Spinoff- Why don't farriers have price lists?

[Dirty Little Secret]

Why don't farrier's have price lists? I have NEVER seen one! In all of my time with many different farriers I've never had a farrier show me what the charge is for each specific service. Sometimes I wonder if they have you show up, look at your horse and the truck you're driving then decide. I know that each job is different but maybe then you make more money on some jobs than others and break even in the end.
As a community of horse people I think we under estimate our power as consumers. If we want change we have to demand it.

[jn4jenny]

Um...mine does have a price list. He consults it every time he writes up my bill.

[Auventera Two]

I'm a trimmer, but I have a price list that I follow. It's on my website too.

Forgot to say - I charge a trip fee but it varies depending on mileage. Trip fee is either 5 or 10 dollars, or an agreed upon price due to mileage. One lady pays a hell of a trip fee because I drive 2 hours, 15 minutes one way to do her horses, but she's happy to pay it and always offers to pay more.

[theoldgreymare]

Mine does. Have you ever asked your farrier for one?

[Ghazzu]

Maybe because it's difficult to politely phrase "pain in the butt horse and/or owner surcharge".

[EqTrainer]

Maybe because it's difficult to politely phrase "pain in the butt horse and/or owner surcharge".


:yes: But even so, my old farrier had a note for "difficult horse/client" on his bills and while I never saw him use it, I am sure it was there for a reason... :lol:
---

As far as consumerism and farriers.. I'd just forget about that. Your relationship w/your farrier is about as far as consumer as it could be, usually. Never forget that they can fire you, too ;)

[mroades]

Mine does...and gives 30 days notice when he is going up too

[TinkerBells]

Mine does!

[lolalola]

I've been using the same farrier for 20 years, and he doesn't charge me or any of his old, faithful clients as much as the new ones. He recently upped my fee, but it's still less than the other farriers who come to my boarding barn charge, and it was the first time in about five years that he raised the price. I recommended him to several of my friends, and was really surprised when they told me how much he charged them - he's on the very expensive side for new customers. But he is good. I think he also has a PITA surcharge for some people.

[dressagetraks]

My farrier has a price list and also itemizes every single bill.

[Evalee Hunter]

Maybe because it's difficult to politely phrase "pain in the butt horse and/or owner surcharge".

That's schedule BR in tax lingo - schedule BRAT for the client who brought a BRAT with them to the tax preparation appointment.

[katarine]

Mine doesn't that I know of, but I know what he charges. When he went up after diesel went up, it was reasonable and he apologized and I said don't apologize for diesel, and wrote the check.

If you get high and mighty on him, and fire him in a nasty way, then tuck tail and rehire, the price goes up :) 4 shoes here is 85 I think, four shoes for PITA, 125.

[TikiSoo]

Maybe because it's difficult to politely phrase "pain in the butt horse and/or owner surcharge".

In my business (antique restoration) I have the "golden chain" cost: I quote them double my usual price if it's a man wearing gold chains, necklace or worse, bracelet. If the guy is an antique car collector: triple.

This came about after noticing guys that fall in these catagories are never satisfied with the finished product and I'm going to have to do it again, all at no charge of course!;)

[JHUshoer20]

Maybe because it's difficult to politely phrase "pain in the butt horse and/or owner surcharge".
PITA tax! Yes, excellent point:yes:

In my business (antique restoration) I have the "golden chain" cost: I quote them double my usual price if it's a man wearing gold chains, necklace or worse, bracelet. If the guy is an antique car collector: triple.

This came about after noticing guys that fall in these catagories are never satisfied with the finished product and I'm going to have to do it again, all at no charge of course!;)
I like it! Another one after my own heart:lol:
George

[Sansena]

My old one did, as does my new one. Current guy invoices by check list, so to speak. He's got a pre-printed form with columns outlining trim, trim w/hinds, reset/ trim, caulks, pads, borium, etc. He ticks off the service he provides and bills me accoringly.

[enjoytheride]

My farrier has a price list and a bad horse price.

[Dalemma]

My farrier has a list of services and his prices in the back of his truck where he keeps his anvil you can see if when he opens his back canopy door.

His prices are for well behaved horses. If you want him to train your horse to stand for shoeing than that is extra.........but generally he will not shoe horses that misbehave as he as full rooster.....but their are exceptions........for example by barn has 7 horses for him every 8 weeks and I have one difficult mare in the bunch that he shoes.......but in the scheme of things she is not really that bad.

Dalemma