I feel that one of the main reasons that people would seek out/utilize the services if a VA, is because they do not have enough time ti get everything done. Consequently, omitting rates from my site will just require the PC to spend more time that they don;t have, to obtain my pricing.

I want to make it as easy as possible for PC to do business with me. If, in the process, some PC are turned off my rates, so be it. It is a risk that I am willing to take, because I feel that the positives outweigh the negatives.

Originally Posted by justleavethedetailstous

I want to make it as easy as possible for PC to do business with me. If, in the process, some PC are turned off my rates, so be it. It is a risk that I am willing to take, because I feel that the positives outweigh the negatives.

I agree 100%! I don't like having my time wasted with phone calls from "searchers for the best price." The best information, in my opinion, should be available to anyone.

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A L Camien
Manager Member

Originally Posted by On My Wings

Like Renee says - it is definitely a personal choice - so all I can tell you is my story. I struggled with that for a long time and so at one point I decided I would put price on my site. But every single conversation I would have with a prospect involved them worrying about price. Every conversation had me feeling like - wow - there is no way I'm ever going to be able to tell them what value I bring because as soon as I would tell them what I charge the conversation was basically over. You could see they checked out and I ended up feeling so devalued and it actually was kinda hurtful. I follow this one lady's teachings and I consider her a mentor, and I have learned a great deal from her. Based on her teaching I began to think...hmmm...ut:if I keep having these reactions then there must be another way. I recalled that she said the one who talks price first, loses! So I began to think about that and I also realized that having the prices on my website was the same thing as telling people up front when I talk to them. Epiphany!! Just like I had been learning on other fronts, I finally took it seriously and realized I needed to show people value over price. I got to thinking - if I am able to get a business to the next level by freeing up their capacity to do more of the things that develop their business - then it is hard to put a price tag on that. It could be that by my taking 4 hours of client followup a week allows a person to prepare and speak at a conference where they may get 50 new contacts and 2 new clients...then hard to put a full tangible value on that. Sure...they'll get a monetary value from the new clients, that is likely far above what they paid me for 4 hours of work - but the resulting value could be that out of those 50 people they may derive value in so many other ways. Maybe someone can solve a problem for them, may someone will become a client later, or maybe those 50 people turn into 250 through referrals. Now - I have to say that if you look at my website you won't see this implemented in full - yet. I'm still a work in progress. However, and again this is just me - this whole concept has hit home so hard that I'm revamping a lot. But - I have already seen instant results. When people ask me how much I charge and I basically say, "Well, everybody's situation and needs are different, so what I do is provide a complimentary consultation and really learn about what is affecting people the most, and I then create custom packages that are guaranteed to make people see how the value I can bring can propel their business forward - thereby increasing their overall revenue." Hope this is helpful. I need to stop writing books when I post.

Pam,

Thank you so much for your comment. You have helped me decide the perfect tagline for my biz. Have the same concept about creating custom packages because no two business have the exact same needs or the exact same pocketbook.

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Regeana Crumer
Ms. G's Office Solutions

Hi
I recently got turned down by a PC after I had gone on to display my skills for him after he told me his needs,and they were great and time consuming but when it cam to price he vanished and it was hurtful because I spent time that I was not even paid for.My choice is to display prices as I am sure of how capable I am and what I will do to givE my client the best and like Nancy said if they bulk they are not worthy of my time.
Hazel

Originally Posted by On My Wings

I need to stop writing books when I post.

I enjoy reading your "books." Your comments, I find, are extremely helpful.

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A L Camien
Manager Member

I put my rates on my website. If I am looking into a service and the rate is not made available I will move on to the next site. Also, if someone requires me to leave my info I will often move on very quickly. I do not like being required to leave my information.

Yes we are worth our rates and our services and we deserve respect, but not all people are devalueing our services because they ask about rates and or not willing (it may be that they are not able) to pay those rates. Some people have good reason to be concerned about higher rates, and I disagree that higher rates quantify better services as a whole.

I keep hearing that higher rates mean better quality and lower rates mean lower quality. I suppose sometimes this may be true, you get what you pay for, but I don't think that this is always true.

Being a person who has for many years lived on less than shoestring budget I know that I am always concerned with the rate up front, and I value the service that everyone has to offer. I look for affordable rates and quality services combined. I also try to offer affordable rates and I do offer quality services.

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Rhonda Holscher, Owner
Rhonda's Virtual Office - Hire a Virtual Assistant

I display my rates as well. If a website doesn't display cost, I move on right away. Displaying your rates discourages tire-kickers. Never negotiate your rates either and don't be afraid to say no. You're a business, not an employee. I had a PC call me at 9 p.m. the other night. She hadn't bothered to look at the website, wanted me to come to her, sort out her paperwork and be a PA whenever she chose, plus she couldn't afford the rates (and she was a doctor?).

OK, so I'm to hang out at her house whenever she snaps her fingers for minimum wage plus she'll call me at whatever time she pleases? I don't think so. Saying no to a PC may be difficult at first but it's necessary to build a practice of quality clients over time.

Lynne

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The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com

I am currently working on building my website, but plan on displaying rates. Like so many others have stated, I am the type of shopper that if I have to take an extra step to find out a price/price range, I'll move on.

My husband and I are partners in a used car/motorcycle dealership. We used to get inundated with those "tire kickers" and they'll just wear you out and then buy elsewhere. In the last year we've displayed the vehicle prices on the vehicles as well as our website and have seen a reduction of "window shoppers". Now, if somebody is interested in a vehicle, they have the price right up front - if they call, email or come in, we know they are serious and we can spend more time on an actual potential sale.

I also don't want to spend valuable time trying to win over a client just to finally get to price and scare them away. For what it's worth, in my experience, the longer it takes somebody to quote you a price/rates, the higher it seems to be and our natural defenses go up without even realizing it.

However, I have thought about putting a blurb something to the effect of: if none of our packages fit your needs, please contact us for a custom quote. That way I am free to negotiate and make every attempt to take care of my clients' needs.

Like everyone on this thread I have struggled with whether or not to post my rates (and of course WHAT those rates would be). I have posted my rates. I based my choice on how I look for services, I pass by sites that don't include rates and also sites that require my information. I really don't want to be on everyone's email list.

I based my rates on the prevailing wages for Executive Assistants in my part of the country (State and Federal Department of Labor Statistics). Now I think the trick is finding clients who can actually afford my rates. I know of many people who truly need professional help, but cannot bring themselves to spend that kind of money. The payoff is never obvious. It is always a risk.

My results remain to be seen.

Leanne

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WorkSmart, Administrative Assistance
When one of you is not enough

There are some great ideas here and as I am just working on my new website, am going to take this into consideration. I learn something new each time I visit this site!