26/01/2021
A CONVERSATION ABOUT PERCEIVED VALUE:
A customer asked a groomer how much it would cost to groom their dog.
The 20Kg dog had some matting. The groomer gave an estimate of Β£100
The customer responded: Thatβs seems really high.
The groomer asked: What do you think is a reasonable price for this job?
The customer answered: Β£60 maximum
Groomer responded: Ok, then I invite you to do it yourself.
The customer answered: I don't know how to.
Groomer responded: Alright, then how about for Β£60 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you Β£40, you'll learn valuable skills that will benefit you in the future.
The customer answered: Sounds good! Letβs do it!
My friend responded: Great! To get started, you are going to need some tools. You will need a slicker brush, a comb, nail clippers, a dremel, ear cleaning solution, cotton balls, hemostats, pet clippers, clipper blades, a dematting tool, dog shampoo and conditioner, a couple different shears, etc..
The customer answered: But I don't have any of those tools and I can't justify buying all of these for one job.
The groomer responded: Ok. Well then for an additional Β£15 I can rent my tools to you to use for this project.
The customer answered: Okay. Thatβs fair.
The groomer responded: Great! We will start the project on Monday.
The customer answered: I work Monday through Friday. Iβm only available on the weekends.
The groomer responded: If you want to learn from me then you will need to work when I work. This project will take 2+ hours so you will need to take a half day off work.
The customer answered: That means Iβm going to have to sacrifice my pay for half a day or use a vacation day!
The groomer responded: Thatβs true. Remember, when you do a job yourself you need to account for unproductive factors.
The customer answered: What do you mean by that?
The groomer responded: Doing a job completely from start to finish includes time spent to plan the project, set up your tools, wash and fold towels, travel time, gas, set up time, clean up, and waste disposal amongst other things. Thatβs all in addition to the actual project itself. We will need to walk your dog and expend some of its energy before the groom, thatβs where we will start on Monday so I need you to meet me at the park at 7am.
The customer answered: At 7am! My work day doesnβt usually start until 8am!
The groomer responded: Well then youβre in luck! My plan is to start the groom by 8am. But to do so we have to start at 7am to get towels ready and tools prepared.
The customer answered: You know, Iβm realizing that a lot more goes in to a job than what a customer sees in the finished project. Your proposal of Β£100 is very reasonable. I would like you to handle the project.
CONCLUSION:
When you pay for a job, especially a custom job, (whether itβs a physical project or digital project) you pay not only for the material and the work to be completed. You also pay for:
βοΈ Knowledge
βοΈ Experience
βοΈ Custom Skills
βοΈ Tools
βοΈ Time to plan
βοΈ Time to prepare
βοΈ Professionalism
βοΈ Work Ethic
βοΈ Excellence
βοΈ Discipline
βοΈ Commitment
βοΈ Integrity
βοΈ Taxes
βοΈ Licenses
βοΈ Sacrifices
βοΈ Liabilities
βοΈ Insurance
If you request a proposal for custom work to be done, please donβt disrespect a service provider by trying to get them to lower their prices.
If their proposal exceeds your budget, thereβs nothing wrong with getting other proposals.
Just remember.. you get what you pay for.
ππΌ SERVICE PROVIDERS: Know your worth and be confident in it.
ππΌ CONSUMERS: Recognize their worth and be respectful of it.
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