The shift in how customers talk to me since I put my license on the wall

I hung my electrical contractor license in the front of my shop about 2 years ago. Before that people would argue with me about pricing and try to haggle on materials. Now they just nod and pay what I quote. Had a guy last Tuesday who used to question every line item, came in for a panel swap and didn't even blink at the $2,800 estimate. Anyone else see a difference once you put credentials out front?

3 comments

3 Comments

rowanellis26d ago

But @kevin_dixon, isn't it possible the license just gives people more confidence in your work right away?

reesemiller12d ago

OH man, this reminds me of when I tried to get my brother to switch to a different brand of power tools because I was SURE they were better. I told him for YEARS, showed him reviews, even gave him one for Christmas. Nothing. Then one day his old drill finally died mid-project and he just walked into the store and bought the exact brand I'd been pushing. No announcement, no "you were right," just a text with a picture of the box. He never even mentioned my advice. People's decisions are WEIRD like that. Sometimes the timing or their own frustration lining up is a bigger factor than any argument or piece of paper. Kevin's probably right that a lot of stuff like this is just good luck or a coincedence.

kevin_dixon26d ago

Skeptical, sure. A guy who used to argue over line items suddenly paying $2,800 without a word sounds less like a license on the wall and more like he finally got a real competing quote and realized you were the better deal. People change their minds for all sorts of reasons, and a piece of paper doesn't flip a switch in their brain like that. Could just be luck or a coincidence you're chalking up to the license.