Gas Surcharge?

[GGWSR]

Hi...recently i had a discussion about adding a gas surcharge fee of $5.00 per job. I'm wondering what some of you may think of this, and if any of you are doing so, with gas prices as they are.

[cazador]

$5.00 buys prox. 2 gallons of gas , when you get with your truck let's assume 18 miles per gallon , you can cover 36 miles . What about if the client lives just around the corner , how would you explain the surcharge to him ? Because you will be questioned about the surcharge ! Most effective way is to raise your fee $5.00 and than you don't have to go into any explaining . Don't make life tougher than it already is , keep it as simple as possible ! To make a long story short , I don't think it will slide !

[GlassStarz]

yup lets piss em off by charging a GAS sur charge why not just raise your prices? if you are not making enough per call its time to charge more. Telling a customer he is paying a GAS related charge is just asking for bad feelings tell the same customer your prices have gone up $5 because you have been charging the same price for years you didnt want to do it because of inflation he understands.

[GGWSR]

Obviously it would not be done to "piss em off"... feedback was asked for...not a jump...as mentioned it was something discussed and the group I was with thought in this area anyway "surcharge" would be a better way to "put" it...common knowledge is that alot of business' are adding the charge...thanks tho...

[splitpit]

A $5.00 gas surcharge per invoice outside of a 20 mile radius of my base is exactly what I charge and it hasn't pissed off a single customer! People understand that fuel prices are a huge issue these days as they are well aware of their own fuel related increased expense. I've even had customers say, "$5.00? That's all?". That minor charge spread over a day's worth of invoices does nothing more than cover the cost of fuel. It's not a way to earn more money.

People can relate to why it is necessary. RAISING prices in a time when everything else is going up is more likely going to piss someone off than a gas surcharge.

Like I said, I've been doing it for months without a single complaint or a single lost job. I tell them in advance and they all seem to understand. I also give them the option of bringing it to me to avoid that charge. So far 100% have said, "come to me. I'll gladly pay such a minimal fuel charge!".

It doesn't complicate things or make people feel like they are being taken advantage of.

Heck, call a plumber, a heat & air guy, an electrician, or any other service related business and see what you get charged for just the service call alone.

People are not stupid. They understand and it doesn't piss them off.

[cazador]

Just tack $ 5.00 onto your repair charge and hush .
All that explaining about plumbers , airconditioning people asf , you leave behind this way.
When I had my A/C business, always charged straight fees, no such thing as surcharges or what ever to cover an extra income for expenses, that's part of doing business , keep it clear for the customer , no low balling as in the car business !
That's my message , get on with the business you have choosen , or when you can't hack it, get out and work straight hours from 8 till 5 for a boss. !!

[GGWSR]

Missed my point big mouth...listen I did not ask again, for a smart comment from someone maybe not so...just feedback...enjoy the day

[splitpit]

GGWSR, I was replying to your question. I don't give a big fat rat's AZZ what cazador's opinion is! The fuel surcharge works great for me and seems to be just fine with my customers.

I don't need someone telling me to "hush" when my way works great for me!
Who the hell made cazador the authority on repair business anyway?

GGWSR asked a simple question. I answered it with an explanation of what works well for me.

It's not a matter of low balling or deceiving the customer. Almost every type of mobile service industry has adjusted for fuel costs. If they haven't, then they're screwing themselves.

If rasing your price works for you, then rasie your price! But don't be a flipping arrgant critic to those who choose to explain it as what it is...a fuel expense!

My customers are 100% satisfied. That's what matters to me.

[splitpit]

Oh, by the way caz....I work 8, 10 and occasionally 12 hours a day and Saturdays for a boss....myself.....because I choose to and because the demand for my service keeps me busy. That's what I call "getting on with the business I have chosen!" And the money keeps rolling in as a result, including the fuel surcharge!! LOL

[GlassStarz]

wasnt trying to be smart was making a point this is not a repair buisness its a sales buisiness with the product being WR some things piss a customer off that dont bother the next guy the goal is to come up with a way that amkes as many happy as possible a guy who has been a success in sales for 25 yrs always the number 1 guy with the most follow customers tells you that the method may upset some people and gives you advice based on his years of expetise isnt being a smart ass just trying to help