Originally Posted By: jrooff This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
To all,
I had thought that coupons were not that big of a deal. WRONG the more I find out about what the competition is doing, it look like a smart way to go. Would anyone have an eye catching coupon I could get some ideas from? Just remember David I can’t plug it in or run it on batteries.
Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I think coupons depend on the market you are in. Coupons might work here. We have a guy who charges $225, puts a $50 coupon in his brochure and then he’s at $175 like the rest of us. I don’t see the purpose there.
If you live in an area where coupons are a hit, and your price is reasonable, and your coupon actually represents a value to the consumer, they will help you build business if you are new. I used them when I began in VA, and I think it got me three or four inspections. Here, my price is my price, and it is competitive.
I have one small pocket of my market where I tried a senior citizen discount. It didn't help much, probably because they were all too old to read my flyer  
Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Quote:
Quality Home Inspections" magnifying glass as a giveaway.
We were thinking of giving out a coupon for Lasic   
Originally Posted By: phinsperger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I know of a couple of guys in the region that were using coupons. I don’t know how well that worked for them. Personally, I associate coupons with resturants, grocery stores and retailers. I often receive coupons in the mail for services (ie, carpet cleaning, automotive, and other services) but I have never used a coupon for a service. What goes through my head is – Humm… if these guys are any good, why do they have to discount their prices to get business.
We are professionals. Our client is trusting what will most often be the most expensive purchase of their life to our judgement and expertise. If my doctor, lawyer, etc. were to start passing out coupons, I would feel like I'm not getting the professionalism I'd expect and would take my business elsewhere.
This is just my own personal feelings about coupons. They may or may not get you extra business in you area but I feel that I would rather not use that particular marketing approach.
Originally Posted By: rsummers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I agree with Paul. I passed out a number of coupons for a free energy audit with paid Home Inspection. I never had 1 brought back to me and most realtors said that if it was free it must not have any value to start with. Most buyers are not shopping for a discount just a professional Inspection.
Originally Posted By: jrooff This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
To All,
What I gather from my area is this makes the realtor look good by getting there client a discount and there handing them out with 2-3 other names. Well 2-3 business cards and one has a coupon that’s 2 times in front of the client at once. To some I know it means nothing but to the penny pincher out there, well you count how many you know personally.
Originally Posted By: Guest This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I come from a highly competitive market. Retail auto parts, and a separate non affiliated repair facility. Every February business gets terrible for three or four weeks and three years ago I decided to put a coupon in the major news paper in my area. First I tried a $9.95 oil change just to get the customer’s name on my mailing list. Out of a possible return of 401,000 coupons I got back three.
Then I tried a freebie... just stop in and get a free snow brush and I'll fill your washer fluid if you'll give me your name and address so I can mail future "client only" promotions to you. Well, people drove from 40 miles away to get the $1.10 snow brush and free washer fluid. In fact I gave away nearly 1700 snow brushes and 900 gallons of washer fluid to obtain the 1700 names and addresses. To date, after spending nearly $3,000 on product and advertising, I have not made even one sale to any of those people.
Now, I charge more all year so I don't have to worry about February. I seek only the quality client that wants only quality in return. These clients are willing....no, they want to pay more, and get more.
Don't trade your life for a mess of pottage. Chad
Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Quote:
We are professionals. Our client is trusting what will most often be the most expensive purchase of their life to our judgement and expertise. If my doctor, lawyer, etc. were to start passing out coupons, I would feel like I'm not getting the professionalism I'd expect and would take my business elsewhere.
Ok, at the risk of sounding idiotic after many beers on New Years Eve, lets look at our "profession" in a different light. Doctors are professionals, they have a PHD. Lawyers are professionals. They have degrees and their own difficult school. (sorry, brother in law is one).
After a whole bunch of (successful) years in this business, I'm sorry to say, but the general home buying public views us as blue collar workers. Maybe because most of us have a construction background. Maybe because many of the less "professional" home inspectors wear blue jeans, t-shirts or shorts to inspections. Although I and many of my peers speak well, communicate effectively (except on New Years Eve after cases of Boddingtons Ale) our "profession" is still thought of as a construction industry. Most of my clients are shocked (the ones who find out) that I have a college degree. Don't believe me?? In my county I have to pass all of the same requirements as a General Contractor. In my back pocket I have to carry my Contractors License at all inspections, just like the HVAC guy, Plumber, Landscaper, etc.
There is nothing wrong with a coupon, discount, bargain or anything else we do. We all market different ways, and even though I don't use them anymore, coupons do work. So lets not try to put ourselves above anyone in any other trade or profession. If it works, do it.
Now, let the arrows fly. I have the body armor on.
Originally Posted By: jrooff This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Thanks Blaine for the back up, but all I really want to see is if someone that uses coupons would show me one, is it flashy or plain jane? I have not used them yet but what the he$$ it’s only money and if it works in this area I will post it for others to take a crack at it, After I made my cool mill.
Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
James,
Truth be known, and I'm sure the computer dudes will ridicule this, I used Microsoft Publisher to make coupons. I have a color laser printer, and used good stock. They look good, and get the job done. Put them in your brochures and they will just be a bonus. Happy New Year!!
Chad,
That is Blind marketing. If a brochure is handed out with two others, and yours is the only one that contains a coupon, it is a perceived bonus to the consumer. Happy New Year!!
Originally Posted By: jrooff This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
John,
Yes, I do have publisher and it would be great to see what you have worked up. About the test, it sounds like you have studied hard now back off on the nervousness and you’ll do just fine.
and if it works in this area I will post it for others to take a crack at it, After I made my cool mill.