I hate losing a deal.
 

I'm just sayin.

I have recently moved into a sales position. Well, it's been about a year now. I did very well this year and am working on doing well this year as well but I just lost a contentious deal to another manufacturer. It's not a big deal but it I worked pretty hard on it for a few weeks, I knew it was competitive - it isn't always but this time it was.

SmileWavy

Chalk it up to experience, figure out why you lost it, and get the next one.

Sorry, that's the best I can offer.:(

Sales is a series of highs and lows. nature of the game..

I have found in my sales of home improvements that those who buy the price always get what they pay for. Not saying a more expensive proposal won't always be a better job, but with me my price will get the best. I sell experience and knowledge.

I don't know how this all works in b2b sales but I have a feeling....

Oh, but losing a deal? Ah, usually sweet justice.

Zeke - you are right. This deal was lost on price but not that alone. Price was most likely the #1 factor and the others were simply window dressing to the fact that the price was the issue.

SmileWavy

Mikester, I just had this conversation today. Years ago I bid a room addition on a historic home. I lost by 2 grand. I went back as the framing was progressing to see how the job was going. The winning contractor was doing a great job. What I noticed: he used nothing but OSB on the floor, sides and roof. I spec'd plywood. He used scored plywood turned upside down on the starter boards (the eves or overhang) to emulate the original bead board elsewhere on the house. I bid real bead board. He bought the French doors shown on the plans at the Home Depot. I figured in French doors custom made that exactly matched the ones 20 feet away leading from the existing dining room.

The difference in cost for my material? 2 grand.

So, the rest was even steven. And the owners live with those obvious substitutes for historic accuarcy.

BWTM, they called me 4 years later to remodel the original bath. I told them since they would be buying into a cheaper sink and faucet along with everything else, to look down the line.

Not interested in people who can't understand why you buy good material when labor is such a large factor.

It happens - it sucks - but if it is as you said over price then it's not apples to apples and therefore you did your job and shouldn't feel bad. I assume the client just didn't understand the difference between cost and value.

Sounds like you're doing well - keep it up and have a great fall season! :)

Very well put....

Thanks enzo1! ;)

Some days, you eat the bear, some days the bear eats you.

on to the next one...

rjp