How would you respond? [Archive] - Mobile Disco Directory Forum

Mark Wild

05-08-2009, 02:02 PM

Creature

05-08-2009, 02:39 PM

I wouldnt bother to reply as it sounds as if they are beating around teh bush and hoping that you would drop your price

Spirits High

05-08-2009, 02:42 PM

A nice polite reply like you've got there.

I would advise against being sarcastic or rude as you just never know when they'll be back ;)

rob1963

05-08-2009, 02:43 PM

to......

Hi Mark

We will be going ahead with the date but unfortunately you have been beaten on price.

Thanks for your quote any way.

Regards

*****

I went along the lines of "My price reflects my service and I wish you all the best with your upcoming event"

Would you even bother? What would you reply if you are the type of person to do so?

I'm a bit on the fence with this one, as I can see it from both sides.

However, if they'd given me an enquiry, I'd responded with the price & information they wanted and they'd then come back to say I'd been beaten on price, I'd be unlikely to contact them again, as I don't feel it would be necessary.

It would make more sense to spend my time dealing with enquiries from people who ARE my customers (ie not just concerned about the price).

Steve the DJ

05-08-2009, 02:44 PM

I would be polite and professional, state that I am sorry that they haven't chosen me on this occasion and wish them every success with the Wedding.

Whatever you do don't mention price.

DJ Frankie

05-08-2009, 02:44 PM

As above dont be rude just ignore, this happened to me last week.

Ajaysdisco

05-08-2009, 02:50 PM

I would ignore it; it’s not worth the hassle replying back.

Mark Wild

05-08-2009, 02:54 PM

Whatever you do don't mention price.

Yeah I think your bang on with that, it's all too easy to be a little bitter just because they've just chosen a different company who's cheaper. Not biting back, guns blazing, mentioning price, may confirm the fact why you are that bit more to hire. If you see what I mean.

Alchemy

05-08-2009, 03:19 PM

I would try and ascertain by how much I had been "beaten by", and by who. In this age of never pay the asking price you need all the information you can get if you want to negotiate successfully. What if they only beat you by £20? If someone locally has undercut you once they can do it again and again.

Excalibur

05-08-2009, 03:35 PM

I would be polite and professional, state that I am sorry that they haven't chosen me on this occasion and wish them every success with the Wedding.

Whatever you do don't mention price.

I did once, but I think I got away with it. ;) :D

Yeah I think your bang on with that, it's all too easy to be a little bitter just because they've just chosen a different company who's cheaper. Not biting back, guns blazing, mentioning price, may confirm the fact why you are that bit more to hire. If you see what I mean.

Perhaps "I may have been beaten on price, but probably not on quality or value. "

Steve the DJ

05-08-2009, 03:38 PM

Perhaps "I may have been beaten on price, but probably not on quality or value. "

Sounds like "...he may be cheaper but I bet he is cack..." to me... :D

rob1963

05-08-2009, 03:43 PM

I would try and ascertain by how much I had been "beaten by", and by who.

I wouldn't, as that would be irrelevant.

In this age of never pay the asking price you need all the information you can get if you want to negotiate successfully.

Not in my case, as I don't negotiate.

They pay the price on my site, or they don't get me. Simple as that.

The only exceptions are people I know.

What if they only beat you by £20?

I doubt if someone would go with a different company just to save £20, or if they DID, then they're obviously only concerned with price, in which case they're not my customer anyway.

However, if they decided to go with another company who DID beat my price by £20...good luck to them.

I'll probably get another enquiry & booking for the same date at my full rate anyway.

If someone locally has undercut you once they can do it again and again.

That doesn't bother me at all.

There will always be discos who are cheaper...but also there will be others who are more expensive.

Those who are mainly concerned with price are not MY customers anyway, so I have no problem whatsoever with them going to someone who is cheaper & doesn't provide such a good service.

andyw

05-08-2009, 03:45 PM

I would be polite and professional, state that I am sorry that they haven't chosen me on this occasion and wish them every success with the Wedding.

