I didn't mean this to be a personal attack on you so I apologize if it
seemed that way. I was simply trying to point out some difference of
opinions we apparently have.

Let me explain;
Your statement "Since you brought up the 3-5 bids, where does that come
from? Do you think that somehow gives you a better project or saves you
money? It doesn't work that way." leads me to believe that you think a
customer shouldn't shop around. (and BTW, if you look up provider in any
dictionary, you'll find it means something to the effect of someone that
provides a service ;-). You also said "My work is far above the norm and so
are my prices." which is where I inferred that you meant just by spending
more, your customers will get more and that, I will admit and apologize for,
was probably reading too much into your words.

Maybe I wasn't clear in my analogy between you and a car salesman. For
example, building an addition onto a house can be compared to buying a car.
Just because you're looking for a four door compact with good gas mileage
doesn't mean that a Chevy Colbalt is the same as a Toyota Corolla or Honda
Civic. Sure they both have four wheels and meet your other requirements but
they differ greatly in many areas such as quality, price, customer service
from the dealership, etc. etc. Just as adding a family room onto a house
adds space for living, not everyone that can swing a hammer or cut a board
will build it the same way. But either way, and I don't mean any offense,
to think that you are not (or were at one time when you were still building
your reputation) a salesman is... well.... foolish. You provide a service
and based upon what you said, a quality one, but you still have to sell it
to the customer or are we to believe that every one of your jobs (again,
even when you just started out) are asked for with blind trust from the home
owner that you wouldn't rip them off. I doubt it. I bet you had to "sell"
it to them by getting them to believe that you would do it in a quality
manner.

One area that I whole-heartedly to agree with most taking part in this
thread, providing detailed drawings and plans IS providing a service that
should be compensated for. But just to receive a bid for the job, which is
what I understood the OP to be talking about, is larceny, burglary, thievery
or whatever else you'd like to call it.

Again, I'm sorry if this looked to be a personal attack, it really wasn't
meant as such. It's just unfortunate that the world we live in today is
full or scoundrels and thieves. But, for those of us who don't hangout at
the local lumber yard, how else are we to know we're not being ripped off if
we don't shop and ask around.

Scott

"RicodJour" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Jun 22, 10:58 pm, "Scott" wrote:
While I appreciate your comments, to suggest that consumers shouldn't
shop
around is ludicrous. Also, to suggest that the person who bids more must
be
the better provider is just as bad. As a person soliciting for work, you
are a salesman. To suggest that all sales people should get paid to show
their wares is unbelievable. I suppose when you go car shopping, you
just
go and buy from the first dealer you stop at. Of course not! You shop
around to find the best price AND service. I'm not saying I don't
believe
that your time is valuable it's just the nature of the beast and you
decided
to go into this line of work so you must deal with the occasional window
shopper. By far the best recommendation is word of mouth and no
complaints
filed against you at the BBB. I have no reason to believe that you don't
do
quality work but I'm sure the scammer ready to rip me off would say his
work
is top notch too. Using your logic, if he's more expensive, it must be
true!

Wow, Scott. I have absolutely no idea where you came up with any of
that. I never said that people shouldn't get bids and I never said
that someone who bids more is a better provider (whatever that is). I
also didn't say that more expensive equals better, although there is a
definite correlation between cheap being shoddy. Read what I wrote
again. Don't read into it, just read it.

A car is a commodity. You'll get the exact same car from any dealer.
The work I do is not a commodity. I am the exclusive worldwide
distributor of me and my work. Who else is supposed to determine how
I run my business? You? Some supposed competitor contractor?

I am also not a salesman. You are, of course, absolutely right that
word of mouth is the most effective advertising. I have a lot of
experience and a lot of work that speaks volumes without me saying a
word. That's why I haven't done any advertising in fifteen years.
I'm not trying to grow into some huge company where I'll be counting
beans and on the phone all day. I've found my niche, I've very happy
with it and see no reason to change.

Since I am not a salesman and have no need to sell myself or my work I
really don't have to deal with window shoppers. I'm sure that you'd
agree that the sooner that two people come to an understanding the
better. I am very clear from the beginning about everything I do.

R