"What did you give for that?"

[Ga Mtn Man]

I'm fairly frequently asked that question or some variation of it with regards to my sawmill.  For some reason it gets my bristles up and I usually deflect the question.  I'm not sure why it bugs me to be asked :-\.  How do you guys answer a question like that?

[gspren]

  "More than I wanted to but less than it's worth"

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Tell them $300.00 and walk off.  :D

[Ga Mtn Man]

You're not too far off. ;D

[Peter Drouin]

I tell them you can have one too for $ 36,000  :D :D :D :D :D :D
That's why I can't cut for free  :D :D :D :D :D 8)

[Magicman]

 I like gspren's answer above

I once worked with a guy that would always ask;  "I know that it is none of my business, but what did you give for that?"  If you told him that he was correct that it was none of his business, he would say, "no really what did you give for that."  He was nosy and could not help asking.

Some folks are just rude and can not seem to help themselves.  I see nothing wrong with standing your ground and answering their rudeness with firmness.  Business is business.

[Warbird]

So what did you give for that?  ??? ;) ;D

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I like gspren's answer above

I once worked with a guy that would always ask;  "I know that it is none of my business, but what did you give for that?"  If you told him that he was correct that it was none of his business, he would say, "no really what did you give for that."  He was nosy and could not help asking.

Some folks are just rude and can not seem to help themselves.  I see nothing wrong with standing your ground and answering their rudeness with firmness.  Business is business.

You're getting old and cranky.  :D :D :D

[Warbird]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxibGS0JSCg

[Den Socling]

I say "cranky" too. Maybe they were just guys dreaming about buying their own mill. You know. They already have a Harley and a boat.

[thechknhwk]

I figure ya just tell 'em and that gets that "I could do this myself" thought out of their head and they just call ya back next time.

[thecfarm]

It depends too. I am asked questions at times because someone is thinking of doing or buying something like what I did. But most times that comes with 2 prices. One price that is just barely what you need to do at this time. Than the second price is for a bigger one that will be just right in 2 years because you did not think of that situation.

[Peter Drouin]

A lot of people want a mill but when they see the work it is  they just call you back, had some help tale the mill by noon there done  :D :D

[Tom the Sawyer]

I guess I'm the odd man out...  a client asks what my mill cost and I tell them the truth.  I'll tell what it sold for new, what I paid for it at 2 years old with 5 hours on it, and about what the current model sells for.  None have said I got ripped off, none have offered to buy my mill, most seem to be pleased with the value they got for the fee and none have gone out and bought a mill to compete with me.   

The truth is easy to remember and survives a challenge.     Lies are hard to keep straight and usually reveal themselves in subsequent conversations (a basic tool of investigators).  "None of your business" comes across as "I don't want to tell you the truth" and is not the way I would go with my clients.   

YMMV

[redprospector]

I adopted my Dad's sayings.
If they ask where I got it, the answer is "at the gettin' place.
If they ask what I gave for it, the answer is "a dollar four sixty".
It really is, after all, none of their business.

[terry f]

   I like your answer Tom, the truth is always easiest to remember, and its not a big deal for me. I've over paid, and I've made great deals, that's the way it goes. I can almost tell you to a person who will ask the price, its just the way they are.

[beenthere]

And the truth can very truthfully be  "none of your business"  ;)

[terry f]

   I don't know if I have ever told someone face to face that it was none of their business, even though it was none of their business, seems rude.

[Ianab]

I would probably say " Well a new one will cost you about $XXX"

What YOU paid for it isn't their business. So they don't need to know if you bought it used, or 10 years ago, or whatever. I would generally just take it as curiosity, they genuinely don't know how much a mill is worth, and they want to know?

It's not like the new value of most equipment is any sort of secret. Most times you can get prices off the internet.

Ian

[LeeB]

I have never had any qualms about telling someone what I paid, what a new one costs, or that they can find prices on a various range of options from the dealer websites. I feel like I paid a fair price for mine used or I wouldn't have bought it. If they are looking to steal it, they wouldn't be asking me a value anyway. If they want to buy it, they can make an offer. I'll take it or leave it.

[Ron Wenrich]

The problem with a "none of your business" response is that my business will also be none of your business. 

I've always liked the saying that you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.  But, I believe I've seen just as many flies around manure. 

[Cedarman]

If you want to learn how to be evasive watch Jay Carney or whoever is press secretary.  Otherwise tell the truth for new equipment.  One can always find out what something new costs from a dealer.  If you got a deal on a mill or free logs or something that you really don't want to let people know, learn to be evasive while making the other person feel comfortable.  The bottom line goal is to get as much money from their pocket into yours as possible.  Making them feel good will help.

[SawyerBrown]

I'm with the "just tell 'em" folks, at least what it costs for a new mill.  (But I agree it's none of their business if it's a used mill ...).  Customer could very well get on line and price a mill out himself (at least with Woodmizer), why not save him the trouble?  "None of your business" sounds rude, no matter how how much lipstick you try to put on the pig.  Once you start throwing around 5-figure numbers, folks I've run into realize they're gettin' a pretty good deal, and they better understand why you have to be paid for your efforts!

[Tom L]

I'm with the "just tell 'em" folks, at least what it costs for a new mill.  (But I agree it's none of their business if it's a used mill ...).  Customer could very well get on line and price a mill out himself (at least with Woodmizer), why not save him the trouble?  "None of your business" sounds rude, no matter how how much lipstick you try to put on the pig.  Once you start throwing around 5-figure numbers, folks I've run into realize they're gettin' a pretty good deal, and they better understand why you have to be paid for your efforts!

I agree, tell them what it's worth, the people around the mill tend to take better care around it if they know the worth of the equipment.

[ellmoe]

  I can truly say, "I don't remember, but a new one is about $40,000". This satisfies the curious, and deflates the "wanttobe" competition.
Mark