I recently moved. It was my 11th move since 1999. Many people seem to be averse to change. Obviously, I do not suffer from that affliction.
In the process of choosing a moving company, I was faced with myriad choices of services and costs. Everyone gave me an estimate and a story. Some folks were on time for their appointments, others were not. Some returned my calls. Some didn’t. Some gave me complete estimates on official looking forms. Some hand wrote theirs on a wrinkled piece of paper (not joking).
After 11 moves with 7 different companies, one thing stands as fact. Getting everything in writing does not solve every issue that you may come up against, but it sure does limit the amount of problems you will face.
A long time ago, a good attorney friend of mine told me that “a contract is only as good as the two people that signed it.” I have found this always to be true.
The bottom line in picking any service provider is this: Do you like them? Do you trust them? Most importantly…..Do they listen?
Inevitably, you will have an issue during the course of your relationship with anyone. The object is to deal with someone that responds quickly to your needs and efficiently works with you to rectify any issues that arise.
Which brings me to today’s subject. Spreadsheets.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could reduce all of life’s decisions to a spreadsheet?
We could just list all of our marriage prospects on a spreadsheet, give weighted numerical scores to each category – Cooking +9! Communication -2 🙁
Using this method, we could find everything from a wife to a landscaper in minutes.
I’m sure at this point you can see the disadvantages.
Spreadsheets leave out the most important information when it comes to choosing a person to do business with. They do not measure care, integrity, experience, competence, organizational skills or problem solving ability.
All they do is give the user a false sense of security.
When you use a spreadsheet, you don’t give the service provider an opportunity to give you their presentation. You try to boil down a choice to a few rules that you have established. You try to control the process. It always backfires. It has to.
The spreadsheet will always bring you to the lowest price quote. The lowest price quote is always attached to less experience, less performance, less listening, less care and less work. It has to be. You don’t have to take my word for it. Just take this simple quiz in your head.
When does a BMW ever cost less than a KIA?
When does a new artist ever get more for a painting that a Picasso might fetch?
When does Motel 6 ever cost more than the Ritz Carlton?
You catch my drift?
Don’t confuse what I am saying. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Motel 6. If you are looking for a quick overnight place to sleep, no frills, not much money, then Motel 6 may be your place. But if you are looking to go on vacation with your family for a week, require a great location, a pool, a nice restaurant, big comfy bed and a massage……Well, Motel 6 is probably not going to cut it.
You could put all of the choices on a spreadsheet and check off all of the required items, pick the lowest price and still be very disappointed. Your spreadsheet doesn’t and can’t include attitude, helpfulness, and room condition upon arrival.
Check into a room that doesn’t smell right, isn’t clean or has a view of the factory behind the hotel and you’ll be wishing for a helpful person. Even more, you would pay a large premium if someone would just come and make your vacation right.
Paying more does not guarantee a better experience. However, paying the least often guarantees mediocrity at best.
So whether you are shopping for a house, a mortgage, an investment advisor or a car, remember the most important things. Does your advisor listen? Do you get the sense that they care? Do they return your calls promptly? Are they organized?
Are they on time? Do their other customers rave about their service?
If you say yes to all of the above about your advisor, pay him what he asks. It will be worth it. If you find two people like that? Well, then you can bust out your spreadsheet.
My favorite Italian deli has a sign behind the counter that reads: “A good mozzerella is remembered long after price is forgotten.” Truer words have never been spoken.
With Love and Gratitude to you.
Dino
