" by which they will match any competitors price for any like for like item.

[martin19842]

hi there

when you send a quote to a client, whether by email, or post you need to know when the decision will be made, so that you can be on the case.  here are a couple of ideas,

before you send your quote, you may like to call the client on the guise of clarifyinga few points, during the conversation you can then test the water with a figure to see how it compares.

secondly when you meet the client, ask them what they are currently paying or the biudget they have, the reason because it gives you some info, and you will be surprised how many prospective clients will tell you the price.  you can give the reason for asking so that you are quoting for a comparable service, against the spec and price they currently have.

thirdly when you have sent your quote get on the phone, have you received it   how does it look ?? when are you making decisons ?? is there anything else we can do to win the business, ??  have a conversation with the prospective client, build the relationship and continue to sell.

with regard to quote being best price,  a tender is a best price/service process, a a quote can be anything a prospective client wants it to be.

hope this helps.

martin