At Half the Price…
Every once in a while there is an exchange with a potential client which I cannot resist sharing. This one is about pole barn prices…at half the price of!
In this particular case, as the request came in at 7:39 a.m., I was afterwards wondering if the inquiry came after a long night of watching QVC!
Here is the background: we were contacted for a pole barn price quote on a 30 foot deep by 24 foot wide pole building with single sloping roof, the low side being 12 foot high. The building was to be for a log truck to be worked on.
After introducing myself to the client, I always make it a point of sending an email them with a questionnaire for their Building Official to complete.
Here is the email from me:
“Dear xxxxxx,
There are over 7,000 Building Permit issuing jurisdictions in the United States. While we try our best to keep tabs on changes they make, to be able to know every one of them, instantaneously, would be impossible.
Your requested quote will be processed using our most current available data.
The attached will be very important information to have for the proper design of your new pole building. Please have it completed and FAX back to me at (866)200-9658, or Email back to Sales@HansenPoleBuildings.com.
For more information on Building Codes and criteria please read:”
https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/blog/2013/11/design-criteria-3/
Now somehow I had the idea the request was fairly non-threatening. Apparently not, as I got this response:
“Our town has no zoning. Your ad said a quote for building, where does that involve how many plans I have.
Please just disregard my request. I was looking for prices from you to be able to compare you with others.
Do Not reply !!!”
Well it was too late for me to not reply, as my quote went out by email almost at the exact time I received the cheerful reply above!
But wait, it gets even better….
“Thank you for the quote. However I got one for the same building at half the price. Also I do not need Vermont certified building plans. I live in a no zoning area which means a mansion can be built beside a dump. I value my property and will make this respectful but it is to put vehicles under cover. No heat needed therefore the open front would be just fine.
Please disregard my request, I prefer to not do business with you.
Again thanks for the quote.”
At this point, impossible for me to let it rest….
“Dear xxxxxx,
Would you mind sharing who would provide the identical building at 1/2 the price? We’d like to buy from them, as we could make a lot more profit than we do now buying everything mill and manufacturer direct.
Thank you”
I seriously did not expect a response, and I do not gamble, but would put money on there NOT being a quote for the same building at half the price. Pole barn prices don’t vary that much…if you are comparing apples to apples.
I’ve been pretty open about sharing what kind of profit margins are in the pole building industry:
https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/blog/2011/09/pole-building-prices-beware-when-you-compare/
To my surprise, I did actually get a response:
“No thank you”
I do have to thank this person however, for not ordering a building from us. There are some marriages which are made in heaven, this one was best left never getting near the altar!
