Transcript
The SnowJobs Podcast: All right, let's get it, Snowjobs Nation. Here we are. We're back again, bringing you episode 195 of the Snowjobs Podcast, main show powered by Top Gun Backblades, the best show in snow. As always, I'm Steve.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You knows with me.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Steve and Jeremy, the 195th Monday in a row. What is up, brother? How we doing?
RICK JAMES: Steve Ho, doing really well. How about you, buddy?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh, we're doing good, man. Vacation week, vacation week for Steve and Jeremy.
RICK JAMES: Yes, sir.
The SnowJobs Podcast: but
RICK JAMES: Yeah, yeah. I was a Disney. Have a good one.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I don't know yet, we'll see
RICK JAMES: yeah
The SnowJobs Podcast: Uh, we will see, but yeah, me and Jeremy are both, uh, we're back to back vacations this week. I go and then I come back and he leaves the day I come back. So we are not actually here right now. We are recording this in advance and, uh, we're just getting this done for you guys out there. So you have your content and you know, you guys are not looking to string us up cause we missed the Monday.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Ugh.
RICK JAMES: Yep. It should be a good time.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So where are you heading?
RICK JAMES: Hopefully. I'm going to Punta Cana, little putsy.
The SnowJobs Podcast: What is that? Was that like Florida? I know.
RICK JAMES: Dominican Republic.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I'm kidding. ah You're never getting back in the country. ah
RICK JAMES: That's fine. i know I know there's a boat down there I can jump on.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That is true. Are you going to meet up with ah with Big Dick Todd?
RICK JAMES: ah He's actually down there. He was down there. Well, we when we record this, he's down there now. but he he comes back before i go down there but he said i can definitely go out and i know I know his captain of the boat. So I can go out there and...
RICK JAMES: If I wanted to, if I get time, we might. Think about it. and Go out there. We'll see.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Tell him I'm coming to DR. Like, stick around a couple extra days, Todd.
RICK JAMES: Wow, you know, Steve, is this is up to you. Todd already told us we could do our 200th episode in the back of the boat, and I'm all in on that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah, I know, man.
RICK JAMES: That's it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Battling pirates.
RICK JAMES: I'm...
The SnowJobs Podcast: As we're recording.
RICK JAMES: I'm all in. Well, I'll do it, man. You can stay where you're at.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Hey y 'all.
RICK JAMES: I'll go back down there and fucking record on it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: if they Do they have Starlink on the boat?
RICK JAMES: Yeah, he's got Starlink on the boat.
The SnowJobs Podcast: There you go. So then stay down there. We'll record your end from DR. We'll do it in two different countries. That'd be awesome.
RICK JAMES: ah You don't want to go down?
The SnowJobs Podcast: That'd be awesome. Dude, I got no time to travel anymore. This is, I'm i'm taking.
RICK JAMES: You're retired!
The SnowJobs Podcast: I just took my vacation.
RICK JAMES: You're retired.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You are. You obviously don't know how much I actually do.
RICK JAMES: I know you're still stopping and for showers, but come on.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Retirement. Rid - Old retirement means...
RICK JAMES: Don't take all of it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: All retirement means is that I've eliminated driving to New York City twice a week.
RICK JAMES: Okay.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Everything else has remained the same. The workload remains the same. Like the last couple of months at work, I was doing a lot of. a lot of work in my downtime so it's uh You know, like I said, it it eliminated the commute basically twice a week. but Nothing else.
The SnowJobs Podcast: But, yeah, it's ah it's good.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: where ah We do need a break, so we are both on vacation this week, but as I said, we have this for you. We've got the content, we've got the boys together, and we're going to continue with the very popular listener Q and &A questions.
The SnowJobs Podcast: We've got some really good ones tonight, some real ah thought -provokers tonight. So. ah
RICK JAMES: Could be. could be.
The SnowJobs Podcast: i i think they're going to be very good i think these will probably be the best four questions yet Honestly.
RICK JAMES: Could be.
