In a message dated 95-11-11 20:27:22 EST, you write: > It boiled down to two statements. Me saying to the customer, "I never >told >you this was free." and the customer saying, "You never told me it would cost >me." Larry - I have the same policy re: estimates - we charge for them, but credit the fee back toward the work if the customer decides to go ahead with it. In our case we ALWAYS tell the customer about the policy before we book the appointment. Most understand, some back out, and a few have been indignant that we charge for making estimates when siding salesmen and water softening folks gladly come out for free! When I first started out, I gave free estimates. It didn't bring in any work, though, because most of the customers also called someone else (who charges) and gave the job to them to get their estimate fee back. After I started charging for estimates, I began getting my share of the work. Some folks will never pay for an estimate - let them shop elsewhere. A few years ago a man called me and wanted an estimate on fixing a dead player. He balked at the $30.00 fee, because he had already booked 3 other techs to look at the piano (for free). He said he'd give the job to the lowest bidder and I was welcome to look at it and give him a quote. I told him not to waste his money hiring me. Ed Bordeleau Pianoarts, Inc.
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