OK, I’ve probably not thought this through properly, and am very much talking aloud with this post. So, please be gentle with me if I’m miles offside here.
But, I’ve been thinking about the previous post with the £2080 window sale, and also the debate I sparked about upselling.
It was clear that most of the readers of this blog believe in pricing windows and doors fairly. In other words, a price that is fair for the customer and fair for the company. The company is generating enough money from the sale to sustain their business and make a small profit, and the customer is not ripped off and happy with the price.
So, what about if there was a website available with a national window and door price list which both customers and companies could work from? I’m not talking about one of those lead generating websites where a customer can get a wildly inflated price if they divulge their details, and then get pestered by 3 companies.
I’m talking of an agreed pricing structure which customers can look at freely, and without having to supply their details. The prices are realistic – not inflated for discounting by a salesman, or ridiculously cheap so that upselling is required. Just fair prices for both the customer and the company.
Then, companies who are happy to sell windows and doors at these fair prices can sign up to the price list, and have their details listed on the website. If a customer likes the prices on the website then they can contact any of the companies listed.
There’d need to be assurances from the companies taking part that they will work to the price list, and a small degree of flexibility of prices would need factoring in for regional and installation variations.
In the same way that David asked in the previous post ‘am I being too soft’, I’m wondering ‘am I being realistic?’
No doubt people from our industry will have the following doubts:
- It’s a salesman’s job to work quotes out.
- I wouldn’t want my competitors knowing my prices.
Like I’ve said, I’m just thinking aloud. If a website existed that gave consumers a pretty accurate price for windows and doors, and generated leads for those companies associated then maybe that could be a good thing….
