Consultation fees: To charge or not to charge?

[DTS]

Fees

Bart,

No consultation fee for the promise of new clients, but have changed my "no charge" way of doing business to getting paid for my "extra time" fees.

I just had this conversation with a friend a couple weeks ago. After a 3-week stretch of doing this or that for clients, taking up hours of my precious time. Like you, I looked in my wallet and there was $0 from all this work that I try to do as a "service" for my clients.

After a very exasperating day, I started to set fees, high fees for my "extra" work. I talked to a friend who has a fantastic way of wording things to clients in situations like this. My friend suggested I say something to the client like, "let me take a look for you and if I can take care of this for you in 10-15 minutes, I won't charge you". I thought this was an excellent way of putting this to the clients who expect us to do this extra work for nothing (I have a problem with "social skills" when talking to people! A little too short and to the point, I guess).

Of course, no one's called since I set my fee schedule, until an hour ago, so I will try it out on them.

Dennis

[Larmil]

I

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First guy: Can you draw up a will? How 'bout a purchasing agreement? (I can, but I won't. People are too picky and ticky about their "legal stuff." Besides, I worry bout "practicing law" complaints).
Second guy: I've been charging sales tax on my horse feed sales for the last two years. Should I? (Now he asks me. Unsure; say I'll call Little Rock, find out, and get back to him).
Third guy: This is my grandfather's railroad pocket watch. How do ya like it? (Fine, just fine -- required admiration/discussion time -- 30 minutes).
Third guy -- rerun: These 1925 pictures are of my mother's family. See anybody you know? (No.)
Fourth guy: I need a copy of '06. I know it's probably in a drawer somewhere in the house, but I'd have to look through all of 'em and I knew you'd have it handy. (Yes, of course; why should you be inconvenienced?)
----- The sum total fees collected for all this junk was zero.

<portion deleted>

.

First guy - I would just say no.

Second guy - I would give him the phone number.

Third guy - I have a multi person office who look out for each other in these cases. I would suddenly get a very important phone call that I would have to take.

Fourth guy - I charge a $10.00 fee (with exceptions).


Larmil

[Black Bart]

Misery loves company,

[QUOTE=WhiteOleander

...a few clients that...come in for advice...is a social visit...One even brought us a pie.[/QUOTE]

so I'm sending my railroad watch guy to you. What kind of pie? I've got one that brings us about five-ten pounds of frozen catfish every year (if he doesn't owe more than $75 tax).

[WhiteOleander]

We charge for copies. Especially if they say they're too lazy to look for it. But, if someone calls and is trying to get a medical bill reduced because of low income or something like that, we will waive the fee.

When we tell them they received a copy when it was originally done, they usually say that it is in storage. I have come to the conclusion that if everyone that says that was telling the truth, there would be nothing in this town for miles and miles except "You Store It" places.

We have a few clients that are just lonely and an excuse to come in for advice is a social visit for them. One even brought us a pie.

[Black Bart]

I swear if I wasn't already over-the-hill, I'd sign up for law school (dang business degrees are worth exactly zero around this burg). Those guys make more money accidentally than I do on purpose. Attorney friend tells me he charges $15 for anything-to-15 minutes, next $35, and then goes on up when it become "serious" time (30 minutes and over).

I surely need somethin'. My rogue's gallery clientele experience yesterday is pretty typical/pitiful.

First guy: Can you draw up a will? How 'bout a purchasing agreement? (I can, but I won't. People are too picky and ticky about their "legal stuff." Besides, I worry bout "practicing law" complaints).
Second guy: I've been charging sales tax on my horse feed sales for the last two years. Should I? (Now he asks me. Unsure; say I'll call Little Rock, find out, and get back to him).
Third guy: This is my grandfather's railroad pocket watch. How do ya like it? (Fine, just fine -- required admiration/discussion time -- 30 minutes).
Third guy -- rerun: These 1925 pictures are of my mother's family. See anybody you know? (No.)
Fourth guy: I need a copy of '06. I know it's probably in a drawer somewhere in the house, but I'd have to look through all of 'em and I knew you'd have it handy. (Yes, of course; why should you be inconvenienced?)
----- The sum total fees collected for all this junk was zero.

Anyway, I've put up and taken down signs (THERE IS A CONSULTATION FEE) over the years according to my whim, but it's always lots of trouble charging my "spoiled" clientele from whom I'm used to hearin' (if they're the generous type) "What do I owe you" and they're used to hearin' "Aw, nothin" (yes, yes, I know -- I deserve your scorn for this shamefully soft approach to a business situation). So, a consulting sea change is comin' up. I highly resolve that my current deplorable situation shall cease, desist, and perish from the earth. Startin' right away, I'm chargin' a staggered and staggering (for this neck of the woods) fee structure of whatever the goin' rate is accordin' to y'all and the following poll results.