Left brain bidders!

hot_rod

Twice in as many days I've lost two bids that really have me scratching my head.

Bid #1 - Boiler replacement, 125K unit, asbestos removal of 10 linear feet, tie in both supplies and returns plus check rads for flow restrictors (old gravity system). Old steel one piece HUGE boiler to be removed. Oil tank to remain, gas line to be run. Winning bid? If you took the cost of materials plus labor cost for two mechanics for one 8-hour day and did not add any tax or profit, you'd still be $200.00 higher than the "winning" bid.

Bid #2 - 1,200 sq ft of Wirsbo Quik Trak, boiler, controls. Below grade full bath & kitchen with all fixtures + sewage pumping system. Central air for this new addition + an upper floor. Winning bid? If you took your material costs without taxes, you'd have just 1K remaining for the labor!

Talk about looking like you're a high bidder! When I quoted the boiler replacement, they laughed. On the second one, the builder admitted he knows the low baller made a huge error, but he's still going to use them.





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Mark Hunt

All those poor


buck toothed children!!!

Can't afford braces with those numbers, and even now someone is celebrating a "victory".

Well, look on the bright side.

I'm not sure what it is, but you should look on it.

You'll get it back tomorrow!!

All the best!

Mark H

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ta finnegan

The low bidder.

My grandfather was a steamfitter and when he was low bidder he always knew he forgot something.

He always said: "It's not how much you're doing it's how much you keep."

Probably good advice but small comfort when you lose the job to a guy who shouldn't be in the business in the first place.

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Gary Fereday

School costs money

Dad told me, "I have never lost money on any job, but I have been to school a number of times". It is pay it now or pay it later. I certinally hope the low bidders get their collective education quickly, as the rest of us are not fishermen (high bidders go fishing?), and really need to get on to real business.

hot_rod

Send them

an anonymous gift, available at this site! Shameless plug, I don't do it often

Pair it up with "Just add H2O" to help them double their fun, and hopefully bids!

hot rod

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hot_rod

I've done that too!

HR,

I've done just that in the past. Pumping Away too. I think they used them to level boilers! The pumping towards designer continued to place system pumps on the returns - he's been fired. The friend I bought Ellen's book for continued to undercharge & is on the verge of bankruptcy.

Something about the old addage of "Leading a horse to water" comes to mind.

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hot_rod

Ask him

to return the book to you

I feel your pain! A hugh "low bidder" mechanical shop went bankrupt here two years ago. Left one wholesaler hanging for close to 700 grand!

He is back in the bidding pool. New trucks, new corporation, allegedly under his wifes name, and up to his old tricks. Still shops at the same wholesaler!!! All you can do is shake you head in amazement.

Best not to dwell on it. Sounds like you have a wide variety of goods and services to offer. Don't drop your pants on price, plenty other customers out there!

hot rod

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KCA_2

I just..


looked at a system that cycles every few minutes. On for 30sec and off for 1 minute. The system utilizes a 325MBTU boiler with a 3' primary and it doesn't take long to heat that up.. Bunch of other issues but the boiler is induced draft and the guy has replaced a fan every 8-12 months for the last 6 years.

Well.. I gave him a price to rectify this and he said "I could replace fans for the next 20 years for that cost" so.. off he goes..

Condensate, no mixing for radiant, oversize boiler, 17.5CCF daily usage of NG last month. (my home, same size, was 8)

Don't get it..

:-) Kca

hot_rod

Good Grief

He must have lots of relatives. We have one here that's traveled that road six times! Same story - just a different name on the trucks.

Some days it feels like we're tilting at windmills!

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Steve Ebels

If the wholesaler

Still does business with him......... Well let's just say I have a hard time generating any sympathy for them. They are perpetuating their own problems by selling to this bonehead again. $700K..Yikes!!!