| im a full time auto tech at a shop, but do loads of work at home and after hours on z32s in houston sometimes im subcontracted to other shops. heres some input. You need to start mentioning that your time is valueable to you. And that you dont have a lot of it. which is ussually a true case. customers will push and sometimes the load and work will over stress you if you take on too much or to many jobs at the same time. Ive had 4 customers car lined up in my driveway because just because sometimes when it rains it pours. You have to tell them that they are in line and just have to wait as each gets knocked out. I charge 75$ per hour. plus i have a huge flat rate price sheet for common z32 jobs. You can start low and rise up as your reputation increases. thats what i did. i have not lost any customers to increasing my rates. [ http://www.houston-nissans.com/index.php?topic=589.msg4740#msg4740 ]
Once i had to fire a customer....., when you do perfect work on their vehical, they are thrilled with the outcome but they still want to haggle AFTER you did the work instead of before on an already agreed fair price... and they do it every time you see them. Thats when they dont understand or respect your time or quailty of work. Simply tell them your too busy right now or NO. dont loose your cool cause your quailty of work is still word of mouth. To whom ever hes bitching to may be more understanding.
I run on word of mouth only. its a slow way of getting more customers. but if this is a side job for you. you dont want tons anyways and only easy going good customers, that are not going to doubt your quality because they had been referred by someone or several other of people who you know and know you. You can say no, or just mention that you want to do this as a side profession now because your time is valueable. When they dont have they money i offer 100% walk through tech advice with their issues over the phone or email. When your right and fix their issues youll gain their respect. so next time when they do have the money or the job is just to hard for them, theyll take it to you. Youll think your lossing business cause you just fixed the problem over the phone. but you wont youll be gaining more word of mouth.
Houston Z
www.houston-nissans.com
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