Eliminating fuel charges
When gasoline prices climbed over $4 per gallon last year, many services companies passed the price increases on to customers.
In a recent poll, Angie's List found that of those companies that increased prices last year, 15 percent have removed fuel charges. Another 15 percent have lowered their prices. Half of those who lowered their prices made sure to let their customers know about it.
- Make sure your customers know what they're paying for: Giving them itemized charges will help avoid bill-related questions.
- Don't confuse the customers: If you're charging a trip fee just for the estimate, be clear about it, and let them know if that cost will be taken off the final bill.
Be fuel smart: If you have more than one customer in any particular neighborhood, see if you can coordinate service calls to cut down on your fuel costs and minimize the pass-through.