Whatever you do don't mention price.

that is the sensible thing , imo, you might negotiate £20 off and beat the other guy but i bet you that £20 as soon as they get off the phone to you the phone the other dj up and say sorry you've just been beaten on price can you beat xxx. if they really wanted you they would pay the extra anyway

Vectis

05-08-2009, 04:05 PM

I would be polite and professional, state that I am sorry that they haven't chosen me on this occasion and wish them every success with the Wedding.

Whatever you do don't mention price.

:agree: 100%

Just in case there's an ounce of game-playing going on, I'd also add

"Thank you for letting me know as I can now release the date for other customers."

Steve the DJ

05-08-2009, 04:09 PM

Just in case there's an ounce of game-playing going on, I'd also add

"Thank you for letting me know as I can now release the date for other customers."

:agree:

Good point.

rob1963

05-08-2009, 04:12 PM

:agree: 100%

Just in case there's an ounce of game-playing going on, I'd also add

"Thank you for letting me know as I can now release the date for other customers."

:agree:

Good point.

I also like that.

:thumbsup:

Mark Wild

05-08-2009, 04:17 PM

Sounds like "...he may be cheaper but I bet he is cack..." to me... :D

It does to me too lol

CRAZY K

05-08-2009, 04:23 PM

:agree: 100%

Just in case there's an ounce of game-playing going on, I'd also add

"Thank you for letting me know as I can now release the date for other customers."

Very good-- the other version is--so pleased to hear from you as one of my long standing customers has been after this date in the last few days so ill be able to help them now !

I certainly wouldnt wish them luck, good fortune or anything else.

If people dont accept our quotes we understand--why people have to write this drivel I really dont know.

CRAZY K

Vectis

05-08-2009, 04:28 PM

I certainly wouldnt wish them luck, good fortune or anything else.

If people dont accept our quotes we understand--why people have to write this drivel I really dont know.

CRAZY K

I can see your point, but I have no problem writing a couple of sentences of drivel because unless you know the REAL reason you've been blown off, you might be unwittingly jeopardising future business, especially when you've got a small catchment area like me.

I'd sooner have a non-customer tell their friends & family that they couldn't afford me but that we were really nice about it, rather than they couldn't afford me but as soon as they blew me off I turned into an arrogant git :o ;) :)

Excalibur

05-08-2009, 04:31 PM

Sounds like "...he may be cheaper but I bet he is cack..." to me... :D

Good heavens. I never looked at it like that before.How remiss of me. I may have to find some other phrase which couldn't be interpreted as impugning the quality and integrity of their chosen entertainer.

Mind you, I bet he is cack. ;) :D :D

Mark Wild

05-08-2009, 04:34 PM

Mind you, I bet he is cack. ;) :D :D

:lol:

CRAZY K

05-08-2009, 04:52 PM

I can see your point, but I have no problem writing a couple of sentences of drivel because unless you know the REAL reason you've been blown off, you might be unwittingly jeopardising future business, especially when you've got a small catchment area like me.

I'd sooner have a non-customer tell their friends & family that they couldn't afford me but that we were really nice about it, rather than they couldn't afford me but as soon as they blew me off I turned into an arrogant git :o ;) :)

But I ony said, thanks for doing me a favour---

No arrogance there--just gratitude;)

Must admit my catchment area is England, Scotland and Wales ( including that small Island near Southampton ) so we can afford to be flippant.

:Laugh: :Laugh:

I still think the communication was drivel and on reflection doesnt actually deserve an answer at all---now wheres that delete button again:)

CRAZY K

CRAZY K

05-08-2009, 04:57 PM

Good heavens. I never looked at it like that before.How remiss of me. I may have to find some other phrase which couldn't be interpreted as impugning the quality and integrity of their chosen entertainer.

Mind you, I bet he is cack. ;) :D :D

A very fair summary if I may say so.

CRAZY K

wensleydale

06-08-2009, 07:52 PM

I tend to say something along the lines of - "thanks for your email- we are aware that there are companies who will provide discos at lower prices however as with many things in life the phrase "you get what you pay for" is often true.
If it would be of interest I would be more than happy to talk through just a few of the reasons why we believe we represent excellent value for money".

If they've bothered to email you this it shows that they arent completely ignorant and may have been interested in you.

