Kitchen surcharge after order placement

Yes, I agree with that too? He can order the kitchen without measuring first, can't he? There are plans he can refer to, right?

According to his statement, it is probably also because if they can measure the kitchen in time beforehand, no costs will be incurred?

But you have already ordered now and the parts will be stored, right?

Exactly, it will be stored. However, our house is already built and the measurement has been done since then.

I keep wondering what the alternative would have been: To point out at every revision along with a new offer that there might be a price increase, but you don’t yet know how much exactly and when exactly?

And that, while with every (!) revision requested by the customer, the parameters can change again?

In the final offer, the timing of which was due to customer requests, there is a percentage clause with a date.

The nice thing about percentage surcharges is that they adjust to the volume. Exactly for this reason, this price increase could be included in every offer. "Offer price valid if measurement is done by XY, afterwards +4.5%, juristensprech juristensprech blabla." From a commercial perspective, a timing indication, e.g. per quarter, month, whatever, would also be smart. I don’t understand why this should be such a big problem and why so few here see this as the usual customer-friendly procedure.

I don’t understand why this should be such a big problem and why so few here see it as the usual customer-friendly procedure.

The problem might be that it is not always known what percentage is needed by when in order to keep the calculation from becoming too volatile. The crazy market has also shortened the foresight of the salespeople who calculate like crystal ball readers. If in this environment there are then 7 revisions before a final decision is made – personally, I can understand the process and do not see any customer unfriendly behavior in it. It is also possible that the fixed percentage and the deadline were only set by sales management after the last revision. I understand and support openly expressing one’s irritation as a customer and seeking a solution. Constructive suggestions have been made here for that purpose. But to immediately assume a fundamental problem in customer relations because “it simply must not be like this” strikes me as too petty.

Sorry, but that would simply be bad business practice. As mentioned, it's not about the amount. It could be 10% or 0.5% per day. The point is that you only get past it at the very end. The changes and corrections have nothing to do with it either, as they actually influence the offer price itself. The inflation surcharge is supposed to secure the period from order placement to production so that it doesn’t become too large. And that is completely legitimate! But then I communicate from the beginning how much time I allow for it (i.e., without inflation) and how much it will become more expensive afterward. Or not, but at least that I only consider myself bound to it until XY.

I have already undertaken such an effort as a customer as well as a supplier in various different areas and would never think of "collecting the money" after 2-3 planning sessions. Wow... That simply belongs to it? That's called daily bread of work?

No, that is not daily bread of work - it is a pity if you assume that from your own experience. If I cannot or do not want to meet the demands of a prospect, I do not make an offer or I simply withdraw it. Whoever does not appreciate my work in advance unfortunately cannot become my customer. As an entrepreneur, I protect my employees from such situations and give them freedom to act. In the end, as a service provider, you lose out, accept that the employees suffer and still receive ingratitude even with proper performance. Daily bread of work in well-managed companies is working together at eye level zusammen, appreciating people and shaping the future.

Sorry, but that would simply be bad business practice. As said, it’s not about the amount. It could also be 10% or 0.5% per day. It’s about the fact that you only get by with it at the very end. The changes and corrections have nothing to do with it either, because they influence the offer price itself. The price adjustment is supposed to cover the period from order placement to production, so that it doesn’t become too large. And that is completely legitimate! But then I communicate from the beginning how much time I allow for that (i.e. without price increase) and how much more expensive it will be afterwards. Or not, but at least that I only consider myself bound to it until XY.

Objection: if you come around with it right at the beginning, “it will be more expensive in x weeks, decide quickly,” the customer also doesn’t like it and feels pressured. Maybe the kitchen studio just wants to finally get this order off the table, no matter if it’s ordered now or not. Just close the file. ;)