I'd be your worst customer

[stickboy1375]

Yea I know thats what Ive been telling her. But for some reason she has to touch everything first.

Congrats by the way....

 

[satcom]

Bought tires for the van 2-3 weeks ago, bought the BF Goodrich's, why? because they are made in the USA,and the local tire shop (not Walmarts) thanked me for the business as they were slow.

We need to start learning to rely on one another instead of our own individual desire to climb to the top. Think Community and about your neighbor....

What goes around, comes around...........

Think Community and about your neighbor, Excellant!

 

[tonyou812]

Bought tires for the van 2-3 weeks ago, bought the BF Goodrich's, why? because they are made in the USA,and the local tire shop (not Walmarts) thanked me for the business as they were slow.

We need to start learning to rely on one another instead of our own individual desire to climb to the top. Think Community and about your neighbor....

What goes around, comes around...........

Yea I know what you mean. My wife is going to be needing a new car soon and Ive been pushing for a Honda Accord but Ive changed my mind and think the Ford Edge is a nice vehicle too. And she agrees. And I feel a little guilty now for buying a Toyota two years ago for myself. I am returning to my beilef of Buy American and keep Americans working.

 

[quogueelectric]

You can say that again. Now that my old lady is pregnet I have to do things like go to the baby store with her and let me tell you....its brutal. How many oneseys and baby furniture can you look at?..... ill tell you, every freakin one ever made.

Hey congratulations it is probably the best thing that ever happened to you in your life so stop complaining. Go out and get the work just remember some of us have been doing it for many years and our prioritys are different now. Best of luck with the kiddies they will make your life so much richer.

 

[tonyou812]

Hey congratulations it is probably the best thing that ever happened to you in your life so stop complaining. Go out and get the work just remember some of us have been doing it for many years and our prioritys are different now. Best of luck with the kiddies they will make your life so much richer.

Are you kidding, I love every minute of it, im just joking. I only hope we can have more. I would love to have three. I cant wait till she has it. Im counting the days untill Aug 5.

 

[Mule]

Yea I know what you mean. My wife is going to be needing a new car soon and Ive been pushing for a Honda Accord but Ive changed my mind and think the Ford Edge is a nice vehicle too. And she agrees. And I feel a little guilty now for buying a Toyota two years ago for myself. I am returning to my beilef of Buy American and keep Americans working.

The problem with our thinking is the American corporate system, they are a bunch of crooks....Look at the mess we're in.... But I try to think about the blue collar guy making the tire or the car, not so much the company. Companies come and go because they shoot for the moon and dont make it, but the American worker needs to be guarded IMO.

My father, gripes because a flat cost more than $2, and that the trash man charges him $24/mo....drives me up the wall......but he drives a Lincoln, and lives in large house with a 40x60 shop....he's a taker not a giver

"A man is worth his wages"

 

[tonyou812]

The problem with our thinking is the American corporate system, they are a bunch of crooks....Look at the mess we're in.... But I try to think about the blue collar guy making the tire or the car, not so much the company. Companies come and go because they shoot for the moon and dont make it, but the American worker needs to be guarded IMO.

My father, gripes because a flat cost more than $2, and that the trash man charges him $24/mo....drives me up the wall......but he drives a Lincoln, and lives in large house with a 40x60 shop....he's a taker not a giver

"A man is worth his wages"

I know what you mean brother. The recent events in the past year has really made me take another look at things. Me and my wife try to support local buisnesses as well. And I have donated some proffesional time at a local animal shelter and my wife (the nurse) has donated some of her time at a local nursing home. We all need to stand together.

 

[quogueelectric]

I know what you mean brother. The recent events in the past year has really made me take another look at things. Me and my wife try to support local buisnesses as well. And I have donated some proffesional time at a local animal shelter and my wife (the nurse) has donated some of her time at a local nursing home. We all need to stand together.

