Well, I didn't get the gig...

thenewguy · 02-09-2010, 06:33 PM

I was too high. Here's what I had figured.
Lunch meal for 200 people, mostly men.
Pulled pork sandwich/ grilled chicken breast sandwich, 3 sides- bbq pit beans, cheezy potatoes and chilled pasta salad. They also requested a salad and dessert.
In my best calculations I bid the job at $12 per person.
I really don't think I was too high, although the local shane's rib shack(which is gawd awlful) has a price quoted on their website of "around $9 for the same amount of sides and meat. and that would NOT include salad and dessert.
Any thoughts?

landarc · 02-09-2010, 06:45 PM

I would see if you can find out why you didn't get the job. That being said, you can't win them all. I think your price would be something I could go for, $12 a head seems reasonable to me.

thenewguy · 02-09-2010, 06:48 PM

They had another bid that was a "couple of dollars cheaper". It also wasn't bbq, so that's fine by me. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't being unrealistic in my pricing structure-I've been known to cook on the cheap!LOL!
I'll find out in a few weeks what they paid(my sis-in-law is on the board) so it'll be interestingto see how I fared.

BBQ Grail · 02-09-2010, 06:58 PM

If it's not all BBQ you can't compare for the sake of figuring it out. It's obvious they wanted food that was cheap.

big brother smoke · 02-09-2010, 07:24 PM

WOuld have been $17.99 here, but I mostly operate out of Ventura and Santa Barbara.

BBQ Grail · 02-09-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big brother smoke

WOuld have been $17.99 here, but I mostly operate out of Ventura and Santa Barbara.

And they get to meet you?

CajunSmoker · 02-09-2010, 07:27 PM

I'm not a caterer, but I am a business owner. I learned a long time ago that if you get every job, your working to cheap. Chalk it up to experience and get working on your bid for the next job.

landarc · 02-09-2010, 07:28 PM

He uses white linen table cloths

ThomEmery · 02-09-2010, 07:34 PM

You can't bid BBQ against Subway sammies

Chuckwagonbbqco · 02-09-2010, 07:34 PM

Times are hard right now. Caterers are bidding very low. I was underbid on a dinner for Ducks Unlimited and I was underbid on a dinner for NRA. These are dinners that I have done for several years. My saying is "I have enough experience, I would like to make some money now."

Your bid seems to be in the right area---and the other bidder was not bidding BBQ. BBQ is more labor intensive than a deli putting together deli-meat sandwiches, a bag of chips and some "Little Debbie" desserts.

Do not get discouraged. Keep bidding honestly and work will come. I have bid BBQ tri-tip sandwiches,and the other bid tri-tip sandwiches but served something else--I guarantee that I will get the next job without bidding.

Keep your head up.

HoDeDo · 02-09-2010, 07:36 PM

It's tough on a gig that size... folks that have a restaraunt to put excess back into to churn out as a "special" or something... generally have a lower cost model.

Around here, I have seen that go for as cheap as $8 and as high as $15... depending on the organization buying. I would say with salad and dessert, you are as where you should be. someone doing it cheaper is giving them a packaged (Grandma's) cookie and some bulk sides that are going to be passable, but not memorable.

big brother smoke · 02-09-2010, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ Grail

And they get to meet you?

Yes, I hear my charm is a selling point!

big brother smoke · 02-09-2010, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landarc

He uses white linen table cloths

'and green, red, brown, etc.

monty3777 · 02-09-2010, 08:07 PM

Next time!!

Captain Dave · 02-09-2010, 08:23 PM

Sell the sizzle, not the steak. If that other guy was getting $9., you should get $14.

02-09-2010, 06:33 PM	#1
thenewguy Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-23-07 Location: Norwalk,Iowa	Well, I didn't get the gig... I was too high. Here's what I had figured. Lunch meal for 200 people, mostly men. Pulled pork sandwich/ grilled chicken breast sandwich, 3 sides- bbq pit beans, cheezy potatoes and chilled pasta salad. They also requested a salad and dessert. In my best calculations I bid the job at $12 per person. I really don't think I was too high, although the local shane's rib shack(which is gawd awlful) has a price quoted on their website of "around $9 for the same amount of sides and meat. and that would NOT include salad and dessert. Any thoughts?