RICK JAMES: Hmm.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I think so. I mean, that's just me, but yeah I think it's going to be the best four questions yet to help us do that tonight. We got Patty salmon. We got. Josh Putzy Abrahamson. And we got crowd favorite Billy Moore back to answer some more questions as only Billy Moore can.
The SnowJobs Podcast: All right, so that's what we got for you tonight. But before we do that and get into it with the boys, you know what we got to do? We got to hear from Team Top Gun. We got to do a very, very quick weekend review, and then we'll get into it with the boys.
The SnowJobs Podcast: All right, guys, we're back. Uh, we can review, as I said, they're going to be very quick. Uh, as soon as we get back from vacation, we will kick off the snow jobs webinar series. Again, we'll get that back and going for you guys. I know you guys have been asking for it. Been wanting it, so we're going to do that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: We'll get that crank in. That'll be the first week of November. Uh, for anybody looking out there, we'll set it up. All right. So, uh, what else do we have here? Head on over to snow job nation store .com. Get all your snow jobs swag. Get your Snow Jobs waterproof car hearts. Get your, uh...
The SnowJobs Podcast: uh coffee mugs get all that stuff you're gonna need in the truck in the machine this winter uh and jeremy i'm sure i'll throw in some stickers and all sorts of good stuff like that So.
RICK JAMES: yeah Get something. Jesus.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's right. Go head on over to...
RICK JAMES: Christmas is coming.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Christmas is coming, dude. All right.
RICK JAMES: You need... If you need my address to send me stuff, let me know.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So get it done. ah Head on over to Snowjobstationstore .com. Get all your swag. And if you're doing that, also head on over to Apple and Spotify. Keep hitting those five -star reviews for us. Keep giving those. dog The comments and the reviews, they mean the they mean the world to us. They give us ah energy. They give us the ability to keep bringing you more of what you're looking for out there. All right, so don't hesitate to get over there and give us reviews.
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah The one other thing I mentioned last week, I'm going to mention it again. A very good program out there to help out our our deployed service members. Snow care for troops. It's part of Project Evergreen. ah They have been around. I mean, we've been doing it for 15 years in our area.
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah Since we started all hands, basically. And I know it's a it's a very good program. Basically, all you have to do is head on over to projectevergreen .org. Are you?
The SnowJobs Podcast: elect to join the program you put in your zip code you tell them how many miles around your zip code you're willing to travel and if they can link you up with a service member that's that's currently deployed uh you can plow their driveway for this winter uh for free while they're deployed that way they don't come home or their families don't it's one less thing for their families to have to worry about uh they also have green care for troops
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's in the spring and summer where you can mow the lawn of deployed service members, again, to ease the burden on their families. So, like I said, it's a great program. Head on over to projectevergreen .org or give them a call. Ask for Kai.
The SnowJobs Podcast: All right, and see how many guys we can get signed up to do this because we do have ah some deployed troops again. All right. Anything else, Jay? Did I miss anything?
RICK JAMES: I don't think so buddy.
The SnowJobs Podcast: All right, cool. So let's hit some commercials real quick. We'll hear from our partners and we'll get into it with the boys.
The SnowJobs Podcast: All right, we are back with the boys. We're back. And we're going to get into these listener questions right now. We're getting a good one right out of the gate, actually. It's a thinker. ah Billy, you want to start us off here?
Billy: Let's roll.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh. All right, so he... Somebody wants to know if you guys were starting a snow company from zero today. How would you build your company?
Billy: It's a damn good question.
The SnowJobs Podcast: It is.
Billy: Uh...
The SnowJobs Podcast: I said it's a thinker.
Billy: So I fall.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I got my answer. I got my answer if you need a minute.
Billy: Well, the joke would be I'd go in a different direction than doing that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: 100%. HVAC.
Billy: Just like that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I'd start an HVAC company.
RICK JAMES: Yeah, yeah
Billy: Dr. Surgeon, something like that, preacher maybe.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Done.
Billy: Uh, If I were to start over.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Show's over.
