Source
r/sales•
simodeema

Potential customer went with a competitor because it was cheaper. Now, 3 months later, their new website still isn't online. Should I contact them?

Advice

Hi all,

So mid February, I sent a proposal for a website revamp to a customer who ended up going with a competitor because it was "considerably less".

My proposal included a production calendar with a D+40 delivery date, and that included a safety margin. We are now 3 months later, and I regularly check their website, nothing is online yet.

  1. Should I try to get them back or just forget about it? Note that I am not in a position to refuse clients, but then again, I am not willing to undersell myself.
  2. If so, how should I go about it?

Thanks!

Posted May 15, 2017, 10:48 PM UTC · edited

1112
Stizinky•

Why the hell not, you have nothing to lose. Perfect way to say "I told you so" without actually muttering the words.

21
FunAsHeckBDR•

Yeah but then you get the "It's been a disaster I'll tell you. We should have gone with your company! Oh well. Thanks bye"

4
Stizinky•

Yes, perfect opportunity for the tip of the spear. Offer some suggestions on what you could have done differently to meet their launch date, just enough to demonstrate why you're worth the higher price tag. Foster that relationship based on value. Once they've had enough bs with the current vendor, there you are to swoop in.

Just the tip, just to see how it feels.

11
[deleted]•

[deleted]

6
FatUglyPimp•

How would you do it then. Genuinely interested.

2
simodeemaOP•

Thank you for that comment! It actually made me realize I place myself in companies' friend zone way too often, never realized something like this existed, but I can see the analogy now! :)

2
itsakoala•

Hi x I just wanted to see how things are going with Competitor? I noticed your website isn't up yet...

10
RasAlTimmeh•

Should you contact them? Lol fuck yes you should contact them

6
jerzeyboy68•

Yes but don't be snarky or condescending. Call with some developing info in the market or about a competitor of theirs and casually inquire how things are going. After you hear things aren't well offer your sympathies and ask if they had any performance metrics in their contract. If so they should be able to get out of the contract for poor perfidy. If not they are stuck. Do NOT offer a discount or any free advice at this point. Good selling!

3
Wannabe2good•

call and offer to help them overcome any delays

3
sammmuel•

I'd wait another 3 months to be honest. My experience in selling web development is that clients will usually take their sweet ass time when you need stuff from them and push back the project because this or that that they need to focus on. Except for template cookie-cutter stuff, I don't think we have projects that lasts less than 6 months due to that.

I'd add that a lot of my experience with failed projects is that the company will still stick to their gun since the penalty is not worth it. It gets expensive to ditch one and switch to the other and restart. There is a point at which a company won't invest further in a project. That being said, I have had good results calling a year later when new budgets are out.

1
5_on_the_floor•

Yes. Even if you don't get the sale now, you are maintaining your position as next when they do make a change. Or, you never know when they may need other services, start a sister company, or have a referral.

1
iscsisoundsdirtyTechnology•

One mindset you NEED to have in sales - "You can't lose what you don't have"

I see little to now downside in reaching out (other than them thinking that you are gloating).

1