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How do you guys handle those customers that try to describe somthing that has to be repaired, you know those guys who pull up in a $80,000 customized pick up truck that say " I got an alum trailer and one of the hinges broke off, the hinge is only about ye big, how much will it cost me to get it fixed'  what do you guys say to him. You know he's under stating the problem, so do you under state the cost and just tell him a number just to get him to bring it in and break the news about the real price then, or do you take what I would consider a more honest approch and tell him you'll have to look at it before you can give him a price and run the risk of him not coming back?Last edited by woodweld1; 07-16-2011 at 09:27 PM.
Reply:You will not get every potential customer to agree to a fair price. You work for profit.Last edited by tanglediver; 07-16-2011 at 10:01 PM.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:I'd give them an idea on costs, but say I need to see the job to give an actual price. I'm very upfront about issues like this. I loose some jobs to others who will lowball the job to get the foot in the door, then tack on a bunch of "extras" that were obvious from the start. I often find I get calls to come out and fix issues or problems that the "cheap" guy left. It's not uncommon for the customer to tell me they wished they had listened to me because they ended up paying more to do exactly what I said needed to be done and it's still not right. I try very hard to explain all the fact to the customer up front, even though I know most of it will be forgotten after they talk to some slick salesman with a cheaper price. I tell them what to expect and clearly mentoin others will probably "overlook" "hidden" issue that need to be addressed so they are aware why my price will be higher.I don't cut corners or pad the bill and do unneeded work. Almost 90% of my new business comes from referals. I tell people I'm not cheap, but I do a good job, and will offer them whatever options I can to save them money, but I won't compromise on quality. They were referred to me because of the quality of the work I do. Thats more important to me than getting or loosing a few jobs..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If I am not sure, I interrogate the person, and try to impress them with the questions. Like why did it break, and why not find the original builder.Then I tell them I really need to see it, but my minimum charge is half an hour and give my hourly rate. And tell them it could exceed the minimum charge.The right kind of questions you ask could give this potential customer confidence in your work. I can't tell you how many times a customer thanks me for even talking with them and explaining the process. I have quite a following with handicapped folks repairing their sports wheelchairs. They get a real kick from being allowed to participate in the process. Them and the senior citizens are real tightwads, but you can really sweet talk them with your technical prowess.What is worse is the guy that wants to explain a build verbally. I don't have time for that and say put it on paper and I will talk. That way I can redline the sketch and have them initial it. If they are too lazy to even put something on a napkin I send them away.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Did u get the call to come weld a trampoline because they dont want to tear it apart and bring the leg to you , as well ? And when i told them the minimum 2 hour on-site service charge they acted offended ?I forgot how to change this.
Reply:Simple, I show them back out to the parking lot, and give them directions to another place.  I won't touch walk-in or drive-up customers.  Different type of shop/scope of work than most though.I think the last time I actually did handle something like that was at a rodeo.  The missus wanted to chase cans and the trailer tugger had the trans out of it.  I took the shop truck and the small tag trailer.  Biggest mistake of my life.  The stupid horse broke a hinge on the trailer door during unloading.  Seeing as the shop truck was there, I pulled out some equipment and patched 'er up.  Every cowboy there decided they needed their trailers fixed as well...If you ever want an unlimited supply of work, take your welding truck to a rodeo and a banner that says "Aluminum Repairs".  You'll stay busy...
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonWhat is worse is the guy that wants to explain a build verbally.
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmHow about the guy that wants you to fix something, you agree to it, and the item never shows up.  Then the guy comes in the next week and wants you to fix the same thing, you agree to it, and the item never shows up.  I've got one guy that has wanted me to put cheapo fenders on his trailer for the last 2 or 3 years.  Each time he takes half an hour or more to explain something we have discussed repeatedly.  I've just started to ignore him when he stops by.  I know it's rude, but he won't leave otherwise.  Worse part is that he pays cash (the green paper type) and doesn't really care what it costs.  I did have his trailer once for other repairs, but the fenders never showed up (he already has them).
Reply:It's simple. I tell them the truth. 2 hour minimum on in house shop work. 4 hour minimum onsite. They always ask," why 2 more hours for onsite?" the answer is always," fuel, drive time, wear and tear on the trucks, wear and tear on the machines, insurance, overhead, and profit.". They always accept it all, but balk at the profit part. I then reply," I'm not running a not-for-profit here. If I don't make money, then all my guys will be unemployed." Try that next time. It will eliminate 95% of the headcases that you really don't want to work forGo Cards!!!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by woodweld1How do you guys handle those customers that try to describe somthing that has to be repaired, you know those guys who pull up in a $80,000 customized pick up truck that say " I got an alum trailer and one of the hinges broke off, the hinge is only about ye big, how much will it cost me to get it fixed'  what do you guys say to him. You know he's under stating the problem, so do you under state the cost and just tell him a number just to get him to bring it in and break the news about the real price then, or do you take what I would consider a more honest approch and tell him you'll have to look at it before you can give him a price and run the risk of him not coming back?
Reply:Originally Posted by Cliff Lodes. They always accept it all, but balk at the profit part. I then reply," I'm not running a not-for-profit here. If I don't make money, then all my guys will be unemployed." Try that next time. It will eliminate 95% of the headcases that you really don't want to work for
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmHow about the guy that wants you to fix something, you agree to it, and the item never shows up.  Then the guy comes in the next week and wants you to fix the same thing, you agree to it, and the item never shows up.  I've got one guy that has wanted me to put cheapo fenders on his trailer for the last 2 or 3 years.  Each time he takes half an hour or more to explain something we have discussed repeatedly.  I've just started to ignore him when he stops by.  I know it's rude, but he won't leave otherwise.  Worse part is that he pays cash (the green paper type) and doesn't really care what it costs.  I did have his trailer once for other repairs, but the fenders never showed up (he already has them).
