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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
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    WESTMINSTER CO
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    Default those yellow page phone calls

    hey all

    here in colorado, i use qwest as my business phone lines, and because of that you automatically get a yellow page ad. a simple company name and phone number. i really don't want this but it's free

    so at last count i've recieved maybe fifty calls from clients about inspections from this yellow page.

    first thing i ask when i recieve a client call and they ask that simple question " HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE FOR A HOME INSPECTION" hi who is your agent. because if they give me a name of agents i deal with on a regular basic, i know it's a job i'm going to get and i have prices for those consistant agents referrals. but when i hear a no name , i then ask how did you get my name. when i get the YELLOW PAGES i know i'm not getting this job, because they are looking for the cheapo inspection and could care less on my credentials, or quality of my report.

    i used to give them my credentials and education, back ground and the number of hole in ones i had. but now when i see or hear YELLOW, i just say if your looking for the cheapest inspection fee, you're not going to find it here and good luck .

    you know their going to get what they pay for, and i'm not going to give my services away for nothing.

    anybody get the same thing out there

    charlie

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  2. #2
    Clint White's Avatar
    Clint White Guest

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    Not any more....

    I am strictly "referral only". If someone hasn't referred me or given you my card....I don't want to deal with you. The Yellow Pages is a sham....an expensive sham at that!! Whenever I'd get a "yellow" call, I couldn't help but envision that hefty woman on welfare who "accidentally" slips on the wet floor at Walmart on the other end of the line....

    "You inspected my house and now I have whiplash ...."

    I once heard that you are less likely to be sued by those you know, like and trust.....

    Just my opinion


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
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    WESTMINSTER CO
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    1,152

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    totally agree--don't eat the YELLOW SNOW


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Mount Pleasant, SC
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    100

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    Just worked against me, a tad.

    Wednesday I receive an email from a Realtor who refers about 1 every 5 weeks or so. It says Tim will call you about an inspection shortly.

    No call, today I get an email from her on my BB, "has he scheduled?", I reply "not yet, I'll call shortly"...

    After I finished the verbal at my second I call him and leave a message (about 4PM) he calls right back and says "I scheduled with A to Z for Saturday at 1PM"...

    Turns out he opened the book and sees A2Z Advanced HI and schedules with them... :-(

    Doesn't happen often enough to sweat it and I like to play with my grand kids (girl 3 and boy 1) on the weekend anyway :-)

    Haven't had even the free listing in the 'yellow' section in two years!

    Last edited by Mike Gault; 08-28-2009 at 04:56 PM. Reason: typo
    We know why you fly: because the bus is too expensive and the railroad has a dress code...
    www.atozinspector.com

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
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    2,048

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    I spent the +/-$2500? whatever it was for a biz card size ad 1 year. Got a total of 3 calls out of it. 2 maybes and 1 from another inspector doing a price check.
    Mine was one of only 2 display ads. At the end of the year I called a few of the other inspectors listed and talked with them. The 4-5? guys I spoke with all said they got between 1 and 6 calls from their ads. Only 1 guy got 2 jobs out of it. Others have renewed, I don't know why.
    I do better with occasional ads in the small local papers. The vast majority of my work is referrals though.

    www.aic-chicago.com
    773/844-4AIC
    "The Code is not a ceiling to reach but a floor to work up from"

  6. #6
    RANDY NICHOLAS's Avatar
    RANDY NICHOLAS Guest

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    MK,
    SAME HERE. $2000.00 = 3 inspections and they weren't $1000.00 each.

    "Most people like to see their name in print". is their main focus for selling ads.

    When I started my business in 2003 the first calls were from the Yellow Page sellers.
    How do they get our numbers before the public does???

    I have, and still do at times, use the yp to find stuff or addresses.

    At the time my daughter said "Dad nobody uses the yelow pages book. They use the internet yellow pages".

    I now have DSL and use the internet yellow pages. It's easier and I have more storage space, less clutter in the office.

    I have a single line in the Inspection Services section and it is free.
    I do get a few calls that say they found me in the YP"S but not enough to pour money into that advertising.

    Most of my inspections are referrals from previous clients' friends and the Web Site.

    Randy Nicholas


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
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    3,509

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    ...."I am strictly "referral only". If someone hasn't referred me or given you my card....I don't want to deal with you."

    I don't get it.


  8. #8
    dsuser896's Avatar
    dsuser896 Guest

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    Yup, that and people who find you online. those are cheapos too.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    S.W. Missouri
    Posts
    75

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    So, what I'm hearing is, you need to have an unlimited referral base and/or be willing to bow to the Realtor who will only refer you if you do a quick and dirty inspection for a ridiculously low fee to stay in business.
    Lets face it you have to attract new clients and yes referrals is the most efficient but your initial clients have to come from somewhere. If the Y.P. and internet aren't good tools then what is. I refuse to be a realtor's "b@#ch". I became an inspector because of being railroaded by a Realtor into using their so called "pre-qualified inspector" (qualified to be as blind as a bat).
    What I need right now is, how to combat the calls made by realtor's inspectors shopping me so they know how much less to charge to under cut my fee. I guess if buyers want cheap inspections then I guess I need to find a new gig.


  10. #10
    mathew stouffer's Avatar
    mathew stouffer Guest

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    I do the same thing with the price shoppers. Just tell them your price and send them on their way.


