Re: Acceptable time from walk-thru to quotation delivery

["Robert L Bass" <no-sales-spam@bassburglaralarms>]

> IMO a week is pushing it...but it depends,
> if client says "no hurry" then I'd say you'd
> have more time...

That's true, but it doesn't always hold.  Although the client may say he's in no hurry, the first bidder frequently has at least a
slight edge over someone whose bid comes in a few days later.  Formal government bids are all opened at the same time, regardless
when they arrive so those aren't as sensitive, but most other clients appreciate a quick response.

The OP might want to develop an electronic "cheat sheet" with prices of his most often-used hardware along with prices for average
wire runs.  That will allow him to give a rough, verbal estimate on the spot which he should clearly state is only a rough
"guestimate".  Explain that he'll need to work on a precise bid but that the figures should be within n% of the given amount.  That
way if an eager competitor comes in quickly with a perhaps more costly bid the client is likely to wait a few days for the formal
proposal.

As to the maximum time, there's really no good rule of thumb for all clients.  However, I've found that about half of all bids are
lost if I can't get out a reply in 5 days.  After a week, around 80% are lost.  When I can bid within 2-3 days of the walk-through
or in the case of online sales (since I no longer do on-premises sales) within 1 day I can close roughly 40% of the time.  Due to
pricing and presentation, these percentages are not likely to apply to most installing dealers.  There will be a correlative
difference in sales -- just not on the same scale.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

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Bass Home Electronics
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4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
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