The Competition

woodmagman

The Competition

• How much do you need to know about them?
• Is it enough to say I bid against them, or should you spend time really getting to know them.
• Is the competition the enemy or the friend?
• If they are the enemy, why not get rid of them?
• If they are the friend, why not spend some time with them?

GregS

Learn everything you can about them, that way you know what you are up against and can figure out how to diffentiate yourself better.

Competition is good. Clients like the option of choice. No one trusts monopolies.


Depending on your industry, you may find yourself coming in after your competition to fix something they have done. This is a perfect time to learn all you can.

Danahy

I find my closest friends are my biggest competition. Things would/could get ugly for all of us if we chose not to play nice. We collectively compete against people we don't like, low ballers, illegals, blow and go's, HD's...
We compete against those guys, not really needing to win however....
After all, they're our biggest sales tool... Every time they mess up somewhere, it makes us look and feel all that much better... it makes for one of the most important ingredients of a decent referral system. The fear of landing one of those guys...

As for my friends I compete with... there's always enough work to go around. If not, then we help each other out til everything levels out.

It be interesting to hear a 'low ballers' point of view regarding the same topic...

Sam I am

I'm not in this to make friends - I'm in it make money.
If you want friends, join a club.
I am Sam.

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Sam I am, and Sam can. If you're from NJ...I'm your man.

realpurty2

We'll wave at you in the unemployment line in a few months. I am Sam with attitude= I am Broke

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Woman in a Man's World.

Sam I am

Planning on standing next to me?

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Sam I am, and Sam can. If you're from NJ...I'm your man.

Same Old

Angie's list is a great whay to find a lot of information about your competition. (including project bids)

mdshunk

I'm friendly with the competition. Well, not really competition, since there seems to be plenty of work to go around. If I'm at the supply house next to one of the principles of another biz, I'll chat them up. At lunch time, if I see them in the same restaurant, I'll sit right down at the counter next to them or sit down at their table (with their permission) and have a little bit of a "lunch meeting". It's so nice to be friends with your fellow tradesmen rather than enemies.

Gordo

Its called collusion.

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Looks like some pros were here.

Same Old

That's not collusion.

RobertCDF

I like some of my competition... I hang out with them and sub from them when I have open space in the schedule. There is plenty of work around here for a lot of good deck builders. But dont get me wrong... If I am bidding against them I am not going to bow out. I will also try and get copies of thier bids so I know what they look like and how to look better than them. While we are friends... it is still business.

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

Gordo

I am in dillusion.

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Looks like some pros were here.

Same Old

That's not even a word!

mdshunk

Now you're an attorney? It's not collusion unless you're conspiring and planning to do something illegal.

Gordo

Same Old...you a funny guy. I knew someone would get worked up.

Back on topic, I'd say there are certain competitors (in my area) that we avoid. Other competitors are good buddies. It depends on the owners ethics.

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Looks like some pros were here.

Gordo

Easy there Mdshunk. Its gonna be ok.

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Looks like some pros were here.

Same Old

which one's getting worked up?

mdshunk

I just have a hard time letting that one go, when a person wants to say that what I just stated is an illegal activity. That doesn't sit too well with me, and there was no indication from you that it was a joke, in words or with a smiley. I'm pretty passive about most things, but when I'm accused of something immoral or illegal, we're going to the ropes.

PrecisionFloors

Absolutely Same thing here...some of the only guys that can really compete with me on a quality level are ones that I taught (go figure). We never try to cut one another and always lend a hand with help, tools, expertise, or product info. Hell I have turned some of my best accounts on to buds in the biz that are in all actuality my competition, when I get too busy to service them. Loyalty and ethics are reciprocal...or maybe I am an optimist

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Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

POOLMANinCT

great ?, some I will chat it up with but they are not competitos, due to the areas they work...
the true competitors local guys, I limit convo to how's your family blah blah blah..... though I do sneak a peek at distributors "in cartons" to see who's doing what....
I worked for my primary competitor through hs & college, & my sales & work load rivals his, with him strictly how's your family, (not how are you)

lets not use "competitor" out of context, they are not merely fellow tradesman, "competitors"
bid the same jobs as you, so yes I keep a close eye on them.... subtlely "fishing" at distributors will yield plenty of info....

friends close enemies closer

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......Less with the jaw & More with the paw.....