A problem that I’ve run into several times during my coaching, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, is rush orders. Appraisers don’t know what to do. They’re scheduled out 4, 5, 8 weeks, and then they get a call from someone they’ve done business for for years with a rush order that needs to be done as soon as possible. They don’t want to disappoint their clients, but they also don’t have time to fit the rush order in. Here’s a little trick to help when you find yourself in this predicament:
Set time aside each week just to work on rush orders. If you don’t end up with a rush order, use that time to work on your business (remember on it not in it). If you do that, then when Sarah from the bank calls and asks you to do her a solid, instead of saying “I can’t, we’re booked for the next 8 weeks,” you can say, “Looks like I can shuffle some things around and fit you in.” My business has done this and seen a lot of success; we’ve even been able to charge twice, even three times our normal fees to accommodate these rush orders that keep coming in. In doing this, our customers are still happy because their work is getting done by someone they trust, and we’re happy because we’re able to keep the business of some of our really good customers.
Obviously, we are not in the rush order season anymore, but it will return. If, in the future, you find yourself turning down a lot of rush orders, try doing this! It has helped us to be flexible when rush orders come in, without becoming overwhelming. Schedule some time in each week for rush orders – you’ll be glad you did!
For more information on this subject, please listen to The Appraiser Coach Podcast Episode:
