Need advice on turning clients down please.

Robert Young's picture

Hi, some industry advice please.

Does this explanation sound nice enough or how would you modify it? :

"Good Morning, thank you for your interest in our digitizing services but at this time we are not accepting new clients. We are simply swamped and have chosen to concentrate on our existing clients to make sure we are available for their orders during this holiday rush season. I know this sounds weird and hope you understand. (bird in the hand is worth two in the bush type thing) If we could do both and provide the service then we would. sorry. Robert"

Location: 
United States

Modern Embroidery Designer
volant-tech.com
volantfineart.com

Robert Young's picture

Lee's Custom Tees wrote:
I would modify that.

"Thank you for your interest in our digitizing services. Unfortunately, we are unable to take on new orders due to currently scheduled work until after the Holiday season. Timely service and customer satisfaction are important to us so please check back in January and we will do what we can to provide you with your needs. Happy Holidays!"

Thanks for the input, this is why I asked! I am not sure about the "currently Scheduled work" part though as all our designs are usually same or next day service. So the farthest out we can project is really Tomorrow! But what I can do is use data from previous years and the current quarter to safely say the work will definitely be there baring some economic event in the US. Does this make sense?

Modern Embroidery Designer
volant-tech.com
volantfineart.com

Yea I couldn't think of a better way to phrase it haha so that is just what I went with.

It 100% makes sense to use prior years sales as a basis of what to expect from the owners aspect The customer, unfortunately, likely isn't concerned with anything but what they want so it becomes about making them still feel satisfied that they were treated properly to ensure their return is all.

God speed with it either way. No matter what you do, someone will throw a tantrum. I have worked in retail too long to think that won't happen haha

Keep it simple. You don't need to explain why you are not accepting new clients, just that you aren't.

"
Thank you for your interest in our digitizing services.

I am sorry but we are not currently accepting new clients.

Sincerely,
Me
"

I would leave out that last two sentences and add "Timely service is important to us. Please keep us in mind and check back with us in January if we can still be of assistance." Just my two cents worth, Robert.
JIM

I would modify that. It sounds to me as you are denying work assuming you will have more which goes right into counting chicks before the eggs hatch. If I was a new customer, this would likely turn me right into looking for alternative services. Sorry for being blunt, but time is money.

"Thank you for your interest in our digitizing services. Unfortunately, we are unable to take on new orders due to currently scheduled work until after the Holiday season. Timely service and customer satisfaction are important to us so please check back in January and we will do what we can to provide you with your needs. Happy Holidays!"