This thread is funny because This week as I came on site I noticed my truck was hopping and it eventually smoothed out at 70. So mon I looked at the tire and I saw a spaghetti full of wire I snapped a band and as I just went through a puddle I saw bubbles coming out of allof the little bands. I realized I had abpout 5 min to find a tire store which I did and was glad he had 2 new tires to fit my truck. I didnt have a choice. All I can say is the good lord was smiling on me that day as to not have a blowout at high speed. It took all of 30 min and all were happy in the end.

 

[tonyou812]

This thread is funny because This week as I came on site I noticed my truck was hopping and it eventually smoothed out at 70. So mon I looked at the tire and I saw a spaghetti full of wire I snapped a band and as I just went through a puddle I saw bubbles coming out of allof the little bands. I realized I had abpout 5 min to find a tire store which I did and was glad he had 2 new tires to fit my truck. I didnt have a choice. All I can say is the good lord was smiling on me that day as to not have a blowout at high speed. It took all of 30 min and all were happy in the end.

oh man thats the worst. Theres nothing worse than finding that screw or nail in your tire. And especially if you work from home and its your screw that went into your tire, and you have no one else to blame but yourself.

 

[highendtron]

Most of the posters on this site have probably been doing their "electrical thing" for years...I have, but a really big help to kick start your business is a local BNI group, or chamber of commerce group. I joined three different groups and when I track the business referrals, the hour that most of the meetings last is well worth the time spent. Generally, contacts generate more of my business than advertising. The groups help focus on what works for the successful busineses and I try to take the best from all of them.

 

[lu102]

Do the thing you have to do, so you can do the things you want to do.

 

[iwire]

I'm just gonna throw this out there so dont get offended. Maybe if you charged a little more for your services you wouldn't have to be the raggedy van guy?

You have no idea what your saying,

Here is Scott's raggedy van

 

[iwire]

At my local Home Depot I have worked up a pretty good report with the store manager and I have been putting it in her head that I can save her some money by doing her site light maintenance. I told her she is probably paying some big company way to much for what she has on site. I told her all the pole lights can be reached with a 16 foot ladder and she doesn't need to pay a big outfit with boom trucks top dollar to change bulbs and ballast.

And how has that worked out?

My experience is the mangers of big box stores have no control of what outside vendor is used.

 

[electricmanscott]

I'm just gonna throw this out there so dont get offended. Maybe if you charged a little more for your services you wouldn't have to be the raggedy van guy? And maybe you should market your services to a better clientele and not the "cheap charlies".
I personally believe in setting myself up to succeed. And that doesn't include having to buy tires twice because I bought crappy ones to get me by for a while.

What the heck is wrong with some of you guys. Not all of you but there is a select few in here that are constantly complaining that the sky is falling and you'll do what ever to get a job. Even if you have to low ball. I started out on my own last year and sure at first it was a little slow but I really push myself to get my name out there and its starting to pay off.

I use every possible tool, person and situation to get myself known. I seriously think that there are many of you that rode the "bubble" to its end and now your sitting in your shops staring at the phone. And I really think that many of you dont know what to do. Don't you guys have ANY people skills? How is it that me, ...a newbie has managed to make it work?
I even went as far as working with a caterer friend part time about 8 months ago because I knew she catered to very wealthy people and real estate brokers and such. And you can bet your bottom dollar that I introduced myself to as many people as I could. And let me tell you it has really paid off.

I also believe that I provide outstanding customer service. I try to exceed peoples expectations. If I have to cancel a date for what ever reason and I feel that the people are a little annoyed when I show up I usually bring them something small like pasties or coffee or what ever to make them smile. This type of customer service is almost unheard of in our industry. And I believe I get more referrals then most.

About a month ago I drove by a small building and noticed that the 26 high hats that went around the perimeter of the building were on in the middle of the day. I also noticed that they had incandescent bulbs in them. SO I went home and wrote that company a letter using my letter head and introduced myself to them, told them who I was, what my company does, and that I couldn't help but notice that there lights are on almost all day and included in the letter a calculation of how much this was costing them in wasted energy. I explained to them how they can reduce their energy usage and by installing a photo cell or timer with built in DST. And to my surprise I got a call from them. I really thought it was a shot in the dark but it worked. Yea sure It didnt make me a lot of money changing light bulbs and a photo cell but it got my foot in the door, and i gained their respect for saving them money in the long run.

