Notifications
Clear all

time to quit

44 Posts
28 Users
0 Reactions
125 Views
Bob Port
(@pls-2)
Posts: 211
Member
Topic starter
 

enough is enough

the race to the bottom has done me in. there is no money in this field any longer, although surveying has been very good to me. the days of doing lots of surveys are gone and todays profit margin is null. the competition, price gouging and lowballers have created a monster that the risk/reward of owning my own shop is not worth it. 30+ years of having my own shop is no more.

anyone want to buy dip needle?

 
Posted : March 8, 2012 9:36 pm
(@cbllw)
Posts: 2
Member
 

What is a dip needle?

 
Posted : March 8, 2012 11:22 pm
(@foggyidea)
Posts: 3467
Member
 

I already have a dip needle. What else ya got?

 
Posted : March 8, 2012 11:32 pm
(@deleted-user)
Posts: 8349
Member
 

Can't say I would blame anyone for getting out of this business. Good luck Bob.

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 4:56 am
(@randy-hambright)
Posts: 747
Member
 

Just the opposite around here.

I think the wave of lowballers of the last few years must have called it quits or starved to death.

Good riddance!

Randy

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 5:31 am

(@deleted-user)
Posts: 8349
Member
 

Waiting for that to happen Randy!

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 5:49 am
(@pin-cushion)
Posts: 476
Member
 

Best of luck.

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 6:27 am
Bob Port
(@pls-2)
Posts: 211
Member
Topic starter
 

in my area the lowballers are worse now more than ever. there is too much time and effort for too little return. i've got other endeavors, i'll be just fine.

I can not believe how low the profit margin it is now. i would guess that overall surveying fees are down 33 percent and that the profit margin is down well over 66% compared to 10 years ago

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 6:35 am
(@spledeus)
Posts: 2772
Member
 

Good luck, there is always gis to head towards...

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 6:42 am
(@cptdent)
Posts: 2089
Member
 

It's a thing you use to poke dips with. When you are in the cubicle next to Dublin8300, you need one.

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 7:10 am

(@deleted-user)
Posts: 8349
Member
 

I have taken the advice of many respected businessman and worked a niche market, it is becoming more vulnerable to lowballers as people are looking at trying to get every penny they can, but most people do not see this market as profitable and avoid it. I have been very lucky, but I know quite a few newly formed solo-outcasts from the larger firms. Very few of the larger companies offer surveying anymore. It is certainly challenging.

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 7:39 am
 gc
(@gc)
Posts: 51
Member
 

> What is a dip needle?

If your question is in earnest (I don't know you). It is what was used as a metal detector years ago. basically a magnetic needle that pointed down when it had a magnetic pull underground.

(by the way, I would buy the dipneedle if the price was right but I suspect it isn't really for sale)

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 7:52 am
a-harris
(@a-harris)
Posts: 8761
Member
 

I can see the day when I will hang this all up and it is the last thing that I hope for. When I do, it is not going to be because of lowballers.

They exist because of clients that do not care about what they are getting. The greed that fires the money pits also produces results that are far from favorable.

Some people will overspend many dollars among their own to hide the facts and not even consider fair wages with more capable talents that have results they don't welcome.

So far I have been able to adapt and provide a respected service. Each and every new project has its own problem left over by some lowballer from decades ago.

After talking with plenty of the lowballers and their clients, it is my conclusion that their position is that when they find a problem, it is up to the next person to fix it if they want it fixed.

Good luck to you Bob.........

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 8:21 am
(@just-mapit)
Posts: 1109
Member
 

I know the feeling...good luck in all you do. Crappy feeling to say the least.

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 8:54 am
(@dublin8300)
Posts: 136
Member
 

Do you have my ROW drawing done?????? Now I see why it takes so long......

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 12:23 pm

(@retired69)
Posts: 547
Member
 

Same here.

After doing this for about 37 years, I've grown weary and I want to do other things . . . full time.

I've applied for SS & my pension and with the economy the way it is, I've already learned to eat bean.

I suspect, I'll actually live much better after retirement . . . on my sailboat.

Anyone looking for some ProMark 2's or Topcon 2005?

John

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 12:49 pm
(@cptdent)
Posts: 2089
Member
 

No I don't, because you put everything on ONE layer, and changed the colors to suit. I have NO IDEA what those lines mean!! There should be a LAW againdt a PS with so few years experience even touching a graphics package!! 😛

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 4:41 pm
(@sonofa)
Posts: 79
Member
 

the days of doing lots of surveys are gone

You are correct that the days of "lots of surveys" are gone, however the days of doing fewer and different kinds of surveys for profit are here. There is work out there, even in this market.

CD

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 5:02 pm
(@ralph-perez)
Posts: 1262
Member
 

> the days of doing lots of surveys are gone
>
> You are correct that the days of "lots of surveys" are gone, however the days of doing fewer and different kinds of surveys for profit are here. There is work out there, even in this market.
>
> CD

:good:

There those out there that choose to maintain a stagnant status quo. Growth and Change are good things.

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 5:41 pm
(@don-blameuser)
Posts: 1867
Member
 

"There those out there that choose to maintain a stagnant status quo. Growth and Change are good things."

Couldn't agree more. About the change that is.
But let's not underestimate stagnation:-)

Don

 
Posted : March 9, 2012 5:49 pm

Page 1 / 3