Disco Tech Liverpool

06-08-2009, 09:45 PM

On one occasion I quoted a really cheap price for a disco on the Friday night, it was the Tuesday when I was asked what price I would charge. I told them I would do it a lot cheaper just to get the gig only to be told that I was £40 dearer than the quote they just had. It wasn't worth me doing the gig for less than what I quoted, so I just replied with "well all I will say is good luck with that DJ then".

People sometimes say to me, I've had a quote that's £50 cheaper than that, so I just say to them on the phone, ask yourself why they are £50 cheaper, at the end of the day it's up to you, but I won't drop my price as I do it as cheap as I can in the first place.

On the other hand I done a school reunion gig for a friend of mine. They had a 2nd one but didn't book me for this saying that they had to pay out of their own pockets as a lot of the people didn't put in towards my fee at the first gathering, I said that's no problem. Then 4 days before the 2nd reunion I got a phone call asking if I was booked as the 'cheaper' DJ has let them down. I was dying to say haha told you so, but I didn't, I just said I was booked, which I was ! I was made up though

PropellerHeadCase

10-08-2009, 12:40 PM

Dear Sir/Madam

I thank you for advising me of your decision to go with another supplier for this date, I shall accordingly mark this date as available in my bookings diary.

Best of luck with your event

etc.

Shaun

10-08-2009, 01:12 PM

How would you respond?

"Thank you for your initial interest, and best of luck with your event."

I see no point in trying to sell my services if they've already decided to base their decision on cost alone.

DJMaxG

10-08-2009, 04:06 PM

It would make more sense to spend my time dealing with enquiries from people who ARE my customers

I Couldn't have said that better Rob! :beer:

You should tell the 'Customer' what they are getting for such price, I would suggest offering less lighting and sound equipment - but perhaps not.

There are several ways to look at it, If the date they have chosen is a prime Saturday Night which is in constant demand for a Wedding, then ignore them and move on.

PropellerHeadCase

10-08-2009, 04:25 PM

Agreed, Elite, although if you don't tell them that we're not competing on cost maybe we're missing a chance to educate them.

rob1963

10-08-2009, 04:30 PM

I Couldn't have said that better Rob! :beer:

Thank you Max!

:D

Disco Tech Liverpool

10-08-2009, 05:57 PM

I see no point in trying to sell my services if they've already decided to base their decision on cost alone.

I think that is a great way to put it actually, just a quick reply saying that you are sorry that they have had to base their decision on cost alone rather than cost and quality !!!

wensleydale

10-08-2009, 06:03 PM

Agreed, Elite, although if you don't tell them that we're not competing on cost maybe we're missing a chance to educate them.

that was kind of my point in the post earlier- many people dont know why price would vary and i've had a few where when I have explained what I can provide within my quote they go with me.

As a customer I'd often try it on when buying something anyway to see what happens- if you dont get any reply you are less likely to continue the conversation.

sometimes i think we assume all potential clients know what we know.

Excalibur

10-08-2009, 06:39 PM

Be polite.
Say why you're dearer ( cos you're better) ;) :D
Point out you'll be available in future if they meet your price.

Burn as few bridges as possible. ;)

Shaun

10-08-2009, 06:47 PM

Agreed, Elite, although if you don't tell them that we're not competing on cost maybe we're missing a chance to educate them.

I think I give a pretty good account of what I offer when I send them details of my service along with the initial quote. If they decide to choose based on price alone after my first contact with them, there's little hope of educating them after I've quoted. Based on the initial post in this thread, the client has already decided to book on cost alone. I can see no reason giving any more of my valuable time when they've already pointed out they wont be hiring me.

I agree with Rob in this instance, I'll save my time for those that are my customers. :)

Excalibur

10-08-2009, 06:53 PM

Based on the initial post in this thread, the client has already decided to book on cost alone. I can see no reason giving any more of my valuable time when they've already pointed out they wont be hiring me.

I agree with Rob in this instance, I'll save my time for those that are my customers. :)

A blinkered and possibly counter productive view in my opinion, but just as valid as mine.

Shaun

10-08-2009, 07:47 PM

wensleydale

10-08-2009, 07:57 PM

Why do you say that? Read the initial post again, my comment is based directly on what has been posted. The customer has already noted that they have gone with someone less expensive. What point is there in wasting valuable time when their decision is already made and they are no longer a potential customer of mine at that point?

it says you have been beaten on price, but doesnt say that they have booked someone else.
generally getting beaten on price is part of the process - it's giving them the reasons to book you that makes the difference.