  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Oregon
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    2,365

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob R View Post
    So, what I'm hearing is, you need to have an unlimited referral base and/or be willing to bow to the Realtor who will only refer you if you do a quick and dirty inspection for a ridiculously low fee to stay in business.
    Lets face it you have to attract new clients and yes referrals is the most efficient but your initial clients have to come from somewhere. If the Y.P. and internet aren't good tools then what is. I refuse to be a realtor's "b@#ch". I became an inspector because of being railroaded by a Realtor into using their so called "pre-qualified inspector" (qualified to be as blind as a bat).
    What I need right now is, how to combat the calls made by realtor's inspectors shopping me so they know how much less to charge to under cut my fee. I guess if buyers want cheap inspections then I guess I need to find a new gig.
    Woah, Woah, Woah there Bob..... lots of mud slinging and assumptions in those few words. Just because you work primarily off of referrals doesn't mean you're anybody's slave, work for cheap, do a poor job or are blind as a bat.

    The vast majority of my business is from past clients, real estate agents and other referal sources that I've worked years to accumulate.

    With the attitude you portray from your post you seem bitter, vengeful and desparate. For the sake of your success in this business I hope I'm misunderstanding you.

    Last edited by Matt Fellman; 10-13-2009 at 10:09 PM.

  12. #12
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    Never mind...

    Last edited by Ron Bibler; 10-14-2009 at 05:05 PM.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    S.W. Missouri
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    75

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    Let me start by saying I'm sorry for what was a very sharply worded post.

    If my post sounded bitter, thats because of a phone call I had received earlier in the day from what I'm sure was a Agent"s inspector shopping me.

    I perform a far superior inspection to the other inspectors (I've seen some of their reports) in my area. I do charge more than the undercutting inspectors but for that I'm penalized. I am sorry to vent but I am frustrated.


  14. #14
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob R View Post
    Let me start by saying I'm sorry for what was a very sharply worded post.

    If my post sounded bitter, thats because of a phone call I had received earlier in the day from what I'm sure was a Agent"s inspector shopping me.

    I perform a far superior inspection to the other inspectors (I've seen some of their reports) in my area. I do charge more than the undercutting inspectors but for that I'm penalized. I am sorry to vent but I am frustrated.

    Say Bob look up my post of ( Agent Fired me today L.O.L. )

    Best

    Ron


  15. #15
    Eldon (Scooter) Holliday's Avatar
    Eldon (Scooter) Holliday Guest

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    I also ask "Do you mind if I ask where you got my name" 90% of my work comes from referrals. Referrals are generally not price sensitive and want to hire me because a friend, co-worker or family member told them about the job I did for them.

    If they say they found my name in the phone book and are checking prices, I cheerfully tell them if they only want the lowest price I can tell them who to call and they won't waste any more time. My wife thinks that is running off a potential customer but the price shoppers are not the type I want to work with.


  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    S.W. Missouri
    Posts
    75

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    Ron
    I read your post, "I got fired" I guess getting kicked to the curb is just an occupational hazard. I have a personal friend that is an Agent and she stopped referring me stating a similar reason. I think it had more to do with her broker because she's not that kind of person. She would always do the right thing even when she didn't have to.


  17. #17
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    Bob R.

    Ron
    I read your post, "I got fired" I guess getting kicked to the curb is just an occupational hazard. I have a personal friend that is an Agent and she stopped referring me stating a similar reason. I think it had more to do with her broker because she's not that kind of person. She would always do the right thing even when she didn't have to.

    Bob
    Would it not be best to show up to a vacant house take your time do it your way send in your report checks in the mail... I have a few clients that work that way.



    Eldon (Scooter) Holliday I also ask "Do you mind if I ask where you got my name" 90% of my work comes from referrals. Referrals are generally not price sensitive and want to hire me because a friend, co-worker or family member told them about the job I did for them.

    If they say they found my name in the phone book and are checking prices, I cheerfully tell them if they only want the lowest price I can tell them who to call and they won't waste any more time. My wife thinks that is running off a potential customer but the price shoppers are not the type I want to work with.

    I think every call can be a client. They nay ask about your price but they have a need and the guy that can fill there need is the guy that will see his service. but 80% of the time the real estate agent has the buyer under his control.

    Best

    Ron


  18. #18
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
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    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    Quote Originally Posted by Eldon (Scooter) Holliday View Post
    If they say they found my name in the phone book and are checking prices, I cheerfully tell them if they only want the lowest price I can tell them who to call and they won't waste any more time. My wife thinks that is running off a potential customer but the price shoppers are not the type I want to work with.
    90+% of all people who contact me ask about price first thing out of their mouth. If I turned all those callers away, I'd lose 90+% of my business.

    I actually like to hear other inspectors say they shoo away buyers who ask about price. Because those buyers in turn end up calling me and have a chance to become my future source of referrals.


  19. #19
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Georgetown, KY
    Posts
    538

    Default Re: those yellow page phone calls

    What do most people know about home inspections?

    Not much!

    Why do they ask about price?

    They don't know what else to ask!

    Educate them and turn them from price shoppers into educated consumers.

    You'll book quite a few of those inspections.

    Naturally, a few of them will remain price shoppers but quite a few won't!

    -

    Erby Crofutt, Georgetown, KY - Read my Blog here: Erby the Central Kentucky Home Inspector B4 U Close Home Inspections www.b4uclose.com www.kentuckyradon.com
    Find on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/B4UCloseInspections

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