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al9226 · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

RE: Do you believe in "Territories?"

Art O · Guest

This is a Free Country. We can work anywhere we want.

Roof Cleaning Virginia 540-949-6277 · Roof Cleaning Institute of America Premium Member/MODERATOR

Art O wrote:
This is a Free Country. We can work anywhere we want.

True and very much too the point Art.

As I read all of this and then read yours, I wonder... why do some people get so upset if there is another company close by competing for work? What a waste of precious energy!

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Good point, Brett, it does seem like a waste of energy to get upset over that. I'd be more upset with a local guy driving all of the prices DOWN!

gutterdog · Nov 16, 2011

This is kinda complicated. In a nutshell treat others like you would like to be treated, my distance that I travel is less than before, but if slow and hurting I'd go to Virginia. WOM I go out of that area. And I add gas and time to the price. Never under cut noone, Some jobs I was more expensive. I got the job I think because I showed up vs, looking at the house online and quoting price that way?

That and my Charming personality!

The mindframe is different now, like I seen here last year.

I'ts been gravy phone ringing off the hook and emails, messages for work. this spring and summer. Lot of networking these jobs to other friends closer and them sending me same.

Now not the same. Winter round the corner.

Guest

As opinionated as I am, you know I'm gonna wade in here...

This scenario is hauntingly familiar. And frankly, I supect a different twist on the subject may result in a paradigm shift, at least for some.

Al (Skyline) and Mike (GutterDogs) hit the nail on the head. It's about professional courtesy, at least among Guild Members as Al calls it. (RCIA members etc)

I'm going south to Florida for a while, and I'll be practically in Chris Tuckers back yard. I'm NOT taking my rig, but you better believe if I was, I'd call Chris ahead of time as a professional courtesy, plain and simple. That phone call would go a long way. Chris has spent time on the phone with me, teaching me many things. To 'show up' in his back yard is not the way that I'd operate, but that's just me.

Short sighted thinking results in short sighted results. In other words, one may turn otherwise allies having been forthcoming with information, into extremely fierce competitors.

Having said all of that, it is America, and capitalism at it's best. There's still something to be said about thinking things through long term.

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Roof Cleaning Northern Virginia (571) 250 9650 wrote:
As opinionated as I am, you know I'm gonna wade in here...
This scenario is hauntingly familiar. And frankly, I supect a different twist on the subject may result in a paradigm shift, at least for some.
Al (Skyline) and Mike (GutterDogs) hit the nail on the head. It's about professional courtesy, at least among Guild Members as Al calls it. (RCIA members etc)
I'm going south to Florida for a while, and I'll be practically in Chris Tuckers back yard. I'm NOT taking my rig, but you better believe if I was, I'd call Chris ahead of time as a professional courtesy, plain and simple. That phone call would go a long way. Chris has spent time on the phone with me, teaching me many things. To 'show up' in his back yard is not the way that I'd operate, but that's just me.
Short sighted thinking results in short sighted results. In other words, one may turn otherwise allies having been forthcoming with information, into extremely fierce competitors.
Having said all of that, it is America, and capitalism at it's best. There's still something to be said about thinking things through long term.

Ted,

I'd say traveling to Florida from Virginia would be a different story, that's traveling way outside of your normal route, but even then, there are several Florida roof cleaners in Florida, would you call all of them that are RCIA members?

I was trying to dig up the thread that I saw on another forum, but I can't find the one I really wanted to find, but a good example is how someone from Deleware got upset with Chris from Chesapeake Hydrowash. Deleware is not too far from him, but it's probably a nice drive from where he'd prefer to clean. I thought the guy was way out of line calling him out on that or even getting upset with it.

When you posted that you expanded into Maryland, I thought it was great, I didn't expect any phone calls.

I guess my point is that I was shocked that some get upset about someone from another company working close to where they work and they feel entitled to say "That is my area, he shouldn't be working in MY area." I'm sure it will happen to me one of these days where someone gets upset and confronts me, but hopefully no one takes it personal if I'm working somewhere other than Maryland.

Guest

"Ted,

I'd say traveling to Florida from Virginia would be a different story, that's traveling way outside of your normal route, but even then, there are several Florida roof cleaners in Florida, would you call all of them that are RCIA members?"

Chris's backyard is Tampa. I'll be just outside of Tampa hence using Chris in the example. Not to mention Chris has shared information openly with me. That's what I meant. Nothing more.

@ Gary - you know me fairly well after only 2 short years I wondered who'd take the bait on that one LOL.

Doug R · Guest

I go wherever I'm called and needed.

Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC · Nov 17, 2011

Doug R wrote:
I go wherever I'm called and needed.

Ditto. I have a job to do I am not calling anyone to check in. If I have a job to do up in Northern Va. I am not calling Ted to tell him. I feel no need to call him or anyone else. I might call and do lunch but I won't call because I am doing a job where he works.

Guest

You two missed the point completely, but that's OK.

Sometimes this forum reminds me of a visit to the DMV.....

Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC · Nov 17, 2011

No didn't miss it at all. I very well know where you are coming from.

deleted member

I apologize for joking about something that so many people feel so deeply about. Just Kidding! But seriously, as a man your shopping selections are limited so when in doubt I always buy more ammo. Not kidding about that.

Roof Cleaning West Chester PA · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

I wouldn't expect a call, nor would it cross my mind to make one. That being said, if I was setting up shop permanently in somebody from this forum's immediate area, who I'm friendly with, I'd make a call.

