1. My time. If it’s listed then I know in seconds if it’s even within my budget. Also how much of my time is spent on hold and then providing my whole story about who I am and what I need to each competitor?
2. Have I asked the correct questions or am I speaking the correct lingo? I can’t even count the number of times I have purchased the wrong thing because I didn’t know what to ask. If it's already posted then I know I haven't missed out and I just might be convinced to buy a product/service I hadn't considered before. Win, win for everyone.
3. Lastly I always get the feeling that if I am not a savvy enough negotiator I am not getting the best price. With Shaw I am at least confident that what I'm paying for my phone service, so is everyone else. Equality can not be overrated.
Face to Face Networking - If you are a business in Airdrie, the Chamber hosts something called Face to Face Networking sessions several times throughout the year for FREE! Yes Free – Even if you are not a member. If you are unfamiliar with Face to Face it’s like speed dating for businesses. You come in, you get to meet lots of other people and you get your 2 minutes with each one to do your “Elevator Pitch”. You may not get a sale from it, but it's such a great way to advertise. No cold calling, no expensive exhibitor fees and everyone walks away from the experience positive and better informed. How can you go wrong with that?!
Vehicle Decals/Graphics – BEST bang for your buck in my opinion! (As long as you are a courteous driver of course.) You pay a one-time fee to have the decals placed on your vehicle and from then it’s a non-stop advertising bill board for your company wherever you go. Try and compare that to actual bill boards, bus stop benches, newspaper ads...ect. I have yet to run across an advertising technique that will generate more marketing return on an initial investment.