Good point Reno. When I do contracting work or even I do my job for our Uncle Sam, I stick to the basic:
*Never treat the customers as stupid
*Never act as if you are stupid
*Explain things in a manner where they can understand
*Sell them only what they need, not what you can sell them
*I avoid using cheap parts and explain why, long term cost
*I suggest using quaility parts and explain way, long time value
*Flip a freebie to the nice customers. It's cheap advertisement
*Know you compitition. What are they doing? What are they not?
*Answer their questions even if they are planning to do the work themselves (to a point). In most places the home owner can legally do electrical work on their property. They are going to do it anyway. If it is not too far, offer to stop by an double check the work. Odds are they will hire you for the harder stuff.
*I look customers systems over and Identify any major issues and bring it to their attention and identify it on the bill. More times then not, I get a service call of it.
*Stay on top of what the industry is putting on the street.
Treat your customers as human beings, not cattle, impower them with usible information and they will be more willing to spend the extra money even in this economy. People want value and safe wiring and will pay more if you sell it right
