I am curious as to how many mechanic's require a deposit at time of scheduling the job? And for the non-mechanics on the forum have you had to leave a deposit? If yes, did it bother you?
1/2 down when scheduling
- Thread starter PoolTable911
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Did get signed work orders spelling out charges/fees.
For multiple table work materials had to be prepaid.
Never required a job deposit.
I didn't pay a deposit to have my table installed, clothed and sub-rail extensions to tighten the pockets.
Great question Pat, I only get a deposit when I go to a customers house to pick up their rails for a re-cushion and I inform them on the phone that I will need one. When I arrive I show them a color chart so they can pick the color they want and then remove the rails and receive the deposit.
I think it's a little tacky to just ask for one up front on the phone, to me it makes it seem as if I am more interested in the money part of it instead of the service part.
Of course almost anywhere you go to order parts for anything most places want to be paid up front or require some type of deposit so everybody's doing it I guess.
Now don't get me wrong it makes more sense to ask for or get one for an out of town job but 95% of my jobs are 30 miles or less so I just hope for the best and do my part and hope the customers do theirs too.
I think it's a little tacky to just ask for one up front on the phone, to me it makes it seem as if I am more interested in the money part of it instead of the service part.
Of course almost anywhere you go to order parts for anything most places want to be paid up front or require some type of deposit so everybody's doing it I guess.
Now don't get me wrong it makes more sense to ask for or get one for an out of town job but 95% of my jobs are 30 miles or less so I just hope for the best and do my part and hope the customers do theirs too.
Pat, I don't know if a deposit is a normal requirement in any kind of a service orientated business, I think more of the norm is "payment in full upon completion of work rendered". Even Diamond only for the most part, takes a 50% deposit on an order selling a pool table, but requires payment in full upon completion of the delivery & setup.
I agree..but people I know in different trades tell me I should absolutly take a deposit so if the customer cancel last minute you don't loose that half a days pay. It sounds great in theory but I don't think it would work.
I hear what you're saying Pat, but over the last 28 years of doing this work, I can't think of one time I got stiffed for money owed. I've always found it to be the case that if a customer called me wanting work done on a pool table....it's because they had the money set aside for that project, enough to at least cover what they wanted done. Where I find the resistance on money, is when I inform them that because of this or that, there'll be an extra charge....because they didn't plan on that in their budget. Need items of cost are quite a bit different that want items. Want my table worked on for the most part with customers is in their plans. A lot of pool room owners NEED their pool tables worked on, but at the time, don't WANT them worked on....because they don't have the extra money set aside to get the job done. Hope this helps.
Glen
To me, I guess it depends on the scope of the work, the price range, and potential time invested...
IMO
typical table install etc - no deposit needed.
typical table install 4 hours away... perhaps a deposit
typical table with customized alteration..perhaps a deposit
vintage/antique %50 down (at least)
as a customer, i'd have no issue with the above requirements
IMO
typical table install etc - no deposit needed.
typical table install 4 hours away... perhaps a deposit
typical table with customized alteration..perhaps a deposit
vintage/antique %50 down (at least)
as a customer, i'd have no issue with the above requirements
Glen,
You are comparing apples to oranges. I have had numerous occasion when customers call me the day of the job and tell me they can't be there. Or I show up and nobody is home. This effects my pocket. I too have never been stiffed for my pay by a pool room or the general public. As for the Internet companies It is a whole different story. You and I work differently. I do 2 jobs a day pretty much all year long. I travel my entire slate. So when I show up and nobody is home , I go from making a profit to barely bresking even. I started this thread to see if anyone had tried it before. I personally feel it will not work but have an open mind to hear what others do.
Question...if you HAVE the customers pool table with you already...why would you need a deposit? Now, Pat...something you might think about is an appointment rescheduling fee...incase the delivery dates get changed by the customer without an advance notice of say...24hrs
Pat, I once had a customer that bought a Diamond 9ft Professional. He lives in San Fransisco, CA. Delivery & setup ran $1,500...I got to his house, he was in the middle of remodeling still...but told me I could drop off the table in his garage and come back at another time and finish setting the table up. I told him I could see he wasn't ready yet...so I would return with the table when he was. Well, 3 YEARS go by...now he was ready...Pat...I charged him the SAME $1,500 again the second time I came out to his house...total deliver & setup when finally finished...$3,000
PS. Pat, if you have their pool table buddy...the ball is in YOUR court, just start a policy of....reshedualing at a fee, make sure your customers are aware of it, and they'll either be there, or you'll get paid for that lost time...so it's not lost. Many customers I know of wouldn't disagree with an additional rescheduling fee...if they're aware of it up front
PS. Pat, if you have their pool table buddy...the ball is in YOUR court, just start a policy of....reshedualing at a fee, make sure your customers are aware of it, and they'll either be there, or you'll get paid for that lost time...so it's not lost. Many customers I know of wouldn't disagree with an additional rescheduling fee...if they're aware of it up front
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Question...if you HAVE the customers pool table with you already...why would you need a deposit? Now, Pat...something you might think about is an appointment rescheduling fee...incase the delivery dates get changed by the customer without an advance notice of say...24hrs
If you have the table, or part of the table, it may guarantee that you'll get paid eventually. But as Pat has pointed out, it may not guarantee that the customer will be home the first time, or change their mind in the middle of a job etc etc...