Guy B · Guest

I guess there is an unwritten rule I follow. I don't poach other peoples territories. I'm like Kim, I like to stay close to home. I don't go into Myrtle Beach because I know the guys down there, I don't go into Raleigh because I know guys there too.

Now with that said, if I get a call from my website from these areas......I'm there...that's different. If one of our PM's asks me to check out a property in another City or State...I'm there...that's different.

Now if these guys I know poach my area, all bets are off, and I will make it a point to target marketing in they're area.

gutterdog · Nov 19, 2011

Roof Cleaning Northern Virginia (571) 250 9650 wrote:
As opinionated as I am, you know I'm gonna wade in here...
This scenario is hauntingly familiar. And frankly, I supect a different twist on the subject may result in a paradigm shift, at least for some.
Al (Skyline) and Mike (GutterDogs) hit the nail on the head. It's about professional courtesy, at least among Guild Members as Al calls it. (RCIA members etc)
I'm going south to Florida for a while, and I'll be practically in Chris Tuckers back yard. I'm NOT taking my rig, but you better believe if I was, I'd call Chris ahead of time as a professional courtesy, plain and simple. That phone call would go a long way. Chris has spent time on the phone with me, teaching me many things. To 'show up' in his back yard is not the way that I'd operate, but that's just me.
Short sighted thinking results in short sighted results. In other words, one may turn otherwise allies having been forthcoming with information, into extremely fierce competitors.
Having said all of that, it is America, and capitalism at it's best. There's still something to be said about thinking things through long term.

uhhhh, ted.... you kinda shot your self in the foot with this???

gutterdog · Nov 19, 2011

Guy B wrote:
I guess there is an unwritten rule I follow. I don't poach other peoples territories. I'm like Kim, I like to stay close to home. I don't go into Myrtle Beach because I know the guys down there, I don't go into Raleigh because I know guys there too.

Now with that said, if I get a call from my website from these areas......I'm there...that's different. If one of our PM's asks me to check out a property in another City or State...I'm there...that's different.

Now if these guys I know poach my area, all bets are off, and I will make it a point to target marketing in they're area.

+1

Roof Cleaning Tallahassee · Guest

Do I believe in territories? Sure I do, if I were a pharmaceuticle sales rep. or Coca Cola salesman. I clean roof's and to me is the same blue collar type work as a landscaper, plumber, carpenter or painter. If you are going to start a franchise, than that would be a "territorial" type situation. I just don't think that territories applies to what we do.

But I do believe in networking with local competition. It works...trust me! smile

Guest

gutterdog wrote:
Roof Cleaning Northern Virginia (571) 250 9650 wrote:
As opinionated as I am, you know I'm gonna wade in here...
This scenario is hauntingly familiar. And frankly, I supect a different twist on the subject may result in a paradigm shift, at least for some.
Al (Skyline) and Mike (GutterDogs) hit the nail on the head. It's about professional courtesy, at least among Guild Members as Al calls it. (RCIA members etc)
I'm going south to Florida for a while, and I'll be practically in Chris Tuckers back yard. I'm NOT taking my rig, but you better believe if I was, I'd call Chris ahead of time as a professional courtesy, plain and simple. That phone call would go a long way. Chris has spent time on the phone with me, teaching me many things. To 'show up' in his back yard is not the way that I'd operate, but that's just me.
Short sighted thinking results in short sighted results. In other words, one may turn otherwise allies having been forthcoming with information, into extremely fierce competitors.
Having said all of that, it is America, and capitalism at it's best. There's still something to be said about thinking things through long term.

uhhhh, ted.... you kinda shot your self in the foot with this???

Thanks for the vote of confidence Mike (roll eyes).

Let me try this again. I chose my words careully as to not offend a fellow RCIA member. With that said, there are all different types of folks on this forum and in this industry - a cross section of our country. Some have more integrity or self respect than others. Some simply do things differently than others. I get that. What I do works well for me. Here we go:

If I help you (retorhical) , as in mentor you and provide to you information that has been very valuable to me, then that's great. It's part of networking and bettering this industry. If you then peddle your wares in my backyaard with out so much as a courtesy call then it is ON. I'll open a war chest and make such a markeing presence in YOUR back yard you'll think twice next time. It's that simple.

Guy said it quite straight forward above - Now if these guys I know poach my area, all bets are off, and I will make it a point to target marketing in they're area.

Is it a territory - no. using my example, would I show up with my rig in Tampa without calling Chris Tucker, who has mentored me? NEVER. I'm sure after a call to him, he'd encourage me to do well in Tampa. But to show up? He'd have every right to not even want to speak with me. (Even though we all know he's not like that.)

For local competitiors that are just that, local competitiors, and there has been no mentoring or one exchange of information based on someone being from somewhere else, then all is fair game. May the best company win.

If I get a hot lead for a big job up in PA? I'm going to do all I can to set it up for success then pass it off to one of my Roof Cleaning friends up there, and ask for 5-10% for my trouble. But that's just me.

If you think otherwise, that's cool. It'd be a boring a$$ country if we all though exactly the same way.

It's warmed up a bit. Off to work.

Guy B · Guest

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD wrote:
I'd be more upset with a local guy driving all of the prices DOWN!

This Is A Really Great Point!!!

And something we as Professionals can do something about (To A Point) by banding together & working together even if we're in or close to each others Territories.

Whether it's roof cleaning, pressure washing, gutter cleaning or whatever. We are selling a Professional Service at a reasonable price and not cutting each others throats by selling "Low Price".

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