Originally Posted by
Jason Roehl
I've actually sold jobs because my rate was higher than my competition. It doesn't happen all the time, but I emphasize my quality, longevity in business, use of quality materials, etc. over their likely fly-by-night pricing or lack of experience and quality.
I resemble that remark relative to my tack trunk work. (not really a "business", but something I do for some mad money) My work is nearly twice what another local fellow charges for "similar" products. What I sell is the quality of the work and the quality of the materials. Nothing is "ho-hum" and everything is tailored exactly to the client. When folks balk at my custom-for-everyone costs, I send them to the other guy cheerfully. He's a nice fellow and does reasonable work. But those who choose to go with me send me one, two or more people for new commissions because of what I actually deliver for their money. That happened this week. I delivered a commission a week or two ago to one local barn and just got two new commissions last night from two other folks from the same facility.
I guess that the bottom line is that anyone has to find a way to make "price" not be the primary, or at least only decision point. It's not easy when there are folks willing to work for less and not carry overhead that any sustainable business would feature...but it's still possible.
And congrats on the new truck, Larry! The current generation of vehicles are so nice compared to those of the past in many ways.
Last edited by Jim Becker; 10-14-2014 at 4:00 PM.
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...