How do you follow up with Generals

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4x4

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after a bid? I am trying to figure out a good way to word a short letter to fax to them after a bid. I like to know where we were at compared to others & when possible what companies we were bidding against. What do yall do?
 
Just call them up and talk.
You probably won't get much response from a letter.
I have found most GCs to be pretty talkative if you make an effort with personal contact.
Not only that, but it will give you an opportunity to find out about other projects that they may have on the books.
More than once when I have called, I've ended up with some work from them and some good leads on other projects.
Show them that you are interested and let them know what you can do for them.
 
480sparky said:
Reach out and touch someone.

If they don't answer your call after 20-30 messages, you can bet the answer is 'no'.
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LOL you think!!!

Oh believe me I have been doing but just wondered if there was a better way than what I was doing.
 
4x4 said:
after a bid? I am trying to figure out a good way to word a short letter to fax to them after a bid. I like to know where we were at compared to others & when possible what companies we were bidding against. What do yall do?
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Dear GC, please let me know how i compared to the other bidders, I am so hungry for work I would willling too go a low a I can, even loose money just to have work, he can't tell you who you were bidding against, because he lost likely, made up the other bidders, and their bids.
 
dezwitinc said:
Dear Satcom.
You must have been burned badly in the past to be so cynical.
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You can call it cynical, I call it many years of actual experience dealing with CG's
 
Dear Satcom,

However, if you lower your price to 10% below the lowest bidder, than I have 1500 other jobs that I will take your square foot price for and GIVE you the jobs.

Sincerely,
Mr. GC
 
satcom said:
You can call it cynical, I call it many years of actual experience dealing with CG's
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I've also had plenty of GCs who don't take 10 seconds out of their busy day to have the common courtesy to call me and tell me I'm $50 higher than Hack Electric. But GCs and builders should at least call me up and let me know. Tell me to go to hell, drop dead, go f--- myself, I don't care. But at least tell me.

I remember calling one builder and leaving a message so many times I feared he would have me arrested for harassment.

These days, I submit a bid. It has a 30-day expiration date on it. If they call me, fine. If not, I have other work to do.
 
That friendly call to the GC is important, and although I say I don't do sales, that is part of sales.

It helps to call the GC's estimator a few times before the bid to build a bit of a rapport, then its not a cold call after the bid and this guy has no clue who you are.

Be helpful, and positive and even if you don't get the job keep in mind you may be bidding this guy again so keep it friendly.

I have known some of the big GC estimators for many years, and you have to keep in mind they move around and even move up sometimes and it helps if they know who you are and that you are easy to work with.
 
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