RICK JAMES: Preacher. I'd like to see you be a preacher.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That'll be a good one.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
Billy: My mom actually always wanted me to be a preacher.
RICK JAMES: I'd go.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Billy be a good one.
RICK JAMES: i would i'd go to that I'd go to that church. I'll tell you that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh, absolutely
Billy: At least I and I.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Y 'all healed
Billy: If I could start it all over again, I wish it I would have probably. It would have been different because I would have had. places like this you know snow jobs and mentors and set up
The SnowJobs Podcast: True.
Billy: being alone and crying in the corner.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Billy: ah No, I would have obviously took some.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Crying in the bathtub.
Billy: Yeah, exactly
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah
Billy: Uh... To start it all over, I'd probably do a lot more. educating myself on. you know, financials and things like that. and Uh, You know.
Billy: overhead recovery, the things that we talk about all the time. I i wish I knew that right off the gate, you know.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Absolutely.
Billy: So that that would be that would be number one.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Okay. All right. ah What about you, Putsy? If you were building your snow company starting from scratch today, what would you do?
Putz: Yeah, I mean if ah we're gonna start today back when I first started we were doing anything I mean We never said no to anybody. So we were doing residential, commercial, sidewalks.
Putz: You name it. and I think if we started again, you got to focus on one thing and we're back on to just commercial snow only now. and I think if we would have had a clear focus right out of the gate and just stuck to commercial snow.
Putz: Um, We wasted a lot of time and energy on. residential snow.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Putz: and uh Not that residential smells bad. Just that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Nope.
Putz: for what we're trying to do and what we have set up for equipment. ah The commercial game makes a little bit more sense for us. I'm not saying that you can't make good money in residential, but you got to focus on one or the other, I believe.
Putz: uh and so i just i would have went a different direction we wasted eight to ten years uh with residential it was you know, 10 of our business and 90 of our phone calls um And it took a lot of time.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Mm hmm.
Putz: and energy So that's that's what I would have done differently. so
The SnowJobs Podcast: Alright. That sounds good. Patty?
Patty Salmon: Would have been a weatherman.
The SnowJobs Podcast: you're going You're going third today.
Patty Salmon: I would have been a weatherman.
The SnowJobs Podcast: There you go.
RICK JAMES: oh there you go
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's something different.
Putz: yes
The SnowJobs Podcast: uh -huh
RICK JAMES: Fuck yeah.
Patty Salmon: Um, Yes, I mean, i don't I don't own the Snow Company, but I think one of us. Biggest ones would probably be just realize that you're never going to keep everybody happy.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Okay.
Patty Salmon: Never going to keep everybody happy. Lose a lot of sleep over dumb stuff. realistically she never would have mattered so um Probably be one of the one of the big ones.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Okay. Jay, if you were building your snow company, starting fresh today. How would you do it?
RICK JAMES: I just... I'd start a podcast.
The SnowJobs Podcast: but Yeah. Uh huh.
RICK JAMES: Yeah. I don't know if I was starting fresh, which I probably should have done, honestly. kick myself on that one but um I don't know how... you know Like Billy said, a lot of mentors today and you can learn a lot from, like like our show itself. I mean, you can learn. Guys learn a lot from them. They told us they learn a lot from them.
RICK JAMES: I think it's a lot easier today than it was back. when we when we got into it, obviously. but You know, you just got a lot more opportunity right now.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
RICK JAMES: to do things right. I feel. You know, if you want to. Ask questions. You can. There's a lot of people ask questions. There's not me not just us any but you know, there's a lot of guys are willing to talk now They weren't before, as we've discussed many times on the show.
The SnowJobs Podcast: 100%.
RICK JAMES: So it's. You just got a lot more access to stuff. Obviously, things are way more expensive nowadays than they were back...
The SnowJobs Podcast: Amen.
