 In a word: No.
For purposes of this discussion let's define what a cheapskate is. The nice
version "unreasonably frugal person" or "a person who is reluctant to spend money", the not so nice version is "miserly" or "scungy".
The PC version would most likely say that
"some people by their very nature are highly cash conscious and very
conservative in their spending habits and look for the cheapest spend for every
purchase they make."
Are
you looking for a transaction or a relationship?
If it's a transaction then the cheapskate
will be checking out every alternative offering that they can find. They will
have spent a considerable time assessing the one thing that matters ... price. Having
got the best price they will then consider features. Value ... in most cases will
not even register.
So if you are into discounting, price
gouging, lots of advertising and numbers through the door then cheapskates will
fit into your model.
If you are looking to develop a
relationship then your communication will sort these people out of the system
before they contact you.
When you ask cheapskates a question such as
... "when you use this tool, product or information what would be the sort of
outcome you would like?" Their answer is ... "I'd like to spend as little as
possible"
But won't those frugal customers help me "stretch" my product in the right
direction?
Maybe - but probably not.
Essentially there are two ways people
stretch us as small business owners
Service
Stretching - We get stretched as we are asked for greater support, training,
customisation and hand holding.
Product
Stretching - Is where your customers are pushing you to add more capability to
the product or service so that they are less dependent on you and they can do
more things themselves.
Frugal customers want a low price and lots
of service as they want to spend as little time or money on what they want from
you. This is seen by them to be efficient but it isn't always effective.
The others, the forward thinking people,
push you because they seek to do more with what you provide but on their own in
their time.
Whilst you may have great service the
stretchers will push you to take your products, services and business to the
next level.
Aren't customers who I can entice into
buying good customers?
Read that question again. Entice, persuade,
coax, wheedle, sweet-talk is all about deception. It's a just sell approach
there is no integrity or honesty in that approach.
If your small business needs to adopt an
approach that requires that you "sell at all costs" it's doomed.
If you have buyers for what you provide
then let them buy but realise this ... if you sell in anyway with an attitude
like this then get out quick ... you are doomed to failure.
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