competion for 0$

[Naturarbo]

Quoted a job for 8k. dismantle and fell of 75 pines.After all agreed and a 2nd visit to site for last details, the owner calls 2 days before job starts and says someone is gonna do the job in exchange of wood.
Job lost to some gipsys.No problemo.
Should have charged to quote stupid me.
This makes business very dificult around here.
Now the owner wants to talk to me.
What to do if he wants the job done by me?

 

[Reach]

If he wants it done by you, I would say to bill him the full original amount, and call it a lesson learned for both.

In the future, require a deposit at contract signing, and add in a fee for cancellation close to the deadline - make it more difficult for someone to cancel, and they will be less likely to do so. You’ll also weed out those who want to keep price shopping until the day you arrive.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Competing for $0 is only a competition if more than one person wants it. "Not my market, not my customer" would be a good business line of thinking.