Changed my tune on charging for camera check-ups after eating the cost too many times

I used to think free checks brought in more work, but now I see charging a bit saves my shop and filters out the not-serious calls, though I worry it might push away good clients, so what's your opinion?

3 comments

3 Comments

shanewells3mo ago

Charging for estimates really cut no-shows?

haydenc102mo ago

My buddy's HVAC company tried charging $50 for estimates last year. They saw a drop in calls, not just no-shows. Good clients who like to compare prices felt turned off by the fee right away. It made the company seem hard to work with, even though their work is solid. In my view, a free estimate can be part of building trust from the start.

robertk233mo ago

When you worry about pushing away good clients, I read a blog post about this exact thing. It said that a small fee for check-ups actually makes serious people value your time more. Like, a local repair shop started charging for estimates and saw fewer no-shows but better jobs. But doesn't that mean the clients who balk at a small fee weren't that committed anyway? The piece argued that good clients see the charge as a sign you're professional and know your worth. So maybe it's less about losing them and more about finding the right fit.