Talked to a contractor today for an estimate for 1500 square feet of hardwood and marmoleum flooring. He had a nicely prepared estimate, BUT: before he showed us the numbers, he was more interested in showing us the brochure for a TV or set of cookware if our contract amount was more than a certain amount. This whole “time share” style sales pitch turned me off. What are your thoughts
Thanks
John
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Replies
isn't that odd that he would think he needed the special offer to close the deal ?
I'd think about it if the guy poneyed up a new set of Callaways.
Hold out for a toaster to sweeten the deal
I've heard that banks are branching out in today's economy. Was it WaMu Flooring?
I'd be careful
TANSTAAFL...There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.
Nothing is free. If he can afford to give you a 'free' TV or cookwear set, he's got the cost of those 'free' gifts buried somewhere in the estimate or quote.
Even if those premiums are supplied to him 'free' by the manufacturer of the flooring he's trying to sell you, it's costing you extra...because that flooring would cost the contractor less--and he could then charge you less--if the manufacturer weren't buying cheap TV sets as bonus prizes.
Try this: ask him how much he'll knock off the price he quoted you if you don't take the silly giveaways. If he says 'nothing', walk.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....
Did you like the price and what they had to offer?
Maybe the sales pitch isn't your style, but then again, maybe it's not his style. Sometimes business owners (or salesmen) make good decisions, sometimes we don't.
I wouldn't let the pitch that you consider to be "hokey" throw you off if you like everything else that you see.
Jon Blakemore
RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Jons Got it right.
Sometimes marketing men at the factory who are desperate to improve their numbers do some extrodinary things.. they tell salesmen that they have to sell with this approach.
Those give aways are really free because the marketing dept. may have included them as a special promotion.. It's cheaper for them to buy these items than to continue to pay interest on too much inventory.
Dodge trucks are doing the same thing.. really deep discounts etc.. in order to move an abundance of inventory..
Chrysler motors understands that the interest cost they have tied up will vastly exceed any potential profit so they are better off selling now at a loss than to continue to inventory product.
Do your homework and check on prices for comparable deals but if it checks out hey what the heck!
as stated sounds odd but harmless. Vic