[izzy]

I started a new project, a custom house. When I begin bigger projects I always get several lumber package quotes. Turns out the guy who drew up the plans also works at a local lumber yard. Hey what better person to supply a job than the guy who drew the plans is what I was thinking. The only problem was his lumber quote was 3rd in line. I sent him the other quotes and asked if he could match he said he could, so I agreed to use there company. It also gave me some pride that I was able to spend my money back into the local economy.

1st billing guess what? No price match. I called and informed him he said he would take care of it. Heard nothing from him, so on the 9th one day before billing was due I called again, he claims he hasn't had the time to get with accounting. So I told him that I would go through and make the changes in red ink, recalculate and pay the adjusted amount. He said that would be great and that he would take care of it. I did so and hand delivered the statements and check to him.

This is the fifth billing cycle and he has yet to make any adjustments and the accounting office keeps wanting to add penalty and interest. Every time he claims he will take care of it. I always send a letter explaining the adjustments with my statement and payment on time.

I guess my next step is to call meeting with the general manger, the supplier and myself. WTF!!!!! When I get through with these statements in red ink it looks like my old physics test.:laughing:

Any of you guys had this much trouble from suppliers.:furious::furious::furious:

 

[HSConstruction]

I think I would have pulled up to the counter and and waited while he makes the changes. It seems I can't get any attention while on the phone but my presents in the store makes a huge difference. The last thing they want is an irate customer at the counter where others can see and hear whats going on.


BTW, why does an architect or engineer work at the lumberyard? Red flag.

 

[CookeCarpentry]

Why do you get several lumber package quotes?

Do you not have a good, working relationship with one lumber yard?

 

[HSConstruction]

Forgot to add that the local yard that we have used almost exclusively for the past 10 years has had to "trim the fat" to stay in biz, unfortunately what they trimmed was customer service. We now do much more price shopping, sometimes even at the big box stores eeewwww.

 

[izzy]

I think I would have pulled up to the counter and and waited while he makes the changes. It seems I can't get any attention while on the phone but my presents in the store makes a huge difference. The last thing they want is an irate customer at the counter where others can see and hear whats going on.


BTW, why does an architect or engineer work at the lumberyard? Red flag.

I agree store presents will likely make a big difference and will most definitely happen.
Here plans don't have to be drawn by an architect or engineer as long as they are submitted and built to code.
Anyways I work with architects and engineers on a daily basis and the majority of them could not supply nor build a project. I will have to say he does have a good working knowledge of what the project takes and needs. I really think mostly hes lazy.

 

[izzy]

Why do you get several lumber package quotes?

Do you not have a good, working relationship with one lumber yard?

Every time I see a response form you it makes me laugh. Its like I see it as Will saying it himself almost impossible to take seriously. Best George Bush ever.:laughing:
But seriously if any extra profit is going to be had I want it to go to my pocket or the clients.

 

[jarvis design]

Every time I see a response form you it makes me laugh. Its like I see it as Will saying it himself almost impossible to take seriously. Best George Bush ever.:laughing:
But seriously if any extra profit is going to be had I want it to go to my pocket or the clients.

I'm all for finding fair and consistant pricing, but, the relationships I build with my suppliers is worth a hell of a lot more than saving $0.25 on a 2x4.

You would think after all the hassles you are going through, you might agree!!

 

[A W Smith]

just pay it already or have your credit score hit.

you never got the "price match promise" in writing? did you? Guess what? you not only will be paying what your invoice from them states but you will be paying the interest and penalty as well. Seems their "accounting" department has little to no connection to the sales floor.

 

[izzy]

you never got the "price match promise" in writing? did you? Guess what? you not only will be paying what your invoice from them states but you will be paying the interest and penalty as well. Seems their "accounting" department has little to no connection to the sales floor.

I may end up paying in the end, but it won't be with out a lot hell raising. Its only about $7000.00. But its the fact of the matter. It would be different if I was trying to get over on these guys but give me a break. Its a shame that a persons word is only worth the contract that it is written in, and thats only as good as the lawyer you hire.

Maybe I was born after my time. But there are a few things I fill strongly about: A mans word, The death penalty, The 2nd amendment, and God will be the judge in the end.

 

[izzy]

I'm all for finding fair and consistant pricing, but, the relationships I build with my suppliers is worth a hell of a lot more than saving $0.25 on a 2x4.

You would think after all the hassles you are going through, you might agree!!

I agree. And there is a supplier that I most always fall back to. I would gladly give this guy a quarter if he would honor his obligated word.:laughing:

 

[Tiger]

I may end up paying in the end, but it won't be with out a lot hell raising. Its only about $7000.00. But its the fact of the matter. It would be different if I was trying to get over on these guys but give me a break. Its a shame that a persons word is only worth the contract that it is written in, and thats only as good as the lawyer you hire.

Maybe I was born after my time. But there are a few things I fill strongly about: A mans word, The death penalty, The 2nd amendment, and God will be the judge in the end.

Go in person to the counter and throw the B*TCH SWITCH! There are always two levels of customer service. The standard level for quiet, polite customers...and the next level..."give them whatever they want, just shut them up" for the screaming maniacs who are yelling about how they've been cheated in front of all the other quiet, polite customers.

