no free estimate

[blackcat4866]

Re: no free estimate

We're doing all of these things.

Definitely charge. You traveled and gave professional advice. For the future, I'd recommend getting a credit card number over the phone and authorize it or charge it BEFORE you leave. At least get a check or cash before you leave the customers site. Actually checks are about worthless to me anymore.

Now we have, to close a deal on parts, especially if they're expensive, offered to come and install them for free after they've paid for the initial inspection...just make sure you build in enough mark-up for the part to cover your time anyway.

Our office manager charges $500 before I head to the call. Any left over is returned. We've had far too many dead-beats that have worn out their welcome with the old copier company come knocking at our door. We've got a good relationship with many of these other dealers and have called them to find out if their previous customer left them owing. Often it's true, and they don't mind saying so.

Our paying customers are told when they call that if no work is done or they refuse the estimate, they will be charged a "Field Estimate Fee". Usually $45 Local. The in shop estimate is $20, or the customer may elect to donate their machine to our parts machine pile.

We started this one when we took over Samsung warranty work. The moment they found out it was out of warranty and there was a $89 fee they would just abandon the machine. The in-shop diagnostic fee is $45, collected in advance, and a signature on a statement that any machine left more than 30 days will be charged a $20 per month storage fee. After 4 months it's ours for the graveyard. If they are willing to pay the $45 diagnostic, they will at least pick up the corpse. Those that won't pay the $45, ... well it's better to know up front. All estimates should be accompanied by a little disclaimer. Something like: This estimate is to fix the problems that you have pointed out. Any additional problems, or problems that cannot be determined until the machine is operable are additional cost. I've estimated as well as my training and experience allows, but if the machine isn't running, I can't be sure if this one part will fix everything."

We give them an internal part number (one I've made up) that way they can't go out and compare on the web. If they do find it on the web we usually try to price match.

Excellent policy. =^..^=

[DAG COPIERS & COMPUTERS]

Re: no free estimate

That is an excellent piece of advice from Blackcat! especially on the disclaimer note. In my country here both the tchnicians and the customers have made it a culture of no pay for estimate. The techs only hope is that he shoud not lose the deal. You may or may not get the deal depending on several factors.

[prntrfxr]

Re: no free estimate

We offer depot repair for other service companies and we had to do the same thing Blackcat and some of the others mentioned. Pay an evaluation fee, we give you an estimate. If we do the work, you are credited the evaluation fee. If not, you can pick it up and pay nothing additional (but fee is not credited). If you don't pick up machine within a certain time limit (we call 3 or 4 times before the deadline to remind the client), the machine is ours, for the boneyard or in some cases has been rebuilt and sold.