Dealers shopping dealers

My phone rings today and my caller ID shows "Gladhill Furn", tel 301-371-6900. hmmmm.....The lady on the phone pretends to be a customer and wants to get a price on a sofa in a particular model. Having my computer right in front of me, I key in the phone number in GOOGLE and go right to their website while she's talking, and yes - I see they are a dealer for the line she is making an inquiry on, located in Middletown, Maryland.

Price check!

I didn't call her back yet (she gave me another phone number). Should I quote high or low? Maybe $ 300 below dealer cost? Or should I have it double the regular retail? heh.

She needs to call from her cell phone next time......

This happens to me all of the time & it is always awkward.
I am a photographer & I often receive calls from other photographers posing as potential clients seeking pricing info. My case is different from yours since I don't sell merchandise that comes from a national manufacturer - my product is my creation & art so the pricing is somewhat subjective. In my case, I just tell them the facts (sitting fee & print prices). Sorry, I realize this does NOT help in your case but I do understand your situation somewhat.

I think you should say "what is your price there at gladwil?" LOL

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Originally Posted by debbimc

I think you should say "what is your price there at gladwil?" LOL

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LOL yup that is exactly what I would say.

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Originally Posted by debbimc

I think you should say "what is your price there at gladwil?" LOL

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Oooh..that's good. I like it.

Not sure how to answer that one....

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Originally Posted by drcollie

Oooh..that's good. I like it.

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I wouldn't let on that I knew. I'd just determine a price that meets your objectives and reply with that. It's just business afterall.

Duane, remember your thread a little while ago about using your price quotes to price match other dealers? This could be the the case here. Someone took your price quote into the store to try a price match and the store (if they're responsible) simply phoned you to confirm the price. What was her tone like? Was she all business like and just asked for a price quote or did she try to sound like an actual customer?

Most likely that was it, just a verification of a price to match. No biggie, but I was smack in the middle of doing my year-end FUTA and W-2's, and it was just a nuisance call, and it does take 10 minutes of my day to play her game. Yes, she sounded like a bondafide customer, only the caller ID tripped her up.