[Guest]

Hi there,

We've been with FAS for over 4 yrs and one of their top rated vendors in our area. But just at the start of winterization season (or approx. 3 weeks ago) we havent gotten a single new work order. They say its terribly slow. But geeze nothing in nearly a month! Not even any bid approvals! Somethings up but I cant put my finger on it. Ive talked to everyone, my profile is up to date. My contact manager and I have a great relationship. Never had an issue in 4yrs so wondering what gives? Anyone else noticed a slow down with them?

 

[thanohano44]

Hi there,

We've been with FAS for over 4 yrs and one of their top rated vendors in our area. But just at the start of winterization season (or approx. 3 weeks ago) we havent gotten a single new work order. They say its terribly slow. But geeze nothing in nearly a month! Not even any bid approvals! Somethings up but I cant put my finger on it. Ive talked to everyone, my profile is up to date. My contact manager and I have a great relationship. Never had an issue in 4yrs so wondering what gives? Anyone else noticed a slow down with them?

I can think of a few things. Someone in your state is undercutting all of you and doing the work for less. This happened to us in AZ. Even after being ranked #1 in quality, completion times as well as fewest go backs in AZ.

OR They just lost more contracts in your area.

 

[BamaPPC]

SafeG is the same way right now. We start our wint season Oct 1. For the past two weeks and again this week, slow slow slow. Almost nothing to do. And I'm one of two contractors for them in this area.

Like you, I've spoken to everybody I have contact with, they all say the same thing...It's slow.

I was thinking they're waiting for Oct 1 and the flood gates will open. I hope so.

 

[thanohano44]

SafeG is the same way right now. We start our wint season Oct 1. For the past two weeks and again this week, slow slow slow. Almost nothing to do. And I'm one of two contractors for them in this area.

Like you, I've spoken to everybody I have contact with, they all say the same thing...It's slow.

I was thinking they're waiting for Oct 1 and the flood gates will open. I hope so.

Or they're slow because of Obamas impending moratorium.

 

[BamaPPC]

his days are numbered.

 

[Guest]

Or they're slow because of Obama

Right , We have a Insecure fool nexting in the white house destroying the country and economy. This affimative action man-child fraud has never had a real job, never owned a business, never worked in the private sector, and all he does is vacation, beg for money, and shoot off his mouth with ignorant rants.

All the concrete plants around here are shut down or barely staying open, Construction companys have all shut down. Its Bleek

 

[Guest]

Somehow knowing that safe guard is that slow makes me feel better. I know there are 3-4 other vendors in our are. I was starting to think that I was being phased out. Guess ill keep my fingers crossed.

 

[thanohano44]

Somehow knowing that safe guard is that slow makes me feel better. I know there are 3-4 other vendors in our are. I was starting to think that I was being phased out. Guess ill keep my fingers crossed.

Suggest you find other clients and maybe different line of work. If it's anything like the last moratorium, we are all in for a slooooow season. Thankful I picked up more commercial work.

 

[GTX63]

We have gone thru slow periods with some of the Nationals from time to time. Usually in the fall. Things get very slow and then pow! We have learned never to take anything they say seriously. Listen to the local Brokers who deal in foreclosures. What they tell us tends to pan out much more often. The big boys will go with newer, cheaper contractors for a bit, but then they all seem to come back.

 

[BPWY]

All the concrete plants around here are shut down or barely staying open, Construction companys have all shut down. Its Bleek

Its not like that here.

WY is one of only a very few states that is operating in the black and it shows.
We've got economic growth going on.
Granted its slow but theres a lot more than nothing going on like in your area.

 

[Guest]

Is anybody on here actually attending the conference in November? I have gotten at least 1 phone call and probably 2 emails PER DAY about the importance of being there to 'align' with FAS for the 2012 season. Anybody think its even worth the $1200 to make the trip out there?

 

[Guest]

Yeah actually I spoke to vendor management yesterday. I asked them point blank if this is an unsaid requirement to receive work. The wording in their emails made it sound like it is. They said they want to show u how to get more work. Ie expanding ur areas and using employees or subs. I personally don't want either, I've worked with contractors before and I hate managing people and like being in the field. He did say they will be phasing out mom and pops at some point for people who can handle a lot of work. I did remind him that we can carry a very heavy work load and have never been maxed out in almost 5yrs and that includes when they had fannie here. He said the benefit of being larger you can weather the storms. I reminded him I haven't had any new wo in nearly a month, I own all my commercial equipment and trucks and I have no overhead...except for insurance. Anyway, we can't go as we are small and have other projects scheduled. I hope it doesn't effect our work load but ya never know. I'll do my best and forget the rest...and I got a new wo!! So its not me, they are slow!!

 

[Guest]

Is anybody on here actually attending the conference in November? I have gotten at least 1 phone call and probably 2 emails PER DAY about the importance of being there to 'align' with FAS for the 2012 season. Anybody think its even worth the $1200 to make the trip out there?

We went to one of these "manditory" conferences...8 hours of "atta boys" and then we were treated like **** when we got back.
By FAS mandating this type of events it make the independant contractor an "employee"...same with mandating you use certain equipment, give you time lines, training, etc....
If you read the guidelines for an independant contractor put out by the IRS and EED all the nationals are in violations of the employee/independant contractor rules...when we did what they do the IRS and EED beat us to death for back fees a employees taxes...guess the banks are immune to those issues...just us little guys have to follow the rules. They can not make you go...
No it was not worth our time in regards to FAS...we nevber went to another one after that. Sorta a smile in your face stab you in the back thing. It is all a PR show...although they did give us hats with lights on them so we could see at night and complete work orders faster!!!!!
HOWEVER,,,,,
We did have a blast in Austin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Cool town and more live entertainment than I've ever seen in one town.

 

[thanohano44]

Is anybody on here actually attending the conference in November? I have gotten at least 1 phone call and probably 2 emails PER DAY about the importance of being there to 'align' with FAS for the 2012 season. Anybody think its even worth the $1200 to make the trip out there?

I recommend it! If you want to keep working with them. Even then it's no guarantee that you will receive more work. This is where we built some solid relationships till they quit working for FAS and went to work for DSI.

 

[Guest]

I recommend it! If you want to keep working with them. Even then it's no guarantee that you will receive more work. This is where we built some solid relationships till they quit working for FAS and went to work for DSI.

On That note how is DSI to work for???

 

[thanohano44]

On That note how is DSI to work for???

Fantastic...like the old FAS

 

[Guest]

cool I just threw our hat in the ring!!!!
Thanks

 

[Guest]

Ok someone share with me who dsi is so if things don't work out I can check em out. U can pm if you'd like

 

[thanohano44]

Ok someone share with me who dsi is so if things don't work out I can check em out. U can pm if you'd like

Former FAS execs and employees. They're also in austin. For all I know they're a subsidiary of FAS. But for over a year, no problems and always paid on time. My bids get approved. I can say maybe 8 bids they've asked me to come down on.

 

[Guest]

Thanks!