When honesty is the best policy (even for Machiavellians): case study
I'm looking for someone to help out with email automation.
One of the tasks is to turn the current automation into a "customer jouney" that has more options and customization.
I clearly listed that as the very 1st task and objective in a short 4 bullet points.
When we had back and forth -often-, I highlighted that task as the first and most basic step I wanted.
Now check this out:
- One guy asked $60 for that task (an extra for the rest) <--- In many ways, the price was fair because knowledge has the "right" to charge. But still a lost opportunity for him, keep on reading
- One agency asked $2.000 for that task (plus a full solution including if/then clauses and A/B tests for 90 days at rather expensive rates)
- One agency proposed $4.500 for a full package (listing that task as one of the main bullet-point work)
- Other various agencies and freelances ha in-between prices or tried to get into a paid consulting call first
Now check this out:
Today I find out that there is a simple button that automatically turns the automation into a customer journey -for free-.
Not a single one of those people I contacted ever mentioned that.
Result:
Those who asked for money specifically for that 10 seconds, no-cost task are immediately out -and I'm even considering leaving a negative review for those who asked for $2.000-.
And with the other, I now feel entitled to negotiate at the most selfish and Machiavellian level I can.
This was an incredibly short-sighted approach from them all.
Seemingly Machiavellian to take advantage of my ignorance, but in actuality stupid and self-harming.
Because even if you want to be a super Mach honesty would have paid BIG time here because even if I never found out, it was an opportunity for them to stand out from the pack and self-framed as the most honest partner to work with.
As a matter of fact, the best Machiavellian would have said that first thing to gain trust.
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I very much agree with this part:
“Because even if you want to be a super Mach honesty would have paid BIG time here because even if I never found out, it was an opportunity for them to stand out from the pack and self-framed as the most honest partner to work with.“
One could probably have secured future business opportunities by a brief act of honesty, as there would have been other orders to fulfill. Unfortunately, they have ruined this for themselves through their short-sightedness and greed.
Yep, very similar case here where I was charged different rates and ended up learning how to do it myself for free.
Glad you dodged that bullet, Lucio, and happy you discovered a way forward without spending money that could've gone to other places that would benefit TPM.