Asking for trouble

[OrangeCrest]

"Wal-mart hurts their competition by providing a better value..."

I guess this is what lowballers are really doing in our industry, providing a better value...

 

[RobertMid]

I guess you would have to do business in the area. Those of you back east have no clue of the rules and hoops you jump through. As far as your opinion of what I did is concerned.. Opinions are like certain orifices on your body everybody has one. Basically for those who are trying to beat the system. Your day too will come and you'll be on this or another BB whining because the "Big Bad" Code enforcement officer fined you $10000.00. Wish all well.

 

[oneness]

Originally posted by OrangeCrest
"Wal-mart hurts their competition by providing a better value..."

I guess this is what lowballers are really doing in our industry, providing a better value...

Nope, that is what YOU should be doing, rather than running around taking pictures of all the losers and running to the authorities.

Is there REALLY such a lack of honest, upstanding, paying customers in your area that you have to try to run your "competition" out of business??? Or are you just pissed because they're working in your neighborhood and YOU didn't get the job?

 

[oneness]

Originally posted by oneness
Nope, that is what YOU should be doing, rather than running around taking pictures of all the losers and running to the authorities.

Is there REALLY such a lack of honest, upstanding, paying customers in your area that you have to try to run your "competition" out of business??? Or are you just pissed because they're working in your neighborhood and YOU didn't get the job?

I understand what you have to go through...that wasn't the point. There will ALWAYS be those who ignore the system, who don't reclaim, who don't have insurance, who don't get licensed, etc etc etc. You can waste time running around turning them in and getting the reputation as an asshole who works for the authorities (which is really what you're doing) or you can go find people who want to keep things legal and do a great job for them. Maybe I'll be whining on another board about my fine, or maybe YOU'LL be whining on this or another board about how some lowballer kicked your ass for messing in his business.

 

[RobertMid]

I can appreciate what your saying as far as interferring in one's business. Am I to also understand you feel by ignoring these folks is ok? If so I sure would like you to explain the logic there.

 

[oneness]

My logic is simply this: Stop trying to do the job of others. There are enforcement personnel, are there not? Let them do their job.

Do you call 911 when you're driving on the interstate and see someone going 90mph past you? If not, why not? They could cause a wreck up the road and kill someone. I just see your interests here as more personal, and no so much as you claim.

So yes, I'm saying, IGNORE them and do you're damned job...Find customers who are willing to pay you to do the job right. That's all.

 

[RobertMid]

Originally posted by oneness
My logic is simply this: Stop trying to do the job of others. There are enforcement personnel, are there not? Let them do their job.

Do you call 911 when you're driving on the interstate and see someone going 90mph past you? If not, why not? They could cause a wreck up the road and kill someone. I just see your interests here as more personal, and no so much as you claim.

So yes, I'm saying, IGNORE them and do you're damned job...Find customers who are willing to pay you to do the job right. That's all.

Generally (on the 911 issue).... When was the last time you were out west? All of us prune pickers drive at least 90mph!!!!!!


I realize your point there is plenty of work out here. Especially with the EPA list that the Feds have come up with for the area.

 

[Larry L.]

" IGNORE them and do you're damned job...Find customers who are willing to pay you to do the job right. "

What if your new customer has already had damage from someone else doing their dam job and think your just like the other powerwasher that did the dam damage.When you turn your back on trying to help others do the job right your just as much fault as they when it come rights down to it.

and yes people call the cops all the time on their cell phones,speeders,drinkers,dopers.Ride with the law and see how many calls they get in a days time though 911,the guy behind ya may have a cell phone and your lic. #.

I wash fleets and if I know someone that streaks paint in my trade I will warn fleet accounts of the damage.Not that I wash the accounts but to help my trade to better itself.Powerwashers already have a bad name as to damage in all trades,just b/c you think your good doesn't mean for you to turn your back on the accounts you already have,same thing.

 

[OrangeCrest]

Ha ha Ha!! 90 MPH is crusing speed here...

Oneness, the issue isn't the P/W norm, it is when you add caustic soda to the picture and run it down a street where kids walk.

Kids will be kids, and they jump in water to make it splash.

People get crazy when it comes to money and their business is effected, even if it was their doing that caused the problem in the first place.

I, on the other hand, become psychotic when an individual inflicts harm to an innocent child, or even puts a child at an unnecessary risk of harm.

You weigh the outcome...

 

[oneness]

I've been out west plenty! I grew up in Seattle, and spent quite a bit of time up and down the coast between there and LA. There have been many trips out there since. I love the Western U.S. I've been to Arizona more times than I care to remember in the past 4 years (sick Grandfather).

It is home, and always will be! Alas, I'm in Florida, and that's where family is for now, so that's where I belong.

