Is there a way to find out how many quotes/purchases a person has?
Taken my printer off the makexyz, since its large (16"X16"X9") and people ask for large builds, then never respond. Been charging the lowest price acceptable on MakeXYZ, so it's not about price or response time.
9 years, 10 months ago
Cheers!
Andy
But I've taken my printer off. After 10+ quotes and no income, I'm wonder if other large build volume people are having the same issue?
Yesterday it happened again. A guy calls, he lives a mile from me and is excited to work together, says he'll send the file right over. Then nothing.
Seems like the market place is too immature.
Forget about repeat customers.
Pardon my rant, really wondering, though.
Steve
@TJ- Thanks, May I ask how large your print bed is?
Glad to hear you followed up with the customer. Apparently 25 years working in a sales environment had some compensations! :-)
@TJ: Judging by your 1:3 conversion rate I guess my next job should be the next customer to contact me! :-D
Cheers!
AndyL
Expect this trend to continue as more affordable platforms get into the hands of non-traditional 3D printers (ie. people who don't know what open source is and couldn't assemble their printer to save their life)
Provide detailed breakdown of your quote. That'll help justify your price.
In your quote, provide the material volume and estimate time of print along with the material charge.
Separately note the setup, handling, and shipping charges (as applicable).
I must say, that it seems odd that nobody from Makexyz has jumped in here to help us/me out. This projection of the culture within the organization (lack of assistance), is disappointing.
The majority of the time they want me to make the model and print it. No matter how simple it is it still takes time to sit and make this process happen. Then they hear the price, and I always try to let them know that 3D Printing is not as easy as the media is saying it is. People come up to me all the time thinking that it is as easy as me taking a pictures of something and pressing print.
People just need to be educated a little more. Only time will do this.
I agree, it appears that we (and Makexyz) need to be part of that equation also.IMHO
Like putting prices, time and weight on demo prints.
On the tire kickers, I often get people who in their minds are probably comparing a quote to what something costs at Home Depot, a Five and Dime, or some other purveyor of high volume products. It may not have crossed their mind that they will have to pay to have a design created or that the Home Depot price is based on tens of thousands of something being made in volume vs a one off customer job.
This wont get better until people FULLY understand what we have to do to make a print happen. I think only time will do this for us. Also if "News Stations" and "3D Printer companies" stop saying that "So Easy and So Fast and So Cheap"
I just offered to do some parts for REALLY cheap, because I have nothing in the machines and it wouldnt hurt to make a couple of bucks. I get no reply....
I don't deal with perspective clients through the phones anymore. Only email now. Not worth my time to waste on someone that is just price shopping.
Once a relationship has been established then next time they have direct access via phone.
The guys that are serious are the one's that will take the time to explain to you about the part/parts for the quote in question.
I ask many questions through numerous emails before a quote. I can usually get a good feel if the person is blowing smoke or is a viable client.
On guys that want design work. I only quote based on a face to face. In the long run it saves so much time and energy. If I guy doesn't show at the agreed time then nothing is lost. He wasn't serious anyway. For all I know he could of been another printer just trolling for free info. :)
People will run you ragged if you let them. Will this attitude cause you to lose some work? It probably will, for the few small dollar parts.
But the guys that are engineers that are looking for a quick turnaround can make it all worth your while. Add to that the repeat business from these kinds of clients and you no longer care about a $20 part.
Once you get going, word of mouth will help your business to grow.
There are many guys that are desperate for work and will say anything to get the job. That's fine by me, If a real client isn't happy with fit and finish the guy may have gotten the first job but he won't get a second.
Guess, what I'm saying is you need to value yourself and your time.
This can turn into a legitimate business over time if you treat it as such. :)
The hard part is I charge mainly based on material usage and if a part if only like 5cm3 but complex as hell and I end up printing 10 of them until I feel it's ready to ship then I put all that time into something that will net me little to no money, won't even pay for the energy to run the machine for hours on end.
Thanks
Colter
Additive Solutions
That's the pits....
I try to collect at least my cost in the job up front. When it comes to design work that can be a whole other can of worms :)
I find that in a lot of online stores like this, that quite a lot of people want zero contact with a human.
Just spitballing here though!
My first responses are materials, detail and finish etc.
I think we should change this thread up from "people aren't replying back" to "Ideas on how to educate people on the cost of printing"
From reading this thread I believe and I think most of yall do as well, is that customers need to have a little more knowledge in printing BEFORE sending out quotes.Even if we have to subconsciously put it in their heads
Example: For them to send out a idea or stl they need to log in, fill out this form that has questions like resolution, color, material, print in one part, can print in multiple parts, quantity, etc. This way they see what we have to worry about,
If they dont know what something is then we can have some "?" on the end that will go into detail or show videos.
Once they have the form filled out they can save it as a name then send it to who ever they want. This form will show us everything that we need to know. Instead of a message that says "I need XXXXX Printed"
What do you guys think of that as an idea for the site?
I have a suggestion ( Ahem! )
How about having a Pricing Panel? An open public area where prospective customers can upload a design and a panel of printers, from all over, discuss the design and agree on a price bracket. If such a panel were open to the public, prospective customers would be able to see what goes on behind the quote process and understand the kind of considerations that could reduce their costs. It would also enable us to modify expectations in the longer term
What do y'all think?
How do people add on their profit at the end, Do you do it as a % of final cost or a standard price?
I'm not sure I understand what you mean Andy, I have images of a council of elders style table where customers present stl's heads bowed and then we decide their fate.
I don't think adding questionnaires is the way to solve this, I know if I was looking for a service I would choose the one with minimum hassle and lowest price, If I had to sit down and fill out a 3 page questionnaire as to what I want I'm not sure Id go for it.
Perhaps we could add a header / reminder to the messages, when someone is first contacting the printer. Something like 'Please provide details of what the part needs to accomplish, any finishing needed etc'
I know it might mess up the design of the site, but I wonder if a small survey is worth undertaking 'How much would you expect to pay for X?'
@angusgbishop...lmao about the old men at the table...I also see it in a dark dungeon with torches in the background...lol
Im down with any idea. If Nathan wants I think it would be a good idea to have some type of survey sent out to everyone customers and printers. Something that we can all vote on and possibly put more ideas into it. This way if you didnt participate then dont complain.
I think this site is awesome. I been on here for I think maybe a year or so and I have only made like $200. However, im not here to get rich. It is more of working with customers in building something for them, as well as talking to you guys.
I think we can all agree something needs to change. If anything can we at least try one idea. Possibly the easiest to do on the site. Once that is done, then after a good amount of time we can decide if it is working or not.
As I see it we just need to educate the customers before quote.
Nah. What I meant was that the prospective customer could upload a file and the "panel" could advise on such subjects as preprocessing required, most suitable printing technology, ideal orientation etc, whilst also setting a price expectation. Of course, this type of panel would be open to all kinds of abuse but most of that could be easily detected and the prospect that Nathan would come down on you like a ton of bricks should keep people sensible.
TBH, I'd have no objection to an auction-style system where customers put a job up for tender. Anything that would make it easy for me to judge whether the time and effort I put into MakeXYZ is worthwhile. Right now, that doesn't seem to be the case but it seems that the UK is slightly behind the US on the awareness curve.
Glad that I have other 3D-based strings to my bow or else I'd be destitute! LOL
So certain members could advise a prospective client without necessarily expecting money from it?
I'd be up for that.
I thought there was a job post button somewhere on the homepage.
So certain members could advise a prospective client without necessarily expecting money from it?
I'd be up for that.
I thought there was a job post button somewhere on the homepage.
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