jamesn
Bronze Member
hard to operate a mulcher at a cost of 4.09 per gallon for diesel
lowering prices
- Thread starter yellowdogsvc
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cat 297c
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2009
- Messages
- 390
- Location
- Semmes, Alabama
- Tractor
- Cat 299D XHP, Cat 297c, Rayco C140
Yea its a freaking joke the country in its current financial crisis an the oil gaints decide its time tell us all to bend over. Looking at there quarterly reports just pisses me off making billons in profits an still want to go up I could see it if they were not making money. Wished we all could do that, but I wouldn't be a to enjoy it knowing I screw people to make more!
OP
yellowdogsvc
Platinum Member
If we could spend money like the GSA in the US we could have all kinds of toys. $800k for Vegas seminar? The abuse of my tax dollars, the vacations, perks, retirement bonuses, and insider trading from our officials is shameful but that's another thread.
We will continue to pay high prices for fuel and parts as long as the EPA and crazy California continue to overreach and over-regulate. Yes, it's tough to make a living when your fuel bill gets so high.
We will continue to pay high prices for fuel and parts as long as the EPA and crazy California continue to overreach and over-regulate. Yes, it's tough to make a living when your fuel bill gets so high.
tonyoz
Platinum Member
Companys that I work with and I do as well put a sercharge on the fuel when it rises to a certain point but keep the hourly rate the same, just as the airlines do. You must have a profit margin if you want to stay in business unless you are a state owned enterprise.
Jamen, fuel is about $6.24 US gal here at the mo. US$ 1.06 to the AUS$
Jamen, fuel is about $6.24 US gal here at the mo. US$ 1.06 to the AUS$
cat 297c
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2009
- Messages
- 390
- Location
- Semmes, Alabama
- Tractor
- Cat 299D XHP, Cat 297c, Rayco C140
Thats nuts man if I gets that high over here I'd be out of a job folks freak out now over my hourly rate then add in a fuel sure charge that will crap a brick
cat 297c
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2009
- Messages
- 390
- Location
- Semmes, Alabama
- Tractor
- Cat 299D XHP, Cat 297c, Rayco C140
Few years back my uncle told me something that made alot of sense. He said when he was growing up gas stations would gave gas price wars, with that being said his idea is if everyone would get on board for a week go to one gas station let's say shell well Wat u think other gas companies are going to do to get your business lower there price to get your money. Then hit that gas company til another company does the same and the consumer controls the price. Problem getting everyone to understand a stand up for it an sick to it.
OP
yellowdogsvc
Platinum Member
I'm all for profit but then maybe the subsidies should cease? Nobody wants to give an inch. I haven't raised prices in years and my expenses continue to climb. Gas companies (and subsequently everything else) keep raising prices. The government won't quit spending money during a recession so they won't lower any of the taxes on gas (and other things). This turns into a vicious cycle where only the little guy gets hurt. Greed is what seems to drive the US and the rest of the world. I like my toys and I like to have a little extra to spend on vacations and kids' college but it gets harder and harder when everything goes up but what people are willing to pay for quality land clearing.
I think part of the problem is the sheer number of morons who own machinery and work for peanuts. Gives us all a bad name and dumbs down the industry as a whole. Because there is no way to "prove" your qualifications, anyone can say they are experienced and "in business." Example, a few years ago a guy that worked for another tree company that I did some mulching for called me up. He said he had "gone out on his own" and was going to run ads for tree work and mulching. Problem was, he had no machines, no place to rent, and didn't know the first thing about operating a Bobcat but he was running ads. He called me a few times and said he was going out to do a bid and wanted me to price it and then add 20% or so for "his lead." I told him no and said it was unethical to advertise services he knew nothing about.. He disappeared but not before doing damage in our small town.. word soon got out that he had no machines and no way to complete the project unless he just turned it over to someone else. If he was an expert or general contractor who had reliable subs, it might be different..
That kind of crap is what makes all of us have to work extra hard to convince people that their money is well spent and that we will treat their property like our own.
I've decided not to lower prices and bid smarter. Work will be less frequent if things don't pick up but I also won't wear myself out chasing rabbits that I can't catch. I'll bid some elephants and catch a few rabbits in-between and try and stay competitive.
I think part of the problem is the sheer number of morons who own machinery and work for peanuts. Gives us all a bad name and dumbs down the industry as a whole. Because there is no way to "prove" your qualifications, anyone can say they are experienced and "in business." Example, a few years ago a guy that worked for another tree company that I did some mulching for called me up. He said he had "gone out on his own" and was going to run ads for tree work and mulching. Problem was, he had no machines, no place to rent, and didn't know the first thing about operating a Bobcat but he was running ads. He called me a few times and said he was going out to do a bid and wanted me to price it and then add 20% or so for "his lead." I told him no and said it was unethical to advertise services he knew nothing about.. He disappeared but not before doing damage in our small town.. word soon got out that he had no machines and no way to complete the project unless he just turned it over to someone else. If he was an expert or general contractor who had reliable subs, it might be different..
That kind of crap is what makes all of us have to work extra hard to convince people that their money is well spent and that we will treat their property like our own.
I've decided not to lower prices and bid smarter. Work will be less frequent if things don't pick up but I also won't wear myself out chasing rabbits that I can't catch. I'll bid some elephants and catch a few rabbits in-between and try and stay competitive.
Carykong
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2008
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- 493
- Location
- near Williamsburg ,Virginia
- Tractor
- TC 35 New Holland and 52 Case VAC,LT25 Woodmizer logmill
Yellowdog, Sounds like you have a firm grip on your business and the challenges that go with operation of expensive gear. Your posts are similar in theme to our forum bro, FarmwithJunk, who has a successful mowing business yet is challenged by a market that is full of part time,no insurance,no license mowing operations.
OP
yellowdogsvc
Platinum Member
It's not just me then.
There are guys that stay ultra busy but don't make a dime... I'd rather be slow and making money than working for free. I don't need the practice anymore.
cat 297c
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2009
- Messages
- 390
- Location
- Semmes, Alabama
- Tractor
- Cat 299D XHP, Cat 297c, Rayco C140
My machine will sit before i'll do a job just to break even, whats the point in working your equipment if your in the same position after u finish a job than before u started. There's alot of folks doing just that day in an day out only can do that, so many times before it bits u in the but. I know I hear it all the time so an so working for 100- 120 dollars an hr why are u so much higher. Cause I'm trying to make money not go broke.
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