StainlessDeal
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Posts posted by StainlessDeal
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Your service is only worth what people perceive its worth. Everyone likes to talk about it being other the other guys fault for driving prices down instead of figuring out what needs to actually be done to raise the perceived value.This is only one facet of the problem, but it is a significant facet.
If twenty fly-by-nighters are working in the area you serve, and they charge very low rates because they don't understand the actual expenses of doing business, when they go back to working at Wal-Mart or whatever, you now have a customer base that believes they are being gouged when you charge realistic prices.
See?
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Lowballin' is lowballin'.
Set your prices low because of a temporary advantage, and your price will stay low in perpetuity. What are you going to tell a customer next year? "Hey I know I sold the same job last year for $99, but now I have actually become a businessman with normal overhead. I'm no longer rooking you with low-quality work and no knowledge base. I have to charge what grown-ups charge."
If you think you've reinvented the wheel, you will likely have a rude and lonely awakening coming.
Business is just that, there is no magic bullet that exempts you from the normal functions of advertising, selling, providing a service, and profitting. Usually when I hear somebody say they work harder than respected veterans, or that their model is more efficient, I find that they have forgotten something.
Or just left it out.
But, whatever, maybe you really have reinvented the wheel. I guess you have to hope so.
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Anyone use a straight razoralways thought that would be cool to try
I've used a straight razor...but I wasn't shaving.
Seriously though, in a past life some guys I ran with and I used to get barber shaves many Friday afternoons before we headed out for the night: Hot towels, soap foam, straight razor, tonic, and more hot towels. Often accompanied by cigars.
I loved those days, that was Friday, Saturday was menthol steam to get over the libations of the night before. Nothing cures a hangover as well as time in a steamroom.
Thanks for reminding me, Ron! Sheds unexpected new light on diaper-duty!
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I've been around, but with the new addition to the family, I haven't been able to spend much time online. I just get a few minutes here and there these days.
I have a ton of communicating to catch up on. I know you've been busy, you always are, I hope things are going well for you and yours up there.
BTW, the hounds are looking good!
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Why do people use shaving cream?
I shave in the shower with nothing but water, or I shave dry. I used the foam when I was a boy, am I missing out on something?
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First is Petey, now 12 and slowing down. The fat guy is me. This is my favorite picture of us together, it was sunset on the last day of his 11th season hunting with me.
Second is Ollie, 14 months and picking up steam. He's following in some BIG footsteps!
Both are ~ 92 pounds.
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Alright, the new guy has joined the firm: At 1838 CDT, yesterday, the second of August, my firstborn son was delivered in Methodist Hospital, Omaha, NE.
Mom and the new heir are doing fine, and resting. Dad and the dog are exhausted, and fairly certain we are out of our depth!
We named him Joseph Paul in honor of my father and grandfather, and their fathers before them, of old. He is a gorgeous boy, and further proof that I managed to marry far above myself.
I have done many things in my life, for good and ill...Joseph is easily the greatest thing I've ever done. My wife and God couldn't have possibly given me a better gift in this life.
Thank you for all the help and support you have lent here and elsewhere. My son would have a far less successful father were it not for you fine people. It is my honor to count so many of you among my friends.
Pics will come soon, I promise!
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If you can pardon the hijack, it is very good to see two prolific members that have been missed, returning in the same thread.
It's great to hear from Lance and Ron P., two gentlemen that have contributed to my education, & the education of countless others, I'm sure. Thanks for stopping in and adding to the discussion.
Hope all is well with you guys!:lgwave:
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Jeff, I know that meeting you one day is going to be one of the great pleasures of my life. I love a positive guy, and that seems to describe you down to the ground!
I'm interested to hear what people have to say. I've posted this poll all over, and I don't care how many times people check in.
I'm excited and a little nervous, but it's in a good way.:)
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I'm serious, the wife and I have narrowed it down to one of these name combos listed. The child isn't due until the 12th of August, but our doc says the kid is so big now, she won't let him go longer than the 2nd, or he'll be over 10 #s.
Since I don't want my lovely lady wife to ### my head in as I sleep, we go on or before 7:00 am Thursday next.
Your mission is to vote for the moniker we must add afterwards.
If you absolutely can't find a choice you like, feel free to suggest.
