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Author Topic: Walk away, walk away...  (Read 26354 times)

Duane Massey

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Walk away, walk away...
« on: January 03, 2011, 11:43:22 PM »

Some of you may laugh at this. A potential client contacted me about a large c/w venue being constructed looking for a quote on a sound and lighting system. I normally refer such clients to one of the companies I do sub-contract work for, but she was referred to me by one of these companies. Room is 15,000 sq ft, 30' peaked ceiling, blah, blah. Live music/DJ, local acts only, no specifics.

I threw together a package for stage and DF, nothing exciting but decent gear, and came in at around $50k + install.

She was almost insulted. They want a system for under $15k that the bands can just walk in, plug in, and play. No house engineer, no FOH mixer. And the lights should be automatic, no controller.

I called the company that referred her to me and thanked them profusely. My hourly rate for them may go up in the future...
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Duane Massey
Houston, Texas, USA

Charlie Zureki

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Re: Walk away, walk away...
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2011, 01:03:17 AM »

Duane Massey wrote on Mon, 03 January 2011 22:43

Some of you may laugh at this. A potential client contacted me about a large c/w venue being constructed looking for a quote on a sound and lighting system. I normally refer such clients to one of the companies I do sub-contract work for, but she was referred to me by one of these companies. Room is 15,000 sq ft, 30' peaked ceiling, blah, blah. Live music/DJ, local acts only, no specifics.

I threw together a package for stage and DF, nothing exciting but decent gear, and came in at around $50k + install.

She was almost insulted. They want a system for under $15k that the bands can just walk in, plug in, and play. No house engineer, no FOH mixer. And the lights should be automatic, no controller.

I called the company that referred her to me and thanked them profusely. My hourly rate for them may go up in the future...



  Laughing

  You should send her a quote for a Karoke player, a couple of speakers on sticks and a GC light system.


 Hammer
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Be prepared, you'll need it!

Ivan Beaver

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Re: Walk away, walk away...
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2011, 07:38:47 AM »

Duane Massey wrote on Mon, 03 January 2011 23:43

. And the lights should be automatic, no controller.

.

Two words "The clapper".  Put a bunch of these in the par cans and call it a day. Laughing
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For every complicated question-there is a simple- easy to understand WRONG answer.

Can I have some more talent in the monitors--PLEASE?

Ivan Beaver
dB Audio & Video Inc.
Danley Sound Labs

Jason Lavoie

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Re: Walk away, walk away...
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2011, 05:46:33 PM »

Duane Massey wrote on Mon, 03 January 2011 23:43

 They want a system for under $15k that the bands can just walk in, plug in, and play. No house engineer, no FOH mixer. And the lights should be automatic, no controller.


$15k/mo right? Lol

Jason
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Silas Pradetto

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Re: Walk away, walk away...
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2011, 06:45:38 PM »

People just don't get it.  Rolling Eyes
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Jamin Lynch

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Re: Walk away, walk away...
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2011, 06:47:31 PM »

Run, don't walk.
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Duane Massey

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Re: Walk away, walk away...
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2011, 07:08:00 PM »

Jamin Lynch wrote on Tue, 04 January 2011 17:47

Run, don't walk.

I'm too old to run, but I can walk really fast...
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Duane Massey
Houston, Texas, USA

Dick Rees

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Re: Walk away, walk away...
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2011, 09:19:36 PM »

Duane Massey wrote on Mon, 03 January 2011 22:43

They want a system for under $15k that the bands can just walk in, plug in, and play.


1 x Fender Passport system
Large bottle of steroids

Illegitimi non conborundum!!!!

DR
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John Livings

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Re: Walk away, walk away...
« Reply #8 on: January 05, 2011, 05:06:28 PM »

Wouldn't the First question from you be; What Is Your Budget?

Her answer would be; We Don't Have One.

Your second question should be; Are you planing to spend $15K or $150K?

Her Second Answer would be; I was hoping to spend $5K for everything.

Your investment in time is about 60 seconds total.

Without Specs. How would anyone know what to bid.

Many Clients try to Avoid Paying a Sound or Lighting Engineer, Hoping the Contractor, Or Retail Store will do this for them FREE, For the "Privilege" of doing the Install or Selling product.

As you I would pass, However tell them to call you if things don't work out.

At that point they will be very receptive to Pay a Pro.

Just my thoughts.

Regards,  John
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Jason Lavoie

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Re: Walk away, walk away...
« Reply #9 on: January 05, 2011, 06:11:42 PM »

John Livings wrote on Wed, 05 January 2011 17:06

Wouldn't the First question from you be; What Is Your Budget?

Her answer would be; We Don't Have One.

Your second question should be; Are you planing to spend $15K or $150K?

Her Second Answer would be; I was hoping to spend $5K for everything.

Your investment in time is about 60 seconds total.

Without Specs. How would anyone know what to bid.

Many Clients try to Avoid Paying a Sound or Lighting Engineer, Hoping the Contractor, Or Retail Store will do this for them FREE, For the "Privilege" of doing the Install or Selling product.

As you I would pass, However tell them to call you if things don't work out.

At that point they will be very receptive to Pay a Pro.

Just my thoughts.

Regards,  John


For some reason a lot of customers are afraid to divulge their budget, thinking that you'll rip them off.
For me, it becomes a challenge to see how much I can do for them within that budget. But as you say, it also clears up misunderstandings very quickly.

Jason
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