A few weeks ago, [msg=42919]I posted about a potential survey on a substantial piece of property[/msg]
I sent the client an email and he sent one back that said he needed a little more time so I waited until today to send him another and he responded with:
"You are on my list and I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. My brother, who is executor, just emailed me today to recommend that we go with a surveyor who surveyed the property next door to ours a few years ago, and who thus is familiar with at least part of the boundary.
What would you do?
What would you do if you were desperate?
What would you do if you were desperate, but didn't want the client to know?
TIA
Radar
Get the name of the lucky surveyor. Call him and offer to do it for half his fee if he'll sign it.
Nah!!! Just chalk it up to how things really work in this world.
> A few weeks ago, [msg=42919]I posted about a potential survey on a substantial piece of property[/msg]
>
>
> I sent the client an email and he sent one back that said he needed a little more time so I waited until today to send him another and he responded with:
>
> "You are on my list and I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. My brother, who is executor, just emailed me today to recommend that we go with a surveyor who surveyed the property next door to ours a few years ago, and who thus is familiar with at least part of the boundary.
>
>
>
> What would you do?
>
> What would you do if you were desperate?
>
> What would you do if you were desperate, but didn't want the client to know?
>
>
> TIA
> Radar
It's good business to always followup your proposals, estimates, contacts, etc.
regardless if he chooses the other guy or not, you must followup
as far as sounding 'deperate' --- No, a followup is just that, a followup.
Be a professional and be courteous and he will remember you.
-- Running a successful survey business is like farming, it takes a lot of time, care and tending over.
> -- Running a successful survey business is like farming, it takes a lot of time, care and tending over.
lately, it's been like starting an orchard. You plant those apple seeds so your Grandkids will have work;-)
I was hoping that someone would recommend bad mouthing the other guy and low-balling his bid. That way, I could tell the little angel on my shoulder, see, someone agrees with the little devil on the other shoulder.
There is no disgrace in contacting someone you know that is either a past client or another surveyor and asking them to send something your way.
The man that called you preferred you to do the survey or he would not have contacted you, his brother was the one making the decisions and went another route. No harm, no foul.
Return a message that you are thankful for being contacted and ask that they keep you in mind if they are not satisfied after talking with the other company.
If you know the other surveyor and he is good, say so to the potential client. You don't need to sing his praises, just something like "I know ________, I'm sure he'll do a good job for you." That's a bit of class most people don't hear one service provider say of another. That will stick in the potential client's mind and mark you as a professional to him. If for some reason things don't work out with the other surveyor, you will be the first and maybe only one they call.
If you don't know the other surveyor, or don't think much of his work or reputation, let the potential client know that you are available if they have any other need of survey services. Whatever you do, don't badmouth the other guy or offer to beat any price. Who knows, they may call you to clean up a mess the other guy makes.
Either way, acknowledge their last message with class, thanking them for the opportunity to present your services, and let them know you are available for other surveying if they need it.
Doesn't help your desparation. But desparation is a monster best not fed with desparate actions.