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MiketheMagicDude Loyal user CT 270 Posts |
I saw an ad on craigslist seeking someone to make balloon animals at a party for 2.5 hours and they were willing to pay $50.
I answered the ad and gave them a more reasonable quote for 2.5 hours including a discount just cuz I was feeling generous. I got a very kind response stating that I was out of their price range etc. etc. but the 50 is still on the table. I was soo close to closing the email when I found this "quoted" email below.... "That is insane... $XXX.. .almost a $XXX an hour! What am I doing in law school?" Just thought I'd Share the laugh. |
Ryan Price Special user winnipeg, MB, Canada 641 Posts |
A lot of people have trouble seeing value in what we do and that is truly sad. The last time I went out busking (I busk on weekends when I’m not booked) I had a lot of people put in very small change or nothing at all. Sure I made enough to cover my expenses and buy lunch. People just look at the cost of the balloons and not the time put into learning the craft, the gas to get there, or the insurance.
That is why we should all strive to be the best in our markets and change perceptions. I know I have blown many people away and have changed the way they see balloon artists. However at the end of the day you cant change everyone. |
Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
Not surprising, Mike. I get that occasionally. You just have to remind yourself (and sometimes the customer, too) that they're not paying for 2 1/2 hours of you making balloons, they're paying for the (in my case) 15 years experience in entertaining people while making balloon art, and knowing how to handle certain situations and children.
Steve |
Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
Quote:
"That is insane... $XXX.. .almost a $XXX an hour! What am I doing in law Learning to be an A** H**** and a product of the machine that is destroying our society. Kills me to no end.... Just because they went to school to learn how to screw people we are supposed to respect them. I have travelled half way around the world learning how to entertain people in almost ever situation. I have a right mind to take my hours off my site and charge just for experiences. $2,500 per experience .... who is with me!!! Think about this too .... Florida minimum wage is $7.25 times 2.5 hours = $18 Since it is a weekend that would be time and a half making it $27. That is just to have a warm body show up ..... hey wait I forgot, Travel $0.50.5 per mile, hey that takes time too half an hour there and back for 30 miles. Now we are at $72 And we still don't even have any balloons!!!! There is an awful trend happening.... people are worthless, and people believe it. Think about what THINGS we will pay good money for. I-phone $250 plus $100 per month or more. How many of your clients give that to their kids? X Box (a toy!!) $152 to $460. But to have a descent person come to your HOME and not molest your children that should cost what ... about three Lattes per hour. People need to wake up!!! Well off the soap box, here is a lawyer joke that sums up life: A doctor and a lawyer were attending a cocktail party when the doctor was approached by a man who asked advice on how to handle his ulcer. The doctor mumbled some medical advice, then turned to the lawyer and asked, "How do you handle the situation when you are asked for advice during a social function?" "Just send a bill for such advice" replied the lawyer. On the next morning the doctor arrived at his surgery and issued the ulcer-stricken man a $50 bill. That afternoon he received a $100 bill from the lawyer. Don't even get me started on health care ......... $600 for a scan of my heart, and my frigging insurance won't pay for it!!!!!!! $800 for a root canal with INSURANCE!!!!!!
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
Ohhh had a thought.....
How about having a questionnaire for potential clients: Do your kids own a Wii or X-Box? Does your child have a cell phone? Do you go out to eat more than 2 times a week? Do you have a college fund for your children? Are you paid by the hour or by the result? Are you paid regardless the results? Yes to all the above they get my top rate and I expect an awesome tip too!!!
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
nums Veteran user I have a life, or I would have more than 366 Posts |
I tell people that I am a,
1, A great balloon artist 2, A fast balloon artist 3, A cheap balloon artist They can pick 2 options. NUMS |
MiketheMagicDude Loyal user CT 270 Posts |
I have a feeling a lot would choose fast and cheap....which does me no good whatsoever.
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Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
But that means you don't have to be good. Lots of snakes and worms given out that day.
Steve |
MiketheMagicDude Loyal user CT 270 Posts |
I take pride in being good. It is the meager foundation of my business.
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Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
Same here...
Steve |
Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
Quality, Service, Price.......... pick Two
Old salesman technique
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
I wouldn't pay me what I charge! But that's because I'm a tight a***.
Mark |
MiketheMagicDude Loyal user CT 270 Posts |
HAHAHAHAHA
I wouldnt pay me what I charge either. My wife says I am crazy. But I always have to remind her of the people who pay my fees and then not only do they thank me but they tip me later. Food for thought. |
Dennis Loomis 1943 - 2013 2113 Posts |
I used to ask for what I'm worth. But I don't work that cheap any more. LOL
Dennis Loomis
Itinerant Montebank
<BR>http://www.loomismagic.com |
derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
I can't afford me for my own kid's birthday party. We go trout fishing instead.
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Gary Shelton Regular user 183 Posts |
All you can do is state the benefits of using a "Professional"
I am talented (send them a few photos of your work or better yet your web sites link) I am insured (you won't loose your home or business because of an accident) I am very experienced entertainer who will jump in and help your event wherever I can (I have announced raffle ticket winners, organized the kids, ballyhooed the next event, Gotten the people together for the photos that kind of stuff) |
Kevinr Inner circle 1854 Posts |
A famous salesmen always told me when some ask the cost tell them:
1."I am really expensive." 2.Or "I charge one thousand dollars per hour... (pause) then say just kidding I charge....(what you really charge)" Either one lets the air out of the balloon so to speak (no pun intended) You create this huge number in there mind anything else seems like a lot less... It also ads some humor on an awkward question for both sides of the conversation. |
Douglas Lippert Inner circle E Pluribus Unum 2343 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-03-11 06:38, Stevethomas wrote: LOL, made me laugh. Thanks.
Douglas Lippert
Former I.B.M. Ring #8 Secretary |
Scruffy the Clown Loyal user Coldwater,MI 233 Posts |
Just revisiting this thread. Over at the clown forum, we went through a troll attack by a bunch of Law Students. After reading the posts in their forum about their attack on our Forum, I realized that they really are going to school the get a job that will make them a pile of money by any means. In the case of a few of them; I think they might have learned to be a** h***** before they went to law school. They were making jokes about clowns being pedophiles and couldn't figure out why we didn't find it funny. What started it was a clown posted a lawyer joke so they decided to flame us.
I was pathetic. We trounced them and banned them faster than they could post. On a pleasant note; I am elated: A company that booked me at the last minute for a corporate gig last summer called me first this year! Whoo Hoo!! |
Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
Speaking of this topic again...I ran into 2 more people who will work just about any event (ballooning) for just tips. One guy drives about 2 hours for a Thursday night gig at a Mexican restaurant. I work Tuesday at a different restaurant in the same town, and the customers ask me why I don't have tip buttons, tip signs and tip shirts, and why I don't hound them for tips like "the other guy" does. And that's exactly why I don't. Another older lady (and if she's older than I am, that's saying something) says that working for tips lets her hand out flyers and make connections. Well, for those of us who charge for work, don't we get to do the same thing? I'm not sure I understand people who will work for tips, I guess you charge what you feel you're worth...
Steve |
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