I'm just saying... if a project could potentially require large amounts of time, or very specialized work, it may be the safest bet to hold or require a deposit, when dealing with the general public.
Just my opinion
When i worked retail we always asked for a deposit on any table work axcept to come out and shoot aa bid on something we wernt sure if we could do with out seeing it. I think all cuemaker's require 25-50% down to lock in deal for said work new or rebuild.
When I had my gun shop 50% down order gun then you don't pass background 50% restocking fee either way i made my profit for my time. It also helped to eliminate bangers from wasting my time. You order
Simmonis $300
rubber $200
facings $15.00
featherstrips $5.00
ext rails $500.00
new balls $250.00
when do you ask for 50% or something. next he calls a week later i found someone on craigslist he can doit for $350 including triple shimming rails he was told raiil rubber lasts 20+ years everyone is a quack.
Now do you send it back for a 15% restocking fee or sit on it most stock this already but some of us don't yet.
I ask for a deposit on big jobs to lock it in and close the deal small one I get burnt on the most etheir they do it themselves or get a hack to do it for half then call back 2-3 weeks late wanting me to fix it and I tell them double the last quote before i even think about it. Go and fix what they broke usually railsor striped out all the screws from IMPACT drivers.
Make sure what ever your restocking fee is missed appointments fee is or deposits have it printed on all copies of recipt's. D.O.J., A.T.F. loved my reciptall 3/8" print all four copies.
Craig
When I had my gun shop 50% down order gun then you don't pass background 50% restocking fee either way i made my profit for my time. It also helped to eliminate bangers from wasting my time. You order
Simmonis $300
rubber $200
facings $15.00
featherstrips $5.00
ext rails $500.00
new balls $250.00
when do you ask for 50% or something. next he calls a week later i found someone on craigslist he can doit for $350 including triple shimming rails he was told raiil rubber lasts 20+ years everyone is a quack.
Now do you send it back for a 15% restocking fee or sit on it most stock this already but some of us don't yet.
I ask for a deposit on big jobs to lock it in and close the deal small one I get burnt on the most etheir they do it themselves or get a hack to do it for half then call back 2-3 weeks late wanting me to fix it and I tell them double the last quote before i even think about it. Go and fix what they broke usually railsor striped out all the screws from IMPACT drivers.
Make sure what ever your restocking fee is missed appointments fee is or deposits have it printed on all copies of recipt's. D.O.J., A.T.F. loved my reciptall 3/8" print all four copies.
Craig
For moves, assemblies, dis-assemblies, etc - I do not charge a deposit. If I have a customer that cancels within 24 hours of the job, then I require a 50% deposit before I'll let them reschedule.
For recovers, cushions, etc - I charge a deposit that covers at least my cost of the materials plush shipping.
For deposits I always use PayPal Invoicing. It makes the customer comfortable with paying a deposit because they're not giving me their CC information directly and because PayPal does give them a degree of consumer protection.
For recovers, cushions, etc - I charge a deposit that covers at least my cost of the materials plush shipping.
For deposits I always use PayPal Invoicing. It makes the customer comfortable with paying a deposit because they're not giving me their CC information directly and because PayPal does give them a degree of consumer protection.
In my area its common for companies to take credit card deposit over the phone. I don't take a deposit on materials unless its around $500 then only sometimes,if I already have the materials whats the point. but I usually take the rails.
I always require a deposit at the time of scheduling, I am sick of people not showing up for appointments and my company losing the time slot, plus gas getting to the job.
Our service related industry is luxury service though, not plumbing or auto repair. We cannot afford to drive to customers homes and find no one home and no one showing up.
When a customer schedules we inform them that we require a deposit to schedule. 99% of my customers don't have a problem giving us a deposit, it is a very easy way to weed out people who are just trying to waste my time. In the end I am in the business of making money, I am not in the business of knocking on peoples doors for forty five minutes.
Pat, I would recommend it all day long, check out my website you can even copy the information word for word from me if you would like. It saves you a lot of money, because even with a $75 deposit when a customer cancels the day of you are still losing money, just not as much.
Our service related industry is luxury service though, not plumbing or auto repair. We cannot afford to drive to customers homes and find no one home and no one showing up.
When a customer schedules we inform them that we require a deposit to schedule. 99% of my customers don't have a problem giving us a deposit, it is a very easy way to weed out people who are just trying to waste my time. In the end I am in the business of making money, I am not in the business of knocking on peoples doors for forty five minutes.
