What Price Solution?

I have been told I should blog more. Not sure why, my writing of late has lacked wit, charm or even coherence in most cases. I blame the recession, or Bush or whoever.

But here is a short list of things I would blog about if I were a better writer.

1) Lack of prices on websites - I do a lot of research for my business for things like software, services, whatever. I have noticed a tendency among a lot of places, mostly places that sell services (researching inventory management systems are what got me to thinking about this) where they do not list the price of their product (oh wait, not product, SOLUTIONS).

Anyway, when I go to a site now and do not see any pricing I automatically assume that I cannot afford the product.solution/whatever-the-hell. I would be fine living with that assumption if I didn't have to learn the hard way that places that do not list their pricing have no problem wasting your (and their) time on endless sales calls and product demonstrations that only reveal the pricing at the end.

The lack of pricing I assume is a combination of not trying to scare people away and filtering out the serious customers from the tire-kickers. Fine. But if you don't want to waste mine and your time at least tell me your basic pricing up front so I can go on my merry way without seeing how wonderful your product is. Last week a sales person called me after I filled out a web form. Our conversation went something like this.

"Before you get started with your sales pitch, could you give me an idea of what your base pricing is for your product?"

"Well, our solution really needs to be outlined before you can truly see the value of it.."

"Fine, but if I can't afford your value I don't want to waste our time."

"I don't mind, when you see the many facets and ways our solution can save you money over time and how we can tailor it to the size of your enterprise I think you will see the strength of our..."

"I don't have an enterprise, I have a business, there are all of two of us here full-time. Seriously, what's this thing cost, bottom line."

Then he gave me a number, and I thanked him and ended the call. That was fifteen minutes that neither of us will ever get back. So from now on any website that has no pricing on it will be something I avoid.

2) I took to much time on one, so two will have to wait.

Go Sharks!