Some background: Tricia is 100% Irish, I'm 1/2 Norwegian, 1/4 Lithuanian, and the rest is probably Danish and Dutch. (My ancestors basically surround the North Sea.) Saint names are good, in my Dad's (Lithuanian) family the male line of decent was traditionally denoted by the name Joseph Paul, but my Dad was named Paul Joseph because when he was born, his father and both grandfathers lived in one house, and were all named Joe.
Herkimer is a Germanic word that means, "Bearer of the Great Spear", which is appealing (and probably accurate) and Mysterioso is just too cool to be ignored.
Marcus Epiphanius is good Latin naming practice, and translates as, "The Reborn Warrior" and carries connotations of religious awakening.
Fenner is actually an early English word for, "A very competent man." Ironic isn't it?
Paul Joseph is my father, and would honor my ancestors back to the monkeys.
Other names we have considered include: Seamus, Julius, Finbar, Peter, Archer, Cacciatore, Orien, Jefferson and a host of others.
Help a brother out, folks.
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That looks like a brochure pic. As usual, nicely done, Rick!
(And no wetsuit required.):)
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Sucks about the logo, do you have a good idea who swiped it? Yours must be the best work Kieth has ever done, to be stolen twice. Some people's nerve just appalls me.
This bohonk is in my territory.
My Bohemian relatives are gonna be furious, Wayn-O! They hate it when people misspell "bohunk".;)
BTW, nice Suzook in the avatar...hey, wait a minute!:confused:
Hope you've been wearing out the tires on the new scoot all summer long.:lgwave:
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Pros:can drive it anywhere, easily unlike a trailer
Cons:
if your truck breaks down, you're out of business.
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I considered a truck cap and so on for my 07 f150, but ended up with a trailer for the simple fact that if something did happen, I get a rental, and I'm back up rolling while it's getting fixed.
Alan is asking about a slide-in unit, I'm assuming self-contained like a camper. I take that to mean free-standing to back under and drive off. If that is what he's asking about, then I'd guess that the advantages are identical, and that if your truck breaks, you still just get a rental and away you go.
For that matter, as long as the equipment isn't hard-mounted, or under a difficult cap, it could be transferred to a rental as easily as it could be loaded in your own rig.
I use a small step-van (former Fed-Ex) and wish I had both more space inside, and a sturdier than 1-ton chassis. I have to move a lot of equipment to change types of work.
I imagine this would be even more of a pain in a pick-up.
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other Scott (Stainless) Thank you for your kind words of encouragment :) With that said, How come you are not on our forum? You have tons of knowledge that we could all benefit from...don't be stingy :DI was on your forum, and I usually check in once in a while, but I haven't been on any with any real regularity lately...been crazy in Millen country.
I'll be there soon as I have a couple of minutes in a row.
And thanks for the compliment, I promise no stingy!;)
On an unrelated subject, Matt, I was thinking of you when I heard about the plane crash in Brazil. Didn't a plane once run off the runway at the Burbank Airport and hit a gas station near your offices?:lgbugeyes
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Are you sure it was not chiggers? Tick will latch on and not move around but chiggers will attack your whole body....My experience with chiggers is that they are bright red, about the size you mentioned, and can be smashed into a pulp just by rolling your finger over them. Deerticks are about the size mentioned but mostly brown, and hard to crush. (when engorged, they are purplish and look like a blood-blister while attached.)
Here is some info I have found helpful in dealing with ticks in my dog-training season. (right now)
I hope it is helpful.
We recommend tucking pant cuffs into calf-high cotton tube socks treated with permethrin. Even if you are wearing shorts, permethrin-treated shoes and socks will still be protective. There are new treatment kits in the marketplace that allow you to impregnate permethrin into your clothing, which will provide good protection. DEET is just not a very good clothing repellent against ticks–for the best protection when venturing into tick habitat, use DEET repellents on your skin in addition to wearing permethrin-treated clothing.
Permethrin: Several products contain 0.5% permethrin (e.g. Duranon Tick Repellent, Repel Permanone, Cutter Outdoorsman Gear Guard, Permethrin Tick Repellent), which is for use only on clothing or other fabrics such as mosquito netting or tents. A synthetic pyrethroid insecticide rather than a true repellent, permethrin works primarily by killing ticks on contact with the clothes and can provide high levels of protection against tick bites (and mosquitoes). Permethrin is available as a 0.5% aerosol spray, mainly in lawn and garden centers or sports stores. Permethrin has low mammalian toxicity, is poorly absorbed through the skin and is rapidly inactivated by the body. Skin reactions have been uncommon.
