Online sales··5 min read
Why customers want to see the price for themselves
“Contact us for pricing” feels like the safe choice. To a customer comparing three print shops at 10 pm, it's a reason to close the tab.
Many print shops avoid putting prices on their website. The reasons make sense: the price depends on lots of options, competitors might copy it, and a phone call feels like one more chance to sell. The trouble is, the way people buy has changed.
Customers compare before they call
Someone searching for “A5 flyers price” opens several websites one after another. The first one to show a number wins their attention. The rest ask for effort — a call, an email, a wait — that people only make if they have no other choice.
Orders come in when the shop is closed
A café owner deals with menus in the evening, after closing. An event organizer orders banners at the weekend. If the only way to get a price is to call during business hours, the order goes to whoever has an “Order” button.
The phone costs more than it seems
Every quote over the phone means a few minutes of calculation, often done by the most experienced person in the shop. Multiply that by dozens of requests a day and it adds up to almost a full-time job answering the same question — including for people who will never order.
What's left for the phone
Showing the price doesn't end conversations with customers — it moves them to where they matter: big orders, special products, advice on materials. Everyday orders place themselves, and your team talks to the people who actually need them.
- Show the exact price for everyday products
- Keep “request a quote” for special jobs only
- Show the turnaround time next to the price
- Let people pay online, so the booking is real
Written by The TGPRINT team