Ethics question

[Max_rob]

I was talking to a guy and he was telling me that he doesn't get much business because the another local washing company gets almost all the business. I told him that he needs to get out there and take some of that business away. He proceeded to tell me that the owner of that business is his best friend and he would feel bad for taking business from him. What do you all think about that?

 

[Clean County]

WHat do I think?? I would stay out of it. They may be in a collision course for disaster where there Friendship may break apart. IF they are really best friends as you say then I would think maybe the guy with the big business would somehow find a way to hook up his buddy somehow maybe by subcontracting some of the work to him or even throwing him some bones at least that is what I would do.

But since these two guys are best friends with each other(I know you didn't say that) I would stay clear of this and tell him to work it out with his buddy.

 

[Aplus]

Wow...
John, I hear they have an opening to fill for Ann Landers column.

 

[Dan Flynn]

Why would he want to start up a business to compete against his friend anyway? Sounds like he answered his own question!

If he did that why would he be afraid to go for business! I think its wrong altogether unless it's a big area and they would really cross paths.

 

[Larry L.]

wishy washy

Why does he need to get out there and take business from,isn't this guy you know smart enough to get out there and get his own business.To blame another for not doing much business and use a best friend to blame it on isn't saying much as in being best friends.

Your like most newbee's,you think the only business out here is what another powerwasher is doing,I think you gave wrong advice.

More then likely his best friend has helped him alot in the info that he has given him and your telling him to knive him in the back.

WHAT IF his best friend could put him out of business anytime he wants.WHAT IF this guy you know got into the business b/c of his best friend showing him how.

I'm sure neither one started their business at the same time,I'm sure the best friend that has all the business was in business awhile before the other best friend started his or the guy you know isn't every good in cleaning as the reason he doesn't do much business as the reason he cann't get out there and take business from.

 

[Dan S]

you go Big-boy ......................you go bro.....

 

[Max_rob]

just playing devils advocate, but it seems that you all are saying that if there is already a company that does powerwashing in your area, then don't try to start your own company. I wouldn't think that this is the kind of message you all want to send to the new people, but I now you all wouldn't be saying that. Do any of you have any idea's for different services he can use his powerwasher for? I would really like some idea's to help this guy out. I am fortunate where I am, my biggest competetor is giving me all sorts of business, and I really appreciate it.

 

[melsmobile]

Bigboy , is right! sound like his buddy was saying look at all the money i'am making and it so ez, well its not EZ!

This guy your trying to help out should had thunk about all this before he started!

Mel

 

[Larry L.]

Your right we want be saying that,so if your fortunate and your biggest competetor is giving you all sorts of business why not share with this friend of yours.Do you think your biggest competetor can give everybody business just b/c they aren't doing much business.

It takes willpower and a want plus a little time,all of earth wasn't made in one day and its still changing.The ideals are endless in this trade,from cleaning shopping carts to cleaning tall building,its a plane,faster than a speeding bullit,is it superman,No,its a newbee want a be wondering where all the business is at.

If I bought a shovel and a mule would I find gold in them there hills without knowing where to look or atleast know how to use the shovel or should I figure on the mule finding it for me.

Tell him like a friend would tell him,its out there if you want it,go get you some of it if you want it,I'll give you some of mine as it was given to me,its what friends are for isn't it,give him some of yours if you really want to help him out.I'm tired of given,I'm taken back and may even take more back as the reasoning for helping others.I gave most all my business away only to keep alittle which I was ok with money wise,thats been 3 or 4 years ago.Now the ones I gave the business too are thinking they want all of it and how lowered the price to all my accounts.I've been setting back watching and have told all do not screw with me,will it cost one of them this weekend b/c I took back a 10 truck fleet as I told them I would at a higher price.Hopefully they'll get my meaning or I'll take back alot more,you may want to rethink what your telling your friend or your biggest competitor may read inbetween the lines and think you think the same way toward him as in taking from as he may be able to put you out of business too.I'm not a eat dog person but will take the food away from the dog if he bites me,we can either be friends or dog eat dog.

 

[Jon]

Max-Rob,

You say you were talking to another guy, me thinks it is you and your in a bind because you stepped on your best friends toes and now your hurting.

True or not this person truly gave a lot of thought before he went out and started HIS business knowing his BEST FRIEND was in the business and would be upset about it.

What would I do if I was this best friend or for that matter the "other guy" is I would have a long heart to heart talk with his friend and say I don't want to hurt our friendship yet I want to be successful like you are and is there any advice or help you might offer me.

Or he can say to himself I have to do what I have to do to make this business work and if I take a few accounts from my buddy so be it.

True story:

I worked for my EX best friend years ago as a buyer for his beauty supply company, he had 3 stores and wanted to be the biggest in he USA, or at least in CA. with my connections and knowledge he was able to grow to 13 stores, at that point he was making over a million a year net profit and I asked for a small percentage of ownership in the business (it was a private corp.) he said NO but offered me all kinds of company bene's, car, credit card etc. I said nope, share your wealth since without me you will fail, he was stubborn, I walked, he sunk and now is no longer in business.

