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Old 04-13-2007, 04:12 PM
Andrew Biggs Andrew Biggs is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 204
Default Re: New Introduction

Hi Tom and welcome aboard

A quote is a quote. It's a set price between two (or more) people. You the seller, them the buyer. Both parties walk away knowing exactley how much the finished product/service is and what they are going to get for their money

Charging over a quote is a no,no. You don't do it, full stop. If the client changes the breif or comes back and wants extra, then that's different, you can add that on.

If you spend more time than you originally thought you would on an engraving, then learn from it as Dave says. Unfortunatley you have to do it a few times to learn the lesson and gain the experience.

Likewise charging under the quote is a no,no. If you end up spending less time and making a bit more money on the job then that's great. That's what you are in business for. It counter balances the jobs that you spent a bit more on. It's OK to make money as there is nothing in the rule book that says artisans, craftspeople and trades people have to live on the bread line.

Always remember that a quote is an educated guess. The key word being guess. You think that it will take X amount of time. Never underestimate your time and always try to be on the winning end. In other words if you think a job will take 8 hours try and consistantley do it in 6-7, because there will be other jobs that blow out the other end.

This is not being dishonest. It's being realistic and putting food on your table or giving you a holiday at the end of a year or putting your kids through school!!!!

Cheers
Andrew
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