Craigslist * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

There are also plenty of homegrown americans working for cash in the industry which effects wages and prices. Some of them even collect unemployment and then work for cash.
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

[ QUOTE ]
has this country got that bad that we now have to slam people like that just to make a buck?" I mean is this how we do business now in the tree industry?

[/ QUOTE ]

For the most part it seems to be so. I see this tactic used more and more everyday. I've even known one guy to carry driving records of other company owners, and use them to bash the companies to the customers.

But as for the immigrant workers, well thats another whole ball of wax. I just put it this way. I never took Spanish, never bought a cd to learn it, but over the last 6 years I now know enough I can speak it almost as well as English, and German that I studied in school.

The last 3 years I noticed the increased number of climbers, at well below any regular rate. As a stand against this attack on climbers I refuss to teach said workers anymore.
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

While we know this to be true it doesn't mean the debate stops here. Although the thread has been steered in a different direction there have been some good issues brought up. I think most would agree there are many factors dragging down the industry. When times were plentiful all heads are turned. Times get a little bit challenging and the finger pointing starts. Someone said the key; lets become better business people along with becoming better workers.
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
has this country got that bad that we now have to slam people like that just to make a buck?" I mean is this how we do business now in the tree industry?

[/ QUOTE ]

For the most part it seems to be so. I see this tactic used more and more everyday. I've even known one guy to carry driving records of other company owners, and use them to bash the companies to the customers.

But as for the immigrant workers, well thats another whole ball of wax. I just put it this way. I never took Spanish, never bought a cd to learn it, but over the last 6 years I now know enough I can speak it almost as well as English, and German that I studied in school.

The last 3 years I noticed the increased number of climbers, at well below any regular rate. As a stand against this attack on climbers I refuss to teach said workers anymore.

[/ QUOTE ]

When the economy tanks people begin to point fingers and blame. Xenophobia is a killer - leave it in our collective antiquity and forge a better tomorrow.

Craigslist is a bust usually - from my experience it's usually someone selling their services cheap which usually translates into little or no real credentials and little or no experience. There are always exceptions, but few.
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

[ QUOTE ]
Craigslist is a bust usually - from my experience it's usually someone selling their services cheap which usually translates into little or no real credentials and little or no experience.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really!!!!!??????

I've seen companies like savatree, bartlett, davey, and other certed known names post on Craigslist.

me thinks your full o'
pokinit.gif
It's a free place to place adds use it as such. You will always see said whacks and attackers in such add places the trick is to make yourself stand above those guys.
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

[ QUOTE ]
Does it upset you that he slams people in public? Really how many times have we heard as a collective industry about companies slamming companies to the customer.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen it done other more subtle ways.

There is a Portland tree service - decent one I'm sure - that on their website says they are like the number one or best tree service here.

Now that's Bull ...

That's a slam on other excellent arborists in the area.

And for that reason, I'd say that the company management morals are not comparable to any tree standards they might adhere to.
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

Has this country stooped to attack ads? Um, look at the campaigning that goes on. This is the norm for all business including that of electioneering.
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

[ QUOTE ]

Really!!!!!??????

I've seen companies like savatree, bartlett, davey, and other certed known names post on Craigslist.

me thinks your full o'
pokinit.gif
It's a free place to place adds use it as such. You will always see said whacks and attackers in such add places the trick is to make yourself stand above those guys.

[/ QUOTE ]

that's the problem with craigslist - it's free - so the people who look there for services are looking for cheap - and generally those who get work from there do it cheap(er) than a company who's spending money on advertising and training will do it for. From my experience posting on craigslist has given my the most run around for nothing - referrals bring the most clients. I think that the big corps post there because it a no-brainer - why not? But probably don't land a bunch of jobs from those posts...

40" oak removal:

i gotta chainsaw and pickup (experienced in some other trade, not tree care) $500 2 weeks from start to finish

insured,isa cert arb/climber, crane, chipper, skidsteer, boom, stumper $2000 1 day
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

So, what is the benefit of what you're selling? Do you really expect the average client to know what all that actually means to him except higher cost?

Why do you pay more for a certain piece of equipment? Or do you? Buyers have either time or money to spend. Which one they will use to pay for the service depends on which they value most at the moment. It's up to you to show them why you giving them greater value.
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

[ QUOTE ]
So, what is the benefit of what you're selling? Do you really expect the average client to know what all that actually means to him except higher cost?

[/ QUOTE ]


to some degree most do

[ QUOTE ]
Why do you pay more for a certain piece of equipment? Or do you? Buyers have either time or money to spend. Which one they will use to pay for the service depends on which they value most at the moment. It's up to you to show them why you giving them greater value.