 

[jarvis design]

I agree. And there is a supplier that I most always fall back to. I would gladly give this guy a quarter if he would honor his obligated word.:laughing:

If the guy doesn't honor his word he apparantly doesn't want to build a good working relationship with you. That's too bad.

I had a cabinet supplier who talked the good talk but when it came time for delivery all the things he promised didn't happen. - upgraded drawer boxes, slides, hinges, etc.
When I asked, he somehow forgot that conversation.

Long Story Short- it wasn't noted on the contract - so I knew I was SOL to get the stuff he was supposed to do - but, that was the last time I used him and would not consider ever going back.

 

[TxElectrician]

I may end up paying in the end, but it won't be with out a lot hell raising. Its only about $7000.00. But its the fact of the matter. It would be different if I was trying to get over on these guys but give me a break. Its a shame that a persons word is only worth the contract that it is written in, and thats only as good as the lawyer you hire.

Maybe I was born after my time. But there are a few things I fill strongly about: A mans word, The death penalty, The 2nd amendment, and God will be the judge in the end.

Must not feel strongly about business ethics however. I would never show a supplier another's quote. If my usual supplier is out of line I would ask them if they would like to take another look at their price, but that is as far as I would go.

Would you consider it fair for a potential customer to take your quote and show it to others to beat? Not the type of folks I want to do business with.

 

[thom]

When I ask multiple suppliers or subs to bid the same project they have been pre-qualified and are qualified. The lowest bidder gets the job. I consider it abusive if/when a potential customer shops my price and I would not consider doing that to my suppliers and subs.

Typically, on lumber, I would fax a take-off to my lumber salesman, broken down by delivery packages. He would enter it into his system to bid it but the real benefit would be the framer could just call and ask for the specific package(s) needed. Packages were broken into (first floor on slab) First floor walls including sheathing, second floor deck, second floor decking, second floor walls, second floor wall sheathing, Roof framing, Roof decking, exterior trim.

 

[Gus Dering]

Personally I can't take it to the yelling tirade level. I don't think that works for me in the long run. I'm not interested in having that reputation either.

Don't get me wrong , I think that communicating that you are extremely upset is a powerful tool. I believe eye contact along with a frank statement of "I am extremely upset and disappointed with your lack of follow through" is tough to top. Anyone worth their salt would have to respond in kind to that.

If you go to that screaming match level, you have to be willing to go without the relationship and they may screw you out of spite.

5 billing cycles and no contact with his boss seems a bit passive to me. But I am so with you on the power of a man's word. Just seems you need to go talk to a different man.

 

[jhark123]

Here is how I handle lumber package bidding, YMMV:

1. Complete take off with delivery packages and delivery method (I always have them spread the siding around the house, etc)

2. Send the package to TWO salesmen.

3. Take the lowest bid, tell the other guy better luck next time.


It keeps them honest and isn't abusive (I consider more than two bidders to be wasting the salesmen's time).

 

[izzy]

Must not feel strongly about business ethics however. I would never show a supplier another's quote. If my usual supplier is out of line I would ask them if they would like to take another look at their price, but that is as far as I would go.

Would you consider it fair for a potential customer to take your quote and show it to others to beat? Not the type of folks I want to do business with.

My words weren't clear and taken out of context. But once I told him he was 3rd he asked for the others bids. So I let him have them and I blacked out the competitors names.
I know a lot of people do have a problem with shopping out bids but Im fine with people shopping my bids. I confidant in my abilities to justify my pricing or to explain the differences. Sometimes it does run in to me having to educate some clients but that most generally only strengthens our relationship.

 

[CharlesD]

You don't have to get into a screaming match. Just go in to the lumber yard and talk with the guy. Be firm and insistent and tell him you aren't leaving until the problem is taken care of.
I am not going to tell you everything you need to say but don't be intimidated.
If he's done this to you, he's probably done it to dozens of others too.
One time I was having a similar problem and I went to the office, pulled a chair up to his desk and sat down.
After about 10 minutes he realized I wasn't leaving and came in and we settled up.

 

[izzy]

Personally I can't take it to the yelling tirade level. I don't think that works for me in the long run. I'm not interested in having that reputation either.

Don't get me wrong , I think that communicating that you are extremely upset is a powerful tool. I believe eye contact along with a frank statement of "I am extremely upset and disappointed with your lack of follow through" is tough to top. Anyone worth their salt would have to respond in kind to that.

If you go to that screaming match level, you have to be willing to go without the relationship and they may screw you out of spite.

5 billing cycles and no contact with his boss seems a bit passive to me. But I am so with you on the power of a man's word. Just seems you need to go talk to a different man.

I agree but I have a few window and door issues that I need resolved before I stir the pot.

 

[izzy]

You don't have to get into a screaming match. Just go in to the lumber yard and talk with the guy. Be firm and insistent and tell him you aren't leaving until the problem is taken care of.
I am not going to tell you everything you need to say but don't be intimidated.
If he's done this to you, he's probably done it to dozens of others too.
One time I was having a similar problem and I went to the office, pulled a chair up to his desk and sat down.
After about 10 minutes he realized I wasn't leaving and came in and we settled up.

Good point. I have no fear of holding him accountable. I just wanted to get closer to the end of this project so that it doesn't cause any animosity which may have caused a more difficult build.