Keeping track of quotes

[gslam88]

I have a question for everyone. How do you keep track of your quotes for people? do you use the pad and just keep track or use something software based.

I am getting a little forget full and having add some new cusotmers and some tire kickers around latley I have forgotten one or two customers. Just wondering what everyone does....



Sometimers... an advanced stage of CRS... it aint fun


Pete :confused:

[anthony]

pete, i come form the old school...i still write on a spiral memo pad .it last for 2 yrs. and it works out fine for me.
ant

[Merc145]

I have been writing my quotes on business cards and then when they do call I ask them for the card to show my quote. I am not rude but I explain to them that I cannot keep up with all quotes because it may be 2 wks later when they call. I explain when I give them the "card quote" that they need to keep it for reference later.

Hank.

[Nebraska]

I am sorry but it is your responsibility to keep track of the quote. We use computer software. What would you do if they call two years later after you have measured out the property?

Keep track of your quotes either in computer or file them in some discernable way so that you can reference them in the future.

[HBFOXJr]

Everyone is printed on NCR paper or 3 part nebs work order with 3rd being a Heavy card. Keep one copy in the office and file annually.

Also keep basic info in a contact database.

[Merc145]

Nebraska,

Where is it that it says you are responsible to keep track of all quotes. If someone were to call you 2 yrs later for the same quote and you gave it to them then you probably will be losing money due to increase in fuel, materials etc... Also if they did contact you 2rs later then they got your number somewhere like maybe the card you gave them? I am not saying that you do not keep a log of quotes but being responsible for quotes 2 yrs later is crazy useless data for tire kickers that is taking up space for no reason.

[Nebraska]

Obviously you would not want to quote the same price if expenses have gone up...

What about vitals of the customer? Square Footage of Property? That is the information we keep including the price quoted in the past. The information is not useless it can serve a vital role to a multi-facited marketing plan. Especially considering how mobile our society is now. A high end property may transfer ownership....In addition to servicing the customer we also want to service as well as market the property through all transfers of ownerhip. To eliminate past quotes from future marketing efforts is only doing a disservice to yourself. It can also eliminate wasting any further time on the "tire kickers" should they call back. For all new quotes we do a search by last name as well as the address in our database before going out to the property. That way we can find out if they or a previous owner has contacted us, if we have quoted it, and the exact method of direct marketing used if that is the source of the contact.

[65hoss]

I use a 2part proposal pad. I give one to the potiential customer and have the other copy in my pad. I always know what I bid. You can get it from any office supply place.

[rodfather]

Do the exact same thing as you Eric...works for me.

[SprinklerGuy]

most quotes we do are typed and sent on stationery, not all but a lot of them. Then I have a hard copy in file cabinet and a computer file in computer.......works for me

[garydale]

We use Quick Books Pro 2001,

Creates our estimate form and holds estimates when given.

We keep them for several years as people call back when their contractor fails etc. With all the data stored we can update the estimate without remeasuring etc.

With all our services listed, priced and even grouped into programs we can produce a written estimate at the push of a button.

great tool!

[Russo]

NCR paper, baby, three ply. I keep a seperate folder "proposals given" and pull it out OFTEN to call for follow-up sales. They don't like it during dinner time, but i'ts amazing how many come over fax or call the next day 'cause they just needed to be reminded.

Landscraper.

[Mykster]

I make 2 copies of a bid, one for me and one for them. So after time, when/if they call back I have the copy of the bid handy. As for present clients I keep them in a seperate drawer with all their information. When people call back to commit to a job I put them in the other drawer. This has worked very well for me so far.