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Dear Client: Stop Asking for a Ballpark Estimate(christopherhawkins.com)

7 years ago from Matt Stuhff, Customer service geek obsessed with technology.

  • Ix TechauIx Techau, 7 years ago

    That is common, sure...however I always inform them that their budget is my only indication of scope, so it needs to be accurate and not used as a negotiating tactic. I'm not going to spend time trying to find out whether they're lowballing me or not, I'm not interesting in negotiating prices.

    I always explain that their budget is like a tank of gas: if you tell me I have enough to go 30 miles, that is the distance I will drive and plan for. If you tell me at the 25 mile marker that there was actually enough gas to go 50 miles, I would have planned the trip better. We all benefit from not playing games.

    1 point
    • Julian LloydJulian Lloyd, 7 years ago

      I’m not suggesting being inauthentic.

      While the average individual may have smaller and more firm budgets—to take budgets at face value out of principal is a missed opportunity, especially with small/medium sized businesses.

      Budgets are often numbers rooted in client expectations. If one is reading between the lines and presenting unexpected solutions, it’s quite common to find more money on the table.

      0 points