call me the negotiator...

HomeBoy and I are finally going to get the floors refinished. We've discussed it since we closed on the house last August. We've done recon since about last November. There was one referral we were holding out for - waiting on that last estimate because it could CHANGE OUR LIVES. so after our last free estimate, we'd narrowed it down to The First Guy and The Last Guy. The Guys in between were too good to be true *questionable*, so skip them. When I received an email regarding the estimated cost from The Last Guy, I decided it was time to play the game. It went like this:


ACT I
Scene 1

(on computer at work)

LAST GUY FLOORING:

Newbie Homeowner,

Hope this finds you having a great Monday.
I was able to corner Woodworker in the office
yesterday, and get his estimates completed.
I have attached your proposal to this email.
If you would please let me know that you were
able to download without a problem, I would
greatly appreciate it. After looking the
estimate over, please email or call the office w
ith ANY questions or concerns.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide you
with this estimate, and we are so sorry it took
so long to connect!
Have a wonderful week!

Woodworker & Wife
****

ME:

Woodworker & Wife,

Thank you for getting that estimate to us so quickly;
I was able to download the proposal with no problems.
Unfortunately, the cost is too high. I understand that
quality work is not cheap, but this is the most expensive
estimate we have received. So, we will have to go
in another direction.

I do truly appreciate your diligence and professionalism
in working with us. Though we cannot use your services
for this project, I will consider Last Guy Flooring for potential
future projects. After all, we have two stories
of hardwood floors that need attention.

Sincerely,
Newbie Homeowner
****

LAST GUY:

Newbie,
Please keep in mind that we are highly competitive.
If you would like me to speak with Woodworker, and we
can see if there is movement in the cost. Would this be
of interest to you? Let me know- Thanks for getting back so quickly!

Wife
****

ME:

Greetings Wife,

If there is room to reduce cost, that would be great.
Our other offer was about four hundred dollars less,
but I'd prefer to work with Last Guy Flooring since
you came as a referral. Please let me know if there's
anything you can do.

Sincerely,
Newbie (who ain't so green, by the way)
****

LAST GUY:

Miss Newbie,

I just spoke with Woodworker, and he said the lowest he could go
would be $300.00 below the original estimate. We would also
throw in a cleaning kit with the complete job. Let me know your
thoughts on the revision. If you decide that this will work for you,
I can email you a revised proposal. Hope to hear back from you soon-

Wife
****<>****

Scene 2
(on the phone with First Guy Flooring)

ME:
Hello, First Guy? Yes, this is Newbie; you came to our house some months ago to give a free estimate on refinishing our floors?

FIRST GUY:
Yes, was your address 123 Blah Blah Blah? At Yadda Yadda?

ME:
That's right. I was calling to find out if you were still avilable to do the job and if the estimates have changed (looking at original figures in appointment book).

FIRST GUY:
Now we talked about redoing your entryway for $(a few fingers), and your living and dining room for $(a couple of toes)...

ME:
That's correct. We have one other very strong offer, so I was wondering if there was any wiggle room in your etsimate.

FIRST GUY:
Well, our estimates are usually dead-on, and I don't know who's giving you a lower price, but I strive to be accurate so that halfway through the project you don't find yourself with additional [read "bs"] charges.

ME:
I see, so the cost definitely won't be higher than what you've told me?

FIRST GUY:
That's right.

ME:
(knowing his offer is still hundreds of dollars less that Last Guy's first offer, but cool as a cucumber) Thank you. We'll be in touch.
****<>****

Scene 3
(at work on computer)

ME:
Wife,

Thank you so much for inquiring about this. I really appreciate
how understanding and flexible you and Woodworker have been,
but as a young couple starting out and as first time homeowners
every little bit counts. We have to go with the lother offer.
However, we've got a lot more wood floors to tend to in this old house.
So this won't be the last time you hear from me.
Thanks again.

All the Best,
Not-So-Newbie

END

So, the moral of the story is - you might want to take me with you the next time you go to buy a car.