Reply:Well said Brett, well saidGo Cards!!!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomThe next time I saw that person I would tell him how you feel AND I would be polite, butI would say, "Do you know you have asked me 3 times and each time You do not show up." Then I have wasted my time waiting for you that I could have been doing another job."Do you know what that feels like ,Sir"
Reply:I've got a marina that I have done some work for in the past that has done me the same way others have described. They have had me give a quote for the same job 4 different times. I think they were price shopping, so everytime I bump the price up. I know at this point they really don't care who does the work as long as it's the cheapest price.I'm not the cheapest now or will I be when they get ready to do the job.When they told me I was way high on my price I asked them what they were comparing my price to and that I offer solutions to problems not the cheap way out.My work is my name and I don't care how much it costs.Btw I am fortunate as this is my side work and I'm not counting on it to put bread on my table, if it was my primary source of income I may look at it alot different.Last edited by Showdog75; 07-17-2011 at 09:21 AM.
Reply:Guy comes over and asks the price for a 4 horse trailer, after discussion I tell him I no longer purchase materials for jobs, getting stuck too many times and to my suprise he says ok give me a list I will have it delivered. So thinking ill never see him again after a week the steel suplier calls and asks when can I take delivery, after setting it up the gentleman comes by, and after some negotaiting we set a price with a 50% deposit. After 4 weeks or so I have it all finished and give him a call im told the number is disconnected, and I never heard from him again. That was 3 years ago! After all that I kept it over a year eventually selling it for the orginal price. Can you believe anyone being that much of an idiot? Who knows!!wbolden
Reply:Maybe he died?
Reply:My answer is short and sweet..."I have to see it first" is all I say....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I have drawn and priced a few dozen beds, handrails, chairs, kitchen cabinets for people and they act all happy and ready to pay but I never hear from them again. Now when they tell me they want an item built I tell them that they probably can't afford it. That weeds out the light weights real fast.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:WBolden, that's what happened with my lathe & I got it for free.  Guy went to old ladies house, paid in cash for the lathe, his helper wouldn't help him lift it in his truck.  Away he goes saying "I'll be back".Fast forward 3 years, old lady wants lathe gone, grand daughter puts it on Craigslist with a picture, 4 hours later I'm there with a cherry picker & grand daughter helped me load it in the truck.  That was a year ago & I've turned a bunch of steel/aluminum with it.  After a "reasonable length of time" it's your's to do with it what you want.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Well you learn things over the years.I have forgotten long ago what the first paying job I did. It was a minimum charge type repair, and I got $5 for it. Proudly I framed it. But I will never forget the first job I got stiffed on. An alum casting repair on a lawn mower part. The guy assured me that he needed it asap, so I told him to come back same day, and did not feel the need  to get his name and phone #.I spent way more  time than I felt I should charge for but got it done, and was relieved.  Man it looked good. So the guy comes back sees that it is done, and asks the damage. I tell him that I need $5. He looks at me, starts walking out, then turns around says he can buy the part at sears for $2 and tosses the part on the floor and walks off. I was stunned. I nailed that part right next to my framed $5.Never again do I let a customer walk out without tagging the part with a name and phone #. If they refuse to give it, I get my money up front.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterMy answer is short and sweet..."I have to see it first" is all I say....zap!
Reply:Originally Posted by bert the welderX2People with "little repairs" are like fisherman, but the tall tale goes in reverse. They make it out to be small and it's always bigger.Something I've noticed is if the punter is standing in your door with said item in hand, it usually is just a quick fix. If they are empty handed and it takes longer than a minute to spit out what they need done, it's going to be a] much bigger than described, b] they are going to be a pain in the arse to deal with, or c] all the above.As far as ethical, give him a ball park price. If he brings it in and it is a bigger job, then tell them the new price, and add in some padding for the pain in the arse. Since he's there he'll probably go for it. This is ethical in my eyes and my Karma book because he was trying to phuck you around in the first place. If he can waste your time, his time is fair game.
Reply:This thread makes me glad that I don't have to deal with the public.
Reply:Originally Posted by MarkBall2WBolden, that's what happened with my lathe & I got it for free.  Guy went to old ladies house, paid in cash for the lathe, his helper wouldn't help him lift it in his truck.  Away he goes saying "I'll be back".Fast forward 3 years, old lady wants lathe gone, grand daughter puts it on Craigslist with a picture, 4 hours later I'm there with a cherry picker & grand daughter helped me load it in the truck.  That was a year ago & I've turned a bunch of steel/aluminum with it.  After a "reasonable length of time" it's your's to do with it what you want.Set a fair price be it by the job, by the hour whatever. You would be foolish to give a hard number sight unseen and any reasonable customer understands this.It is funny, people go to the doctor and don't negotiate a price, auto mechanic, cable TV whatever. The working guy is somehow thought to be someone you can leverage I guess. Tell him to bring it by that there is no charge for estimates and see what you will be into. Most people think you just take the welder and zip something up, no idea about cleaning, or fatigued metal, joint prep. So not always there fault. I have actually have had people want something welded and then have a fit because the paint is damaged in the area.  Like one of the above said, you can loose money sitting on a beach, why loose money working your back side off."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:I don't see this question as one of ethics. People hear what they want they believe what they need to to keep their world spinning. Most people never consider what it takes to fix something. They make wild assumptions usually bad ones. You can't make someone hear the truth.