They want a price again this year...

[JohnnyRoyale]

We have been pricing for a property manager for three years now, with zero work awarded to us in previous years. So she emails me last week again and I pulled up last years quote and add 10% to it and send it back to her. Total time spent, 3 minutes. She emails me back a few days later for references, and I send them to her. Now shes checking my references and I'm thinking shes going to award me some work. Theres a total of 8 properties, all of which require summer maintenance and daily year round litter pickups and garbage bag replacements. Three of the properties are side by side, and I basically treated them as one, but divided the quote up for her budjetary purporses. She emails me today she wants to award me one of the three properties, and I respond no thanks...as all three together make sense for me, but one individually doesn't. She snapped....I was feeling a little moody this afternoon and let loose on her, and although I realize my professionalism didnt shine in that conversation, it felt good letting her know I'm not at their beck and call, and basically advised her to look elsewhere for quotes next year, as its obvious shes shopping my numbers year after year to justify her pre made decision. Just thought I'd share this with you and wonder if anyone is pricing the same crap year in year out.

[Carolina Cuts]

may have been a blessing in disguise....
3 years is long time to keep bidding over and over and over... just to get one job out of it. If you can do without the extra work, then more power to you.

[allinearth]

I have been pricing the same install for 3 years. Each year they call and want the new price quick then don't call back. This year they finally gave the go ahead. Now I wonder if I want it.

[Green Pastures]

You just burned at least one bridge.

That may prove to be not such a bright move.

[topsites]

It burns me too, if the first price wasn't good enough then why bother me again?
And that happened to me sporadically until I learned a little trick, that is, I got SO tired of it...
So then I was like pissed off, and I thought about this nonsense long and hard lol.
Finally the way I saw it, if they were still pestering me, it must be my prices were still generating interest.
So now I jump the 2nd and subsequent estimate by 20%, and I only had to do that one time before that bs stopped cold.

After I jumped a 2nd estimate +20% that was it, knock on wood but it worked for me.

You just burned at least one bridge.

That may prove to be not such a bright move.

Yes, yes...
This, too, I have learned.

[JohnnyRoyale]

You just burned at least one bridge.

That may prove to be not such a bright move.

Its obvious shes basing her decision on price alone. No one in their right mind would go do the one property, knowing the two others are right next to it. My references prove we can do the work, in fact I feel were overqualified for this particular contract, but at the right numbers, we cant refuse. Shes just another smart ass, pulling a smart ass stunt. Is that someone I want to work for-definetly not. Am I going to regret my actions, definitely not. Will I ever work for her, most definitely not. And you know my answer to if I'll lose sleep tonite about it. I have no problem burning this bridge.

[lawnman_scott]

You just burned at least one bridge.

That may prove to be not such a bright move.Please. He just got rid of a big waste of time, forever and ever. Not every b ridge should be crossed, some need to be bombed.

[cspaugh]

More power to ya, who hasent burned a few bridges, fire it up. Guess some people dont have the spine to strike the match. Just my .02

[iand]

it would appear to me that you under priced 1 of the 3 jobs so lucky you didn't say yes to the offer and if she rings next year remember to put this one up 20%

[Stillwater]

Its obvious shes basing her decision on price alone. No one in their right mind would go do the one property, knowing the two others are right next to it. My references prove we can do the work, in fact I feel were overqualified for this particular contract, but at the right numbers, we cant refuse. Shes just another smart ass, pulling a smart ass stunt. Is that someone I want to work for-definetly not. Am I going to regret my actions, definitely not. Will I ever work for her, most definitely not. And you know my answer to if I'll lose sleep tonite about it. I have no problem burning this bridge.

If this was true and have no problem with this then you woulden't have raised a discussion about it. you would have not even mentioned it hear Or have the time to talk about it.

[Stillwater]

More power to ya, who hasent burned a few bridges, fire it up. Guess some people dont have the spine to strike the match. Just my .02

This has nothing to do with haveing a spine. I try to avoid burning bridges becouse their is no such thing as burning 1 bridge. 1 bridge = 6

[garydale]

You probably taught her a good lesson. There is nothing wrong with burning bridges if you would lose your a$$ catering to her.

[JohnnyRoyale]

If this was true and have no problem with this then you woulden't have raised a discussion about it. you would have not even mentioned it hear Or have the time to talk about it.

