04/04/2023
CLIENT – How much will it cost to do this job?
ME - R2,800
CLIENT – That’s too expensive for this job!
ME – How much you think it should cost?
CLIENT – R800 max! It’s a simple job!
ME – I can’t do the job for so little.
CLIENT – People in your line of work want to make a huge profit!
ME – I’m sorry you feel this way. Why don’t you do the job?
CLIENT – But, but, I don’t know how to do any of that.
ME – For R900, I can teach you everything you need to know to do the job. You can then use R800 to do the job, and you’re still saving R1,100. Also, you will obtain all the knowledge and the experience for the next time you need to do this job.
CLIENT – Deal!
ME – Great! To start, you need to buy tools. You will need a chipping hammer, a nail gun, a laser, a drill, a mixer machine, PPE, and some other things.
CLIENT – But, I don’t have any of those tools and I can’t buy all that for just one job!
ME – Ok. I can rent you my tools for another R300. You’re still saving R800.
CLIENT – That’s cutting my savings, but I will rent your tools.
ME – Perfect! I’ll be back Saturday and we can start.
CLIENT – Wait! I can’t Saturday. I only have time today.
ME – I’m sorry, I only teach others on Saturdays. I have to prioritize my time and my tools needs to be in other jobs I have during the week.
CLIENT – Ok then. I will sacrifice my family’s plans on Saturday.
ME – Right, me too! Oh, I forgot. If you’re going to do the job yourself, you need to buy the materials. There’s a high demand nowadays, so your best bet is to get a bakkie and be at the hardware store by 7am before other contractors get there.
CLIENT – AT SEVEN IN THE MORNING? On Saturday? That’s too early for me. I don’t even have a bakkie!
ME – I guess you’ll have to rent one. By the way, do you have some helpers to help you load the truck?
CLIENT – You know what? I’ve been thinking. Probably is better for you to do the job. It’s better to pay you to do the job right and not having to go through all that hassle.
ME – Good thinking. Sign here and let me get to work.
This is the truth. People are not just paying for a job, they are paying for knowledge, experience, tools, time, family sacrifices, and other things you bring to the table. Don’t let anybody dictate your worth.
