Phone call from Customers

[sb47]

I run ads on CL to sell firewood. I list all pricing in plane English in a way that is easy to see and read. I also post plenty of pictures showing stacks so they can see what it looks like along with measurements .Yet people still call or email wanting prices.
9 times out of 10 it goes like this.
They will call and say.
Customer: "I'm looking at your ad on CL, How much for a cord"
Me: What does the ad say?
Customer: It says $295.00
Me: There's your answer.
Customer: How much wood is in a cord?
Me: It says rite there in the ad.
Customer: How long are the splits?
Me: Sr. you are looking at the ad, correct?
Customer: Yes.
Me: What does the ad say?
Customer: 18''
Me: What else can I do for you.
Customer: Do you deliver?
Me: What does the ad say?
Customer: No delivery, pick up only.
Me: What can else can I do for you?
Customer: What is your address?
Me: 1122 market st.
Customer: Hold on let me find a pin and paper.
Me: Waiting
Customer: Can you just text me.
Me: Sorry I don't have text.
Customer: Hold on.
Me: Still waiting
Customer: Ok go ahead.
Me: 1122 Market st.
Customer: Do you take credit cards?
Me: No it's cash only, just like it says in the ad.
Customer: OK thanks I see you soon and hangs up.

Sometimes it's all I can do to keep my cool when they are looking at an ad that answers all of there questions yet they still grill me on questions that are clearly rite in front of them.

 

[Gugi47]

LOL.
And never come for the firewood......right?

 

[panolo]

That's retail. Hasn't changed in the 25 years I've been in it.

 

[jrider]

I stopped using CL years ago for a few reasons: I hated dealing with what you just described, word of mouth spread that I have a good product at a reasonable rate, local town facebook pages took care of all the advertising for me. I sell out earlier and earlier each year.

 

[sirbuildalot]

Look at the bright side, pretty soon you can say yes, I deliver.

I wouldn't want random strangers showing up at my house.

 

[CentaurG2]

Some people like to talk to build up a repertoire with a seller. They don’t know you from Adam, but you are asking them to show up at your property with good cash money. Remember, how you deal with them on the phone is usually a test to how likely they will be to show up and buy your stuff. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

 

[lknchoppers]

Actually I like craigslist because I have all that same info sb47 has on my ad along with the prices, pictures, measurements, moisture content and the stacking prices. I really don't want to be bothered with some dude that doesn't know my prices and wants a $50 delivery of wood. I used to try to appeal to everyone and offer lesser firewood for fire pit wood, smoking firewood, oak firewood, hickory firewood but now I do what I do best and sell all the same kind of firewood for everything, unless I run into some Hickory I can process separately and sell at a premium. I sell full cords and half cords. I think when a craigslist caller calls for the first time, they call and ask a price and are just "Fishing" to see if you are desperate to sell firewood and try to get a cheaper price. Word of mouth is great too, but sometimes they just think firewood should still be $50. I have free delivery and rarely have anyone out to my property and I like it that way. If it is convenient for me and I'm home sometimes I let them come but the price is the same if they pick it up or I deliver it.

 

[sb47]

Some people like to talk to build up a repertoire with a seller. They don’t know you from Adam, but you are asking them to show up at your property with good cash money. Remember, how you deal with them on the phone is usually a test to how likely they will be to show up and buy your stuff. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

I agree, but it's more in how they ask the questions that's frustrating. I also get calls from people that have read the ad and understood it and are prepared to take down the address with pin and paper in hand.
They have the information and I will be glad to verify anything the ad says.

Customer: I'm looking at your ad, do you still have cords for $295.00
Me: Yes Sr. I do.
Customer: I see it's pick up only, what is your address?
Me: 1122 market st.
Customer: Are you open and can I come look?
Me: yes sr. I'll be open till dark.
Customer: Thanks I'll stop by after work.
Me: Thank you we'll see you soon.

 

[Sandhill Crane]

That's what keeps it interesting.
I get the same people calling each fall to find out I'm sold out.
They act just as surprised each year, imagine that.
I season a year.
The ones that call in the spring get wood I split the spring before, which gives them two summers of seasoning if they burn the winter season. But most just don't get it, don't have room, or simply can't plan a head.
Few people that buy firewood have experienced the difference between one years seasoning vs two years seasoning of Oak.
The wood I'm splitting now will sell early next fall.
Selling wood has been good for me. Customers want a deal. They want the covers I use, thrown in of course. They want the wood delivered the day they call... They want it stacked, etc.
One guy wanted seasoned firewood. When I said I didn't have any left, he said he wanted green wood. I told him I don't sell green wood.
Makes me smile a lot.