Customers and Your Tables

[KevSpyder]

Sorry I just have to vent here a tad. I'm soo tired of people wanting to pay $500 bucks for a $3000 table. This fucktard, (excuse my french) dicked around with me for 4 days, to the point where he drew out what he wanted on his table. I sat down and showed him samples and pictures went over every detail. Then after telling him my price and still being a grand less than the local gaming store which all their tables are veneered MDF board he told me he didn't have that kind of money and told me he'd get back to me in a few weeks. The last few people I've delt with have been the same way. Do you guys get a lot of people just looking for a $500 table and expecting you to get your price down there so they can actually have a nice one?

[mikeyinsd]

There's a couple of things you want to do when dealing with a customer

1. qualify them
feel them out for the type of money they're willing to spend on a table. Sometimes by visiting their residence you can get a sample of what they consider important purchases and how much they're willing to spend on things.

2. Show them your price list and talk it over
This will give them an idea of what costs what

3. close the deal
based on what you've heard from the customer, what can they really afford and how can you make it happen. If they can't afford it all at once see if they can break up the payments a little to accommodate them. Not everyone is prepared to spend 3k on a table, but they might be able to give you 3 payments of 1k. But remind them that your work will start when at least 1/2 of the payment has been made.

This is what I do and it seems to work pretty well for me. Don't be afraid to be honest about how you price your tables either. Your time is valuable. this is time spent away from your family and it isn't cheap.

I always always always get 1/2 up front and the other half on delivery. This allows you to at least get materials and put a little money in your pocket.

Good luck ;)

[KevSpyder]

Thanks for the help. It's neat to see how another person does it. I appreciate the feedback.

[MisterShark]

Yup, half up front is how I do it also. Covers your ass financially. I get a list of what features the customer wants, go online and get my materials tally, & multiply that times 2.5 to arrive @ a final price.

[KevSpyder]

yeah I always do half up front. So you multiple by 2.5 hu? I have a sheet that shows approx hours of each option and then multiply it by my hourly rate.

[MisterShark]

This conversation about how to price has made the rounds over at Scott Keen's board in the past & it seemed that if you do pricing according to materials (in the interest of keeping things simple basically) most do between 2 & 3 times cost.