At my local Home Depot I have worked up a pretty good report with the store manager and I have been putting it in her head that I can save her some money by doing her site light maintenance. I told her she is probably paying some big company way to much for what she has on site. I told her all the pole lights can be reached with a 16 foot ladder and she doesn't need to pay a big outfit with boom trucks top dollar to change bulbs and ballast.

And as I am typing this I just got a call from a contact I made with the caterer for a small kit reno. Anyhoo-


That my friends is what I talking about. In a Bull economy the work finds you in a Bear economy you have to go and get it even if you have to drag the customer out by the neck. (in a very nice way of course)

You need to think positively and stop programing your brain to think so negative. And I'm not just talking about this post but some of your other ones.

Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to attend a Tony Robbins seminar. A few years back Ken Hyman (a past employer of mine) paid for all of his crew to attend a weekend seminar at the meadowlands and it totally changed my outlook on life.


Don't wait to advertise when your phone has stopped ringing. Anticipate and react.

Yea sure man ADAPT or DIE but from the sound of it, and the negative wordage you peppered in your post (cheap, die, average mindset) it almost seems like you chose the latter.

Well I guess you have it all figured out.

You obviously know NOTHING about me. I've done well for over 15 years. When you get 5 in then we can talk.

Now don't you be offended, I am going to throw this out, your ego will get the best of you. :smile: It is abuntantly clear you have a rather healthy one.

 

[jrannis]

We are going to price to the market if I start loosing work because I bid to high I will lower the price.I look at this year like a foot race,those who are to fat will be the first to fall by the way the next will be those who are just not real healthy then those who are just not in it to win it the ones that will make it to the finish will be the lean fit ones.I have learned not to hang on to old ideas.

Pigs get fat, Hogs get slaughtered!:wink:

 

[jrannis]

Well I guess you have it all figured out.

You obviously know NOTHING about me. I've done well for over 15 years. When you get 5 in then we can talk.

Now don't you be offended, I am going to throw this out, your ego will get the best of you. :smile: It is abundantly clear you have a rather healthy one.

No offense Tony.........

Don't mind him Scott. Hes from Jersey. They have different manners up there.
Tony can take chances some cant. His wife probably knocks down six figures as a nurse.
He can walk on coals at three day seminars and do things others cant with that kind of safety net:wink:

 

[Mule]

I'm just gonna throw this out there so dont get offended. Maybe if you charged a little more for your services you wouldn't have to be the raggedy van guy? And maybe you should market your services to a better clientele and not the "cheap charlies".
I personally believe in setting myself up to succeed. And that doesn't include having to buy tires twice because I bought crappy ones to get me by for a while.

What the heck is wrong with some of you guys. Not all of you but there is a select few in here that are constantly complaining that the sky is falling and you'll do what ever to get a job. Even if you have to low ball. I started out on my own last year and sure at first it was a little slow but I really push myself to get my name out there and its starting to pay off.

I use every possible tool, person and situation to get myself known. I seriously think that there are many of you that rode the "bubble" to its end and now your sitting in your shops staring at the phone. And I really think that many of you dont know what to do. Don't you guys have ANY people skills? How is it that me, ...a newbie has managed to make it work?
I even went as far as working with a caterer friend part time about 8 months ago because I knew she catered to very wealthy people and real estate brokers and such. And you can bet your bottom dollar that I introduced myself to as many people as I could. And let me tell you it has really paid off.

I also believe that I provide outstanding customer service. I try to exceed peoples expectations. If I have to cancel a date for what ever reason and I feel that the people are a little annoyed when I show up I usually bring them something small like pasties or coffee or what ever to make them smile. This type of customer service is almost unheard of in our industry. And I believe I get more referrals then most.

