In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Free Services

MVPMVP Member Posts: 23,453 ✭✭✭
edited February 2011 in General Discussion
Any of you guys who own your own business do the occassional free service? Seems like I am always doing stuff for free with the only payment being a very happy customer.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • trapguy2007trapguy2007 Member Posts: 8,959
    edited November -1
    I tried doing free inspections to check out bad weatherstripping and worn locks .
    I thought it was a good idea at the time .
    It was taking too much time for the small return I was getting out of it .
    I still will do a quick lock change out for an old customer ,if I am in the neighborhood .
    They are grateful for it and always seem to find more work for me .
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TopkickTopkick Member Posts: 4,452 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes. Some jobs are simple and make people so happy.
    I do some service calls for friends, for the price of a Coke.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jwb267jwb267 Member Posts: 19,664 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i give my customers a free transfer after 10
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • searcher5searcher5 Member Posts: 13,511 ✭
    edited November -1
    I've opened a lot of cars and houses for free. Some were unintentionally free, but free none the less!

    My standard fee for a call out is $35, but I seldom get it. People who look like they are on hard times anyway don't need it compounded by me taking advantage of their misfortune. I usually take what they can afford, or many times nothing at all. It all comes back around.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Reaper1862Reaper1862 Member Posts: 839 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    When I was in the Navy and in San Diego I would change the oil and other basic maintenance for the wives who's men were at sea for a pie or a case of coke. I like pie. Wife at that time thought I had other motives but I just like pie.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gesshotsgesshots Member Posts: 15,678 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Good will is the best form of advertising. [^]
    It's being willing. I found out early that most men, regardless of cause or need, aren't willing. They blink an eye or draw a breath before they pull the trigger. I won't. ~ J.B. Books
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trapguy2007trapguy2007 Member Posts: 8,959
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by gesshots
    Good will is the best form of advertising. [^]


    I had a Veterinarian tell me that charity work was also the quickest way to go broke .
    You have to find the balance .
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KEVD18KEVD18 Member Posts: 15,037
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by gesshots
    Good will is the best form of advertising. [^]


    can be a double edged sword though. you'll inevitably end up with a "client" that only called you because they heard from someone that you work for free. the more you give away, the more this will happen.

    ive never been in a position to give my services away, professionally anyway. certainly, ive done free or casually compensated(beverage, lunch etc) for family and friends; but none of the real jobs ive had had a mechanism in place to be able to do free work.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,521 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I do some free heating and air conditioning for friends and family. Always without as much as a thank you.[:(!]I think they feel they are intitled to it or something. Wears thin after a while. I always know when it is spring because every one calls to get their ac fixed when they discover its low on freon or something. Wish one time someone would do something free for me when I need it.[;)]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Reaper1862
    When I was in the Navy and in San Diego I would change the oil and other basic maintenance for the wives who's men were at sea for a pie or a case of coke. I like pie. Wife at that time thought I had other motives but I just like pie.




    Maybe she was concerned with what type of "pie" you were eating.....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • oldrideroldrider Member Posts: 4,934 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't give away the only thing you have to sell.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sure all the time, good will is easy to spread and sooner of later it will come back.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • woodhogwoodhog Member Posts: 13,115 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I do free things all the time,usually for old customers. Simple way of saying thanks for your business. Checked out a popped gfi for a friends mom, heater filters now and again, little things like that. What I find kind of annoying tho', is everytime we go to a party, some guy corners you telling all about his big project asking all kinds of questions, "who do you use for this", "who has the best prices on that", "how would you go about fixing yak yak yak." I try to be polite,, but these coversatiopns rarely lead anywhere.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • militaria1918militaria1918 Member Posts: 465 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My dad used to own a shell station and shop in the 70's. He did some freebies but for Doctors and lawyers, they got a special rate. A bit higher.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.