Is a ballpark too much to ask?

Whilst in the market for a new Thingy, I struggled to get a straight answer about cost. I mean, how hard can it be to make a rough guess? Very, it turns out.

Noel: Hi, I’d like an estimate for a new Thingy please

Supplier: Great! I’ve designed tons of Thingies. In fact my tagline’s ‘Cost effective Thingies for businesses of all shapes and sizes’.

Noel: Ah brilliant, so you’ve done a few then?

Supplier: Mate! I used to manage Thingy development for a huge company in Melbourne. Then I moved to New York and headed up the Thingy division over there.

Then the kids came along and I got jack of corporate life, so I started up my own business, Fantastic Thingies! Been making them myself ever since. I make about 40 of ‘em a year.

Noel: Superb, ‘cause I need a new one. Nice and simple, about six sections. What sort of cost are we looking at?

Supplier: Weeelll, no way I could tell you that. I tailor them all individually to precise specs. I’d need a thorough understanding of your business strategy, needs and industry before I could quote you.

Noel: But all I need is a ballpark for budgeting. You said you’d designed hundreds of these things, what sort of range are we looking at?

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Supplier: Each and every one is a unique price.

Noel: Can’t you give me an idea?

Supplier: Well, how long is a piece of string? [Smug look]

Noel: What!?!

Supplier: How long is a piece of string? [Smugger look] Could be any length, could be any price. See what I’m getting at?

Noel: No I bloody don’t. String’s worth about three bucks for a roll of 50 metres. So if you need 100 metres then budget around six bucks – give or take.

Supplier: Ah you see Thingies are very complex. Not like string.

Noel: You mentioned string. Let’s put it this way: I want a simple six section Thingy, nothing too flashy. Can I do anything for $5K?

Supplier: Mate, that’s pretty much the minimum we like to do…

Noel: If I’ve got $10K would that cover it?

Supplier: Oh yeah, we could do something pretty schmick for $10K

Noel: So, I might be able to get away with something around the $7 to 8K mark then?

Supplier: Couldn’t say.