Had a convo with a "new builder" this morning.. I am mad as hell - Paint Talk

nEighter · 02-05-2009, 08:08 PM

Okay first of all this "new builder" is an old acquaintance of mine. I worked for his dad. His dad studied and passed whatever exams that you have to take to become a "certified builder" < I have no idea what they are.. code exams maybe?? Anyway his two sons wanted to get involved also.. more to act like they are big shots, and to throw around money that daddy gives em.

Okay, about the convo.. I asked him if he has broke ground on his place yet.. (already had the talk about who he is using to paint.. I would NEVER work for this guy, would join a traveling circus as a carnie before doing anything for him.. you will see the jist of that convo with what you will read below..) he says no, the plans are needing some changing.

I used to frame houses and was curious who he decided to use.. he tells me some Advantage Framers or something to that effect and I ask how their work is.

HIM:"Oh they are great! But they are trippin on the price!

"
ME: "Oh yeah?"
HIM:"Yeah they are trying to charge me alot more than they should!"
ME: "How so?"
HIM:"Well there is alot of crews with no work, they are trying to charge me like it was 6 months ago!

"
ME: (clears my throat, bite my tongue.. sit for a minute to try to think of anything but to rip him a new butt to poo from) Well you like his work right?
HIM: "yeah he is good"
ME: "What is the problem then? Pricing on materials is still up.."
HIM: "Well whatever man he is tripping, if he wants my business then he is going to have to lower his price, if not someone else will do it."

I thought about it all day, stewing, fuming mad at this PUNK. Who the hell does he think he is?! Why is it that people think that they can do that to us, the trades? DAMN man I am still mad..

vermontpainter · 02-05-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nEighter

,Why is it that people think that they can do that to us, the trades?

Because people in the trades say things like this:

"I will use last years pricing as base for this years' pricing - and increase pricing until the point I can only close at 35%. If I am not making my mark - then I will further research if I am adding enough 'value' in my sales and/or targeting the right clientale. If volume is low I will back down pricing until I close at 50%."

This is an actual online post by a paint contractor. When consumers get ahold of these concepts it makes it look as if contractors' pricing is really quite flexible.

nEighter · 02-05-2009, 08:27 PM

Well I didn't tell him that once we pull out of this "created crisis" that no one will want to work for him and his projects.

I am just mad at how he assumes we are all expendable.

nEighter · 02-05-2009, 08:30 PM

posting this on CT also.

vermontpainter · 02-05-2009, 08:35 PM

We are all expendable. Period. New construction comes down to three basic categories: budget, schedule and quality. If we can't deliver in any or all of these categories, we are expendable. Its the reality of new construction. It can be an unforgiving pursuit.

**daArch** · 02-05-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vermontpainter

We are all expendable. Period. New construction comes down to three basic categories: budget, schedule and quality. If we can't deliver in any or all of these categories, we are expendable. Its the reality of new construction. It can be an unforgiving pursuit.

Since I am so good at misquoting, allow me to butcher what PWG keeps saying - "Price, speed, quality - - pick two"

I hope he steps in and says it correctly

JTP · 02-05-2009, 11:23 PM

We are all expendable in every way. Muse on this: If mankind isn't bright enough to protect the environment that allows for life, why would ANYTHING, any of us do anywhere, surprise or amaze you?

Kids throwing their Dad's (and probably Mom's) money around and away is nothing new. Youngster often mistake money for wisdom because poor slobs like us have to use our hands daily to earn a living. Daddy's boy is just playing house.

We are servants. You can cut that title any damn way you want. Life ain't fair, never gonna be fair, and their is most definitely a class system in our good old U S of A. Don't ever accept a polite invitation to the cocktail party. It was extended to you so you can politiely refuse and continue working for the man in the big house and sleep in in the bunkhouse.

Now--I don't know what got me started going this way, but catering to the upper class is the only way to make a really good living in our business. And, I have a passionate dislike for the blue blood folks who have the audacity to rob, cheat, and steal, sully the environment, and then create a non-profit to give back to the peons.

I am not saying that all folks with money have the attitude I describe. But, I've run into enough of them to make me wanna puke right here. And it could be that I'm jealous that I have to work so damn hard while they're playing at whatever strikes their fancy at the moment.

Sorry--Must have forgotten those meds again.

JTP

NEPS.US · 02-05-2009, 11:27 PM

Lay off the meds JTP ... I like you better without them!

JTP · 02-05-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEPS.US

Lay off the meds JTP ... I like you better without them!

As one very good ad man wrote years ago Chris: "THANKS, I NEEDED THAT!"

NEPS.US · 02-05-2009, 11:40 PM

Good, now get your ass back here posting. We miss your input.

**daArch** · 02-05-2009, 11:43 PM

I'm with you John.

Money is also equated to love. "Daddy and Mumsie must love me, look at the material goods they give me"

my father (god rest his soul) had this flaw. I rebelled against it. One brother has totally rejected a materialistic lifestyle and I joke with him that he never met a dollar he liked (he's a total spendtrift) YET, he feels when he gives his son money, he is expressing his love.

We are a funny species

MDRocket · 02-05-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vermontpainter

We are all expendable. Period. New construction comes down to three basic categories: budget, schedule and quality. If we can't deliver in any or all of these categories, we are expendable. Its the reality of new construction. It can be an unforgiving pursuit.

And aslong this economy stays the way it is alot of painters are trying to undercut ya.

JTP · 02-05-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daArch

I'm with you John.

Money is also equated to love. "Daddy and Mumsie must love me, look at the material goods they give me"

my father (god rest his soul) had this flaw. I rebelled against it. One brother has totally rejected a materialistic lifestyle and I joke with him that he never met a dollar he liked (he's a total spendtrift) YET, he feels when he gives his son money, he is expressing his love.

We are a funny species

D'Arch--Always thought you were somewhat to the left of center. I think it was the Mohawk that got me thinking here is one f____ed up, over the hill dude that knows the shiznitz. I can tell you were once a tailored, well groomed wall street guy with monogram shirts and solid 24 carat gold links--and you quit all that to hang paper-frame- and moderate--now that ain't very moderate is it Bill?

JTP

**daArch** · 02-06-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTP

D'Arch--Always thought you were somewhat to the left of center. I think it was the Mohawk that got me thinking here is one f____ed up, over the hill dude that knows the shiznitz. I can tell you were once a tailored, well groomed wall street guy with monogram shirts and solid 24 carat gold links--and you quit all that to hang paper-frame- and moderate--now that ain't very moderate is it Bill?

JTP

NOW NOW NOW, Nevered tailored, never well groomed and not even close to wall street.

They may have attempted to train me for that route, but one year in an architectural office at an early age made me realize I wanted NO PART of the plastic people. And yes, I will admit having some ideals to the left of center - but then again I have some to the right also. I can piss off both the bleeding heart liberals and the heartless Neo-Cons.

MDRocket · 02-06-2009, 12:09 AM

Arch sounds like a peace loveing nazi hippy communist!

Aslong as you can see both sides!

JTP · 02-06-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daArch

NOW NOW NOW, Nevered tailored, never well groomed and not even close to wall street.

They may have attempted to train me for that route, but one year in an architectural office at an early age made me realize I wanted NO PART of the plastic people. And yes, I will admit having some ideals to the left of center - but then again I have some to the right also. I can piss off both the bleeding heart liberals and the heartless Neo-Cons.

How well we know your abilities my friend. I was just throwing out the bait to see how far you'd jump out of the water Bill.

JTP