Payoffs

[John Allin]

I was recently told that "payoffs" are a part of business reality, by someone in this industry.....

I have never paid off anyone to get business. I never had to, nor did I ever give it a thought to do so.

Anyone here ever do that ??

[LAWNGODFATHER]

NOPE never have and never will. But on the other hand nothing like taking a cleint out for dinner.

LGF:blob1:

[paul]

Payoff's no way! Never!
I like my freedom:)

[John Allin]

LGF,
I was referring to actual cash in envelope type payoffs. You know, the ones that are handed over through car windows, or in dark alleys.... that kind of thing....

[paul]

I do mostly goverment contracts they have very heavy prison terms and finesfor collusion!

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by John Allin
LGF,
I was referring to actual cash in envelope type payoffs. You know, the ones that are handed over through car windows, or in dark alleys.... that kind of thing....

I see you clarified using my post. NO we do not give cash out at any time.

But dinners are used in some cases. And used to discus Biz with them.

LGF:blob1:

[65hoss]

Nope, not me. There is nothing I want bad enough to payoff to get it.

[GreenQuest Lawn]

No way!

I would never pay for an account. I can get enough work without.

Heck I turned down more this year than I took on.

[Fantasy Lawns]

no

[Runner]

I think whoever it was in this industry that told you this watches a little too much television.:cool:

[TruGreenDedLawn]

Originally posted by Runner
I think whoever it was in this industry that told you this watches a little too much television.:cool:

I think it was Phil Nillson

I do not give pay offs

[Scag48]

I guess this kinda refers to this topic, but I kinda do something like that. I told my customers that every person they refer me to and I get that job, I'll give the orginal customer a free cut. This isn't cash, just a little incentive for being chatty kathy's. No offense to anybody named Kathy...

[65hoss]

Scag48, I don't think that is what JAA is talking about. He means under the table payoffs to get jobs. Mostly big commercial jobs would be in this catagory.

[Guido]

I'm bringing my post over from Plowsite and pasting it here also. I noticed there was only 2 responses over there, and both were the opposite to the ones here.

I think it happens a lot more with the construction side of it than mowing lawns. Honestly, everywhere I've been I've seen it. I'm not saying I condone it, but it was always there.

Heres my original post:



In the NorhEast there is a large
amount of this behavior. I've seen it for plowing, towing, painting, and even catering!!! No Joke!

Our city officials were known to be pretty crooked, for as long as I remember, and they were easily bought. There were a lot of times where a bid was "announced" as law states, but only announced to a select group of contractors. Those guys would sit down together and take turns winning a bid. Well if this month was John's month, he would bid a price to include a HUGE profit, and all the other guys made sure they bid up outrageously higher prices than his original outrageous price to ensure he got the contract.

It was a circle and it always came back around to you, so it worked out for everyone. One or Two a year usually took very well care of you.

It worked the same way when plowing for the city. There are 100 trucks in reserve (just throwing out #'s) to go out for a storm. Well we just get a small sprinkle. They don't need 100 trucks to go out so they only have to call a handfill to augment the city trucks. Who do they call first, Joe Blow or their buddy John Allin or Guido??

If you guys don't think this goes on, look a little closer. Some times its hard to see because they've gotten good at doing it, but its in everything. I watch it here with the contractors on base!! Its amazing what someone will do for an outrageous amount of money!

[jeffex]

Paul
Where do you find your gov. contracts. I've been searching for some web sites but mostly find ones that want you to pay for lists. These seem like scams to me. Do you have an "in" somewhere or are these available to everyone. I heard of a person who bid a hudge contract out of state and then simply flew out to find a subcontractor to do the work. Then once a month he flew out to check on thier work. I want to add some commercial work to my accounts in 2002 and I'm starting now to plan an attack!

[Guido]

I know I've had a site listed at work somewhere that lists all the D.O.D. Contracts, but I don't think it covered al the gov't work. E-mail me at guido@pjsnet.com so I remember to get you the address tommorow.

This is the real thing, it had the list right there, no paying, etc.

