[Jewelry making - Article 00115] - Re: [Orchid] Quoting a Price

[Tony]

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Hello Sandra,

>     What do you tell the customer? How do you phrase it? If you give
>     them a range, do they really hear what you are saying, or do they
>     latch on to a lower number and then feel that you are overcharging
>     them when it is higher than that number? 

    Always try to give one number as an estimate especially for a retail
    customer. Always count up your highest possible costs add your
    profits and then add a percentage, 20% is reasonable, It is only an
    estimate and you should know that you will to come in under the
    quote. A customer that baulks at the possibility of the piece
    costing your overestimated charge would probably be just as unhappy
    with an exact estimate. 

    I'm not a jeweller, just a gem cutter, but I don't like to quote
    ranges to customers for the very reason you state. They do indeed
    just hear the low number. I only do trade work (for the last 30+
    years) so all of my customers are jewellers, how do I put this
    politely, I find jewellers as customers are far better talkers than
    they are listeners. When asked for an estimate, a price range,
    especially a large one, can be perceived as unprofessional. Of
    course there are exceptions. 

    When asked for a quote on a job that is not familiar and predictable
    I will assess my time, and costs and come up with a range. For
    example $60 if all goes perfectly and $100 if unseen problems occur.
    Instead of saying $60-100 which is too great a range anyway, I will
    tell the customer that I can guarantee that the bill will not exceed
    $120 and may well be under $100 if all goes well but this should not
    be expected due to the unknown circumstances. 

    The low number they heard is your expected top price. Whatever the
    charge ends up being you get to be a hero. If you credit their
    particular job for the expedience you can still quote the same in
    the future. You get to provide a fair and honest price for the job
    but the customer perceives it as a deal and feels special. 

    For a common job that I know I will charge, as another example, say
    $50.00. When asked for a quote I will say I'll try to keep it under
    $60.00. I always do. Remember Scotty didn't get to be Captain Kirk's
    miracle engineer telling him how long it REALLY takes. 

Tony.
Parvum scimus sed emptor minus scit

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