Trades V Pistonheads forum "Big shots"
Discussion
Good morning and welcome to the EZ123 flight to Costa Plenty.
Sorry we're a bit late taking off, it's just the last flight took a bit longer than we thought, plus Dave the steward was on a heavy night last night so didn't turn in on time. We will get going soon as, just waiting for the fuel delivery - been chasing them all morning, and we did send them the cheque for last months fuel I'm sure of it - Tracy in accounts said she posted it first class. If they won't fill us up we'll have to source another supplier, which could take a few days. Plus extra on the flight ticket price I'm afraid, special order y'see.
Once airborne, flight time will be 3 hours, unless we need to detour to Ireland as we forgot to get all the passengers from that flight last week when we'd had to go back to New York for those cases that didn't get on in time for takeoff.
So hopefully be there by teatime, unless there's a problem with paperwork for air traffic control - they've never liked us.
If that was the case, no I wouldn't pay an airline up front.
Sorry we're a bit late taking off, it's just the last flight took a bit longer than we thought, plus Dave the steward was on a heavy night last night so didn't turn in on time. We will get going soon as, just waiting for the fuel delivery - been chasing them all morning, and we did send them the cheque for last months fuel I'm sure of it - Tracy in accounts said she posted it first class. If they won't fill us up we'll have to source another supplier, which could take a few days. Plus extra on the flight ticket price I'm afraid, special order y'see.
Once airborne, flight time will be 3 hours, unless we need to detour to Ireland as we forgot to get all the passengers from that flight last week when we'd had to go back to New York for those cases that didn't get on in time for takeoff.
So hopefully be there by teatime, unless there's a problem with paperwork for air traffic control - they've never liked us.
If that was the case, no I wouldn't pay an airline up front.
I've used plenty of trades over the yeas... and have never, ever paid a deposit. They get the full payment the day the job is completed, in cash! 
Just this last week, had the driveway at the front of the OH's house done, £2k to lock-block a grassy lawn. Phoned the guy, got him round for a verbal. Agreed scope and price. Left it with him to let us know when he could startt, estimated at 2-3 weeks. He phoned back a week later asking if he could start the following day, no probs. Job completed 3 days later, £1k cash and £1k tranferred to his bank account that afternoon.
All done. Never done it differently with any trades work. Never been asked to with one exception where we agreed up front to make a 20% stage payment on an extension build when the groundworks were completed.
Just this last week, had the driveway at the front of the OH's house done, £2k to lock-block a grassy lawn. Phoned the guy, got him round for a verbal. Agreed scope and price. Left it with him to let us know when he could startt, estimated at 2-3 weeks. He phoned back a week later asking if he could start the following day, no probs. Job completed 3 days later, £1k cash and £1k tranferred to his bank account that afternoon.
All done. Never done it differently with any trades work. Never been asked to with one exception where we agreed up front to make a 20% stage payment on an extension build when the groundworks were completed.
brianashley said:
Just sick to death of "Jonny bog b
ks types" thinking they control "trades" and how crap they all are etc . when all they are is "customers" and the trade is a bone head. A good "Skilled craft person" does not have customers, we have "clients" .
Brilliant, away and go up your own arse.ks types" thinking they control "trades" and how crap they all are etc . when all they are is "customers" and the trade is a bone head. A good "Skilled craft person" does not have customers, we have "clients" .andy43 said:
Good morning and welcome to the EZ123 flight to Costa Plenty.
Sorry we're a bit late taking off, it's just the last flight took a bit longer than we thought, plus Dave the steward was on a heavy night last night so didn't turn in on time. We will get going soon as, just waiting for the fuel delivery - been chasing them all morning, and we did send them the cheque for last months fuel I'm sure of it - Tracy in accounts said she posted it first class. If they won't fill us up we'll have to source another supplier, which could take a few days. Plus extra on the flight ticket price I'm afraid, special order y'see.
Once airborne, flight time will be 3 hours, unless we need to detour to Ireland as we forgot to get all the passengers from that flight last week when we'd had to go back to New York for those cases that didn't get on in time for takeoff.
So hopefully be there by teatime, unless there's a problem with paperwork for air traffic control - they've never liked us.
If that was the case, no I wouldn't pay an airline up front.
