TIP: How to deal with cheap people

[Photoguy]

Non profits are the scourge of my existence at times.... they all want things for nothing or for minimal cost and place NO value on my time or the quality of the product.

"That's so expensive..can you do it for less...we're a non profit you know..."

I always want to reply.."well I'm not".

On the other side are the ones who appreciate what's involved and understand value received....those I have lots of time for and don't mind supporting with reduced rates or free production time.

[ilevelsign.com]

the phone normally goes down as soon as I hear the imortal words of " We're a non profit organization".

[CGVGinc]

The original post here reminds me of an experience I had years ago as a freelance car striper for Automotive dealerships.
A salesman for a large customer approached me to stripe his personal driver.
As was customary, I agreed to stripe his car no charge.
He immediatly replied, "Would you do my wifes car too"?
He was going to talk me down from FREE.
Twenty years later, I still bump into car dealers who don't understand why I don't stripe cars any more.

[almnd]

Here is the best that I say,,,, Well I guess a spray bomb would be cheaper....

[ringwise]

Originally Posted by ilevelsign.com

the phone normally goes down as soon as I hear the imortal words of " We're a non profit organization".

Right before I reply "but WE'RE NOT!"

Seriously, we do a lot of work for non-profits, but we pick a number that we give discounts to, and that's it. If the ones that don't get a break still whine, we explain that we have made our donation decisions for the year, but we will keep them in mind for next year. If we gave "deals" to every non-profit that called, we'd never make a living.

And a personal pet peeve about that: they are tax exempt, but we're not. And quite a few non-profits have huge bank accounts, but we don't.

Laurie Buckley
Sign and Banner Express, Inc.
Cameron Park, CA

[GabrielDesignTeam]

The easiest thing you can say is the following:

"Cheap DOESN'T solve Problems"

All you have to do is say that. They will ask "What do you mean?"
This is what you mean:
"Well, Mr. Customer, you want your business to be portrayed as a high end, high quality business right? Now, if you were a person on the street and you saw a cheaply made sign or banner, would YOU buy that company's product?"

I always answer a question with a question when someone tries to low-ball me:

Mr. Customer "I want it cheaper!"
You say "Okay Mr. Customer: You obviously want the lowest possible price for this job right? And you want the fastest turn-around time and BEST customer service right? And would you agree that you want the highest quality in you signage, right? Okay, how can I make that possible?

After saying this, don't say another word. Wait as long as it takes for them to speak. Upon saying this, 9 times out of 10 the customer is speachless! Then they almost ALWAYS start to agree with me because they realize I am much smarter then that. When they still demand cheap, I simply say this:

"For the quality of product we deliver and the service we provide, I'm sorry but I just can't help you"

You would be surprised to see how a customer reacts when you have the power to say this. Good luck

[slangsc]

It's called taking the high road! I agree.