price per roll

[mischa]

I quoted the customer the need for 24 rolls at $25.00/roll. Straight BR walls, a honey of a money-maker.
On the appointed day she hands me 12 bolts and leaves for the day (thank you)
Just as I finish, she comes back and inspects the job. Painstakingly. And thanks me for a ‘professional job’ – cool.
And hands me a check for 12 times $25.00 – not so cool.
‘Mrs. X, I quoted you $25 per roll ….”
“What’s the problem? I gave you 12 rolls and a check for …”
“No, Mrs. X – you handed me 12 BOLTS, they are double rolls …..”
“I don’t care WHAT you call them, they are rolls”
“Okay, Mrs. X. – how many ROLLS did you pay for?’
“Why, 24, of course”
Duh !?
I am sure the old hands, who have been ‘at the wall’ longer than you young ones out there who read this are old, don’t make the mistake this old dog did.
Save yourself an argument with a customer and be precise: if you charge a job by the roll – price is per SINGLE roll.

Michael K.
Phoenix

[Gary Lucas]

Save yourself an argument with a customer and be precise: if you charge a job by the roll – price is per SINGLE roll.

Michael K.
Phoenix

Better yet - price by the job with no mention of anything by the roll.

Gary

[Chris Nelson]

As Gary said YES.

[ProWallGuy]

When people ask me if I charge by the roll, I say no.
Does the painter charge you by the gallon?
The look in their eyes is priceless.

[tomcat]

About 13 years ago when I first started, a customer insisted I reduce the price because I did not use up all the paper. That quickly ended my pricing per roll. Since then I give a price for the job and have never had a problem.

[Chris Murphy]

As a citizen of the United States of America, no one but me dictates what I charge for a job.
As a member of the National Guild of Professional Paperhangers, I'm informed enough to know that, even if I charge at a piece rate, I dictate how big the piece is.
I would have cashed her check and filed a lien on the property.

[mischa]

all proffered thoughts and opinions appreciated; as a rule I don't charge by the roll either - but this job was such a simple, straight-forward honey ....
anyway, I posted it primarily because I wanted beginners in our trade to be aware of avoidable pitfalls like this one and avoid turning a very satisfied customer and their relationship with them sour over something that shouldn't come up in the first place.

as Bonney says: just thoughts

Michael K.
Phoenix