Hope I can help!

Oh yeah, you better set aside a few skins to grease palms up there!! :)

Just kidding!

[wallzwallz]

it definetly is out there,but i won't kick back. i find in mowing it's usually a manager of several commercial,condo or housing assoc. that try this, I've only been approached for free work at managers own property but still refused.

jeffex: a little off topic here but my friend is a mason,he started paying a subscription for this monthly union jobs book, he's done quite well since subscribing

[jeffex]

I am one who believes that payoffs is the way big money turns. I want to make the next move as I can schmooze with the best of them. I guess DI have to fatten some wallets and work on my golf game.

[kris]

Never come across it personally.

I do believe that it goes on.

I am sure most have done the not so obvious... dinners, free hockey game tickets , a better deal on some service etc.

Cash in a envelope... no

[awm]

seems to me the key factor is big money stuff. corruption all
ways tries to get its foot in the door when the high profit,big
money is involved. not much of a threat to me.:)

[jeffex]

The risk is that you pay the money before you get the contract. There is no real guarantee. Then your bids must include some of this expence money as a cost of doing business. I am going to expence mine as "promotional expences". Residential lawns are great but customer contact is constant. With commercial contracts the face to face work is up front in getting the deal. All the big companies rely mainly on commercial work. I would love to get a big contract to justify getting more toys.

[ron]

I did have one client who was the President of a Home Owners association, He wanted me to place a bid on the property of 66 houses and he would take it to the board members heck he even told me what the other LCO charged them. but he wanted me to cut his yard and his mothers house which was 20 miles away for free in return he would get me this account for three years ..I said no thanks.....

[JML]

Yes, we have given some kickbacks to property managers from cutting their lawns, to free landscape installs to sometimes even cash. I really don't like it, but it is a part of business, and money makes money. But we are usually told the high bid, and then we are the high bid but we still get the contract. In our area of NJ it is very very common for the manager or president to get something...

[kutnkru]

In our area there are more greasy palms than PeeWee Herman has shows. I have seen it from County Clambakes to Private Affairs.

There are many in our area who have bulit their empires from "old money". This would not have been possible had they not paid their respects, or shown gratitude for those who made it possible for their fathers/grand fathers to do business.

I have attended weddings of friends where cameras are to be taken by the "hired" photographers only. I have also worked on Construction sites where when the OSHA Inspectors stopped by and up to 6 laborers were working without hardhats, there were no fines issued. This offense is normally $750 out of pocket to the laborer.

Amazing how money makes the world go round. LOL!!!

Kris

[guntruck]

John, we havent in our first year, nor will we even consider it in the years to come. I believe in honesty and thats the way we'll keep it. However, i do know alot of the "who you know" thing that goes on around here that has helped people land commercial accounts. No it is not fair but its more of a reality than most people are aware of in my opinion. Sad but true!!

[cantoo]

It happens, even in small Town work. Mostly good old boy type deals, it's tough to get in on the good jobs when they are "given" to friends. This doesn't mean that money changes hands just that favors get done back and forth.

[Martino]

Originally posted by JML
Yes, we have given some kickbacks to property managers from cutting their lawns, to free landscape installs to sometimes even cash. I really don't like it, but it is a part of business, and money makes money. But we are usually told the high bid, and then we are the high bid but we still get the contract. In our area of NJ it is very very common for the manager or president to get something...

You must cut all of Tony Soprano's properties.

[lee b]

This payoff business must be a yankee thing.:blob3:

[kutnkru]

This payoff business must be a yankee thing.Nope. I have heard about similar things happening in Red Sox Territory too. LOL!!! :laugh:

[dhicks]

I'm a small fish in this big pond. I know what you mean about pay off. I guess the best that I could do in a pay off situation is throw a twenty in an envelope and include a bottle of MD 20-20.

On the serious side, I guess that I do pay off. For example, free estimates, doing a little extra work and not charging or nickle and diming the client, and not charging for the last cut of the season.

Yep, I guess I'm guilty. :dizzy: