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It is a fine line between freedom of speech for our posters, and respecting the stuff our vendors sell. Unfortunately, sometimes those on both sides of the fence with hidden agendas take advantage of the internet to spread bad shit. While we sure don't want RCIA to turn into a freaking Informercial, we want our vendors to feel comfortable here.

In England, they seldom break up fights in Bars, they allow people to get it  out of their systems instead. If I were a Vendor, I would welcome criticism to demonstrate my knowledge and faith in a product. Remember, my ideas on roof cleaning were once ridiculed by certain people on the Internet. I was attacked left and right. I used those attacks on me and my ideas to demonstrate my knowledge and conviction to the roof cleaning system we all use today. RCIA will kiss NO Vendors ass, nor will we protect them either. If I open my mouth in a Bar about how my Ford Truck RULES the road, I had best be ready for the Dodge and Chevvy guys.
Likewise, if a vendor offers to sell  us a product, our guys have the right to break it down, and offer an opinion. For instance, I know EXACTLY what is  in Simple Cherry, so what ? I COULD whip up my own, but why ? Bob has it all ready to go at a resonable price, complete with a good conversation at no extra charge!
I just paid 2.99 each for 4 foot long chili dogs. For less then the 12 dollars I paid, I could have made my own chili dogs, but I wanted a chili dog right then. Besides, the chili dog place is my customer, we have cleaned his whole family's roofs! So WTF, let him make a buck or 2. Same with our vendors, they have to make a buck or 2 to stay in business.

I also wanted to say a little more. I really really appreciate finally that someone started this topic. I have said this about PWP and the hypocrisy to so many people and I think they are starting to think I am alone in seeing this.
All of our vendors left either because of Lori or because of the members cutting their threads. It's sad. Then they yell at the BOD for not having a vendor on board. A catch 22 you know.
I find myself trying to stifle so much drama, it would be great if those who knew more of the details and more of the true nature of these things would speak out more. Unfortunettly it has to be repeated because as soon as someone learns this stuff three new people come on board and the learnign curve starts all over. I wish the guys here now could see how a lot of this went down.

I also think your right that people got a bad taste in their mouths from Dave and Lori and unfortunately many still think they did nothing wrong whatsoever

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:

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 For instance, I know EXACTLY what is  in Simple Cherry, so what ? I COULD whip up my own, but why ? Bob has it all ready to go at a resonable price, complete with a good conversation at no extra charge!
I just paid 2.99 each for 4 foot long chili dogs. For less then the 12 dollars I paid, I could have made my own chili dogs, but I wanted a chili dog right then. Besides, the chili dog place is my customer, we have cleaned his whole family's roofs! So WTF, let him make a buck or 2. Same with our vendors, they have to make a buck or 2 to stay in business.

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First let me say Chris dont be stressing yourself out!

Thats dead on the money Chris. The rcia cant be consumed with infomercials but we have to show others the same respect that we would expect to receive.

Some people will eventually figure out your above quote. You have to spend it to make it. I know if my vendors are making money off of me then I must be doing good.

Bill I posted this here because I didnt feel it should be in the open for customers to find. If it was made available to all members in the shade I wouldnt mind.

I get the liability issue as well. Just wasnt sure what was going on. I wouldnt sign my name to anything that would hold me personally liable for what other people were doing.

As far as the distasteful posts on vendors go..... If we want to be considered professionals then we need to act that way. With everyone. Im not saying let someone run roughshod over the board. Im just saying give them the same respect that you would expect to receive.

 

I think one of the problems that lies herein is the lack of experience many of our members have had with professional boards and associations. In many associations the vendors do a lot of the heavy lifting both in financial support and executive work. This is normal, and frankly what better place is there for a vendor to be? Why would any of them join the "basket weavers association" when they are trying to service those in the cleaning industry?

I think we further have a problem with the internet structure, not that I'm saying we change it, just pointing it out. The anonymity that the internet brings and the feeling of safety behind the keyboard lets a lot of people type a lot of things they would not say in public. I', not pointing out a solution here, just the problem.

But we do need to cut vendors some slack, and honestly go out and get more of them! They should be the lifeblood of the association, and we should make them feel welcome!

OK, every body know i read the first one and then post. lol!!! Here I tried to read, I lost interest, sory. It just became blah blah blah. Not that Chris or Bill was boring! Uhhh...

I have alot invested here. Not money but what I push and believe in. Earlier Chris said he got alot of flack for this method. I caught it too. Bill your just finding the other BBS. now it's all easy street.

Where Chris and I have been. And many others. I left the others and made the RCIA my home. Hunkered down, lol!

This place is different than any other place. The RCIA. There is brother hood here and a BOD. This is my home.

Today I'm out of surficant. Roof wash. I went old school! , lol!!! Came out great.

Lori has the best surficant. Need to reup on surficant. It rocked. Ordering soon.

I aint fixing nothing that aint broke. Lot of new guys here.

I dont try to keep up with all the posts.

I heard Lori, The other dude, hes a "you know", lol! I was feeling that before it was suggested.

From Lori the fragrance and surficant. You want you chit to smell pretty and stick and do its job.

Not really sure why said all this. I hope it doesnt hurt me. Even though this wont make sense to the newbies. I hope My opinion doesnt hurt me.

Damn pulled in politics. Count me out. Thats for the BOD. We are winning!

YALL ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!!!!

LMAO....I know. That is typically what I do after one of those posts.

Roof Cleaning Little Rock Arkansas wrote:

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Good points Ray.

For starters everyone could be required to have their picture for their avatar.

And then bans could be handed out for bad attitudes.

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 I agree on both points.  Show your face so I will remember who you are at the RCIA yearly convention.  I forget names of companies but I remember a face.

 

Hey +1 guys! I get tirda all the complainin and its just easire 2 read n keep quiet for me. I agree w mike this is my brotherhood and my home!!

sweetwaterfish wrote:

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I think one of the problems that lies herein is the lack of experience many of our members have had with professional boards and associations. In many associations the vendors do a lot of the heavy lifting both in financial support and executive work. This is normal, and frankly what better place is there for a vendor to be? Why would any of them join the "basket weavers association" when they are trying to service those in the cleaning industry?

I think we further have a problem with the internet structure, not that I'm saying we change it, just pointing it out. The anonymity that the internet brings and the feeling of safety behind the keyboard lets a lot of people type a lot of things they would not say in public. I', not pointing out a solution here, just the problem.

But we do need to cut vendors some slack, and honestly go out and get more of them! They should be the lifeblood of the association, and we should make them feel welcome!

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Ray, great points and I agree with some, but not all. My opinion has nothing to do with the RCIA situation but rather what I have learned from the history and working with different Orgs. & Assoc.

Contractors are suspicious of Vendors. Why? Because a few burned the crap out of many contractors. Vendors join Orgs. or Associations To Sell, period. Most (Not All) don't give a hang about the ones they joined, they're in it for a buck..And That's Cool, but be up front about it.

If you mean "Lifeblood Of An Association" as in $$$$ then I agree, but if you mean that they are part of the direction and decision making of an Org... Well lets just say, I won't be part of it. I know the history, I've seen what has happened in these situations, and it was not Cool.

Ever try to join CETA? You can't, you have to be a Distributor or Vendor. No Contractors Allowed, why? Don't we buy the equipment? Aren't we the ones that keep them in Business?