Favorite Customer Conversations - Add Yours

[Gary Hair]

Customer walks in the door, asks if he can get a price on name tags. Not a problem. I show him some samples and he says "those are nice, but I need them to be double sided".

I didn't even know how to respond to that. I'm sure I looked quite stupid with my mouth hung open a little, not saying a word, trying to process exactly what he just said.

Uh, how else do you know their name when you walk up behind them...

[Clark Pace]

Them:So I want a quanity discount. How much for 10, 50 and 200 pieces.
Me: Ok, here is the pricing $10 Each (10), $7 (50) Each, $3.50 (200).
Them: A few days laters. Ok I will take 10 pieces, for $3.50 each.

[Jason Hilton]

While not for engraving work, I get the "I can bring you so much work!" line all the time. Please, bring me work, I will charge them less for not using that stupid line trying to get a discount.

[Scott Shepherd]

While not for engraving work, I get the "I can bring you so much work!" line all the time. Please, bring me work, I will charge them less for not using that stupid line trying to get a discount.

So true. I'd be a millionaire about 10 times over if all those promises came through.

[Mike Lassiter]

My customer who always wants something time consuming and custom done CHEAPLY, messages me about something and ask the standard question

"How much"

Me - having to invest time creating a vector file of what she wants and know I am going to have more time in that than she will repay in the volume of doing it.

"how many do you want?"

Her reply - "depends on cost"

I have explained it over and over again, but it seems the time to create what can be lasered is somehow expected to be free to her and just to be given away for doing work for her and another or two she has me do for her that she sells to them. I have spent more time than I want to tell everyone here for what ended up being ONE item and never again did any more. It is a sore spot for me, and I have just refused to do some things because it wasn't worth the time I would have to spend to do one or two for her. I have tried to persuade her to buy Corel Draw and spend countless hours learning to use it then she could sit and spend HER time creating these projects she want me to do for little to nothing.

Still waiting for that to happen

[Jason Hilton]

I typically charge based on a standard rate and then adjusted to the client. Something I've found that works for me in those situations is to send out a price sheet. I don't publish my rates online but I do keep a standardized price sheet and contract handy in case I get an aggressive haggler. I quote a rate (never a flat fee for a haggler! Ever) and if they start in with the lines I say "Why don't I send you my rate sheet and a quote and you can decided from there?" Seeing it in writing has an effect and usually they just accept it. Published rates have an undue influence on a persons thought process. Ever seen anyone haggle for the price of a burger at McDonalds?

[Ross Moshinsky]

We have very nice customers that order for non profits. They all want a special price. My answer is "everyone pays the same low price". If in fact I give them a better price to make the sale happen quickly and there is still meat left on the bone, they still want a better price. My answer is "this is your price and there are no further discounts." If that doesn't do it for them, such is life. On the way out they normally ask "Can you buy an ad in our.......?" My answer is no, if we buy one from you we have to buy one from everyone. Why open Pandora's box?

[Kev Williams]

ME>"What kind of font do you have in mind?"

THEM>"I dunno, just pick something. I trust your experience."

Just went thru this one myself. Got a call from a guy about laser etching a graphic on a knife. Afterwards he sends me the following email:

You can place graphic where you best see fit. Looking forward to working
with you in future. First graphic is the knife it's going on. Second
attachment is the graphic I want engraved. Thanks for your help

I take his photo of the knife, superimpose the graphic where I best saw fit.
Then I get an email from his wife:


Thanks again for doing this knife (and hopefully many more) for us.
We can't wait to see the finished product.
Hate to be a burden but had a question - is there any way to see it slightly different?
Either with the image a little smaller and moved up towards the top of the blade,
OR turned sideways and placed parallel to the guard?
Wasn't sure if your machine had the capability to do that or not.

So much for "as I see fit".

And an fyi -- I engrave double-sided name tags/plates all the time. Key fobs are best example of double sided tags I can think of, just did a batch for the local Civil Air Patrol's airplanes...

[Scott Shepherd]

And an fyi -- I engrave double-sided name tags/plates all the time. Key fobs are best example of double sided tags I can think of, just did a batch for the local Civil Air Patrol's airplanes...

In my case, it was name tag to be worn on the shirt. If I engraved both sides, where was I going to put the magnet? How was it going to be stuck to the shirt?

[Kev Williams]

Both sides of a name badge IS a little strange...

[Dan Hintz]

In my case, it was name tag to be worn on the shirt. If I engraved both sides, where was I going to put the magnet? How was it going to be stuck to the shirt?

OBVIOUSLY you were supposed to embed the magnet inside the plastic...

[Brian Leavitt]

I got one that goes the other way around. This was a (rather short) conversation between a customer and a former employee...

Customer: I'm sorry. I'm a little off today. My dog got hit by a car this morning.
Employee: I understand - I haven't had my coffee yet, so I know how you feel...

[Bert Kemp]

Great Bedside manor Former because of this ?

I got one that goes the other way around. This was a (rather short) conversation between a customer and a former employee...

Customer: I'm sorry. I'm a little off today. My dog got hit by a car this morning.
Employee: I understand - I haven't had my coffee yet, so I know how you feel...

[Ed Maloney]

Well it just happened again:

Customer: Do you offer wholesale pricing?
Me: Yes - How many would you like?
Customer: 1

[Liesl Dexheimer]

I had a call from a potential customer quite a few years back asking where I was located. After I told her, she told me she was one town over and that was too far. Felt like saying "Oh, I'm sorry. Should I bring all my equipment over to you?" That is a true townee.