Bob Haller:
Perhaps, considering your competitors actions, you should consider raising your rates. If you're too much lower than them, you might lose credibility. I presume you charge a set amount for travel time, and do not have a fuel surcharge. Customers gotta wonder why the large price difference.
Sorry about the off topic. We almost all do it now and again.
100 bucks a hour no travel charge within about 60 miles of pittsburgh
Yeah in a different economy I could raise my prices. I keep service calls cheap to snag new customers
Who I give a FREE YEARS MAINTENCE agreement.....
Covers everything but serious customer abuse...
The schools are hurting right now.... were better off than other parts of the country.
Since EVERYONE CALLS the week school opens
IMPOSSIBLE 6 years ago I got 70 calls in 3 days
all demanding instant service
I gave serious thought to closing it was way too much stress
I moved to a maintence model, servicing machines all year long, can take care of far more, service machines regionally, less driving around ,busy all summer.
4 machines is usually a grand
A nice dependable workload and income stream
Gets me EXCELLENT referals, sold 4 machines last week
based on referals
My head swelled they said so much nice things
I never wanted to get rich, fell into having my own business when the company I worked for folded in 1984, I bought what was left of the department.
At 53 years old, and having started in 1975 I will likely do this till I die or physically cant anymore.....
I actually service the majority of districts in the area.
If anoyone wants to talk futher I invite a mod to move this group of OT to chit chat or wherever.
perhaps my knowledge could be of use to others who may have lost a job. With a good mechanical aptitude and right attitude you can make a living doing what I do.
just please not in my area
I helped get a friend started in charlotte, he is going great guns and is very happy. I trained him and we help one another out on phone
Whenb customers complain I am too exensive I invite them to shop around and tell them if you find someone cheaper let me know who they are, maybe I will just hire them and I wouldnt have to do any work....