200% Guarantee

[John Adrian Sopher]

I was watching a NACHI TV show the other day on marketing and heard something about a 200% guarantee some people offer.  It goes something like this;

If a the customer isn't satisfied with the job you performed the inspector will refund 100% of the inspection fee and pay 100% of the fee for a new inspection with a different inspection company of their choice.

Now I know some of you are going to be shocked at this, it is bold and risky, but what do you think of the idea from a marketing standpoint?

My thoughts are:

1) Its bold (you can use this to your advantage to pull in work)
2) Its free (its a free marketing gimmick, until you have to pay)
3) Its something most inspectors don't do, thus it sets you apart from the rest.

Okay, hit me with your thoughts...

[David Macy]

I do not offer a guarantee or warranty.

I would not offer a 200% guarantee and this is just my opinion.

I built my business on doing thorough inspections.

Most of my business comes from client referrals.

It is true if you can find some unique details to set you self apart from the competition this will help build a referral base.

Be consistent and persistent with everything you do and you will prosper in the long run.

[John Adrian Sopher]

Man I'm trying!!!  I'm trying!!!  You can see my reports on my site.  I think they are very good and thorough.  But I have to get the clients in the first place to get the referrals!!!  That's the hard part.  lol  I'm trying to brain storm to find ways to bring in some kind of minimum business right now.  It doesn't matter how good I am, if I cant make it month to month.

[Dominic Maricic]

Have you been going around to real estate offices and introducing yourself and dropping off cards? Have you gotten your company name, # and website decal on your car/truck?

[John Adrian Sopher]

I have been going around and dropping off cards and fliers to the Realtors.  And I have looked into the magnet signs for my truck doors.  I think I would rather do the lettering on my back window though.  I still haven't looked into that yet.  I would want something very clean looking that everyone can see good from the outside, and that I can see through while driving.

Anyway, back to the fliers, I was thinking of uploading the fliers for everyone to look at and comment on.  Make suggestions for changes and so forth.  Is there a way I can do that?  They are word files.

[Gary Mann]

I have and 200% guarantee and also have add it to all my info that I give out.
It helps.

[Gary Mann]

John just have your truck lettered up on the bed sides. That is what I did. And on slow weekends I drop my truck off at the mail where it can be seen. and also on the tailgate and doors. White truck blue letters about 5'' tall. I have booked inspection from my trucks info. It paid for itself in one month.

[John Adrian Sopher]

Ya lettering up my truck sides is not an option, but it did give me another idea.  I could get some banners and attach to my truck while its parked somewhere.  I've seen many people do that around here.

[Gary Mann]

John That could work. I don't like magnets because thry blow off going down the road or some one might think they need them more that you.

[John Adrian Sopher]

I have and 200% guarantee and also have add it to all my info that I give out.
It helps.

Can you give me an idea how well it helps?  Do you do the guarantee like I had it worded previously?  Have you ever had to pay out?  Have you ever had someone try to get free inspections using this guarantee?  Come one man, don't tease me by jus tellin me it works!  lol

[John Adrian Sopher]

John That could work. I don't like magnets because thry blow off going down the road or some one might think they need them more that you.

Hadn't really thought about them blowing off going down the road!  That's a good point.  I think I like the window lettering the best so far anyways.

[Gary Mann]

That works. Some of the guys around here does that. I like big and bold. rolling sign.

[Gary Mann]

John you might try vistaprint.com for the signs. you can get them free at times. All you have to pay is the shipping. I use them for a lot of my printing.

[John Adrian Sopher]

Ok, I'll check em out.

[Dominic Maricic]

I have been going around and dropping off cards and fliers to the Realtors.  And I have looked into the magnet signs for my truck doors.  I think I would rather do the lettering on my back window though.  I still haven't looked into that yet.  I would want something very clean looking that everyone can see good from the outside, and that I can see through while driving.

Anyway, back to the fliers, I was thinking of uploading the fliers for everyone to look at and comment on.  Make suggestions for changes and so forth.  Is there a way I can do that?  They are word files.

Yup, hit the reply button rather than using the quick reply and you'll see all the extra options for posting (like adding attachments).

[John Adrian Sopher]

Its not letting me upload the file.  It tells me I cant upload a .docx extension.

[Dominic Maricic]

Nope, I don't have .doc allowed because of the macro viruses. Save it as a pdf then post it.

[John Adrian Sopher]

I don't have a pdf option in word, and I cant open it in Adobe to save it as a pdf file.  I don't think the computer gods are going to let me upload them.

[Dominic Maricic]

Download http://www.primopdf.com and install it. Then go to print and select primopdf.

[John Adrian Sopher]

Okay that worked.

The first one is the inside part of the flier
The second is the outside part
The third is a flier geared more to Realtors.