 

[Michael T]

Ive followed this thread for a while and it is getting quite long. Orangecrest , have you thought about approaching this guy and offering to educate him or help him out? Maybe he doesn't know any better. It seems like you are a little bit threatened about him being on "Your Turf". There is plenty of work out there, go find some. Go talk to the business owner and bid the job, sell yourself, give it a shot, if you don't get it , give it a rest. And your argument about children and safety is weak. I know you Love your children and will protect them anyway you can. But for there to be caustic strong enough to burn someone in the waste water is unlikely. You would have to use an extraordinary amount to be concentrated at the curb. And this is a commercial area, children wont be running loose playing in the water. No parent in there right mind would allow that anyway. In conclusion , If you want to take the " Moral or Ethical High Road" go offer your services and help this guy out. Several things might happen. 1. He sees his error buys equipment and becomes REAL competition. 2. He goes away. 3. He continues to do what he has always done and either gets caught or not. But now you have to decide, what are You going to do. Make it a win win. Become an Alie not an Adversary.

 

[OrangeCrest]

I totally agree Mike...

You are right about the concentration at the curb, it was only a hypothetical situation that could occur, especially if it were to pool in an area and then become concentrated through evaporation.

Kids do come through this area because of three-elementary schools, one-junior high, a high shool and a private 1-12 school, all in this one area.

I would offer my services or education, but with all the power washers that come through here, what is the point.

This thread started as a thread regarding the subject, not the individual.

As RobertMid indicated, he attempted to bid on this job and was refused because of price. Believe me, I won't be any cheaper, that's the problem...

Also, most threads I start usally become pretty long because they usally seem to run against the grain, even though that isn't my intentions...

 

[Michael T]

Originally posted by OrangeCrest
I totally agree Mike...

Also, most threads I start usally become pretty long because they usally seem to run against the grain, even though that isn't my intentions...

Robert ........ You're just a trouble maker , lookin to stir up the stuff. LOL

 

[Dan Flynn]

I just did a search for all of Bully Washes posts and almost everyone is negative about someone on this board or the bbs. I still think this is our oldest trouble maker of all. The guy who went to our old bbs and ethically (Hmmmmmmm) took all the email addresses to start his own board. Then was supported by some of our good friends to get it going.

Nothing like hard work for your reward. I maybe wrong though????????????????????

 

[Cali]

It has been a long time.....

Hey, all of you who know me. It has been a long time since I have posted on any of this type of stuff. But, I got forwarded a copy of this thread by some one on this bb. It is funny how quickly things change. All of the discussions about reclaiming the waste water and turning people in... Boy I made my fair share of friends and enemies about it all. In response to some of the comments that have ben made about it all, yes I did photograph and video tape one competitor that tried to ruin me because I was compliant. I went so far I sued all of my former customers for violating the very laws that have been discussed. And set case law. I know more people than I care to name at USEPA, Cal-EPA there in Riverside, and abroad. I went to the papers, and I went to the press. My whole point was to make sure that if the laws were going to be enforced, than they needed to be enforced across the board. Not just against the contractors that they could find. It needed to include the fly by night guys. I was going to be dam**d if I lost my hard earned business to non-compliant contractors that no one could even find tomorrow. I have taught this stuff to inspectors that never knew what to look for. That I am incredibly proud of. And I am pleased to see that what I worked so hard for has finally come full circle. People are finally seeing the value in being environmentally compliant. Compliance is not a nasty evil word. For those of you that do not see the value in it yet, well most environmental laws start in Ca, and work there way east. It is only a matter of time. And no you do not have to be an enviroonmentalist to understand the basic business principals. It is unfair to pick on the companies that are legitimite and straightforward, and force them to comply with the laws, and not do the same to every other contractor out there. Period. That is the point. I know I may stir some stuff up here, but I felt it neccessary to make this post. I have no intentions of stepping on anyone's toes, so any other comments and/or questions, feel free to e-mail me if you like, or I will try to respond to any comments here as time permits.

Thanks everyone,

Kendra

 

[Dan Flynn]

I feel that all rules should apply to everyone all the time. Or don't have any. Why should some spend thousands of dollars to do it right and others don't. It's not really about how one feels about the environment or if the other contractor is a good guy just trying to make a living..

If the rules are in place contractors should abide by them, like it or not. If not they have an unfair advantage and are breaking the law. Personally I don't think a contractor should have to be put in the position were they have to take pictures of the other guy doing something wrong.

If the EPA set the rules they need to follow through with the standards or forget it all together.

Hey Kendra

 

[Dan S]

Hello Kendra,

Man you still look good .........how do you do it you never change your looks

I agree with what Dan said

It is too bad you guys have to resort to picture taking to keep those Bums in compliance. Im not saying what you did was wrong I just think it's a shame that is the direction one may take to get anything done.

I reakon I'm just jabbering again....................Nice to see `ya stop ............ come again and stay awhile.

 

[Cali]

[hello] Well Dan S., I learned from My Mom. Amazingly enough she is only 29 years old! And has been since I was about 6! Besides, why on earth would I want to change that picture considering all of the comments I have gotten over the years!?!?!

Forgot how much I missed all of you guys!!!

And yes, it is absolutely true that it is ridiculous that I/we have had to go through all of that to simply show that we are doing what we are supposed to be doing in the first place!!!!

Oh, and by the way, I am not in California anymore. I changed my profile but it hasn't shown up..... I moved back to Dallas......

 

[OrangeCrest]

That's funny Kendra... From your pic, I would have guessed you were a Texas girl...

 

[Mark]

Kendra,

Welcome back, I will change your profile to reflect Dallas!