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Kirby C. Stafford III, Ph.D.
http://www.dph.state.ct.us/BCH/infectiousdise/tickborne/tick.htm
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... maybe just do a nice photoshop image of our coverage areas?Do you know anybody with that skillset?;)
The site looks like a good start to me. Your pics are dramatic, but you need to let some of your expertise and personalities shine through, while staying all business.
I know tht sounds contradictory, but it was what I've come to expect from you guys. I was surprised to see the site seemed way understated. I know you have a lot to say about your field and was interested in reading that.
I know you've been knocked by some that think you were a little sullen sounding in an earlier version of the text, but I think you've maybe overcompensated. Let the reasons you have formed this organization be obvious on the site, after all, that is your product. (IMO)
Good luck, guys. I'm interested in how well this project goes.
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Let's all try to finish today with the same number of digits we started it with.
Happy Independence Day, Americans!
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WOW! Is my nose bleedin' ?
You cut me deep Fenner.:lgtear:;)
(And you sound like my wife!)
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Sorry I missed it, and I hope it was a good one.:)
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Prices are pretty variable around the country, and I seldom get bids to clean commercial gutters alone.
Resi gutters in my area go for between $1 and $2 per linear foot for ranches in treeless neighborhoods that were cropland last year, and multiples of that for heights, trees, and other considerations. I've cut the rate on some jobs, but only as part of a package deal with other work included. My standard minimum is $200, and I don't pursue work at that level.
You have to make your money. However...
My competition in this area is getting younger, apparently, and has a computer to print flyers with. I wish they were getting decent guidance from the web, rather than just printing ads. This was on my doorknob the other day, and is now generally populating trashcans and blowing around the neighborhood.
I've obscured the contact info with my own, to avoid shilling for them.
I'm sure you can do better than this:
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As usual, extraordinary work from an extraordinary guy!
Nicely done, Your Majesty.:lgbow:
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Thanks again for the input you guys. The idea about hiring someone else ( competitor ) to help out with this is a good idea. I will take that into consideration. I will present the bid tommorrow and then we'll see what happens. And yes...I think the reasons stated above are good reasons to get some additional help on this job.quote]Go Gettum, Mike!:lgmoneyey
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Scott, Thanx for clarifying what I meant on the pitched ends. ..Ln. Ft. x the triangles height /2 ... then add that to the main rectangles area below. :)I knew you knew what you meant, but when I read it, it took me a minute to get you. I figured it couldn't hurt to help out a little.:lgwave:
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Here is an intresting, but short, article Alan found somewhere a while back.
I'm really more interested in the book nlater in the thread. Has anybody read Verbal Judo or taken the training? If you have speak up, was it worthwhile?
Equiring minds...
What's wrong with this guy ? ....
in Residential Pressure Washing
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I hear you, Trey. I admire the drive to stay positive and focused more on things you can change directly.
However, Jarrod has a strong point that bears repeating. (Even though he is sick of repeating it, I'm sure.)
Competition is one thing, damage to the industry and its image is quite another. This is true regardless of the quality of work done by the damager, or even whether he intends to do damage.
I don't know any lowballers, and some may do fine work, but the problem they represent is that they are moving pricing in the wrong direction. Here's an excerpt from one of the first post I ever made (over on TCN):
These guys know this business and know that many, if not most, newbies never really try to get proficient before they just dive in and try something they are not prepared for. That kills the image they are trying to defend: That powerwashers are professional business owners that have a right to charge reasonable fees for excellent services, done with pro equipment, and backed by superior knowledge and resources (like TCN). There is a ton of love here for people that are starting out...
That post was made in May of 2005, and represents the one thing I knew then: The veterans don't need to be told how they are overcharging, people need to realize that services come with costs, and the price is the price.
Lowballers see the world the way the worst sort of customer does: Without regard for the costs involved.
Newbies should be most careful of the tendency to sell on price, or to ask customers what they think a job is worth.
Figure your price based on a logical plan including ALL of the costs of operating.
Nothing else signifies. If you can fight to defend underbidding, you can fight to market to customers that can afford to pay.
Don't encourage people to fund their hobbies by ruining the industry. It will be ruined for the businesses and for the customers alike when there are only lowballers in the field.