| > | | | | website on some of the reverse auction websites, is |
| | | | their sales pitch as to why you should choose them. |
| These are tough economic times when we all want to | | | | Most reverse auction websites also have a rating |
| stretch our spending dollars or generate more | | | | system that tells you about the experience others |
| business. Reverse auctions can get you more | | | | have had using a given contractor. |
| competitive bids for the work you want done. As a | | | | You observe the bidding and assess who is offering |
| supplier, you can generate more business opportunities | | | | the best combination of factors — price, |
| by signing up with one or more reverse auction sites. | | | | experience, qualifications, reputation, lead time, where |
| Here you are, wondering how you're going to get the | | | | located and so on. The system will close the bidding at |
| money together to have the gutters fixed in this | | | | the date and time you specified, or, generally, you can |
| difficult economy (or get the roof fixed, or whatever it | | | | close it early if you want to. |
| is you need done). You don't want to spend more than | | | | A good reverse auction website will make sure you |
| you have to, but you need to get it done before the | | | | get several bids. First, the site will notify contractors |
| summer rains come (or whatever . . . ). And it really | | | | who have registered in the field that you need work |
| doesn't matter whether it's a down economy or a | | | | done in. Second, if there aren't enough contractors |
| rip-roaring period of economic growth — we all | | | | registered in that field, the website will search out |
| like a bargain. It's just that, at present, we're more | | | | providers in the community and invite them to bid on |
| inclined to search out good value rather than just take | | | | your project. |
| the first thing that comes along. | | | | You won't know the identity of the bidders, since the |
| As long as you're not in an immediate emergency, it's | | | | rules of the reverse auction sites are that both the |
| worth taking the time to get several bids on your | | | | customer and the bidder or provider remain |
| project. The trouble with trying to do that yourself by | | | | anonymous. This allows customers to review bids |
| phone is that each person you call is out to convince | | | | without being pressured into contacting the bidders. |
| you that they're the best and that you should sign up | | | | Generally there is a very successful outcome as long |
| with them right now. And each one has a good story | | | | as you adequately describe what is needed. |
| to tell — or they wouldn't still be in business. | | | | Both customer and supplier need to recognize that |
| So how do you get qualified bids without being subject | | | | there is a legal contract once the customer has |
| to the pressure of individual sales people? Reverse | | | | accepted a bid, and both sides are obligated to live up |
| auctions are a good way to go. There are a number | | | | to their end of the bargain. Reverse auction sites |
| of competent reverse auction sites that you can find, | | | | normally are not involved in that contract — they |
| each with its own individual characteristics, but each | | | | provide a market place for customers and suppliers to |
| basically requiring you to: | | | | work together, but do not participate in the deal, and |
| Register as a client; | | | | are not responsible for the outcome. |
| Describe your project in enough detail for a service | | | | For service providers, it's a good idea to register with |
| provider to understand what's needed and be able to | | | | one or more reverse auction sites, particularly in these |
| bid on it; | | | | difficult times. By registering in all the areas of interest |
| Decide how long you'll keep the bidding open; | | | | to you that are listed on the site, and in the location(s) |
| Post the project on the reverse auction website; | | | | that you cover, you will automatically be notified when |
| Sit back and wait for the service providers to bid. | | | | something comes up that you could bid on. And by |
| Typically, each provider will provide a quote in dollars, | | | | being able to see what others are offering, you can |
| and some description of their qualifications. The quote | | | | fine-tune your bid by emphasizing your special skills, |
| is the financial component. Their description of their | | | | experience etc. to get the best chance of winning the |
| resources, which can be enhanced by an internal | | | | job. |