Sometimes I feel kind of sorry for rich people.
Really, I do. I don’t know how many times I’ve been told how some contractors charge them more just because they know this client is wealthy. Sadly, I know this is true because I’ve actually heard service providers and other contractor types talk about how they DO charge more to some people just because they have a lot of money.
Seriously? I was stunned. And appalled. Seriously.
When I go shopping, I never see two price tags on items: Rich People Price and Poor People Price, do you? Whether I walk into Walmart or Nordstrom, I am not directed to a certain part of the store designated for my income group. And I don’t remember ever filling out an income statement before getting a price quote for landscaping or tree trimming services.
How could it ever be considered ethical to set prices higher for some consumers for no other reason than their net worth? Is the size of a family paycheck the determining factor for the cost of a gallon of milk or a bottle of wine? I can tell you, I’d be pretty upset if I found out that my auto mechanic or massage therapist had one price for middle class customers and a lower price for someone else making minimum wage. That kind of discriminatory judgment is for someone above my pay grade, or a government agency.
I am proud to say that I have made it to the middle class. Although I grew up poor, and my family was grateful for welfare support when I was a kid, that wasn’t the life I wanted as an adult. It’s taken a LOT of hard work and dedication, but I’m pleased to say I’ve been happily taking care of myself (and my family) for many years. I’m lucky to live in a country that can lend a hand to the needy for a time, but that’s not what this is about. This is not about politics, or charity.
This is about is fairness, pure and simple.
Fair
adjective, fairer, fairest.
- free from bias, dishonesty, or injustice: a fair decision; a fair judge.
Many of my readers are a lot like me. I am nowhere near rich, but I would be pretty ticked off if I found out that a contractor thought I should pay more for the same service just because I worked hard to make a good living, and have been a good steward of my financial gifts.
Here’s how I figure out the price that I am going to charge for a project. I have a detailed written formula that accounts for my costs. It includes the materials I use; adds my anticipated labor charge; it accounts for all of my overhead, and a reasonable margin for profit. All I have to do is put in all the particulars for the specific job and BOOM! The number is at the bottom of the page no matter whose name is at the top! That formula is the same for my celebrity clients as it is for anyone else entrusting us with their outdoor lighting project.
NightScenes is fortunate to have a wide range of clients: from multi-millionaire rock stars to retired teachers – and there is no way I could honestly bring myself to charge a different rate to any of them. The cost is the same for the fixtures, wire and labor, so padding a client’s tab just because I think they can afford to pay more would be nothing less than stealing, as far as I’m concerned.
So, those people out there who think it’s just fine to take more from some just because they have it, should sit back and think about how it might feel to be on the receiving end of the “rich people price.” According to that distorted logic, most of us should pay more for a cheeseburger than the next guy, because there is most assuredly always someone in the world who has less than you do.
If you are looking for a fair price from a landscape lighting company with integrity, contact us here. Remember that we proudly serve the entire greater Austin and Texas Hill Country area.
