- Thats it, I'm done referring customers
- Posted by Jim L. on September 7th, 2003
I've been referring customers to my competition, when I'm already booked on
a specific day. These dudes have gladly taken these customers and made money
off them. Never even sent me a 5% check as a thank you gesture. Today, one
let it slip how they were turning away customers on their already booked
days. Didn't send a single one my way. Guess like some of you, I learned my
lesson as well. F***'em, no more referrals. If a customer phones me up for a
day that I'm already booked for, I'll just say sorry and hang up.
- Posted by notjustjay on September 8th, 2003
In rec.video.desktop Jim L. <jiml@spam.com> wrote:
Is a 5% thank you check a standard procedure anywhere? Would obviously be
a nice thing to do but is there precedent for it?
Why not call up the guy you refer(red) customers to do and work out a
deal? You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours...
-
jay
don't send me email, I don't check it.
post a follow-up instead
- Posted by Steve Guidry on September 8th, 2003
I refer to competitors sometimes. My rules are kinda complicated, and
change with my varying value judgments about each competitor. But here's a
concise list for within my own market :
1) I never refer folks to a serious competitor who can or has demonstrated
a desire to hurt me, business wise. Most of these guys are ex-employees
with a grudge. I send them the "crap work" with a smile, and a
recommendation. Competition is war, after all.
2) I especially never refer folks to competitors I think are dishonest with
me. i.e. if I think they would try to steal my customer.
3) I don't do weddings. And I refer weddings to my closest competitor - -
the one who wants to break out of the wedding racket. I figure that if he
keeps on doing weddings, he's stay out of my back pocket.
4) With the 2 or 3 competitors with whom I have a special, more cooperative
relationship, I try to book the gig and then send them on a sub-contractor
basis. I only do this with customers I know to be especially secure.
Out of my market, I send customers to folks I know will do a good job. I
make sure the shooter knows where the referral comes from, and then check up
on him with the customer after it's over. Sometimes I ask for reciprocal
referrals, and sometimes I ask for a cash finder's fee, depending on whether
I think the other guy can send me some work or not.
Steve
"Jim L." <jiml@spam.com> wrote in message
news:FjO6b.328$z5.48894@news20.bellglobal.com...
- Posted by thrillcat on September 9th, 2003
We're in San Francisco, where most of the competent "day hires" have bought
their own gear and become their own companies (our competition), and most
would try to steal our clients.
We've definitely learned our lesson in referring to competition, and only
have a couple we will refer our clients to.
"Steve King" <steve@steveking.net> wrote in message
news:aM07b.288108$cF.89108@rwcrnsc53...
- Posted by Seattle Eric on September 9th, 2003
thrillcat wrote:
!!! Where are you located??
--
************************************************** *
** Look! There's ARAT in the middle of "separate"!
************************************************** **
- Posted by thrillcat on September 9th, 2003
San Francisco Bay Area.
"Seattle Eric" <spamenot@spamknot.com> wrote in message
news:bjl38s$ana$1@216.39.135.148...
- Posted by Steve Guidry on September 10th, 2003
Jim,
Why not try to salvage the situation ? If he's truly turning away
customers, then they're going _some_where. Try to work out a way that they
can come to you.
Just tell him that "Hey, I heard this . . .", and then lay it out. Then
offer to drop HIM a 5% courtesy check.
This is, after all, about MONEY. Not a pissing contest.
Steve Guidry
Video Works, Inc.
800.844.4404
P. S. Rent my truck. Pics at
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ADME:B:LC:US:1
"Jim L." <jiml@spam.com> wrote in message
news:FjO6b.328$z5.48894@news20.bellglobal.com...
- Posted by Max Volume on September 10th, 2003
In article <mTG7b.3431$TC1.545@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.n et>, Steve
Guidry <steveguidry@earthlink.net> wrote:
Or, rent an SUV equipped with a G4 Powerbook.
- Posted by HighPeaksVideo on September 11th, 2003
Hey Max Asshole, I would love to see you produce a live event with a
powerbook. Get a clue!
Craig H.
- Posted by Mike Kujbida on September 11th, 2003
"Max Volume" <macsvolume@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:100920031950109195%macsvolume@yahoo.com...
If you think that a G4 Powerbook can do everything that Steve's truck can,
you're dumber than I thought you were.
Mike
- Posted by Mike Kujbida on September 11th, 2003
"HighPeaksVideo" <highpeaksvideo@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030910204550.26759.00000916@mb-m26.aol.com...
That's impossible Craig. Having a clue would imply having a brain -
something we all know Max is lacking in :-(
Mike
- Posted by HighPeaksVideo on September 11th, 2003
ahh, Mike......... there has to be some gray matter there......
somewhere........................
he is typing after all.............??
Yeah, typing......... ahhhhhhh
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Hey Max, we have a zippy guy over on the SF Vegas forums that might be your
friend......... if a ya need one?
He is a windows tard though, but you guys might find nirvana together
.......... Woooo hoooo, ........ go dumb people
Craig (No pills, all organic) H.
ahhhhhhhhh
- Posted by Max Volume on September 12th, 2003
In article <bjoljo$kt5bg$1@ID-113661.news.uni-berlin.de>, Mike Kujbida
<kujfamXSPAMX@sympatico.ca> wrote:
Probably 90% of it or more -- an a hell of a lot cheaper.
- Posted by Mike Kujbida on September 12th, 2003
"Max Volume" <macsvolume@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:120920030012215465%macsvolume@yahoo.com...
I was wrong. You're a LOT dumber than I thought.
- Posted by Max Volume on September 12th, 2003
In article <bjrhig$md3l8$1@ID-113661.news.uni-berlin.de>, Mike Kujbida
<kujfamXSPAMX@sympatico.ca> wrote:
It's called progress -- deal with it.
- Posted by HighPeaksVideo on September 12th, 2003
macsvolume@yahoo.com drooled:
You're talking about the pills you consume, right?
You really think a G4 can do 90% of what a live production truck can do?
Mike was right, you are dumber than any of us thought.
Craig H.
- Posted by Mike Kujbida on September 13th, 2003
"HighPeaksVideo" <highpeaksvideo@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030912131540.17796.00000809@mb-m01.aol.com...
Or maybe he's just baiting us with dumb answers to see who bites.
I recommend we just ignore him from now on.
Mike
- Posted by nappy on September 13th, 2003
he is dumber than anyone thinks. Especially him
"Max Volume" <macsvolume@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:120920030012215465%macsvolume@yahoo.com...
- Posted by HighPeaksVideo on September 13th, 2003
Ahh, but how will everyone else figure it out Mike? Us old guard have to
hold down the fort. No?
Tomorrow, while I'm working a 12 hour live shoot, I'll have many good laughs
thinking about a single G4 replacing a 48' trailer.
Bwaaa haaaa haaaaa
Craig (Go Griz) H.
- Posted by Mike Kujbida on September 13th, 2003
"HighPeaksVideo" <highpeaksvideo@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030913020610.28589.00001336@mb-m03.aol.com...
To get the answers, you have to learn to ask the right questions.
Yep. And we don't mind sharing our accumulated knowledge. I've been in
this business for over 30 years and I'm still learning something new every
day.
Been there, done that. I really don't see a G4 doing a live 6 camera shoot
with 24 channels of audio, Chryon, Grass 300 with dual channel Abekas and a
mix of BetaSP, DigiBeta and DVCPro tape machines - not to mention the crew
of around 20 to make it all work :-)
Mike