About a month ago I drove by a small building and noticed that the 26 high hats that went around the perimeter of the building were on in the middle of the day. I also noticed that they had incandescent bulbs in them. SO I went home and wrote that company a letter using my letter head and introduced myself to them, told them who I was, what my company does, and that I couldn't help but notice that there lights are on almost all day and included in the letter a calculation of how much this was costing them in wasted energy. I explained to them how they can reduce their energy usage and by installing a photo cell or timer with built in DST. And to my surprise I got a call from them. I really thought it was a shot in the dark but it worked. Yea sure It didnt make me a lot of money changing light bulbs and a photo cell but it got my foot in the door, and i gained their respect for saving them money in the long run.

At my local Home Depot I have worked up a pretty good report with the store manager and I have been putting it in her head that I can save her some money by doing her site light maintenance. I told her she is probably paying some big company way to much for what she has on site. I told her all the pole lights can be reached with a 16 foot ladder and she doesn't need to pay a big outfit with boom trucks top dollar to change bulbs and ballast.

And as I am typing this I just got a call from a contact I made with the caterer for a small kit reno. Anyhoo-


That my friends is what I talking about. In a Bull economy the work finds you in a Bear economy you have to go and get it even if you have to drag the customer out by the neck. (in a very nice way of course)

You need to think positively and stop programing your brain to think so negative. And I'm not just talking about this post but some of your other ones.

Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to attend a Tony Robbins seminar. A few years back Ken Hyman (a past employer of mine) paid for all of his crew to attend a weekend seminar at the meadowlands and it totally changed my outlook on life.


Don't wait to advertise when your phone has stopped ringing. Anticipate and react.

Yea sure man ADAPT or DIE but from the sound of it, and the negative wordage you peppered in your post (cheap, die, average mindset) it almost seems like you chose the latter.

The way, I take this post is, in most cases you can "make it happen" if you really want it to happen. But you must think about your customer instead of yourself. You have to be creative, think "out of the box", especially in a market like we have right now.

Obviously when nobody is working there is no work, but when some are working, its folks like tonyou812 that are surviving. Why? because they think ahead and anticitpate the road in front of him.

SaaLUTE !!!!

 

[charlietuna]

Your tire purchase--as compared to an Electrical Contractor's possible new customer sign up --- wants me to pass on this type of customer ! Yes i know things are tough, but a customer who shops "JUST PRICE" probably will quickly find someone much cheaper than me! I am looking for a customer who balances "COST" along with "VALUE". And thats how i buy my truck tires, i haul about a ton and half, in a one ton van! Tires are important to my business operation! And again, i expect my customers to depend on my services and be willing to spend hat extra money to get good - prompt-service that their company depends on! I have the best customers in my area, they are happy with my service and pay their bills promptly, and i am commited to their business's operation and they realize it from our past experiences together. Their employees like us because we treat them with respect and never leave a mess. We are not cheap-but we are proud of our operation..

 

[steelersman]

He can walk on coals at three day seminars and do things others cant with that kind of safety net:wink:

Well in his defense, he did say that his employer paid for and sent him to this seminar. So it's not like he paid or his wife paid for it.

 

[emahler]

Your tire purchase--as compared to an Electrical Contractor's possible new customer sign up --- wants me to pass on this type of customer ! Yes i know things are tough, but a customer who shops "JUST PRICE" probably will quickly find someone much cheaper than me! I am looking for a customer who balances "COST" along with "VALUE". And thats how i buy my truck tires, i haul about a ton and half, in a one ton van! Tires are important to my business operation! And again, i expect my customers to depend on my services and be willing to spend hat extra money to get good - prompt-service that their company depends on! I have the best customers in my area, they are happy with my service and pay their bills promptly, and i am commited to their business's operation and they realize it from our past experiences together. Their employees like us because we treat them with respect and never leave a mess. We are not cheap-but we are proud of our operation..

are you still in business? I thought you retired?