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I think (and my two cents isn't even really worth 2 cents) that if you let people know how you operate up front...$150 (or however much you want to place on it) for a design fee which may or may not go toward the final bill, is a good way to screen calls. People won't go for it if they're not serious. Life is too short, and gas too expensive to waste time with people who aren't serious. (Hence the frustration in my original post)
It's very hard when you're a small business and every dollar counts. Makes you (or at least us) want the job that much more.
Unfortunately where most of our jobs are, most people have $150 to piss away no problem (wish I could say the same!). Although this job was far more labor intensive, this is the third time this has happened to us. Hmmm, learning curve anyone??
We are also a good 30-40 minutes away from our job sites, and I think many people just don't understand the time, effort and expense in going to see them, and producing ideas for them.
Guess all is fair in business and war. If it was easy, everyone would do it, right?
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