so my neighbor calls me today, he's a contractor. Usually wants copies or something.
nice guy.
Sure enough, he has a "huge" survey map he hopes I can copy and reduce for him. Turns out it's a survey of my local "Chamber of Commerce", of which I have been a member for years. Turns out they hired my competitor to do their survey/topo!! I had heard about it a while ago, but had let it settle. My friend has no idea the hornet's nest he just stepped in. poor guy. haha.
I kindly told him to call the survey company that they hired and ask them for a reduced copy. sheeeesh!!
ok, I feel a bit better.
There is less loyalty amongst the member of the chamber of commerce than amongst a den of theives.
Is the other Surveyor a member too?
Nope.
> Nope.
I'd demand a refund of dues.
> Nope.
well, it is a business group and it was a good business decision since he was probably cheaper because of lower over head, and a survey is a survey is a survey, and he might have been related to the someone on the exec. board.....:-|
Kent's right- refund with interest...
I was a member of our local Chamber for two years. Membership in the Chamber also got you a free membership in our local Home Builders Association. I went to all the social events and passed business cards out. I did not get one project out of membership. When I declined to re-up, boy did they hounded the crap out of me. They couldn't understand why I wouldn't $400± a year to be a member, even after explaining it several times.
Andy, you needed to go more meetings and be seen.
If I remember correctly, I believe you are a very tall guy so
everyone would notice you.
As the say...if you don't schmooze you lose,
This group is usually better...
> for referrals.
>
>
> Business Network International
I looked into BNI, but from what I heard, while you do get referrals, It takes quite a bit of time attending their mandatory meetings (they kick you out if you don't show up) and one-on-one meetings. For some one who can market their goods and services to a wide audience, like a insurance salesman, realtor, auto mechanic, etc., it would probably be worth it.
This group is usually better...
Yes, attendance at weekly meeting is required. But, its a way to get your name out there and some very good referrals.
> Andy, you needed to go more meetings and be seen.
> If I remember correctly, I believe you are a very tall guy so
> everyone would notice you.
> As the say...if you don't schmooze you lose
Who says he didn't? He may go to every meeting (social and business advice) and the Chamber just simply didn't ask him to bid on the project. If Andy is the only surveyor as a member of said Chamber, and they didn't even approach him, I'd like to think that Andy would tell said Chamber to GTFOML (Get The F&ck Off My Lawn) the next time that membership dues are due.
Andy, is there any way that the Chamber thought that approaching you could be a conflict of interest? And if they did, why the H3LL does a Chamber exist in the first place then?
Carl
I agree with this.
The only chambers near me are features of firearms. Commerce is what I do every day. Too durned busy right now and have been for too many months.
As a member, would you have potentially been in a conflict of interest if you had done the work?