Very good!Sorry we're a bit late taking off, it's just the last flight took a bit longer than we thought, plus Dave the steward was on a heavy night last night so didn't turn in on time. We will get going soon as, just waiting for the fuel delivery - been chasing them all morning, and we did send them the cheque for last months fuel I'm sure of it - Tracy in accounts said she posted it first class. If they won't fill us up we'll have to source another supplier, which could take a few days. Plus extra on the flight ticket price I'm afraid, special order y'see.
Once airborne, flight time will be 3 hours, unless we need to detour to Ireland as we forgot to get all the passengers from that flight last week when we'd had to go back to New York for those cases that didn't get on in time for takeoff.
So hopefully be there by teatime, unless there's a problem with paperwork for air traffic control - they've never liked us.
If that was the case, no I wouldn't pay an airline up front.
We often undertake large jobs for private customers, often up to and exceeding £80,000.
We always ask for a 30% deposit with order. Nobody has ever questioned this that I can remember.
Commercial work is obviously very different, no deposits asked for but monthly account terms on jobs exceeding £300,000 with invoices being sent in line with contractors valuation dates, etc.
I don't think you can expect a company that doesn't know you from Adam to go ahead an manufacture something of high value with no deposit.
Fair play if they do but it's certainly not a business model we'd work to.
We always ask for a 30% deposit with order. Nobody has ever questioned this that I can remember.
Commercial work is obviously very different, no deposits asked for but monthly account terms on jobs exceeding £300,000 with invoices being sent in line with contractors valuation dates, etc.
I don't think you can expect a company that doesn't know you from Adam to go ahead an manufacture something of high value with no deposit.
Fair play if they do but it's certainly not a business model we'd work to.
Under £1k no deposit, £1k-£10k 50% upfront remainder on completion, over £10k 50% upfront, 25% on delivery, final on completion.
We are slightly different in that we have a high material costs and large running costs compared to lads working out of vans etc, and a large project can take weeks or even months to manufacture.
We are slightly different in that we have a high material costs and large running costs compared to lads working out of vans etc, and a large project can take weeks or even months to manufacture.
I don't think most people have a problem with a deposit where:
a) You are ordering bespoke items
b) The supplier is building bespoke goods
c) The supplier is ordering very expensive materials on your behalf which are not common items
d) The supplier is for whatever reason operating outside of the credit terms offered to them by their own suppliers
AND
The supplier is of sufficient reputation, standing and creditworthiness that you are comfortable taking the risk of paying a deposit.
To be honest I wouldn't have a massive problem with paying a deposit on a credit card as it would give me sufficient protection, but most traders won't accept that as huge volumes of work are done for "cash".
a) You are ordering bespoke items
b) The supplier is building bespoke goods
c) The supplier is ordering very expensive materials on your behalf which are not common items
d) The supplier is for whatever reason operating outside of the credit terms offered to them by their own suppliers
AND
The supplier is of sufficient reputation, standing and creditworthiness that you are comfortable taking the risk of paying a deposit.
To be honest I wouldn't have a massive problem with paying a deposit on a credit card as it would give me sufficient protection, but most traders won't accept that as huge volumes of work are done for "cash".
We're lucky in that we work mainly for very big industrial clients, however if we do get a particularly massive job we'll ask for 40% within 30 days - most of ours pay 60 days from month end which can give you cashflow problems, no matter how good you are at cashflow. Feel sorry for a lot of the one man band tradesmen, working for the public must be horrendous.
Blakeatron said:
Under £1k no deposit, £1k-£10k 50% upfront remainder on completion, over £10k 50% upfront, 25% on delivery, final on completion.
We are slightly different in that we have a high material costs and large running costs compared to lads working out of vans etc, and a large project can take weeks or even months to manufacture.
Yep, all very reasonable.We are slightly different in that we have a high material costs and large running costs compared to lads working out of vans etc, and a large project can take weeks or even months to manufacture.
If we are installing, we'll ask for 30% with order, 50% prior to installation and balance on completion.
Muncher said:
I don't think most people have a problem with a deposit where:
a) You are ordering bespoke items
b) The supplier is building bespoke goods
c) The supplier is ordering very expensive materials on your behalf which are not common items
d) The supplier is for whatever reason operating outside of the credit terms offered to them by their own suppliers
AND
The supplier is of sufficient reputation, standing and creditworthiness that you are comfortable taking the risk of paying a deposit.
