|
#11
| |
|
Thank you, Skip. I'm going to word it as you suggested. I'll let you know what, if anything, happens. This contact with this client is my last attempt to stay in my current business.
I do have a new venture in mind. In it, someone else will provide new client leads and handle most new sales. That person is experienced in sales and already has an extensive network with the exact clients I need to sign up. We are trading her sales for services I provide. And, since the sales person is a relative of mine (and we have a clear agreement) I think this will work out to both of our advantage. I am clearly not cut out for handling all aspects of sales and production on my own.
| |
|
|
#12
| |
|
Thanks Gold Calling. Your post really makes me think. You've clearly given me statements that will be perfect for weeding out this problem. Thank you VERY much.
| |
|
|
#13
| |
|
All,
Just FYI, the service you're providing through this site has been more helpful than the help I received through S.C.O.R.E. The response I was given from a SCORE counselor was contained in one sentence, "This happens in business."
So thank you all, here at Sales Practice, for supplying more in-depth replies and help. It really makes a difference to my future.
| |
|
|
#14
| |
|
After one final drive to the post office to see if his payment arrived - and finding nothing there - I sent the following with return receipt request via email. It doesn't get much shorter and more to the point than this.
Hello (name),
In order to proceed with your project, I need to receive
your 50-percent down payment of $x,xxx by Wednesday December
19, 2007.
If I do not receive your payment, I will understand that you're no longer interested in the project.
Best regards,
| |
|
|
#15
| |
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by servicebiz
After one final drive to the post office to see if his payment arrived - and finding nothing there - I sent the following with return receipt request via email. It doesn't get much shorter and more to the point than this.
Hello (name),
In order to proceed with your project, I need to receive
your 50-percent down payment of $x,xxx by Wednesday December
19, 2007.
If I do not receive your payment, I will understand that you're no longer interested in the project.
Best regards,
| Excellent. If it works, great. If not, at least you can emotionally let go of it and concentrate your mental energies elsewhere.
It sounds like you have a workable plan for the future of selling in your company. That's great.
__________________
| |
|
|
#16
| |
|
Quote:
|
If I do not receive your payment, I will understand that you're no longer interested in the project.
| From a standpoint of dropping a time waster this is okay I guess but it is not selling. Again, my next comments would assume that you were not caught in a position that you were basically answering questions for free that are part of your service, which appears is what happened, but I will say it anyway;
Instead ...
Quote:
|
If there is some reason why you cannot proceed at this time, it would be helpful for me to understand why. One way or another, please let me know how you intend to proceed.
| Of course, it would be better to be face to face but ... !?!
__________________
| |
|
|
#17
| |
|
Thank you, Gold Calling. I do like the diplomatic style of your reply. I can see where, for most customers, it would have been preferable . If he was located within my region, I would visit him in person. Many of my clients have been long distance (half way across the country), and this one is as well.
I looked up some of the recent conversations (phone and email) and I see that on November 30 he asked me if I could provide one aspect of his project free of charge. His reason: he'd already contracted with a local woman to provide the service and although he'd rather use my work because it is professional vs the home-spun flavor he would receive from the other party. When I said I could not do the work for free, but I could change his billing so that portion would come in 6 months, after he'd been receiving plenty of sales, he replied: "no, that's okay, I'll pay you, I haven't given "her" any money and I'll just skip paying her." My radar went crazy at that statement.
On December 5th when his check didn't arrive (again) I offered to accept 25% down instead of 50%. I also offered to accept credit card payment so that he'd have effectively financed his venture. Again, he said, "no, the original plan is fine. How about I send the check today?" No check arrived.
He has not replied to yesterday's email.
I asked the person who referred him for an opinion. His thought was, this business man has several businesses running. He just bought a third brick and mortar venture. He may have been dreaming when he wanted to start this project with me. He may just be one of those who talks a good talk. Based on the above comment about not paying the small time local provider, I am less than hopeful. In fact, I think the project never was a project after all.
| |
|
|
#18
| |
|
Additionally, there is a quote from the book, "The Science of Getting Rich" which reads:
Quote:
|
He must give to every person a use value in excess of the cash value he receives, so that each transaction makes for more life, and he must hold the advancing thought so that the impression of increase will be communicated to all with whom he comes into contact.
| I'll continue to try to give more to my subcontractors, to my clients, to everyone I deal with, so that they can support themselves reasonably. I'll continue to try not to undercut and undervalue. From reading that book, one thing I've realized is that unless you give fair compensation and respect, you'll never be rich. So I'll come away from this experience having learned signs and signals to watch for.
This morning I have more peace in my heart than I have for the last several months. I've been thinking about the two last experiences as I've described here. If I had taken on the first one, I would have been busy, round the clock, through mid-March. Now that I have lost that contract, after my initial disappointment and panic, I have finally realized that it would have taken all my time away from this new venture which needs to be in place by mid January. I received a call from my relative outlining aspects of this which need to be nailed down sooner rather than later in order to be the most successful with several clients who are already anxious to become involved. So that was a blessing to lose that particular project. And really, it is the same with this one, today. I have been spinning my wheels on fruitless efforts when I could have been spending all my time on my new venture. So I am glad to be done. I am glad to have created closure for myself. I didn't think I would feel that way, but I feel like I'm light as a feather and ready to focus on my venture now. 
| |
|
|
#19
| |
|
Many in service related businesses report the same. Clients who really are abusing their consulting service.
One must have enough prospects and clients where you can comfortably FIRE A CLIENT or turn down a job/contract. Otherwise you feel a bit like a slave.
Great expereince for you servicebiz ...
As your expereince grows and you get former about your services, prices and minimum deposits, you will find these type respect you more. Even then, do you really want 'em for clients?
If your spider sense was tingling, you knew right then that this was a poor prospect. Replace them. You will have less hassle later on because even if you got them as a client they would ride you into the desert away from the water (so to speak).
I think there is a far more important question. How do you find your prospects? Since they are at great distances I am led to believe it may be online (or else you would just prospect locally). If this is true, we can eliminate many of your problems by recognizing that those searching for what you provide are entertaining your competition. Meaning you are asking for problems.
I am not saying stop advertising. I am saying work in more prospecting, less results from the Internet or yellow Pages. You will be more profitable and have less challenges, trust me.
| |
|
|
|
