Advertising Feature: Why Does Pinnacle PAC Offer Free Initial Consultations?
By Pinnacle PAC
Many professional firms offer “free initial consultations” to the public as an enticement to get customers in the door. It’s part of their promotional strategy to attract new customers.
Pinnacle PAC offers free initial consultations for a few other reasons.
First, we want to get to know our prospective customers. We view the relationship between a customer and a professional advisor as a long-term commitment by both parties; sort of like a marriage. Both parties need to understand if a long-term relationship is really right. Do both parties share similar values? Do they even like each other?
Second, we don’t charge for initial consultations because we don’t know how much to charge each customer for work that we might be engaged to perform. We don’t follow the traditional model of billing by the hour after the work is done because that model places all of the pricing risk on the customer. And we believe that customers want to pay for our knowledge and for specific results, not for “hours” or inputs. Our customers appreciate that our pricing is done up front and is based on the value we bring, not on the number of hours we spend doing something. Our initial free consultations are designed to get a clear understanding of the scope of each customer’s requirements so we can determine what value we can offer. We believe that any professional that can’t scope your work and price up front has no business doing that work. You wouldn’t hire a contractor without an estimate…professional services are no different.
Third, many people just need a little advice about some minor tax matter. We love to give advice. It lets us prove how smart we are. But just because someone needs a bit of advice doesn’t mean they need a long term relationship with a professional accountant. They only need some assurance that they are on the right path. Then they need a tax preparation service to carry out their instructions, not an expensive professional accountant. This is often a much more cost-effective solution for the customer.
If a professional firm can’t add value to your business, they shouldn’t accept you as a customer. Conversely, why would you engage a professional who can’t bring value to your business?
Initial meetings are our capital investment in a long-term relationship and an opportunity to show you the value we can bring.
Call one of our professionals. It doesn’t cost a thing.
We can be reached at 250-365-3631.