Where on this site ooes it state that all discussions must be about a problematic issue, or something thats troubling you. Give me a freakin break...The point of it all was to get feedback about how many times a LCO will entertain a commercial property manager before pulling the plug on them and if anyone has had the balls to do it and also to point out how smart some of these property managers think they are.

[Stillwater]

Our businesses are different I will entertain a prospective contract as long as it takes I have the staff and resources to absorb the inconvenience of pricing I suggest you just ignore my posts.

[lawnman_scott]

This has nothing to do with haveing a spine. I try to avoid burning bridges becouse their is no such thing as burning 1 bridge. 1 bridge = 6Oh the old if you make one person mad they will tell 5 others? Well since like people hang out together, then he got rid of 5 more without having to do anything. Pretty soon he will just have to concentrate on people he can make money on and leave the chasing around to people like you.

[Stillwater]

Oh the old if you make one person mad they will tell 5 others? Well since like people hang out together, then he got rid of 5 more without having to do anything. Pretty soon he will just have to concentrate on people he can make money on and leave the chasing around to people like you.

yep 30 years in business tought me that so Lawnman this is easy just ingnore my posts.

[Atlantic Lawn]

In the Prop. Mgt world, it's known as due diligence, she is most likely required to submit three bids to the HOA. They may or may not allow her to decide who gets the work. I think I would have asked her what will it take to get all the properties ? See if you can live with her numbers. You can still call her back and explain. I bid props all the time and never get them, I will get some and with those I prove our company can handle their workload and develop a working relationship from that point on.

[JohnnyRoyale]

Brother, I've been around the block long enough (15 years) and have built a $2M/year business in that time. I could easily push those numbers higher but dont want to. Don't get me wrong, I realize burning a bridge isn't the smartest thing to do, and in fact I have been re-awarded contracts that were taken from me for stupidity in the past because I didnt burn a bridge and remained in contact with them. But... all I have here is an anonymous contact, hiding behind a computer in a real estate management office that i have never met. In my very first email reply, I asked (exactly what I ask anyone looking for a quote), "What happened to whoever was doing this work before? What can i do better for you? and What do i have to do to earn your business.?"-She never replied to any of those questions.

[Fl_Airboater]

I feel were overqualified for this particular contract

I hope you are joking, however I don't think you were. Over qualified to mow grass on this property but not on the other clients you serve? A job is a job. Get your head out of your azz and accept the fact that you cut grass. Get over your self.

[Stillwater]

Brother, I've been around the block long enough (15 years) and have built a $2M/year business in that time. I could easily push those numbers higher but dont want to. Don't get me wrong, I realize burning a bridge isn't the smartest thing to do, and in fact I have been re-awarded contracts that were taken from me for stupidity in the past because I didnt burn a bridge and remained in contact with them. But... all I have here is an anonymous contact, hiding behind a computer in a real estate management office that i have never met. In my very first email reply, I asked (exactly what I ask anyone looking for a quote), "What happened to whoever was doing this work before? What can i do better for you? and What do i have to do to earn your business.?"-She never replied to any of those questions.

I understand and sympathize with you now, but if having these details in your original post my approach and response would have different. I will communicate through email with all customers and potential customers but I would have not submitted a proposal to a anonymous person at a email address but that is me, although I will work with management company's and Realtors. I require a name address and phone numbers of the actual person on the other end of the email address and the same info from the actual owners of the real estate that will be connected to the proposal. If I am not provided direct contact information of the actual real estate owners I will withdraw void and not sign off on my submitted proposal. Actual owners are the ones who have bottom line responsibility for payment in the event of payment/work dispute with a management company or a realtor, Because I have these policy's and adhere to them this problem is foreign to me. I apologize if I sounded harsh.

[steve5966]

It never ceases to amaze me at the mentality of some people.

"Oh the old if you make one person mad they will tell 5 others? Well since like people hang out together, then he got rid of 5 more without having to do anything."

Scott, it's people like you, that keep me living the good life. Keep up the good work.

Property managers are just that, Managers. They work for their customers, not us. They need cheap and good work, but most will go for just cheap. In JohnyRoyales situation I may have taken on the property if I felt my work would make the neighboring properties look substandard. Nobody wants their property to be the wost on the block and sometimes it just takes showing them what they could have to get them to spend more money.

