Bloody 'Credit Crunch'

[Ian V]

Well looks like I,m packing up very early for Christmas this year.

I should have been down in Chelmsford today to carry out a site visit on my next contract. Yesterday I get the call telling me its all off until the new year sometime. Also had another contract put on hold this week as well. Done all the ringing round clients, and no one has anything for me. So that's it I guess. Nothing until at least the New Year.

[Cerberowner]

Sorry to hear that Ian.

I'm loving it - mortgage has come down, prices are falling ...

[iluvmercs]

Sorry you've become a victim to the economic climate

Darren

[bones33]

sorry to hear that.

My misses works in the garage industry and has been hit hard, as for myself I am an accountant and have never been so darn busy.

[crankedup]

Lousy news Ian, I would imagine that each of us knows at least one or two non PH'ers affected in much the same way. The estate agency where my other half worked closed its doors some months back and now thier in Town rival has just gone the same way.
Hope some contracts come your way shortly.

[markCSC]

It's a funny old world, the price of oil is now $40 a barrel which means cheap(ish)petrol for the Scoob, but then it also means none of my customers (oil companies) have any money to send

[herbialfa]

What is it you do Ian?

I have my company and things have really dried up!

Worst thing about it is twiddling yer thumbs with nowt to do!

I manage to spread what little work I have over the 5 mornings per week.

I "crosses fingers" have hopefully a few new leads early 09 but if gets worse then I'm fecked!!!!

Worse thing was i took a motrgage holiday this time last year to help get the company running and it kicked back in on Dec 1st all £600 of it!

So when times are getting harder I've now got to find that "extra" £600!

[Ian V]

herbialfa said:

What is it you do Ian?

I have my company and things have really dried up!

Worst thing about it is twiddling yer thumbs with nowt to do!

I manage to spread what little work I have over the 5 mornings per week.

I "crosses fingers" have hopefully a few new leads early 09 but if gets worse then I'm fecked!!!!

Worse thing was i took a motrgage holiday this time last year to help get the company running and it kicked back in on Dec 1st all £600 of it!

So when times are getting harder I've now got to find that "extra" £600!

I,m a freelance structural draughtsman, and work in the commercial sector detailing heavy steel frames for buildings. I have a small client base of around 5-6 regulars who normally keep me more than busy, but now only one of them has any work on their books to sub out and these contract have now been put back.

I have a promise of some work early in the new year with another client, but its really not looking great. To cap it all one of my clients told me yesterday the the cost of steel is due to go up again in the new year ! Unbelievable ! With the industry on its knees the last thing it needs is more price rises.

[herbialfa]

I'm an Cad technician who obtains Planning & Building Reg approvals for clients.

I honestly thought the worse it could get was people would stop moving house and extend it instead.

So (foolish me) was quietly rubbing my hands waiting for the onslaught!!!!


Which failed to occur!

There are people out there who still want to go ahead, but, now its "wait til Xmas is over!"

Normally this is my busiest time of the year as people want to get their paperwork in order and book a builder for when the weather breaks in spring time!

[Simpo Two]

It's nice when work just arrives, but I fear you may have to get on the phone/get your shoes on and go selling to find new customers. There must be companies out there currently using expensive firms to do what you do, and you could undercut them, no? But you'll need to be positive, not negative.

[Ian V]

Simpo Two said:

It's nice when work just arrives, but I fear you may have to get on the phone/get your shoes on and go selling to find new customers. There must be companies out there currently using expensive firms to do what you do, and you could undercut them, no? But you'll need to be positive, not negative.

In todays climate surely it isn't the wisest thing to take on an 'unknown' client. There are a lot of companies out there struggling who may not be able to settle any bills ssued to them. Personally I,d rather work with trusted clients in this situation, and if that means a couple of weeks with little to do I,d rather that than do a lot of work and not be paid for it.

Its very easy to get sucked into working for nothing. Been there and done that, never again !

Edited by Ian V on Thursday 11th December 11:30

[herbialfa]

Agreed!

Plus the fact in my field with a lot of big house builders paying off staff & that includes their drawing staff, my competition is now a lot fierce.

I quoted a job last week at a fair price (I was recommended by 3 previous clients) and was undercut by over £700.

The other chap was retired and this was his hobby!

Fair do's but what about the other people who are being laid off who are in direct competition?

On the plus side, I won £10 on the lottery last night and received a call from a "potential" client who's application has been declared invalid because the drawings are sketches!

So hopefully I have something to do tomorrow, and if I clinch the deal will be working next week!

Edited by herbialfa on Thursday 11th December 14:54

[Simpo Two]

Ian V said:

In todays climate surely it isn't the wisest thing to take on an 'unknown' client. There are a lot of companies out there struggling who may not be able to settle any bills ssued to them. Personally I,d rather work with trusted clients in this situation, and if that means a couple of weeks with little to do I,d rather that than do a lot of work and not be paid for it.

Fair point - though there's no guarantee even your existing clients won't suddenly do a 'Woolworths' on you, regardless of how nice the person you deal with is. Yep, tough times. I think all you can do is spread the risk, and maybe see if you can adapt/innovate what you offer to suit changing times better. As I know myself, a business idea that was brilliant in 1992 doesn't necessarily work in 2008

[gtr-gaz]

Ian V said:

Simpo Two said:

It's nice when work just arrives, but I fear you may have to get on the phone/get your shoes on and go selling to find new customers. There must be companies out there currently using expensive firms to do what you do, and you could undercut them, no? But you'll need to be positive, not negative.

In todays climate surely it isn't the wisest thing to take on an 'unknown' client. There are a lot of companies out there struggling who may not be able to settle any bills ssued to them. Personally I,d rather work with trusted clients in this situation, and if that means a couple of weeks with little to do I,d rather that than do a lot of work and not be paid for it.

Its very easy to get sucked into working for nothing. Been there and done that, never again !

Wise words indeed. I have also been there and done that. There is nothing worse than finding out it would have been cheaper to stay at home for a few months!

However, if things drag on like this for months rather than a couple of weeks, then you might have to take the risk and reconsider?

I hope you are back to normal in the New Year