As an equipment distributor, I hear a lot of comments from other distributors in the area about the slow economy. That's why this is so strange. I heard about a county government asking for bids for a small wash setup. The email request went out to six of my competitors. I had visions of all of us lowballing a bid just to get some work. When bid opening time came, I asked them how many bids they had recieved. Mine was the ONLY one. I think most of these socalled business people are simply sitting around hoping for the good times to come back. BTW, I am not complaining. I actually like competitors like this. It's a nice job too. There are some good signs out there, you just gotta look for them.
How come there's no business?
- Thread starter mac
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Waxman
Super Moderator
I agree that there are positive signs out there; you just have to look for them. I try to tweak my business fairly consistently to keep things going along. New suppliers, better methods, and ever-improving efficiencies are the name of the game. I also look for new places to make a little money. Working on my used car license now and that is progressing. Gotta keep on moving in business just as in life.
I.B. Washincars
Car Washer Emeritus
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It has been my experience in 3 different businesses that govt. agencies tend to make you jump through hoops to get paid when it was a lowball price to begin with. I have a couple of police depts. that buy tokens from me for less than half the going price. I told them up front that they had to bring payment when they get them. That only works until they drop in on your attendant and pick them up and then tell them that they will send a check. Translation - They'll pay when they get damn good and ready and ain't nothing you can do about it. I wish they would go to my competitor, they're not worth fooling with. Your competitors may feel the same way.
MikeV
Member
A few years ago I was working on a deal with an Army base to sell and install a touchless automatic to wash their fleet of cars. It was a done deal as this was the machine they wanted. At least I thought it was a done deal. By the time i got through all the hoops and red tape, I decided it just wasn't worth it and finally passed on the deal. Every time I would meet one item of their criteria, they would pop up another one...and on and on...
I knew going into this that there would be a lot of red tape and B.S., and if they had laid it all out from the get go, it would have been easy, but to pop up one thing after another ...just not worth it.
I knew going into this that there would be a lot of red tape and B.S., and if they had laid it all out from the get go, it would have been easy, but to pop up one thing after another ...just not worth it.
PaulLovesJamie
rural 5 bay SS
Maybe I've just been lucky, which there's nothing wrong with that. This is about our sixteh government project. They have been with the state, county, and municipal agencies. All were relatively easy and nice to deal with. In almost all cases I was able to get a deposit up front, and payment was never an issue. They paid a little better than some of my corporate accounts. Not one of them ever tried to beat me up on price or asked for any "favors". They have been meticulous in the purchasing detail, which I really don't mind, as it eliminates any angry issues when the job is done. Maybe there's just something in the water down here.
MudMoney
Well-known member
I also deal with government entities on contracts in my other business,I bid taken in to consideration to the hassle and how long it will take to get paid.I don't get many contracts but I feel good that I got my price that I can live with,I have walked away from some due to the nitpicking that started.My beef is when a contract specialist has tried to chew me down or work me against another bidder,I hold my ground.As I get older am less tolerant of the BS.
swampdonky, I agree with you 100% about giving up anything on price. It's been my experience that the people who try to beat you up on price are the slowest paying and the bigger pain in the butt after the sale. Still am amazed none of my competitors down here even bid the thing.
pitzerwm
Active member
I have seen this situation many times, and what I think is that they only work enough to pay the current bills and a bottle of booze. When that runs out then they work again just enough. Thankfully they aren't competition unless they need another bottle, then they lowball.
I've called contractors many times for a bid on something and most never return the call or show up. Yet if you run into them, they are whining about how bad bisness is and how bad BIG business is making it so rough on them.
Basically, losers that couldn't hold down a job, so they had to go on their own and usually their wife is working somewhere that keeps the family out of bankruptcy.
I've called contractors many times for a bid on something and most never return the call or show up. Yet if you run into them, they are whining about how bad bisness is and how bad BIG business is making it so rough on them.
Basically, losers that couldn't hold down a job, so they had to go on their own and usually their wife is working somewhere that keeps the family out of bankruptcy.
Bill you're right on about the non responders to this situation, with one glaring exception. There is a rather large mail order parts company in the Miami area, ran by an Italian family, that chose not to bid on it. I'm even getting a lot of the materials for this job from them. Couldn't be happier.
