evanpalmer•2d agoProlific Poster

Talking to a retired plumber at the hardware store about pricing

I was picking up some PVC fittings yesterday and got to chatting with an older guy in line. He used to run his own shop for 30 years. I mentioned how I always feel bad charging my full rate to nice, regular clients. He looked at me and said, 'Son, your rate isn't a reward for good behavior. It's the price of your time and skill.' He told me he lost his first business in the 90s because he gave too many 'friends and family' deals and couldn't cover his truck payment. It hit different because it wasn't some online guru talking, it was a guy who'd actually been through it. I've been undercharging by about 15% for two years just to be the nice guy. Now I'm looking at my books and realizing I can't afford to be that nice anymore. How do you all handle setting a firm rate with people you actually like working for?

2 comments

2 Comments

quinn_flores802d ago

Thought the same until my own truck got repo'd.

mason_stone92d ago

Sounds like you just missed some payments.