Shaun

10-08-2009, 08:08 PM

it says you have been beaten on price, but doesnt say that they have booked someone else.
generally getting beaten on price is part of the process - it's giving them the reasons to book you that makes the difference.

As previously said....

I think I give a pretty good account of what I offer when I send them details of my service along with the initial quote. If they decide to choose based on price alone after my first contact with them, there's little hope of educating them after I've quoted.

If they've decided to opt for the cheaper option after I've already provided details of what I can offer, then they're not my customers. I don't compete on price...only on quality.

PropellerHeadCase

10-08-2009, 08:19 PM

If they've decided to opt for the cheaper option after I've already provided details of what I can offer, then they're not my customers. I don't compete on price...only on quality.

Then again, as you can't for 100% certain know the level of quality that all your competition are reaching or, more importantly, portraying, that's somewhat of a moving target.

Excalibur

10-08-2009, 08:24 PM

A blinkered and possibly counter productive view in my opinion, but just as valid as mine.

Why do you say that? Read the initial post again, my comment is based directly on what has been posted. The customer has already noted that they have gone with someone less expensive. What point is there in wasting valuable time when their decision is already made and they are no longer a potential customer of mine at that point?

Because if you've come across as polite, professional, approachable, and the only stumbling block was price, they'll be inclined to come back to you and explore whether you're actually cost effective when it all goes mammaries skywards with the "pay peanuts get monkeys " option.

If you've appeared to not give a toss, they'll get another monkey. Option 1 leaves the door open to educate them.

Shaun

10-08-2009, 08:29 PM

Then again, as you can't for 100% certain know the level of quality that all your competition are reaching or, more importantly, portraying, that's somewhat of a moving target.

This may be true, but my reply would still be the same. The quote I'd have provided is based on what I believe is value for money for the level of service I provide. If from my initial reply they feel they are getting a like for like service at a better price from somewhere else, fair play to them, my response would be the same as I stated earlier. "Thank you for your initial interest, and best of luck with your event."

I get the feeling I'm going round in circles here. :d

JAMdisco

11-08-2009, 10:24 AM

rob1963

11-08-2009, 10:32 AM

The only thing I can add to this thread is:

At least they got back to you!

So at least (if you don't budge on price) you can just forget it and move on knowing you have that date free for other bookings.

Very good point!

Most of my enquiries come by email. I usually answer them within a few hours to provide the information they want.

About one in 6 come back to book me, but virtually always I never hear from the other 5 again.

Charming!

:shrug:

deltic

11-08-2009, 11:33 AM

Very good point!

Most of my enquiries come by email. I usually answer them within a few hours to provide the information they want.

About one in 6 come back to book me, but virtually always I never hear from the other 5 again.

Charming!

:shrug:

i agree with that i also deal with a lot of e-mail enquiries and based on the ammount replied to, the ammount of bookings confirmed can be quite low.

i think it is like the telephone enquiry that starts "how much is a disco? " these type of enquiry tend to produce less work but to be honest if that is the first question when i answer the phone probably won't lead to a confirmed booking.

PropellerHeadCase

11-08-2009, 04:17 PM

The only thing I can add to this thread is:

At least they got back to you!

Um, yeah, hence the wording in my response...

Dear Sir/Madam

I thank you for advising me of your decision to go with another supplier for this date, I shall accordingly mark this date as available in my bookings diary.

Best of luck with your event

etc.

DazzyD

12-08-2009, 12:03 AM

My reply would be:

"Thank you for getting back to me. I'm sorry to hear that you've decided to choose an alternative supplier for the entertainment for your function.

However, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in Lightning Disco & Entertainment and wish you all the best with your event. If you find yourself in need of entertainment in the future, drop us a line and see what we can do for you then."

This is good marketing practice. The client thinks "That's nice" (always good to be remembered for being nice) and leaves the door open for a future deal. If you are pushy, sarcastic or nasty, then that door will be slammed shut as customers always remember a negative experience and they are more likely to tell their friends, family and colleagues about poor service.