Company Rivalry

[jaydebruyne]

So.. There are two plumbers who monopolise my area where I live. I've now started getting work through Facebook from a group my wife is a member to, of which I know these other two engineers get work from.

I go to a job today that I got from said Facebook group and while I'm there one of the other guys turn up to quote on moving the boiler.

I think to myself, hang on a min, that's a bit cheeky of the custard to bring in two plumbers at the same time for different works, but then after that thought I no longer care and continue working.

I've never been in a situation where it's dog eat dog in terms of work.. I'm thinking it's better if I just send the guy a message to say hello and that so we're not enemies.. And maybe if there's work I can't take on I'll pass to him etc.

Bad move? How does this kind of thing work? Am I best just not caring and continuing what I'm doing???

Strange feeling, competition! Lol

 

[Riley]

It's entirely up to you mate if you know him through friends / acquaintances it might make you seem the bigger man to be friendly it can also lead to work from them if they have too much and vice versa. I am really good mates with a couple of guys that come into my merchant. They are top guys and wouldn't dream of stealing work from me or me from them but it's always nice to have people you can call upon if you find yourself in a hole or need to talk through a problem. Contrastingly as I'm sure there are in every merchant there are several guys that we all take the Mickey out of because they are so competitive and think the way to do business is to stamp on every one else

 

[quality]

I will give my 2 pence worth
We only do gas as well as refrigeration which is my core business. We do gas as part of a demand from customers who choose to use us. I changed a diverter valve on a baxi 105 in January when I turned up they were having a new bathroom fitted by another local bloke. I hate bathrooms he cant work on boilers.
People have even questioned me when I fix a leak and are surprised that I do plumbing

 

[rpm]

Agree it`s a difficult one and so much depends on the mentality of the other guy, some will smile and stab you in the back others will be ok. Don`t think I would send the Hi message myself but try and strike up a conversation if you meet like that again or in a merchants and gauge how it goes.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Agree it`s a difficult one and so much depends on the mentality of the other guy, some will smile and stab you in the back others will be ok. Don`t think I would send the Hi message myself but try and strike up a conversation if you meet like that again or in a merchants and gauge how it goes.

I think this is the best course of action! And I agree re: how the other person is. For all I know he could be slagging me off to the custard we were both with.

 

[rpm]

I`m like quality (post #3) as in local plumbers call me for sani work and I pass on the work I can`t do to one of them then we meet up for an exchange of drinks in a pub.

 

[jaydebruyne]

I`m like quality (post #3) as in local plumbers call me for sani work and I pass on the work I can`t do to one of them then we meet up for an exchange of drinks in a pub.

See I think that's how it should be.. End of the day there's enough work out there.. I hate ladder work so he can have all that for himself haha

 

[quality]

Its all about the drink lol

 

[quality]

Joking aside it works well if the communication is there

 

[rpm]

I think this is the best course of action! And I agree re: how the other person is. For all I know he could be slagging me off to the custard we were both with.

I`ve got one local guy who slags me off for repairing whilst all he wants to do is make a fast buck replacing, we are never gonna see eye to eye not that I lose sleep over it.

 

[Riley]

Totally agree that's why I go out for a drink regularly with these guys I know. Yes there's a lot of shoptalk but sometimes you need that when you're working solo or as part of a very small team there are often things which you might not know and funny regulation changes that have come up that you don't understand just give you the chance to bounce ideas off of the people in the same boat

 

[quality]

Most gas registered folk in my area are in it for the buck and if I am honest they are pretty poor. (I have seen some shocking results)
We got Corgi registered when there was a demand but we provide a quality decent honest service. We are not cheap or expensive we are quality which is how I see us, 26 years last January we do a good job

 

[jaydebruyne]

Totally agree that's why I go out for a drink regularly with these guys I know. Yes there's a lot of shoptalk but sometimes you need that when you're working solo or as part of a very small team there are often things which you might not know and funny regulation changes that have come up that you don't understand just give you the chance to bounce ideas off of the people in the same boat

That's where it's difficult for me as I don't generally do well with keeping friendships (mental health issues). So that wouldn't really work for me - I'm more than happy with the forum

 

[Riley]

That's the way should be mate I never market myself as being lightning quick because I want to be happy with the finished result as much as the customer is

 

[quality]

Keep your head down
Pipe is pipe

 

[Riley]

That's where it's difficult for me as I don't generally do well with keeping friendships (mental health issues). So that wouldn't really work for me - I'm more than happy with the forum

Totally agree buddy I have to say there is a few people on here that I would class as being guys I wouldn't hesitate to have a chat with and buy a pint

 

[rpm]

That's where it's difficult for me as I don't generally do well with keeping friendships (mental health issues). So that wouldn't really work for me

Keep calm
And
Carry on

then Jay, one size doesn`t fit all.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Keep calm
And
Carry on

then Jay, one size doesn`t fit all.

That's what I tried to tell the Mrs lol

 

[rpm]

Pretty sure the ladies on mumsnet have something to say on that. Lol

 

[jaydebruyne]

Pretty sure the ladies on mumsnet have something to say on that. Lol

Note to self: check out mumsnet 😛