Typically those conversations start with certain phrases that make it apparent they are shopping. This one caught me off guard. Was only the first or second call of the day.
For vehicle lettering and such, we do what we can to have them bring the vehicle in. Or we can give a general idea of what our customers have paid in the past for something similar. This conversation started out just one color vinyl lettering since he said he wanted words on it and it was freshly painted metal. So I made it clear that the price was an estimate based on size alone and that'd it change based on the actual art and install would be quoted after seeing the tank in person.
I personally hate face to face. Even when I sold cars for awhile, I much preferred doing the bulk of the conversation on email. As is common for most, some of our best customers have never been to our storefront and we only see them on the job site. Some we never see and only meet with their store managers or whoever can
sign off. So I do offer a lot of quotes over the phone and email, but typically only after on-site measurements and setting up the art.
I did ask this customer some questions about the tank, but he was being somewhat short with me. After a question or two he said "I have a printer and have put stickers on it before and they stick just fine." Ah, great. Do it yourself then, pal. I try not to patronize customers when asking questions about the jobs but some times they think the information they gave me was enough to provide an accurate quote.
For the post about asking for emails. I almost always do. Typically I give a general price and then ask that they email me the full details of the job so I can set it up and send an accurate price. I do this because I've wasted more time by setting up an accurate quote and come to find out they had a budget of like $30 instead of $300. Some times I remember to ask if they have a budget before doing anything.
