I can certainly see your point on not wanting to do personal inspections/estimates on every joe schmo who calls in. My issue though is that my hearth dealers won't visit the site unless they're all but guaranteed they'll get the job. In my opinion, that's just not how it works. Let me paint a little scenario on how my business works and how I think my hearth project is paral.el in terms of service.
In real estate, I consider a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA, which determines the price at which a property should be listed) similar to a hearth dealer working up an estimate. Both need to be done on-site, at the home in question, both require some research, measurements, calculations and ultimately a report to the client. Now, when someone calls my office and says something like "I'd like to get an idea of what my house is worth...I'm not necessarily looking to sell right away, I just want to know how much it's worth and if it's enough maybe I'll list it". Then I'll maybe spend a few minutes on the phone, get a feel for what they have and shoot them a ballpark price range, obviously to be accurate at all I'll have to inspect the house first. This, to me, is like someone calling a hearth dealer and saying something like "I'd like to get a price on a fireplace, if it's cheap enough maybe I'll think about putting one in." I would expect them to spend a few minutes on the phone, explain an option or two and shoot a ballpark price out...simple.
Now, if someone calls my office and says something like "I've decided to sell my house, I have two other Realtors coming out to give me a CMA and I'd like you to do the same". Rest assured my friend, I'm on my way to that house. That's pretty much where I am with these hearth dealers, I've been to each of the showrooms (where they don't have the units I'm considering on display) multiple times, explained that I AM going to install a new fireplace within the next month, I have it narrowed down to maybe 3 fireplaces I'm considering and I'd like to get a firm price nailed down and make sure the unit I like will install correctly in my space.
Now, with the parallels I've drawn, that would be like me saying "OK, here's a rough price to list your house at, but it could vary one way or the other based on the condition of the house, what's included in the sale, etc. Here, sign this listing agreement and once I'm sure you're doing business with me, I'll come out, inspect the house and let you know exactly what your pricing will be." Maybe it's just me, but that's not the way I roll...I feel that (especially in this kind of economy) I, as a businessperson have to EARN my clients' business...these hearth jokers are just the opposite, they know there's no real alternative so they're a little independent for my likes.