[/ QUOTE ]

true. it's their choice - which indicates they have some awareness of whether they want an insured/certified sort of company or not.

my only original point about craigslist is that it doesn't seem to be the best place to expect business from if you are offering professional services.

my original original point was why bash the non-white immigrant population in an attempt to justify isms and schisms - which was the gist a few of the first posts - not the orignal, but a few of the follow-ups.

buying American is a good thing for our economy for sure - but what defines American?



[ QUOTE ]
Guy does have a piont though doesn't he? Are ya upset cause you have nothing but low paid immigrants working for ya? Seems the immigrants and expressly the illegal one, make for a false wage and cost across the whole board. Makes it alittle harder for an all American company to compete against an all immigrant company.

[/ QUOTE ]
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

Some are aware and it is their choice HOWEVER, you want to be sure they are aware of the benefits and making a truly informed choice of why they would be better off paying the extra for YOUR services. we leave our success in the hands of others so, let's make sure they'll be able to make a well-informed decision based on how are services truly fit all their needs.

While I tend to agree that Craigslist isn't the best place for a professional service, it still may fit with your target market. More like sticking an ad in the classified section of your local newspaper though.

As for bashing, I agree that we lose sight that the vast majority of us are of immigrant stock.

All of this is what led to my post. This stuff has always been there and for every business. Thus the need to improve our business and selling skills. That is the bottomline. Things will always change and new markets will mature and become saturated. While a rising tide floats all boats, which ones will continue to float and make it out of the harbor?
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

Bartlett advertises on CL in the Dallas/FW area.

A customer of mine who was a salesman and knew marketing told me to NEVER talk down about competition. Talk up about yourself. When a client asks about the competition it can be difficult to stay positive. His suggestion was to have a few practiced lines that aren't weighted.
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

That's a key lesson in selling. Practiced lines. Most see that as a "snake oil salesman" approach. We really need to see more training on selling in this industry!
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

Seems like in these times any outlet for advertising, especially free and popular, would be prudent. I appreciate that CL is available against print media, which is becoming a dinosaur.

Found two vehicles on CL that I didn't find conventionally, also a retired Stihl technician, a vacation trade in Cozumel, a barter for the chipper paintjob and a cancer support group not umbrella'd by the big crooked non-profits.

Type Stihl into the simple search box, under For Sale, in the Northern cities,and there's a potential business staring right at you. The best private land/cabin/home sales, minus commission and other attachment costs...looking for salvaged Ike boats? Custom hiking boots? Home tanned leather by the sq. yard?

Saw a bucket truck in Autos/Trucks, 5,400K. South Valley of Texas. Two weeks later it's on Ebay, new owner, for $14,000 starting bid.

I love Craigslist and it's not beneath me to put my name on it (if I advertised).
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

Funny thing about those immigrant workers, or at least the ones I've worked with... they're the ones who show up every day, sober, and aren't pissing and moaning about needing a break every ten minutes.
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

[ QUOTE ]
Funny thing about those immigrant workers, or at least the ones I've worked with... they're the ones who show up every day, sober, and aren't pissing and moaning about needing a break every ten minutes.

[/ QUOTE ]

And the ones i've worked with worked their a$$'s off. Never complained even when others were.

But i've also worked with 1 immigrant that showed up drunk and felt he was irreplaceable. Much less likely to find an immigrant that feels this way though then an american!?! thats the honest truth unfortunately

The company i worked for that had immigrants working for him, made sure they were all legal, and got the same guys ever year. The reason he started getting immigrants was because he couldn't find americans that would work hard, would show up consitantly with a positive attitude. I can't blame him either, seeing how well his "boys" worked. Impressive job they did.
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

[ QUOTE ]
Funny thing about those immigrant workers, or at least the ones I've worked with... they're the ones who show up every day, sober, and aren't pissing and moaning about needing a break every ten minutes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Till they get americanized. Or I love the ones that take 3 times aslong as normal to do a job, cuase they know they aint making the rate they supposed too. And the best of the bunch is the ones that come from North East and think they work hard
att.gif
 
Re: Craigslist Philly * Trades/Skills* Tree Care

Yes, desperation will do that. People will work hard when they have more at stake. Immigrants have traveled a long way to make enough money to support themselves and family. They will find the way to maximize that. Whether it's dragging their feet or being productive, doing side jobs, or whatever else. That is dependent on how they're paid.

As far as showing up drunk and such, they are as prone to dysfunction as the rest of us.
 

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom