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Does THIS go in your protfolio??? (sorry, bit of a rant)

By
Home Stager with Essential Home Staging

Ok, once again we have been "substantially under bid" on a staging project, says the REA.  Sure we are not the lowest price, and certainly don't ever want to be, but we are not the highest either.  We do however in my very humble opinion offer the most value available.

We should all feel this way right?

So, back to the property that was "substantially under bid" by another stager.  Is a good bargain always a good deal?  Do items on the bargain rack always look better than on a regular rack?  Do you purposely push your shopping cart down the "end caps" at Target to find discounted stuff that you may not really want, but hey, it was a good deal right?

I read another blog recently http://activerain.com/blogsview/614986/PORTFOLIO-PRESENTATION-ASPs-throw from Tom Scanlon about portfolio's.  I got a kick out of the three ring binder's, but that is another blog in itself.  I feel very good about our portfolio and have never staged a property that does not meet the "standards" for our protfolio.  Sooo...

HOW DOES THIS GO IN YOUR PORTFOIO?

Sorry folks, still can't get this phot on...  Still workin on it. 

The oversized mirror was left at the property (existing), the undersized table was brought in by the stager.  Why?  What room is this, living, dining, family, or great?  Is serves no purpose but I guess the price is right. Right?

The value is not. 

Everytime this happens it de-values the staging industry, especially in our market.  That I am not happy with.  Do you think this REA thinks WOW, this is going to help me sell this house?  No, they are going to think that this was an uneccesary expense, certainly not an inventment.

So the moral of this story is, if it can't go into your protfolio, please don't do it.

Joe Kaspari, Esential Home Staging, LLC

essentialstaging.com

 

Comments (13)

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Unfortunately consumers sometimes choose by price not value!

Jul 31, 2008 04:10 AM
- -
- - Bogota, TN

These things happen ... in all industries! The only thing you can do is keep on keeping on as they say. Good luck and don't let it slow you down.

Jul 31, 2008 04:15 AM
Amy Prouty
Home Staging - Keno, YN

Is it just me - why wont the pic show up? 

Jul 31, 2008 04:15 AM
Michelle & Joe Kaspari
Essential Home Staging - Sacramento, CA
Essential Home Staging, Sacramento

Amy It showed up for me, let me re-post it.  do you see it now?

Gary, It is unfortunate.  Nothing worse that buyers remorse.

Rob, We are in it to win.  These types of things although frustrating, do not define us.  There is no argueing quality:) 

Jul 31, 2008 04:35 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Michelle ~ no photo on my screen either .... please try again -- thanks!

Jul 31, 2008 05:14 AM
Connie Tebyani
Platinum Home Staging, Inc. : RESA-Pro - Calabasas, CA
Platinum Home Staging, Los Angeles and Ventura County

Nope no photo here either - but as I have put in my "things to consider when hiring a Professional Home Stager"  is this quote, very bold and bigger font:

The bitter taste of a poor job, lasts much longer than the sweet taste of the lower bid.

Jul 31, 2008 06:48 AM
Michelle & Joe Kaspari
Essential Home Staging - Sacramento, CA
Essential Home Staging, Sacramento

I guess it is so bad even the computer screen is judgmental:)  I edited this blog, although small it should work.  Sorry, but worth it.

 

Joe

Jul 31, 2008 09:29 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating

Joe ~ I can't see any pictures.

At any rate, your description alone of an oversized mirror and undersized table doesn't even sound appealing (so I don't know if I even need to see a picture!).  There are people in this world who will do everything by price, it doesn't matter about quality, longevity, etc., as long as the price is low.

Jul 31, 2008 11:26 AM
Amy Prouty
Home Staging - Keno, YN

Still no picture.  Maybe you could link to the site where it's listed.

Jul 31, 2008 11:29 AM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

HI!  I can't see any photos either-but it is really not necessary.  The matter, is we all can relate to your frustration.  This low pricing hurts our industry more than the stager who is bidding low realizes.  We have stagers in my area with their own furniture that bid jobs with "no rent for 75-90 days" so they can out bid the stagers who rent furniture.  These are the discount stagers-similar to the discount Realtors- like, Help You Sell, and their staging shows it.  They use tables that do not match, lamps that are mismatched, rattan chairs, sofas with covers, blow up mattresses...I could rant and rant!!  Believe me, in the end your staging will shine and your business will grow-continue what you are doing!!!! Don't go Back-(looking at jobs you did not get) only go Forward in the direction you want to be going!  Focus on what you have-not what you do not have to attain your goals!!!      

Jul 31, 2008 11:53 AM
Melissa Marro
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

I wish I could see the photo, but nada here either.... I have to agre with what has been said so far.  Lower price does not mean less money but equal work.  I always get frustrated when I see photos from some other local staging companies who underbid us and then do substandard work.

Jul 31, 2008 12:11 PM
Michelle Molinari
FEATURE THIS... Real Estate Staging & Interior Decor - Lafayette, LA
Feature This Real, Estate Staging & Curb Appeal Concepts

I ain't cheap.

I know that. I charge over double what my competitor charges per consultation. Am I thinking of bringing my price down?.... uh... no way.

If anything, I am raising it. Why? Because my services offer added value. I have perks no one has. And I know we are worth a lot more than we are charging, or that we can EVER charge.

We all put a price on what we do. But preserving THOUSANDS of dollars of equity, expediting the stressful selling phase, getting people where they REALLY want to be, getting their kids in the school district before school starts, getting them on to their better quality of life and family time in their new home , or closer to their commute destination... these things are WORTH SOMETHING...these are the products and benefits of our successful staging!

That is why I cannot charge a pittance, and won't. There is so much value we offer, it's unbelievable!

And my wittle ol' consultation fee is NOTHING compared to what you are signing up to receive. I'd rather be the highest and the best. Even in the face of fifty phone calls telling me my price is higher than so-and-so, I am not backing down.

They'll figure it out. In the mean time, I already have. My fee stands.

~Michelle

www.featurethisdotdotdot.com

 

 

Jul 31, 2008 12:13 PM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

I got a call from someone tonight that had a bid from a stager that quoted X amount of dollars for accessory only staging for a 3 month min.  What does that tell me?  The stager is not serious about their business, they don't carry any accessory inventory, they have to rent it (I could tell by the pricing). No stager in their right mind would charge that amount for accessories, unless they were renting them at over exaggerated prices.  Another hobbyist, underbidding and doing an injustice to the industry.

Aug 05, 2008 02:35 PM