Pat, I would recommend it all day long, check out my website you can even copy the information word for word from me if you would like. It saves you a lot of money, because even with a $75 deposit when a customer cancels the day of you are still losing money, just not as much.
When we spoke on the phone the other day you explained to me your what your average customer is and yes I think for your client type you should collect a deposit and make sure your communicating and reminding the customer of your appointment.
I have a few friends that use paypal for the same thing I never thought about it for c.c. security I think ill try it to thanks.
I know if you hava smart phone you can now use an app to run credit cards so becarefull i f you leave them lying aroundin car.
thanks,
Craig
I don't often charge a deposit on jobs. On two trip jobs, I will normally collect half per trip. For example, to tear down a table for carpet, then come back and set it up, I collect half each trip. I'll also ask for a deposit for special orders, such as two-tone recovers. Haven't had a problem once I explain that I'll do it for the same price as a normal recover, I just need a deposit to order the cloth. I'll even tell people that I didn't used to do that until I got stuck with a black bed & gold rails for a year and a half.
Depending on the person, I'll usually let the half per trip thing slide if I'm doing rail work back in the shop. If I have their rails, they're obviously not going to get anyone else to do the work. In that case, I'll leave it up to them. Sometimes it's nice to pay out half each time I'm there versus the whole chunk.
In the case of a no-show, I will charge an additional trip charge plus mileage if it's outside my local area. I do a $25 mile radius free and charge mileage beyond that. I do try to call ahead to confirm each appointment though, which eliminates a lot of that, and lets them know if I'm ahead or behind schedule or expecting to be delayed. They also appreciate the communication. (Are you listening, Glen? I know, I know, buddy, if you did that for everyone, you'd never get OFF the phone!)
If I do ask for a deposit, I always use my merchant account. The huge majority of my customers pay check or cash, so the merchant account probably ends up costing me a bit of money. I've been scared to do the math. However, I do think it lends a bit of credibility to my business. To me if you take Paypal and not CC, you don't appear as legitimate. I'm not saying that's true, I think it's just public perception.
General rule though, if it doesn't feel right, there's nothing wrong with asking for a deposit to "guarantee that spot on the schedule" or something along those lines.
Depending on the person, I'll usually let the half per trip thing slide if I'm doing rail work back in the shop. If I have their rails, they're obviously not going to get anyone else to do the work. In that case, I'll leave it up to them. Sometimes it's nice to pay out half each time I'm there versus the whole chunk.
In the case of a no-show, I will charge an additional trip charge plus mileage if it's outside my local area. I do a $25 mile radius free and charge mileage beyond that. I do try to call ahead to confirm each appointment though, which eliminates a lot of that, and lets them know if I'm ahead or behind schedule or expecting to be delayed. They also appreciate the communication. (Are you listening, Glen? I know, I know, buddy, if you did that for everyone, you'd never get OFF the phone!)
If I do ask for a deposit, I always use my merchant account. The huge majority of my customers pay check or cash, so the merchant account probably ends up costing me a bit of money. I've been scared to do the math. However, I do think it lends a bit of credibility to my business. To me if you take Paypal and not CC, you don't appear as legitimate. I'm not saying that's true, I think it's just public perception.
General rule though, if it doesn't feel right, there's nothing wrong with asking for a deposit to "guarantee that spot on the schedule" or something along those lines.
Good topic!
I take a third down for any multiple day jobs. Typically I like being paid at completion, for standard work. I keep very good paperwork so customers know costs, and still get the occasional move where customer assumed you'd install new cloth. People can be funny. As I also store tables there is another issue.. local move with settlement a month out I would only charge $30 to store table. In many cases they push back so nowyou can have charges add up.
Example ... I have a 9'american heritage with dead cushions in storage now that is an issue. Got $200 deposit to disassy and bring to storage for 3 months, then reassemble. It has been 14 now and customer hasn't returned a call for 6. At this point the bill is more than table...
Example... picked up an antique in NJ last year, disassy and store for 3 months
The table had a badly broken slate which I fixed for a fair price. Most of retained nuts are broken out or have issues, table was bought for too much and probably is going to cost a small fortune to refinish. Owner livesin San Diego so the plan was to crate it. After I have table having taken no deposit owner starts telling me how he can't afford to crate table and he has no room in his 700 square ' house... after 3 months I give deadline to remove or else I'm fully crating table and putting up on my pallet racks until payment clears... major issue and even though after six months he has paid all but some storage fees...he wont pay to ship it.
I do plan on taking a $75 nonrefundable booking deposit in future..though it is rare, sometimes customers will not call if they need to reschedule until morning of. For serious customers this is not an issue..for some they take offense. I have been burned by several bounced checks, only two where fraud as rest gladly made good. Last minute moves in bad areas I will occasionally tell them cash only anymore.. these days I have no problem passing on work that has customer red flags.
Just my two cents..
Rob
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