How do I handle email quotations requests?

How do I handle email quotations requests?

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I received a couple of requests for quotations via emails recently. I am not sure how to handle this since the info in the email is not sufficient to provide a quotation.

Best way to provide a quote would be to have a chat, but they tend to be reclutant to have a chat without some idea of fees.

Any ideas on this?

Replies (9)

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By User deleted
27th Jan 2010 16:22

Genuine?

First of all are you sure they are genuine, and if they are, it is fairly likely these people are seeking the cheapest quote - do you really want this sort of client?

I had a spate of them and soon realised they werent genuine. I actually suspect they were fishing exercises from competitors.

I'd send a polite reply offering to meet and discuss fees - that'll probably be the last you hear from them.

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By User deleted
27th Jan 2010 17:23

Not sure if Genuine

It is so difficult to say if they are genuine. I do get really excited when I get them. Someone looked at my website!

They could be, as you say,comptetiors checking out fees. I do not want to miss on what may be on a good opportunity.

I think, unless responses are otherwise, I will to quote a figure and politely request a meeting/chat, giving reasons.

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By cymraeg_draig
27th Jan 2010 18:15

Dont trust them

Point out that you offer a "personal" service and can't possibly give any indication of fees until you have met them, seen the kind of records they keep, and discussed their business and exactly what they require face to face.

If they are making their decision based only on price and not even interested in meeting the person they are entrusting with their tax affairs then something is wrong.

Probably they are not genuine - there are some unscrupulous "accountants" out there,  or,   they are looking for the cheapest option and probably wont pay anyway.

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By skylarking
27th Jan 2010 18:28

Inclined to agree with . . . .

. . . . Son of Welsh_Dragon.

Not too sure about the unscrupulous remark - attempting to find out what the competition charge is to be expected. It's helpful information to us all in assessing where we are and want to be in the market place, but it is a pain if you are on the receiving end.

Just to add, if a 'genuine' enquirer is only interested in price, they will tend not to be loyal but always on the lookout for a better bargain. 

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By az
29th Jan 2010 11:05

hello

I think its best to meet the client first , even a telephone call. You could give a quote over mail but if the client finds it expensive he will walk.Whereas if you meet them first and win them over with your charisma or get on well with them. A higher fee might seem less expensive. 80% of the time i think people choose their accountant if they feel they can talk with them and get on with them. They need to feel like your like a " proffesional friend " if that makes sense. A large part of being someones accountant probably also involves being there counselor, pyscologist and accountant roled into one! !!!!!

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By raybackler
29th Jan 2010 11:16

Sample quotation

I agree with the good advice given so far.  Some clients want to put your fees in to a zone before meeting - are they dealing with a West End practice that gives global tax advice to high earners or a practice that has its feet on the ground amongst the regular self employed?  I usually give a hypothetical indication based on a set of circumstances, but insist that a firm fee can only be given once a face to face meeting has taken place.  This is usually enough for the potential client to come to a meeting.  On the other hand if there is no repsonse to the e mail or there is a sharp intake of breath during a phone call, then you have the wrong type of client, so it works both ways.

Ray

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Mark Lee headshot 2023
By Mark Lee
29th Jan 2010 12:49

A rough idea

I'd support Ray's suggestion above.

There is no point insisting on meeting with someone only to find that your preferred fee and their budget are wildly different. You will waste a lot of time doing that.

Mark Lee

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By SimonLever
29th Jan 2010 13:18

Win on fee - lose on fee

If fees are the only or main reason for someone coming to you as client this year then next year you will lose them for the same reason.

When taking on a client there is a fair amount of initial work which it may be difficult to bill for in one year but over  a period of years the time can be recovered.

I would give a ball park quote for the type of work and say it depends on the individual client and you really need to meet to get an idea of the client and the books he keeps.

As a slight aside I seem to get the wives of builiders/plumbers/carpenters ringing up for quotes for their husbands. I tend to treat these with suspicion and when pushed to quote I quote higher than the job they describe would normally be billed at. If I get the client (almost never) then at least I am properly compensated for my time and if the client stays and is happy with my work I can keep the fee the same or reduce it next year which makes the client happier still!

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By dbowleracca
29th Jan 2010 20:08

i never give prices over the phone
Like many have said, people who ask for a price before meeting you can either not afford you, or are fishing for the cheapest price possible. A genuine caller will not ask for a price but will want to meet you to discuss things further.

If I was asked for a price, my initial thoughts would be can you afford me and are you genuine?

You could always do as I have sometimes done, which is to quote a gigantic range of fees, by saying something like " well our fees start from as little as 100 pounds a year up to 10000 pinfa a year. If I were to say to a garage I want a new car, would they say to me it's x or would they say it depends? "

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