Raising my garage door service rates and the customers are losing it lol

Been doing garage doors out here in Arizona the past 10 years, mostly replacing those busted torsion springs on Clopay models and installing LiftMaster openers. Material costs have gone up like 30% since last year, especially the damn steel for the panels, so I bumped my rates from $150 to $175 an hour for installs. Customers are acting like I just told 'em the apocalypse is coming, one lady even said she'd rather duct tape her door shut than pay extra. Saw a similar rant in the Garage Door Installers Facebook group last week, buncha guys saying the same thing. Watched Tommy Mello's video on handling pushback, he suggests offering a 'loyal customer discount' to soften the blow. Figured I'd try that, but man, explaining why to folks who think everything should still cost 2019 prices is hilarious in a sad way. Anyone got better comebacks for the cheapskates?

Same here, every time I hike rates on spring replacements, they act like I'm robbing them blind.

Hit $250k last year after raising mine to $200/hr for commercial installs. Stick to it, the right customers will pay.

Feel ya, Arizona heat wrecks those doors faster, but customers forget that.

Told a guy yesterday my new rate for a full panel swap was $1200, he laughed and said 'good one' like I was joking. Had to show him the invoice to believe it.

Screw 'em, I've lost sleep over lowballers before. Now I quote high and negotiate down if needed.

Big box stores like Home Depot are killing us with their cheap opener installs. Customers expect our prices to match that crap, then rage when we charge real money.

Just quote flat rate for spring jobs, $450 all in. No more hourly debates.

Went from $125 to $160 last month, lost a few but gained better clients who value quality work on their Wayne Dalton doors.

Ever had a customer threaten to leave a bad review over a rate hike?

Same boat, man. Up in the heat, springs snap like twigs.

Yup, been there with opener upgrades. They come around eventually.

Try bundling services, like free lube tune-up with a new install at the higher rate. Softens the hit.

Email all your old clients the rate change with an apology note and a 10% off coupon for next service.

What's the most pushback you've gotten on a specific job type?

Flat rate everything. Torsion spring replacement: $500. No haggling.

SharkBite style quick fixes are what cheapos want, but we all know they fail fast on garage cables.

Don't lower your rates to match competitors, you'll just attract more headaches. I saw a guy get sued over a cheap install last year.

Totally get the frustration, rates gotta go up or we go broke.