Not a story and if you doubt me ask my wife, the business name was Sunshine Beauty Supply, it was a retail beauty store with locations in and around So. CA. The last I heard he was starting a ink jet web site for selling refills. I have not seen or spoken to this ex friend in years and we grew up together, went though school together and had keys to each others homes, that is how much we trusted each other.

Max-Rob tell this other guy to have a good talk with his buddy then get his butt out and build the business.

I am sure this best friend does not do all the pressure washing in every field so there must be something he can do without stepping on his friends toes.


Jon

 

[Dan Flynn]

Max,

Nobody said don't start a business if there is a business in the same town. I was talking if your friend is doing something and doing well. I personally would want to step on his toe.

 

[Dan S]

Jon ,
the funny thing is >>>>
I too was thinking about his "friend"

lets see >>>>> best friends >> feed family << best friends >> cant pay bills << best friends>> bank wants the house back <<
best friends >> kid needs braces<< ..........

 

[Max_rob]

Well that is a good point Big Boy, and if he was in my area, I would help him get business. I believe that a healthy dose of good competition is always good. But like I mentioned, he is not in my area. I would also say that when getting into any business, you develop business relationships rather than personal friendships. But all your comments can be true when applying them to specific senerios. And by the way, this guy I talked to happens to be a member of this BB, so I am just keeping his identity safe. Oh and by the way I have the opportunity to wash some walls for my competitor, the walls are 40 feet high, and there is about 17,000 feet long. I will only be providing the labor for this job, does anyone have any idea's on what percentage I should bid on this job. I myself spend 40% of my job for labor, so I was going to stay with this, but what do you all think?

 

[Max_rob]

I think that it is also important to note, that I have not and will not even attempt to go after any of my competitors business. I get the majority of my business from him. He has been in business in my area for 21 years and he is who everyone calls first. So stepping on his toes would be the dumbest thing I could ever do. Besides he has invaluable knowledge on all sorts of things.

 

[Larry L.]

So are you saying now your going to use your biggest competitor as in him given you all sorts of invaluable knowledge plus keeping you busy while you learn,I think thats a great ideal,most do.

important to note, that I have not and will not even attempt to go after any of my competitors business.

Is he too on the bbs...are you saying your never going to strike out on your own and always depending on a competitor to pay your bills.Its not offen I run into someone like you with that kind of knowledge,I'd keep you busy too.BUT I don't think I could pay you 40% for your labor with me supplying everything and all,what makes you so special for charging 40%,who knows you could be worth alittlemore.

I'd pay you 15 dallars a hour plus supply everything plus even soda's,eats and a good truck to drive to that wall dat is ifen your worth the 15 a hour,who knows you may not be worth 6 dallars a hour.Isn't it funny how some of those bigger competitors control their area by useing newbee's.

He'd never be the biggest if he thought like you as in never attempting to go after any of the competitors business,he'd still be working for his biggest competitor,like you.

You sound like a newbee that lives here,I'll tell you why later;I haveta go do a little job so my competitors doesn't get it...are you sure you own your own powerwashing business.

 

[Jon]

I think that it is also important to note, that I have not and will not even attempt to go after any of my competitors business. I get the majority of my business from him.


The above qoute says it all Max_Rob, so it is you and your best friend also is on this board.

Am I alone here in getting a rather strange feeling about this whole post?

Most of us know each other one way or another and I don't know of any who have "most" the business and sub enough out to one person so this friend can support his family.

I would think if this other person is on the board someon let the cat out of the bag so perhaps if your not willing to mention his name he will speak up.

I mean after all best what are best friends for? In fact he would be looked up to pretty highly here for giving you so much work.

Jon

 

[Dan S]

it's me jon >> it's me <<>> shhhhhhhhhhhh please dont tell anybody >>>>>>>>>>> please oh please please please~~!

 

[Max_rob]

I suppose I should have expected as much from you all. I also see why you all give people a hard time. But for all the intelligent people out there. You see when I do my powerwashing, I do hood vents, car lots, surface cleaning, combines. This kind of powerwashing is the mainstay of my business. My biggest and only competition does not do the same kind of work, he does cleaning for the factories in our area. However, since he has been in business for the last 21 years, he is also the one that everyone calls. When I went in and met him I talked to him about the market in town, and he expressed to me that he turns down the business, but since I am in town he will just give them my number. So you see you all make yourselves look like idiots when you "read between the lines" and start "thinking". maybe you should take some of the advice you give to the "Newbees" and ask questions instead of "ASSUMING". It really does amaze me that with the wealth of knowledge in this room some of the people still find it in thier hearts to be such assholes. But to all of you out there that actually help people "and there are a lot of you" thanks for all the good information.

 

[Max_rob]

and if you would actually read my post you would see that I said "I was talking to a guy...." in no way did I imply that he was "my friend". So please read the posts before you reply to them.

 

[Max_rob]

and Jon, My competetor isn't part of this board, but I have mentioned it to him and gave him the web address. I was thinking that he would actually have a weath of knowledge to share with those that don't actually think that they know everything there is to know.