RICK JAMES: you know, But... there's You know. let's He was going to kind of roll with it, and like Putt said, just... know Know your niche, what you want to do. Don't. you know, be good at what you're doing. and Don't just do everything to do something
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
RICK JAMES: So.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Absolutely. Um, So if I was starting today. I'm assuming I'm... 18 to 22 years old. Um, The H - What is that?
RICK JAMES: oh
The SnowJobs Podcast: The whole name of the game, right, is. make as much money possible with his little expenditure. And we just talked about how expensive everything is. So if I was a young guy starting out today. from scratch.
The SnowJobs Podcast: and building a company for snow. in my area Knowing what I know now about my area. I would concentrate on two things. I would concentrate on either sidewalks only.
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah subbing for for larger contractors. Or I would do. ah Residential. Those are the two easiest barrier entry. Ways to go.
The SnowJobs Podcast: um They are the least expensive as far as their equipment. Required. And. they will pay you the most money. I know as ah as a contractor myself, if I did not have my own little band of ah sidewalk ninjas.
The SnowJobs Podcast: And I had a company in the area that was reliable, did great sidewalk work. I would pay them whatever they needed. just let me know what you need, how much money here's the site, how much money I would put it right into my bid and give them every penny of that sidewalk money, uh, happily.
RICK JAMES: Mm -hmm.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So. If I was doing it today. The whole name of the game is make as much money as possible with as little expenditure and as little liability as possible. I would start either doing residential completely. or just do my own sidewalk business that I can subcontract for larger guys.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So that would be. That would be my end. If I was starting today from day one. Let's see. Oh, here's a very good one.
RICK JAMES: but i would do one more one more one more thing ah one more thing i would do that i'd i'd find a sugar mama and then not have to worry about it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You guys are going to. I'll go ahead, Jay.
Patty Salmon: yeah
The SnowJobs Podcast: Okay.
Putz: with that
The SnowJobs Podcast: All right, dude.
RICK JAMES: Sure.
The SnowJobs Podcast: do Do they exist? Is that a real thing?
RICK JAMES: I don't know.
The SnowJobs Podcast: like
RICK JAMES: I heard about it online, but I haven't found one.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Uh... Okay. ah This is a very good one. We're going to have some fun with this. ah What... What do you guys feel customers really don't understand about snow removal?
Billy: Pick me, pick me.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Go ahead, Bill.
Billy: fucking everything.
The SnowJobs Podcast: you're you're You're number one.
RICK JAMES: ah
The SnowJobs Podcast: Kick it off.
Billy: Every god dang thing they don't understand.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Every fucking thing.
Billy: Why do you salt? Why don't you salt? I mean, for fuck's sake. I mean, it's snow. It doesn't snow in Michigan. It hasn't snowed in 20 years, but yet where'd the snow go? Oh, well, um i should I pay for de -icing?
Billy: Holy shit. I mean, you can go on that that could take up the whole show.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yo. 100%.
Billy: You try to educate them, they still don't get it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: All right.
Billy: Why do I have to give you money? Oh, like I don't know, because the the equipment and the labor is, you know. Not free.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep. Putzy.
Billy: I'll give you it one.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh, go ahead, Billy.
Billy: Real quick, real quick.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Billy: And ah I mentioned this literally, it just came through Friday. um I gave the contract renewal to a customer, small building, it's route work. And basically I didn't read it until actually yesterday and I read it thoroughly and she was kind of bitching about.
Billy: Raising prices over ah You know, how how could I live with myself? Why is there increases? But in the body of their business's email, you know what it says? All of our shipments and quotes are held for 12 hours only max due to surcharges, fuel increases, shipping costs.
Billy: You're bitching at me. for increasing my prices.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep, you do the same shit.
Billy: And you she couldn't understand why. But in your own fucking email, it said the same thing.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep. 100%.
Billy: Unbelievable.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah, it's... ah I don't know why we're not a real, we're not thought of as a real fucking like company or a real expense.
Billy: Not at all.
The SnowJobs Podcast: It's like, ah oh shit. Yeah. We got to pay those assholes again. It's that time of year. We're like the mob or something. Like, I feel like they have to pay.
