Posted by Carl Jones, Premier Catering on February 19, 1998 at 14:06:25 :
In Reply to: Re: What would you do? posted by Gerard on February 19, 1998 at 03:39:45 :
: I don't understand image, never have, I don't understand why people worry about it.
: I suppose some people should think more about image, but they are the ones with none.
: Why play games pretending a lower priced alternative isn't really you " we have a partnership with another Co"
: ...and then give them the same phone number, I wouldn't play those games.
: I've been in the catering game a couple of times over the yrs, big and small and its a tough game.
: But in the end its all business and business is business whether its catering or mfgering cigarette lighters for 57 chevies.
: Profit is king, image is just that...image.. but you can't put it in the bank.
: Worrying about losing face can cost you your business if it keeps you from being flexible.
: OK, I gotta go bake, gotta keep up the image of being the only worker around here !
: cheers, Gerard
message from carl
:
I think you misunderstood Mike Roman's response.... He isnt
talking about playing games, but ACTUALLY creating another company
with another name, and another phone number... this concept
allows "Premier Catering" to cater the upscale events... and another
division called "Basic Catering" to handle the disposable events..
what I am talking about are not cheap events... these are events
with written specs with a nice menu....but UNQUALIFIED caterers
are low bidding to "try out" the better events and they SOMETIMES
get it..... (especially with sealed govt bids, where low bidder gets it)
and they screw it up...... as good as that is, i still missed
getting the event....
the other point is their bid is so low that i would lose money
at their price..... i got beat last month by 40% on a bid... i
have catered that banquet for 5 years in a row... no one has bid
against me on it in 3 years... my price has been the same for 3 years
this year a local restaurant that does some mediocre catering on the
side... (canned veggies warmed up) bid 40% lower.... they either
miscalculated or are stupid... all they had to do is BE lower..
the committee is in the process of trying to disqualify them.. they
are ready and willing to pay me 40% more to have me cater it...
but are facing legal questions, being this was a city sealed bid
arrangement.... the event is next month and a big part of me
wants to see them get it and screw it up and embarrass our city..
it will give me a great story to tell future clients.... but
i am disgusted just the same...
peace
Carl