sundance-communications.com/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information Dont Nationals Get it when it comes to cost??

I am now, taking on work from a second National. I have bid on and failed to get the bid on the first national for travel to vancouver island British Columbia.

A bid came in for changing out a router at 75.00. I countered with 275.00. The round trip ferry cost is 135.00. The travel time is 5 hours round trip. I am being nice and charging 30.00 per hour one way ferry ride time plus drive at $75.00. With one hour of labor, that would come to total of 135+75+60= $270.00.

The agent countered with 200.00 final offer. That leaves me with being paid $65.00 for six hours of labor?

I called the head quarters to leave a message to complain about the added cost. Waiting there call back.

off course they get it , they bid cheap then look for the cheapest warm body they can find to do the work so they can bill it out

they dont care if you make enough to survive or what your competence level is they just care about getting the work done cheap enough that they can make money

subbing for nationals is not a very good business plan

They figure that with the state of the economy the way it is you must be living out of your van eating Ramen Noodles and will jump at any pittance they offer. If you don't fit that description they will keep looking until they find some sucker who does.

-Hal

Theyre getting worse and worse. I dont even bid on projects, only service work. Theres one up for bid now to change out scanners and Thin Clients at 9 drug stores scattered all over hell for the grand sum $260.00.I just tell them that whoever is putting prices on their jobs Must be smoking some pretty good s**t.

You must be very careful with Nationals.
We only do work for 3.

Only work for the ones that will pay normal rates and travel otherwise your just filling their pockets.

The bottom line is they can keep lowering the
price and someone will always take them.

Crosscom projects are extremely noxious like 8
small jobs at 8 locations for $240.00 no travel,yet they are taken.

This also goes to show why legitimate businesses have no business. What works for the nationals works for our customers too. Keep looking and some crack head trunker will be happy to do whatever the customer wants for a few dollars.

-Hal

Hal
True, very true.
Just lost a 11 location V & D to a trunk slammer who charged $XXX.00
Thats 22 cables plus jacks.

I had someone that wanted me to drive for two hours, 1 hour work, and only charge $95 total. I agree with what Hal said...

I only do work for about 3 nationals, and its pretty select stuff.