Charge or not to charge...

[mutley racers]

So when you go out to a job and find that the best option is to get the manufacturers in to fix the boiler for a one off fee, do you still charge for your time spent there investigating etc. After all, we are running a business

 

[SimonG]

Diagnosis fee?

 

[mutley racers]

Diagnosis fee?

Sounds good to me! Is it my usual 1st hour then?

Tried playing with that spreadsheet of yours, I reverted back to just writing up a draft and then typing. Need some.lessons on excel big time

 

[SimonG]

Never really been in that position only do oil. If it's under warranty then I'll nip out free of charge just to check if it's a warranty issue or not.
If its not then I'm going to fix and charge accordingly.
But appreciate that you could turn up and cust can get a better deal with a fixed price repair. In that case then I'd be charging, after all you are saving the cust money.

Excel and access are best learnt when you have a need to use them. Used to do a loadwith it in a past life.

 

[mutley racers]

Never really been in that position only do oil. If it's under warranty then I'll nip out free of charge just to check if it's a warranty issue or not.
If its not then I'm going to fix and charge accordingly.
But appreciate that you could turn up and cust can get a better deal with a fixed price repair. In that case then I'd be charging, after all you are saving the cust money.

Excel and access are best learnt when you have a need to use them. Used to do a loadwith it in a past life.

That makes perfect sense Simon thank you.

I know I should charge as I spent all my time getting there, getting tools out testing etc and find a few faults. This was at 6.30 as well. Just not sure how they will react when texting asking for email to send invoice.

I have tried a free Microsoft office course a few times but always end up forgetting what I learn so revert back to 2000BC

 

[mfgs]

Definitely charge. In that situation I will always provide a quote for me to do the work and then tell them the manufacturers fee. It's up to them then to make a decision. But your time going out there and diagnosing it is chargeable.

 

[mutley racers]

Definitely charge. In that situation I will always provide a quote for me to do the work and then tell them the manufacturers fee. It's up to them then to make a decision. But your time going out there and diagnosing it is chargeable.

Good advicealso providing a Quote comparison. Thanks

 

[mfgs]

That way it looks like you aren't just trying to avoid the job or don't know what the problem is. Customer thinking/assuming that will make them less likely to want to pay your invoice.

 

[mutley racers]

That way it looks like you aren't just trying to avoid the job or don't know what the problem is. Customer thinking/assuming that will make them less likely to want to pay your invoice.

Agreed!

 

[Last Plumber]

I have never passed a paying customer onto anyone. Especially not the manufacturers.
I would definitely charge in your position though.

Just out of curiosity and speaking as someone who's never done that, why would you not just repair it and charge the full amount?
We are in business after all and in it to make money amongst other things. The Manu's have an unfair advantage over us as it is.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Have a look at open office mut

 

[WaterTight]

The Manu's have an unfair advantage over us as it is.

Very good point. I'm sure if they came out and knew that you would do it a bit cheaper they'd hand it over to you...

 

[Harvest Fields]

I have never passed a paying customer onto anyone. Especially not the manufacturers.
I would definitely charge in your position though.

Just out of curiosity and speaking as someone who's never done that, why would you not just repair it and charge the full amount?
We are in business after all and in it to make money amongst other things. The Manu's have an unfair advantage over us as it is.

Because I like to keep my customers and I always do what is best for them. Not what is right for me. That is why I am so busy all the time.

 

[Last Plumber]

Because I like to keep my customers and I always do what is best for them. Not what is right for me. That is why I am so busy all the time.

I am busy all year round too. I can't understand why anyone would pass customers on though.
I get that honesty prevails and the customer feels loyal so will probably come back to you but there's also the loss of revenue.
Have you seen the 'fixed price repairs' from BG?
It's no saving really is it?
You might as well keep the customer and the cash. On top of that, BG along with Boiler manu's have some excellent Engineers. They also have some plant pots. It is better to have you than a plant pot!

 

[Last Plumber]

Having said that. A visit to a customer by a plant pot always ensures they want you back lol. It reaffirms their appreciation of what they might lose.

 

[Harvest Fields]

I am busy all year round too. I can't understand why anyone would pass customers on though.
I get that honesty prevails and the customer feels loyal so will probably come back to you but there's also the loss of revenue.
Have you seen the 'fixed price repairs' from BG?
It's no saving really is it?
You might as well keep the customer and the cash. On top of that, BG along with Boiler manu's have some excellent Engineers. They also have some plant pots. It is better to have you than a plant pot!

Revenue isn’t everything mate.

 

[Last Plumber]

Revenue isn’t everything mate.

I know.
I was talking specifically about passing on customers to the likes of BG or manufacturers and the risk of losing them when there is not a massive saving for the customer anyway. There is also the risk of the customer being robbed or over paying for a repair that shouldn't cost much.

My Business is very old. I am in full agreement that money isn't everything. Running a business in my opinion is a more a way of life.
If we compare this to a Christmas Carol for example (Scrooge with Alistair sim), I would be more inclined to agree with 'Old Fezzywig' as opposed to the greedy, grasping, manipulative and money hungry, Mr Marley and Mr Scrooge, Bah Humbug!!

I was aiming at making the point that if you look at the BG fixed price repair and look at the timescales involved, I cannot see the customer saving much money in all honesty. If the customer went to them and was offered the initial payment of £xx plus £xx per month for 12 months deal, there might be a risk of them going for that and not returning.
Due to my business being mainly Heating work (no bathrooms in Domestic properties), I could lose the Boiler service and repairs in those Domestic properties to another!
That would upset me greatly.

We will have to agree to disagree on this method of running a business.

 

[mutley racers]

Have a look at open office mut

Thanks Shaun. Will do