Advertising your prices/charges

[Mitch3473]

When advertising a home service business by flyers,leaflet drop or shop windows,would it be best to include your list of prices or is it best left until contact is made.

 

[herewegoagain.]

Although I am in retail, I would suggest putting a 'special offer' on your flyers, then listing your services - creating the customers interest... you can then give them pricing upon contact.

For example, in my shop, I do not price items in the shop window, creating interest, the price is on the reverse, by then, the customer is in the shop.... win win

 

[harper101]

Although I am in retail, I would suggest putting a 'special offer' on your flyers, then listing your services - creating the customers interest... you can then give them pricing upon contact.

For example, in my shop, I do not price items in the shop window, creating interest, the price is on the reverse, by then, the customer is in the shop.... win win

Wow, that's a nice technique!

Shop signage indeed creates an impact in the purchasing decisions of customers

 

[matt.chatterley]

If an advert for a 'home service' (e.g. window/carpet cleaning, etc) didn't have some notion of price on it, I'd be very unlikely to call about it. Herewegoagain's suggestion is top advice - and pretty typical of what you'll see if you look at some real world examples.

 

[Pressure Hosting]

I think for leaflet advertising you are going to be spending a lot of money. So guarantee you can get clients by advertising your prices, but discounted (thats the whole point of leaflet advertising). I agree with the comment above, I wouldn't even consider a business which doesn't supply there prices, sounds although they are going to be expensive, so they are hiding them.

 

[harper101]

Wow, that's a nice technique!

Shop signage indeed creates an impact in the purchasing decisions of customers

Thanks for the Thanks!

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

If an advert for a 'home service' (e.g. window/carpet cleaning, etc) didn't have some notion of price on it, I'd be very unlikely to call about it. .....

I'm the same, leaflets without prices go straight in the recycling bin.

 

[Mitch3473]

This angle of promotion is slightly new to me.In the past I have always left out the prices as they were for a more top end services with a choice of options and therefore prices (£100 plus) thus leaving me to up sell the service.This is pricing a services based on much lower fixed costs across the board (£2 - 5 per item). I'm beginning to think that maybe putting the prices on the flyer with some sort of promotion is the way forward.

 

[MRLogodesign]

Depending on your business, i recommend to display prices. Why make it harder for the customer to buy from you?

 

[webgeek]

The number of times I've binned a flyer or clicked away from a website where the company wouldn't put the prices in a clearly visible location is astronomically high.

My belief is that companies who do this are either aware they are charging much more than the competition, or believe that their sales people can squeeze the life out of me if only they get me on the phone, or both.

If you're not price competitive, then focus on your USP's and leave the pricing out. If you are price competitive, then include at least an introductory or sale price (no need for a complete fee schedule), and get the conversation started.

 

[Mitch3473]

The number of times I've binned a flyer or clicked away from a website where the company wouldn't put the prices in a clearly visible location is astronomically high.

My belief is that companies who do this are either aware they are charging much more than the competition, or believe that their sales people can squeeze the life out of me if only they get me on the phone, or both.

If you're not price competitive, then focus on your USP's and leave the pricing out. If you are price competitive, then include at least an introductory or sale price (no need for a complete fee schedule), and get the conversation started.

That's the slight problem, I have never been price competitive, always relied on the service I have provided to justify my charges and it's always worked...this is a little different even though I have no competition as of yet

 

[japancool]

That's the slight problem, I have never been price competitive, always relied on the service I have provided to justify my charges and it's always worked...this is a little different even though I have no competition as of yet

Wait, if you have no competition, how can you say you're not price competitive? You have no one to compete against!

 

[Mitch3473]

Wait, if you have no competition, how can you say you're not price competitive? You have no one to compete against!

In my other businesses I haven't been price competitive, this is somewhat different business hence my slight dilemma re prices on leaflets/flyers

 

[Moneyman]

Although I am in retail, I would suggest putting a 'special offer' on your flyers, then listing your services - creating the customers interest... you can then give them pricing upon contact.

For example, in my shop, I do not price items in the shop window, creating interest, the price is on the reverse, by then, the customer is in the shop.... win win

I would say that you need something relatively inexpensive and priced in your front window. if the whole thing looks great and expensive you are going to frighten people away.
No matter how good the product some people are just shy and would rather die than walk out saying that things are too expensive. You should always have some item that they can go in and have a look at and know the price of in advance. So in their reasoning they can dislike it at second glance but at the same time in their mind they don't have to say "that is too much" or have you thinking that they are cheap. They will then possibly have a look at the other items which was what they went into the shop for initially.
Look at what all the big stores do. they have marketing psychologists at work. "You don't have to price the clothes just the handbag".
Customers are in general never as gregarious and confident as sales people.

 

[Matt1959]

For example, in my shop, I do not price items in the shop window, creating interest, the price is on the reverse, by then, the customer is in the shop.... win win

have you tested this and found you make more money by displaying your goods this way?

personally I will shy away from a shop like this as theres two things only I want to know about a shops products 1) what are they 2) how much, and you have gone out of your way to make it difficult to tell me the latter!

 

[promdressers]

I would say that you need something relatively inexpensive and priced in your front window. if the whole thing looks great and expensive you are going to frighten people away.
No matter how good the product some people are just shy and would rather die than walk out saying that things are too expensive. You should always have some item that they can go in and have a look at and know the price of in advance. So in their reasoning they can dislike it at second glance but at the same time in their mind they don't have to say "that is too much" or have you thinking that they are cheap. They will then possibly have a look at the other items which was what they went into the shop for initially.
Look at what all the big stores do. they have marketing psychologists at work. "You don't have to price the clothes just the handbag".
Customers are in general never as gregarious and confident as sales people.

I totally agree. If there are no prices visible in the window, then the assumption, rightly or wrongly, is that "if you have to ask the price you cannot afford it". I don't want to enter a shop and be made to feel a cheapskate or a pauper. In fact, in my old retail business, I HATED it when for one reason or another a product was not clearly price marked, with the available options and their cost. The window was particularly clearly price marked as we sold premium products, and I did not want any embarrassed clients.

With regard to leaflets and pricing, the answer depends on the product or service. If you are a bargain basement retailer, then yes a few prices demonstrate your selling appeal. If you sell premium products a t their normal prices, then a priced leaflet is a stick for your competition to beat you with. There are of course points between these scenarios. The difference between a leaflet and walking into a shop is anonymity. You can phone to discuss pricing, and it is less embarrassing if you have to decline because of cost.