02-09-2010, 06:45 PM	#2
landarc somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-26-09 Location: sAn leAnDRo, CA	I would see if you can find out why you didn't get the job. That being said, you can't win them all. I think your price would be something I could go for, $12 a head seems reasonable to me. __________________ [COLOR=DarkGreen][COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]me: I don't drink anymore Yelonutz: me either, but, then again, I don't drink any less [/SIZE][/COLOR][/COLOR][SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed] [COLOR=Pink]SSS[/COLOR] [/COLOR][/SIZE]

02-09-2010, 06:58 PM	#4
BBQ Grail somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-11-03 Location: Rocklin, CA	If it's not all BBQ you can't compare for the sake of figuring it out. It's obvious they wanted food that was cheap. __________________ Larry Soon to be a Texafornian. For a limited time I will be issuing Moink Ball Certificates. I'm working on a special COVID 19 Verson. Email me for details.

02-09-2010, 07:24 PM	#5
big brother smoke somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-06 Location: Ventura, CA	WOuld have been $17.99 here, but I mostly operate out of Ventura and Santa Barbara. __________________ Peace and Smoke, BBS Powered by the West Coast Offense: Big Poppa Smokers and Simply Marvelous BBQ - "Walk with Us" My weapons: Humphrey's Smokers

02-09-2010, 07:27 PM	#7
CajunSmoker is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 02-06-07 Location: Rolling down the river between St Louis and New Orleans	I'm not a caterer, but I am a business owner. I learned a long time ago that if you get every job, your working to cheap. Chalk it up to experience and get working on your bid for the next job. __________________ Rodger How y'all are? I'm glad you got to see me I guarontee Justin Wilson 4/24/1914 - 09/05/2001 CAJUN QUE KREWE Proud ARKLAFO KCBS member & CBJ#24398 Twin Ugly Drum Smokers Brinkman Smoke King Deluxe Brinkman Gourmet ECB with super chicken mods Weber OTS kettle

02-09-2010, 06:48 PM	#3
thenewguy Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-23-07 Location: Norwalk,Iowa	They had another bid that was a "couple of dollars cheaper". It also wasn't bbq, so that's fine by me. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't being unrealistic in my pricing structure-I've been known to cook on the cheap!LOL! I'll find out in a few weeks what they paid(my sis-in-law is on the board) so it'll be interestingto see how I fared.

02-09-2010, 07:28 PM	#8
landarc somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-26-09 Location: sAn leAnDRo, CA	He uses white linen table cloths __________________ [COLOR=DarkGreen][COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]me: I don't drink anymore Yelonutz: me either, but, then again, I don't drink any less [/SIZE][/COLOR][/COLOR][SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed] [COLOR=Pink]SSS[/COLOR] [/COLOR][/SIZE]

02-09-2010, 07:34 PM	#9
ThomEmery Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-20-05 Location: Indio Ca.	You can't bid BBQ against Subway sammies __________________ Catering, Contests, and Community Service Team What Wood Jesus Que? Www.bbqthom.com

02-09-2010, 07:34 PM	#10
Chuckwagonbbqco is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-19-07 Location: Oroville, CA	Times are hard right now. Caterers are bidding very low. I was underbid on a dinner for Ducks Unlimited and I was underbid on a dinner for NRA. These are dinners that I have done for several years. My saying is "I have enough experience, I would like to make some money now." Your bid seems to be in the right area---and the other bidder was not bidding BBQ. BBQ is more labor intensive than a deli putting together deli-meat sandwiches, a bag of chips and some "Little Debbie" desserts. Do not get discouraged. Keep bidding honestly and work will come. I have bid BBQ tri-tip sandwiches,and the other bid tri-tip sandwiches but served something else--I guarantee that I will get the next job without bidding. Keep your head up.

02-09-2010, 07:36 PM	#11
HoDeDo Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-19-06 Location: Kansas City	It's tough on a gig that size... folks that have a restaraunt to put excess back into to churn out as a "special" or something... generally have a lower cost model. Around here, I have seen that go for as cheap as $8 and as high as $15... depending on the organization buying. I would say with salad and dessert, you are as where you should be. someone doing it cheaper is giving them a packaged (Grandma's) cookie and some bulk sides that are going to be passable, but not memorable. __________________ Andy /Smoke on Wheels Competition BBQ - www.smokeonwheels.com

02-09-2010, 08:07 PM	#14
monty3777 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-13-08 Location: Happytown, IA	Next time!! __________________ John 21:9

02-09-2010, 08:23 PM	#15
Captain Dave is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-29-09 Location: Luling, Texas 78648	Sell the sizzle, not the steak. If that other guy was getting $9., you should get $14. __________________ Thanks for noticing

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