General Consultant Discussion

Good evening, We are looking to add MAS90 licenses to our existing system. Please have a sales rep contact me via email with a list of the details required for quote preparation.

Reasons you probably won't make money chasing these type of inquiries (which I've seen become increasingly common). 1. It's a request for a discount (If you don't believe me try issuing a full SLP quote). 2. Under the doctrine of ""he who last touched the software owns every p;roblem for the next 10 to 14 days --- you will risk having to fix a myriad of probably unrelated issues once you slip the new keys into the system. Anyone ever change Sage product keys with a customer using enhancements and NOT hold their breath hoping one or more of the enhancements don't shut down due to serial number change? (Yea yea yea it's not supposed to --- but why chance it with a discount software deal for a user who will be unloyal) Tip: In all likelihood most of the web inquirers already have been told this but they're hoping to find someone who will quote a discount license sale AND guarantee all the work (for no extra cost). 3. There's already someone who have provided a quote - and even if you're lower the preferred provider will get last chance at beating your price. (See #1 above) 4. Once a discount customer - always a discount customer. This is more of a sure thing than my observation that customers with lousy bathrooms make lousy customers. If you enjoy negotiating your every fee - then nevermind.

I don't mind #2 (because consequences can be mitigated by disclosure and payment in advance), but the rest are spot on.

I agree - you can probably mitigate #2 with options for the pricing. Perhaps the first option is just the license and customer installs, second is license and you install but they manage any support through Sage and third is a higher level of support. On random web inquiries like this it's usually all about the discount. They have a quote either with or without a discount and they'd like you to be their (free) third bid to keep the preferred provider honest. And I'd probably add a number five - Wait time. Every time I've gone to do a remote install for a customer who I don't already have a working relationship with there seem to be a lot of back and forth in order to get me proper remote access, proper login account. Lastly Sage's partner agreement at times seems to specifically prohibit these types of transactions though it's not well enforced unless a partner makes a beef about your quote.

I've never gotten a single web inquiry that at a minimum didn't mean at least numerous others got the same inquiry and it was about being a slug fest on price. Since our rates aren't close to be what bozos in a basement charge (i.e. $125) we rarely win them