Got beat on a bid AGAIN today

5128 Views 28 Replies 19 Participants Last post by davitk, Jul 2, 2009

knucklehead

Discussion Starter · Jun 26, 2009

I bid a 1600 foot ranch with 2 car garage and 40' of down wall for 9600.
The lumber salesman told me an amish crew beat me by$ 900. This is like the fifth time in a year that this has happened, and I keep going lower just to get the job. Starting to really tick me off.

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

JumboJack

· #2 · Jun 26, 2009

Maybe they just liked the Amish guy better.900.00 is not that much.

BobsLandscaping

· #3 · Jun 26, 2009

Is there some other way you can compete with the Amish other than price? How about speed?

For example if the Amish bid the house at $10,500 and 30 days (just an example, I don't know how long it would take to frame a house) and you bid it at $9,600 and 22 days wouldn't that make you the better choice?

CScalf

· #4 · Jun 26, 2009

cut the tires on there buggy with a sawzall, show those Fvckers :whistling

or feed the horses something to give them gas and the shiits:thumbsup:

Reactions: 5

Handymanservice

· #5 · Jun 26, 2009

BobsLandscaping said:
Is there some other way you can compete with the Amish other than price? How about speed?

For example if the Amish bid the house at $10,500 and 30 days (just an example, I don't know how long it would take to frame a house) and you bid it at $9,600 and 22 days wouldn't that make you the better choice?

If his price was $9600, he would beat them by $900.00. He got beat, your example needs a little work Bob.

Maybe the timeframe does not make the difference, maybe the $900.00 does. If the house was $11,000 to frame, $900 is a big savings.

Although, if they were supplying the material and the labor, $900 isnot as big a savings, but times are tough, people are taking every chance they can get to save money. Even if they have to compromise quality.

fez-head

· #6 · Jun 26, 2009

knucklehead said:
I bid a 1600 foot ranch with 2 car garage and 40' of down wall for 9600.
The lumber salesman told me an amish crew beat me by$ 900. This is like the fifth time in a year that this has happened, and I keep going lower just to get the job. Starting to really tick me off.

Around here everyone thinks Amish Builders = "old world craftsmanship".......

RobertCDF

· #7 · Jun 26, 2009

We got beat on a basement bid by $4,500... Our profit was less than that. I wonder if the people are likely to get screwed? That or the guy is doing all the work himself and is not using the same materials probably just using crap from HD for the entire project.

Mike Finley

· #8 · Jun 26, 2009

BobsLandscaping said:
Is there some other way you can compete with the Amish other than price? How about speed?

Exactly.

All a recession does is kill the weak in the herd. If all we've done is compete on price forever and a recession comes along, you're suddenly going to look like a girlyman amateur when it comes to price cutting. There will be some absolute professionals at working for nothing. Sometimes it's down right shocking to suddenly discover you're the sick buffalo in the herd. :sad:

Figure out a list of 10 things that are pros and cons about you and your competitors and then sell those things at your next estimate. Get off of price and focus on value.

Also remember you can take any competitors positive attribute and turn it into a negative and vice versa.

If you're a small operation and you're competing against a big one:

Big company = too big to give you good attention, you'll get lost in the shuffle, they don't care about you like I will. I'll treat you like the only customer I have.

If you're a big company competing against a small one:

Small company = lack of experience, lack of man power, too small to be able to tackle the job and guarantee you an on time completion. Lack of resources, shaky finances, will they be around to honor warranty...

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knucklehead

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 26, 2009

They do decent work , I was doing the same house for 12,500 2 years ago.

fez-head

· #10 · Jun 26, 2009 (Edited)

Mike Finley said:
Big company = too big to give you good attention, you'll get lost in the shuffle, they don't care about you like I will. I'll treat you like the only customer I have.

If you're a big company competing against a small one:

Small company = lack of experience, lack of man power, too small to be able to tackle the job and guarantee you an on time completion. Lack of resources, shaky finances, will they be around to honor warranty...

The Amish have huge crews that work like a well oiled machine and they survive on VERY little. I would put them up against a crew of Mexicans any day.

Winchester

· #11 · Jun 26, 2009

RobertCDF said:
We got beat on a basement bid by $4,500... Our profit was less than that. I wonder if the people are likely to get screwed? That or the guy is doing all the work himself and is not using the same materials probably just using crap from HD for the entire project.

Here HD stuff is more expensive and lower quality than anything I could get at a real supplier.

ClemS

· #12 · Jun 27, 2009

Jesse Kirchhoff said:
The Amish have huge crews that work like a well oiled machine and they survive on VERY little. I would put them up against a crew of Mexicans any day.

if i had 4 of me working for me i'd have the roof sheathing and the amish would still be doing sill plates:whistling

fez-head

· #13 · Jun 27, 2009

ClemS said:
if i had 4 of me working for me i'd have the roof sheathing and the amish would still be doing sill plates:whistling

WarnerConstInc.

· #14 · Jun 27, 2009

F*** the Amish. They stink, dont use tape measure's, have extra closet's, and own a mexican. I do not care for the Amish.

Gus Dering

· #15 · Jun 27, 2009 (Edited)

I gave a contractor a long written budget for a huge cabinet job a while back. Owners were fine with the numbers and the contractor is part of the fan club. All is good, just have to wait till they are ready for drawings and stuff.

Enter through the side door the Kitchen designer. They broker cabinets made by the Amish. SOB!
I'm not out yet but the GC and myself have to sell the owners away from the designer's choice of cabinet shop.

Seems like the "Amish" are enjoying a false sense of "old world" craftsmanship. They are all fully automated and modern in every way. But seems like people think that they are getting something "handcrafted" and at a great price. None of which is true.

Anyway I live 3000 miles from the Pennsylvania Dutch Country and they are my competitor too. What do ya know about this world economy?

Reactions: 3

Trim40

· #16 · Jun 27, 2009

You gotta tackle them head on Gus. Grow a beard, get a straw hat and fire up that CNC to cut a horse figure to hang on the front of your truck.
Then if you want to go the extra mile, search for some wood spoke wheels for you truck:thumbsup:

Reactions: 1

nEighter

· #17 · Jun 27, 2009

you better believe your ass those guys are out there with pneumatic nailers! They is another form.. a more modernised Amish. I lived in a town of Holderman. They are a step up from the Amish. They are famous around here for building houses on site, and having them shipped to the final destination

what a show. Either you are old school.. or you are new school. I bet they all go back to their homes and have a casino on their property and drink and cuss and beat their women.. okay maybe not beat the women.. but I think it is all bs.

davitk

· #18 · Jun 27, 2009

3

Jesse Kirchhoff said:
Around here everyone thinks Amish Builders = "old world craftsmanship".......

ROFLMAO!!

That's the mis perception around here, too; however I know a few and even subbed a roof out to one. Business ethics and customer empathy were non-exixtent.

I strung this young Amish dude up by the nuts right after taking these pictures. Cos him 1200.00 to have the siding replaced; his dad called and offered to "fix it" so his son could collect the rest of his money :laughing:
The fruit doesn't fall too far from the tree, me think.

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davitk

· #19 · Jun 27, 2009

3

A few more pics of Amish quality, just for grins.

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davitk

· #20 · Jun 27, 2009

2

His finished product :thumbsup:

My band aide.

Customers and neighbors scratching their heads, wondering WTF??

OK, I'm done with the Amish bashing. carry on.

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