When consumers hear the word “consultation” when seeking a new product or service for their home, most immediately think “sales pitch.” That reaction is understandable, as companies often mask sales pitches under the guise of being an informative consultation. At the end of the “consultation,” the prospective customer is given a sales pitch instead of being allowed time to process the information so they can make an informed decision.
Education vs. Pitch
There is a distinct difference between a consultation and a sales pitch. Consultations are educational in nature, allow for questions to be answered, and provide an opportunity for a company and a customer to get to know each other. True consultations don’t turn into sales pitches but instead, confirm the viability of a business relationship for both parties.
The solar industry is overrun with companies masking sales pitches as consultations, often strong-arming customers into contracts at the conclusion of their very first conversation. Smart Green Solar is taking a dramatically different approach, understanding that solar requires education first and that every customer might not be a fit.
How a Solar Consultation Should Work
During a Smart Green Solar consultation, homeowners can expect a candid conversation that entails the following:
- Why the customer is interested in solar
- Their level of knowledge and understanding of solar energy
- If their intent is to save money, go green, or both
- What they anticipate in terms of electricity savings
- If they anticipate any changes in their energy consumption in the near future
- If they pay federal taxes so they can be informed of generous tax credits
- General qualifying questions, such as credit, income, and homeownership
The priority of a Smart Green Solar consultation is education, with the homeowner walking away from the conversation understanding the process, their options, the value, and with all their questions answered. What it doesn’t include is an aggressive sales pitch or a deadline for making a decision.
Considering solar? Use our Solar Savings Calculator to obtain a custom solar savings estimate for your home. We invite you to learn more about Smart Green Solar, our core values and our unique approach–which has led to us becoming a leading full-service provider in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.