To be honest I wouldn't have a massive problem with paying a deposit on a credit card as it would give me sufficient protection, but most traders won't accept that as huge volumes of work are done for "cash".
This.a) You are ordering bespoke items
b) The supplier is building bespoke goods
c) The supplier is ordering very expensive materials on your behalf which are not common items
d) The supplier is for whatever reason operating outside of the credit terms offered to them by their own suppliers
AND
The supplier is of sufficient reputation, standing and creditworthiness that you are comfortable taking the risk of paying a deposit.
To be honest I wouldn't have a massive problem with paying a deposit on a credit card as it would give me sufficient protection, but most traders won't accept that as huge volumes of work are done for "cash".
One problem is that many working in 'trades' aren't really operating as a proper business and aren't really into offering proper quotes, schedules or contracts.
In the real world with proper stuff costing proper money you have little things like milestones and stage payments and stuff so the job gets paid as it it done to the agreed terms. Pissing about with deposits is a poor substitute.
Funnily enough none of the trades I've dealt with recently got into asking for a deposit, the job was paid when the work was done to completion. Then again they also turned up when agreed, did the job as agreed, did it to a good standard, were happy with small jobs as infill and were nice and communicative before and after. There was even proper paperwork.
When last on the tools, give quote, turn up on time, do a thorough job,including cleaning up afterwards. Did have a couple of messers, but the materials would always get used elsewhere so no biggie.
1 in particular waited for me to complete the work, then only wanted to pay half the agreed price. He was asked to go and make a brew and we would discuss it. By the time he returned, the roof was stripped off, and laying in his garden.
All decent roofers in the vicinity were informed, and hopefully he either had his pant's pulled, or it pissed into his extension.
99% of customers are fine if you give a good service, and respect them and their property....but there's always one that makes you wonder if you should of got the cash up front.
1 in particular waited for me to complete the work, then only wanted to pay half the agreed price. He was asked to go and make a brew and we would discuss it. By the time he returned, the roof was stripped off, and laying in his garden.
All decent roofers in the vicinity were informed, and hopefully he either had his pant's pulled, or it pissed into his extension.
99% of customers are fine if you give a good service, and respect them and their property....but there's always one that makes you wonder if you should of got the cash up front.
MDMA . said:
Just had a decorator in to price up the house. Agreed price, starts in 6 weeks. Pay when he finishes all work and happy with the quality. Both of us happy with that 
That's the way I think most jobs like that work. We've just had a plasterer in for two days. Paid on completion. 
It seems many are happy to also pay cash , therefore putting themselves before the Country . Clients paying cash be be a dangerous thing. I know a few that got to the end and the final payment was withheld .They could do very little about it as it was all "cash in hand" and no paperwork . Those pesky customers again. Just as bad as "us lot" wanting corners cut and rules broken to feed their own greed .
And No, I am not retired ! But getting old .
And No, I am not retired ! But getting old .
roofer said:
When last on the tools, give quote, turn up on time, do a thorough job,including cleaning up afterwards. Did have a couple of messers, but the materials would always get used elsewhere so no biggie.
1 in particular waited for me to complete the work, then only wanted to pay half the agreed price. He was asked to go and make a brew and we would discuss it. By the time he returned, the roof was stripped off, and laying in his garden.
All decent roofers in the vicinity were informed, and hopefully he either had his pant's pulled, or it pissed into his extension.
LOL. well played. 1 in particular waited for me to complete the work, then only wanted to pay half the agreed price. He was asked to go and make a brew and we would discuss it. By the time he returned, the roof was stripped off, and laying in his garden.
All decent roofers in the vicinity were informed, and hopefully he either had his pant's pulled, or it pissed into his extension.
thebraketester said:
LOL. well played.
Most people have their own little tricks. A very good HE fits remote control switches to his systems .You would have to a expert to locate them. If any issues with final payment , he turns the system off . Amazing how they want to offer him the final amount to get it all working .He tells them straight .I have also seen the worse end of it, when "traders" have smashed some wise customer to bits , the cars the whole lot . Thats why I never do cash and always form a good paper trail . 3 times to court won one in court and 2 on the steps .
Biggest scam in London now in the building game is the Albanian Contractors . Getting the money and the works done and then going all "mafia" with the Polish workers etc .Many have been done for all their wages. Or the contractor /builder returning for the FP only to find the property has been sold "yesterday"
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