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Jul 23, 2011

RE: Loosing business to lowballers....

RCIA Founder

Roof Cleaning Palm Harbor FL 727 543 3276 wrote:
There are ALWAYS going to be lowballers in most any trade. It's just how it is. It doesnt matter if its JC Penny running a better sale than Dillards, Walgreens offering more discounts than CVS, K Mart running ads and specials to beat out and attract customers away from Target or Walmart etc...

Better get used to it. Especially the way this economy is and those who are out of work thinking this is an easy business. Most will fail quickly as they have no idea that this is not just a job, it's a business and they do not know how to run it as such.

Hang in there guys and gals. Put on your best sales hat when the phone rings and sell yourself and your service. Hopefully things will pick up soon and this economy will turn around and all the Wanna B's can get back to punching a time clock.

Good Advice from "Low Ball Larry" biggrin

Jul 23, 2011

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
Roof Cleaning Palm Harbor FL 727 543 3276 wrote:
There are ALWAYS going to be lowballers in most any trade. It's just how it is. It doesnt matter if its JC Penny running a better sale than Dillards, Walgreens offering more discounts than CVS, K Mart running ads and specials to beat out and attract customers away from Target or Walmart etc...

Better get used to it. Especially the way this economy is and those who are out of work thinking this is an easy business. Most will fail quickly as they have no idea that this is not just a job, it's a business and they do not know how to run it as such.

Hang in there guys and gals. Put on your best sales hat when the phone rings and sell yourself and your service. Hopefully things will pick up soon and this economy will turn around and all the Wanna B's can get back to punching a time clock.
Good Advice from "Low Ball Larry"

Hahaha! I think I'm gonna be stuck with that name for life.

aaron61 · Guest

There is always someone willing to do something comparable for less money

ShingleMD · Guest

then you may want to raise your prices , YES raise them , not a little but , alot 50% to 75% . Remember , if its too good to be true , it generally is . You can compete on price , dont sell the steak , sell the sizzle.
If you dont think it will work , dont do it . But I would much rather do 1 job a day and make as much in my pocket as 3 dobs , and not be rushed , do the job perfect , give a little extra and be home by 2 or 3 oclock.
I clean roofs as an add on to my existing business , when a customer tells me they have a price half of what mine is , I tell them that that is a cheap price , I dont need the practice . I sell more jobs because I am the highest price . Ever seen a maaco paint job for $299.00 on a corvette . You want the customer to realy wonder not why you are more expensive , but why the other guy is so cheap .

deleted member

Excellent point & nice analogy.

Guest

All great points, the biggest is to show up when you say you will and do what you say you are going to do, at about year 3 this will pay off with repeats and referrals.

As far as sales go you need to go meet with them and get them to sign on the spot. Leaving an estimate in the mailbox will never give them an opportunity to evaluate you.

Asking for the sale is key, I hate high pressure sales but I'm comfortable saying, 'we're going to do a,b,c,d for you for $xxx and I have a spot open next Tuesday, can I schedule you in?'

JHWorth · Guest

Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:
Iannacchione wrote:
I started cleaning roofs back in 09, and now there is a few competitors taking a bunch of my business. I am cool with other cleaners, I think the more that are out there, the better the word gets out. It is just tough loosing many jobs per week to guys who are pricing lower than I do.
I really really really do not want to drop my prices, as I feel that they are fair. I have to pay casualty, and worker comp insurance every year. I just cant keep loosing all of this business to guys who are undercutting me.
How have you guys treated this? I dont want to cut my own throat.

Thanks you as always.

I know exactly how you feel! Here in Florida that is commonplace.
I have tried talking to a few of these guys, but in most cases, they are not trying to make a living at this, just a few bucks extra.
Others have had $10.00 an hour jobs all their life and are happy to make $20.
It can not be helped.
Just mention to your job bids that you are competing with some new guys with cheap prices and no experience, insurance, license etc.
Not much else to be done?

WELL SAID! FLORIDA IS FULL OF NEW AND HORRIBLE AT THAT WANNABE ROOF CLEANERS THAT BID LOW FOR A JOB TO GET A FIX AND THE SAD PART IS THAT PEOPLE RATHER BE CHEAP TO TRY AND SAVE A FEW BUCKS AND TAKE A RISK THAN HIRE A REPUTABLE COMPANY. BUT LIKE YOU SAID IT IS HERE TO STAY SO BID HIGH WIN BIDS AND KEEP THOSE CLIENTS HAPPY AND IN 3 OR 4 YEARS YOU WILL HAVE A BANK ROLL COMING IN WEEKLY WHILE THE CHEAP GUYS BURN UP THIER EQUIPMENT AND GO UNDER.

donniedawg · Guest

A lot of GREAT stuff in here !

Liberty SoftWash · Mar 12, 2012

Yes, I have been seeing more roof cleaners coming into my area too. I am used to the lowballers, being a 20+ year painting contractor. When I give my estimates, I am not only selling my service but, I am also selling myself. The estimates that I do in person, usually myself and my wife talk with the homeowners. They seem to like the fact that we work together. I sell quality and I have the stuff to back it up with. I take my iPad to show pictures and videos, I can pull up customer testimonials on the spot to let them hear what past clients say about my work. I always have referrals ready to give if requested. Things like this will make a savy consumer choose me over a lowballer even if they are getting a lower price from them! If all of us RCIA certified members keep our pricing consistant, the lowballers won't have a chance!

donniedawg · Guest

Roof Cleaning By A&E wrote:
Yes, I have been seeing more roof cleaners coming into my area too. I am used to the lowballers, being a 20+ year painting contractor. When I give my estimates, I am not only selling my service but, I am also selling myself. The estimates that I do in person, usually myself and my wife talk with the homeowners. They seem to like the fact that we work together. I sell quality and I have the stuff to back it up with. I take my iPad to show pictures and videos, I can pull up customer testimonials on the spot to let them hear what past clients say about my work. I always have referrals ready to give if requested. Things like this will make a savy consumer choose me over a lowballer even if they are getting a lower price from them! If all of us RCIA certified members keep our pricing consistant, the lowballers won't have a chance!

I'm with you 100% on that Eric.

guest

losing not loosing!

Guest

One of the most important things to remember: We are NOT selling roof cleaning services. We are selling ourselves, our image, our impression on the customer, trust and convenience. I have a few competitors that are known users, missing teeth, stink, etc. If someone wants to use them, so be it. The customers that use that type of service are not the customers that we want to retain in the first place. And as for low price, the customers we want recognize value and quality, not low prices. Hope this helps.

Aug 12, 2012

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
Roof Cleaning Raleigh Durham NC 919-695-2416 wrote:
I have a competitor who will spot clean roofs for $100.

They don't last very long!

No, they won't. But they may leave a bad impression in a housing development, as to what prices should be. That's what has been the case near me. Mine are not spot cleaners, just whole shingled roofs for $135.00 or tile for $160. Most within a year are gone, but when the old folks go golfing and to bingo, the talk about that and it becomes a normal price range in their mind, for a while.

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"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"