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Posted by Robert Allison on July 8, 2007, 5:05 pm
dpb wrote:
> RicodJour wrote:
>
>>
>>> RicodJour wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>> RicodJour wrote:
>>>>> ...
>>>>>
>>>>>> That's something that's always pissed me off. The big box stores do
>>>>>> an end run around the contracting licensing laws because of some
>>>>>> stupid contention that they are not contractors, but suppliers.
>>>>>> Well,
>>>>>> when someone supplies material and labor under one contract, that
>>>>>> makes them a contractor. When they sub out the work, that makes them
>>>>>> a general contractor.
>>>>>> The big box stores don't participate in restitution funds, obey the
>>>>>> maximum deposit regulations, etc., etc. It's just wrong.
>>>>>
>>>>> So don't use them...if you could convince enough others (just like in
>>>>> the argument against cheap/inferior/import/whatever merchandise
>>>>> threads)
>>>>> they would either change their ways or quit offering the service...
>>>>
>>>> People would always use them. They know the name, they have low
>>>> prices and high exposure. ...
>>>
>>> Then they must be doing something right for their business model.
>>>
>>> Who you want to be complaining to is either your legislature or
>>> enforcement depending on whether there isn't appropriate/adequate
>>> legislation in your opinion or there is lax enforcement of existing
>>> regulation. Same fundamental truth -- get enough widespread support and
>>> raise enough clamor and you can be the effector of change. Otherwise,
>>> your way to vote is by your own choice.
>>>
>>> (And to be clear, not a personal attack intended, simply a pov on how/to
>>> whom/where to complain/bitch/protest...)
>>
>>
>> Well, in one way, they're good for my business. Horror stories tend
>> to loosen up the pocketbooks, and god knows there are enough big box
>> installer horror stories. ;)
>>
>> Going up against Home Depot would need to be a crusade, and I have
>> enough of them at the moment, but your point is well taken.
>
>
> Amen to both! :)
>
> But, imo there are two general classes that choose the box store as
> installer for a project -- the incurably cheap and the incurably
> naive/uneducated/uninformed. Neither is what you want as a client,
> either, until they have at least had an eduction. :(
I think that a lot of the customers for HD and Lowes
installation are people that use credit for everything. A lot
of these people could never afford to dish out the money for a
project, so they use the plastic and not only pay in advance,
but with interest alot more than they would if they paid cash.
> As I've pointed out in previous threads on the topic, in present US
> consumer circles there seems to be an endless supply of people wanting
> the lowest initial cost whatever it is and more of whatever "it" is
> currently. As long as this mentality reigns predominant, the trend to
> such behavior by the retailers will also continue to follow the market,
> however much those who prefer small/independent/high(er) quality/etc.,
> decry it. So far, there seems to be at least a survivable niche for
> most independent remodelers, etc. The folks really getting squeezed out
> are the small retailers, etc., that can't compete on the "bread and
> butter" items that formerly allowed them to be able to stock the
> lower-volume products.
>
> --
We small, quality contractors will always be around, because
there are a lot of quality minded consumers still around. I
cannot do all the work that I am asked to do, yet I never
advertise, nor am I in the yellow pages. I just do good work.
I am constantly amazed when a person calls out of the blue and
we go over who knew who and who recommended me. (And I always
get a deposit up front, or at the least, when the materials
are delivered. But I never start work without a little money
in my pocket.)
--
Robert Allison
Rimshot, Inc.
Georgetown, TX
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