Rejected estimate=even better prospects

[Shawn George]

Hi All,

Had an interesting past couple of weeks with a referral.

To make a long story short, a neighbor saw our work next door, called us to schedule having their deck done, scheduled with us (verbal committment), and called back 2 days later to cancell.

The neighbor had a friend from his work, who does decks on the side, come out and do the deck for half our price.

Well, what they got was half a job. The friend washed only the "deck" no railing, nothing underneath (2nd story with concrete patio underneath), just the flat decking.
The friend used only high pressure water. (No chemicals, no brightner) The deck is still grey, and will now be sealed with something. (don't know what yet)


But here's the cool part........

This is a great example of "you get what you pay for" and IT"S RIGHT NEXT TO OUR BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED DECK !! What could be better. Everyone in this development of 150 homes (all with decks and fences) can see the difference between our work and the cheaper alternative ! Better than before and after pictures, I think.

Am I crazy for hoping that this happens in every neighborhood we work in ?!?


Shawn

 

[Dan Flynn]

How do you plan on pointing that out to the other 149 home owners?

 

[Shawn George]

Dan,

Well, a few close neighbors will see it anyhow.

I just hope to point it out to anyone in the development interested in having this type of work done. I was excited about the prospects of all of the potential work in one spot.

I was trying to find the "silver lining" in losing this job, that's all.

 

[Dan Flynn]

I would use it, while you are talking to someone during an estimate. Tell them your prices are fare for a professional job. Tell them about the job you did down the street. Then tell them it came out so nice the neighbor hired you to do their deck.

Then you got a call a few days before you had scheduled it and they said that they found someone for less. Tell them they were disappointed according to your customer and there deck looks terrible and half cleaned. Ask your customer if it is ok to have someone look at there deck.

They probably will say yes, and the other people will never go anyway. Then get the pictures of both completed jobs and show them to your prospect.

That might help.

[hand]

 

[JR Wood]

When that happens I usually wait until I am not busy and send flyers to a lot of the areas that I did some work.I always get responses.

 

[MobileClean]

Sounds like this might be a good place for a yard sign that says "THIS PROFFESSIONAL DECK RESTORATION WAS DONE BY...", and I might even have to add "AND THAT ONE WAS NOT"."

 

[Mike Hughes]

Too bad decks are on the BACK of a house! Would make this whole topic a lot easier.

 

[Beth]

What a golden opportunity! I think I would be tempted to get a camera with a panoramic view (disposable works well) and try to get both decks in one photo....use it when you call on the neighbors.

I had a call late yesterday afternoon after I came in from estimates, and I felt so sorry for the man. A couple years back some fly by night did his deck, and did a horrible job. The sealant was uneven and he says it was splochy. Since then he has tried to get it off twice, once he had another company try and fail, then he tried himself. He went on and on about being fed up with leaving messages for power washing companies, they never return calls, and so on. I just chimed in and said 'well, you got me didn't you?'

I can't imagine the other company not being able to get the stuff off his deck, it was only sealed with ABR X-100!

We love these jobs. You rescue them and they are happy, and refer lots of people to you.

Beth