Lesson learned-Carry Band-Aids on estimates!
OUCH!!
There is a skill in using a tape measure, “believe it or not.”
You know the type I mean. .
That metal tape measure that rewinds at the push of a button?
Having sold commercial jobs for many years (the good old days?) I always had someone with me that would do the “take-off” measurements.
This obviously was a whole lot easier than doing it myself!
Now taking accurate measurements is a fundamental skill and the consumer can easily tell if you have been around a tape measure before!
The first few estimates I gave were comedic with all the pure fumbling and bumbling with my new Home Depot bought ruler.
I could chalk it up to a new selling technique but several consumers simply grabbed the tape measure from me and offered to “do it themselves!”.
Well, like everything else in life; the more you do something the better you get at it.
After thousands of estimates I had become the “Wyatt Earp” of tape measure.
Fastest Tape Gun in The State!!
Sure enough I show up right on time (thank you GPS!) and rang the doorbell.
The conversation ensued and eventually it was time to measure and show off my well honed tape measure skills.
Somehow until that moment it had never dawned on me just how sharp the edge is on my trusty wonder measurer.
Now don’t get me wrong, you can’t shave with it, but I quickly discovered the sharp side of the force when I immediately sliced my thumb. .ouch!!
Remember this is the very first window and there’s at least 40 more to measure.
“Excuse me Mr. Prospective customer. .do you happen to have a band-aid??? Oops. .err. .paper towel??”
Plus. . I’m the type of nut that doesn’t react well to the sight of blood, particularly my own!!
Being the trooper I am- -I tried valiantly to measure the rest of the windows and write down the results on my quotation sheet. Messy- -messy.
Mr. Prospect says: “Are you OK?? You kind’a look pale.”
Just when I am about to calculate the totals, my thumb wrapped like a mummy with Bounty (that stuff really works!) who walks in but a local Solar Gard dealer!!
Sammy SolarGard says: “Cut yourself. .eh??” (leave it to him to be so observant!)
We exchange pleasantries- – I tell Sammy that the consumer had cut me as a warning to get the best possible price and that he sure got my attention!!
The customer laughed, but Sammy Solargard looked a bit concerned.
I assured my competition that I was joking. (Of course I didn’t explain how I cut myself taking measurements.
I figure it’s a “Man Thing” best left private)
I hand my estimate to the customer a far distance away from Sammy.
Blood on the form and all.
I joked “that our business is signed in blood and that my DNA assures a quality job.”
“By the way. .I tell him. .this finger cutting technique is a new method of assuring that our customers remember us!”
“We’ll jump through hoops to earn your business!”
The conclusion?
We install Monday at 9 AM.
My finger still hurts like heck, and every time I pull out that tape measure I get a chill!!
The wonders of self employment!
Advanced Film Solutions
877-575-3456