[SilkKnitter]

I hope you are joking, however I don't think you were. Over qualified to mow grass on this property but not on the other clients you serve? A job is a job. Get your head out of your azz and accept the fact that you cut grass. Get over your self.

um stfu no just no. :hammerhead:






JohnnyRoyale you could have handled that alittle better. It is very understandable that you felt the need to tell her to g3htf#ct. I am sure I would have done the same thing. Maybe you could apologize and explain why you will not take just the one. You never know who you are dealing with, burning bridges is never a good thing. Or did you already try to tell her that?

[lawnspecialties]

I'm 100% with JohnnyRoyale on this one. He has handled this very well for three years. Then all of a sudden, she wants to break up his bid to suit her and when he says no, she snaps. Remember that part in his original post guys?

Customers don't snap on me, period. If there's an issue, we'll discuss it like civilized human beings. But if anyone thinks they can snap on me and since I must be some desperate lawn guy dying for work, they can treat me with any disrespect they feel?:nono:

Johnny, I rather enjoyed reading your post. Good Job.:)

[JohnnyRoyale]

I understand and sympathize with you now, but if having these details in your original post my approach and response would have different. I will communicate through email with all customers and potential customers but I would have not submitted a proposal to a anonymous person at a email address but that is me, although I will work with management company's and Realtors. I require a name address and phone numbers of the actual person on the other end of the email address and the same info from the actual owners of the real estate that will be connected to the proposal. If I am not provided direct contact information of the actual real estate owners I will withdraw void and not sign off on my submitted proposal. Actual owners are the ones who have bottom line responsibility for payment in the event of payment/work dispute with a management company or a realtor, Because I have these policy's and adhere to them this problem is foreign to me. I apologize if I sounded harsh.

Let me reword my post. Her contact info was on all emails, and I did know the management company but i have never met her.

[JohnnyRoyale]

I hope you are joking, however I don't think you were. Over qualified to mow grass on this property but not on the other clients you serve? A job is a job. Get your head out of your azz and accept the fact that you cut grass. Get over your self.

I accept the fact that i or we cut grass and have absolutely no problem with that, and if thats all you choose to offer-congradultions-cutting grass is just a component of what we offer and do on commercial properties. I may have chosen my words wrong here. What I was referring to was that our forte is complete year round landscape management and not just grass cutting. We are the guys people call for a one call service solution, including mowing, powersweeping, shrub care, landscape improvements, planting, line marking, plowing, and the list goes on...thats the type of work we're interested in, not just basic mowing contracts. When I started in this business 15 years ago, all i wanted to do was cut grass for 7 months of the year, and enjoy the winters off...reality is if you want to cater to the commercial market, you have to offer more, otherwise, someone else will make a property managers life easier by offering them one call service and now you have given them a reason to source someone else out and allow your competitors a foot into the door. I know what type of client fits into my business plan and aggressive seek those opportunities....she didn't fit my puzzle perfectly, so I reacted the way I did. Nothing to do with egos here...just business.

[JohnnyRoyale]

It never ceases to amaze me at the mentality of some people.

"Oh the old if you make one person mad they will tell 5 others? Well since like people hang out together, then he got rid of 5 more without having to do anything."

Scott, it's people like you, that keep me living the good life. Keep up the good work.

Property managers are just that, Managers. They work for their customers, not us. They need cheap and good work, but most will go for just cheap. In JohnyRoyales situation I may have taken on the property if I felt my work would make the neighboring properties look substandard. Nobody wants their property to be the wost on the block and sometimes it just takes showing them what they could have to get them to spend more money.

My references already prove my quality of work...and i sure dont want to loose money to prove myslef to her. One thing I learned in this business is that one cheap customer will refer you to all their cheap friends...whats the end result?-more cheap work. One good paying customer, you treat right will refer you to their friends or co-workers-and the end result is more work at good prices. I know which one I would rather cater to. Everyone can keep busy at cheap prices...but not many will go far (these are the lowballers everyones referring to on this site).

[prizeprop]

Johnny, you did the right thing. Did you piss these guys off in a previous post?

[Stillwater]

I just think some people get emotional