Friday, April 22, 2016

Don't Criticize The Competition!

My assignment for the past several days was to have some home improvement companies come and give me estimates to have some work done around the house, then compare and contrast the bids. It was an interesting project, although now that it's done my head is reeling from all the variables. Which materials and installation procedures were the best? Which company had the most effective sales presentation and the best warranty?

During each estimate the representative would ask me who else I was getting information from. Just for fun I'd throw out a name and then watch what would happen. Of course each told me they were the best on the market, then go on to say "I don't want to say bad things about a competitor, but..." Then they'd do just that. Either the competition's product was poorly-made and/or expensive, or their installers wouldn't work as efficiently.

They all sounded like a bunch of playground bullies. I didn't have the heart to tell them I was tuning them out as soon as they started. Eventually they'd wind down and get back to business and get me the information I was looking for. 

Five years ago today: "The Green Thing"

6 comments:

  1. Good luck with your choice Kathy, We have made mistakes in the past.

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  2. I like talking to employees in Home Improvement store. Some don’t make commission so they have no incentive on the information we are given. It is great to get lots of quotes though. I hate that part.

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  3. I don't like it when companies bad mouth each other. I am often asked about my competition across the interstate. I happen to like the owner and we send over flow to each other. I always encourage someone looking at camping in the future to go check out her park before they make a decision.

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