Can we talk about the contractor who called my pricing 'cute'?

Last month I had a phone call with a guy who runs a local home services company. He wanted me to handle his Facebook ads and lead follow-up. I quoted him $1,800 a month for management plus a setup fee. He laughed and said that price was cute, then told me his nephew could do it for $300 using the free version of some scheduling app. I asked what his current close rate was on leads. He said he didn't track it. So I asked how many jobs he lost because nobody answered the phone at 6pm. Dead silence. Then he asked if I could start next Monday for $1,200. I told him I'd rather keep my roster open. Has anyone else had a prospect insult your rate and then try to negotiate down within the same call? What do you say back that doesn't burn the bridge but also doesn't make you look desperate?

1 comments

1 Comment

the_gray15d ago

Man, that call went sideways fast. I've had the same thing happen where they laugh, then go quiet when you ask a real question about their numbers. The close rate thing is always the killer, they never track it and suddenly the price is fine. I think you handled it perfect, just saying you'd keep your roster open and moving on. That "cute" comment would've had me biting my tongue too, but you stayed classy. Honestly, that guy's gonna call back in a month when his nephew fumbles a lead, and you'll be the one holding the cards then.