How do I handle a low baller??

A

Al Patterson

Member
:confused: Yesterday I a got a call for a estimate to clean and seal a small deck (16x14 with rails) She informed me that one of my competitors was giving her one as well.
Today when I talked to her on phone, I quoted 550.00, she informed me that the other bid was 130.00 to clean and stain!!!!!and even though it seemed to low to her she was going to go with them.
I informed her to make sure he covered all the steps in doing a proper job and what the current price of Ready Seal.
I asked her if I could follow up to see the quality of work and she said yes.
If she lets him do it, I will go by and check and see what kind of work he does.
This guy has been in the biz I know for at least 2 years maybe more.
 
Al Patterson said:
:confused: Yesterday I a got a call for a estimate to clean and seal a small deck (16x14 with rails) She informed me that one of my competitors was giving her one as well.
Today when I talked to her on phone, I quoted 550.00, she informed me that the other bid was 130.00 to clean and stain!!!!!and even though it seemed to low to her she was going to go with them.
I informed her to make sure he covered all the steps in doing a proper job and what the current price of Ready Seal.
I asked her if I could follow up to see the quality of work and she said yes.
If she lets him do it, I will go by and check and see what kind of work he does.
This guy has been in the biz I know for at least 2 years maybe more.
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Al I wouldnt bother going back at all, she even knows its way to cheap, she really doesnt care. Move on and spend yor time getting other jobs and dont waste your time
 
Al you told me that you lose some you win some clients you know most home owners going to buy on price are the ones that lose the most.
Al I will bet you that this home owner is not going to like what out come from I say let this dog have the little bone got you go onto to bigger bones that know qaulity over price.
 
I really have never understood why some people get upset over what others charge. It doesn't affect me if I bid 200 and someone bids 50. If I lost it to 50 I would have lost it to 195. Heck, I can buy the same trigger gun from Espec for $22 that my local landa store sells for $45. Is Espec the lowballer or am I just a smart shopper. I wouldn't waste time on following up Al.
 
Somebody has a hobby not a business.

I always say SW SW SW.

Some Will
Some Won't
So What?

Don't try to make sense of things that make no sense.
Go on to the next deal.
 
Tell her to make sure thats not just labor. And then he bills her for supplies when he's done....
 
I had the same thing happen 2 days ago.Gave the estimate and the next day the lady calls back abd says her husband has decided to let the boy down the street do it.What can I do?You can't compete against that.

Today I had a customer waffling and I told him if he price shops that to be aware of guys that will degas his windows,blow the stucco off his casings and things such as that.He said just put me on your schedule.The moral is some people get it and some people have to learn it.
 
PressureX said:
There's really nothing you can do. With that homeowner, what you can hope for is that this guy does a horrible job, the outcome will look more then un-attractive, and she will call you to "fix it" .... then you better charge way more than $550
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What if??? he does a better job...
 
I just call Larry up and tell him to quit it!!!!
 
You can't stop me. Did you forget that I actually recieved an award for this. I owe it to my fans! Lowballer Award (Medium).jpg :D
 
Aside from any quality/competency issues, the few times I encounter such a price discrepancy, I advise the customer to be sure that they will be performing the same work. I also mention that there are times when my bid is higher due to the fact that I hold a business license, carry insurance and pay taxes on every dollar they pay me. If I chose to run a business "off the radar" (so to speak) I would be able to charge less as well. Licensing and insurance of contractors working on their home is the same as hiring a backyard mechanic over a shop. Most of the time, you get what you pay for.
 
It looks like this guy is definately a newbie. What if he does a good job like ron says. If he does I would definately call him up and find out if he would be interested in doing work for you. think if you got the 550 job and payed him 130- you would make 420- materials. Pretty good for just overseeing the job. If I knew he couldn't steal any of my work and it was just a one time job i would sub him out.
 
The people that choose a lowballer over a pro dont have the money to pay a pro. hence dont care about the job quality. and right now the lowballers are popping up all over even the parttime lowballers are out after work. If you loose alot of jobs to him educate him or get him to do the work for you and you move on to bigger things.and last Ant's pic is the final option
 
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