Billy: State down.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh, shit. Patsy, what about you? what What do you feel customers don't understand?
Putz: yeah No, I mean, I... I mean, I agree with Billy. They don't understand anything about snow. it's the Nobody wants to pay for it because... I mean, you pay for a $100 ,000 landscape project, at least you got some eye appeal, right?
Putz: Like, you pay for $100 ,000 of snow removal, what do you get?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yes.
Putz: and In May, you have absolutely nothing to show for it. other than
The SnowJobs Podcast: True.
Putz: Hopefully no slip and falls. you know, yada, yada, but No, I mean it. Thank you. I would say... 75 % of our clients. they mean You talked to about snow.
Putz: You, uh... You know, you go to a preseason meeting, whatever. but then when it comes down to it like like billy maybe said too like They don't want to salt. but then when they only want to salt and ice storms and like we'll do a good job of like texting out for that like hey it's we got a freezing rain event do you want to get salted no let's wait till morning and see what happens well we're back and at home leavinghan You know, like we salt overnight.
Putz: We go back home. And then at 8 a .m. they text you and they want salt. Well, fuck, we ain't got nobody working, you know? Uh...
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Putz: And. like They just don't understand. I mean, anything about snore removal. I mean, if there are. If there are... I mean, anything. if you if They just don't get it. They're in it for their business, and and they want to show up at 8 to 5 and hope that their lot's clean.
Putz: And if it's not, then it's going to be our fault, you know? so
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
Putz: Uh... I don't know. I mean, and the more education, the better. but I don't know how many times you can preach that. like i I think about like HVAC, for example, or plumbers. like we do a lot of work for commercial buildings and they use the same plumber the same hvac guy and every single year they re -bid their snow.
Putz: oh Why? Like they use the same plumber. They use the same acut guy for the last 25 years.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Putz: And every single year, you're going to re -bid your... you're snarlable because
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yes, yes, we are an afterthought.
Putz: Because you don't trust me, you don't... you know, like i don't know it's it's It's frustrating.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Putz: so there's no what
The SnowJobs Podcast: It is definitely frustrating.
Putz: Yeah, so... that That's what you have to accept.
Billy: I'll add one more. but Sorry, go ahead.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Go ahead, Bill.
Billy: No, no, I cut him off.
Putz: No, I'm good. that That's all I had. Yeah, yeah, you're good. yep
Billy: Another thing they don't understand is timeframes. Next week, next week, next week. for frick's sake man i mean it's this is not you know who's going to donate the best kidney or heart You either tell me to fuck off or not. you know Do you want to go with the snowball?
Billy: We're still processing it. uh What? you know And then the other thing is deadlines. you know if you're If you're actually going to a bid meeting and they say, hey, we need your meet your bid by... June 15th, and then September rolls around. while we're waiting on two other bidders.
Billy: Wait a minute. I'm at my deadline.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah. Yep.
Billy: How's that? I didn't know this was you know a game.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Love that.
Billy: Anyway, I digress
RICK JAMES: Yeah. And then when you clean the snow, you better fucking be there to do it. You know, it's not like you can... you know. Wait.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
RICK JAMES: or when it comes to we won't even get into it when it comes to payment.
Putz: Yeah, yeah
RICK JAMES: I mean, fuck.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Patty, what don't customers understand about snow removal?
Patty Salmon: Not a damn thing, just like all the other boys said.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
Putz: Okay.
Patty Salmon: ah Yeah, yeah, it's it's crazy. You know, they think, oh, how how how do you think you should do this? They ask your opinion, they ask your opinion, and then, well, no, I just, I don't agree with that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Mm.
Patty Salmon: right they may all think they know better they all have unrealistic expectations The timing, the timing. They want to be on call for salt, and then they expect you to get there the second they are there. You're the only customer you have.
Patty Salmon: Right.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah. Yes.
Patty Salmon: um I mean, i just we have to be one of the only industries that spends this much time and prep and and money and equipment to...
The SnowJobs Podcast: Want to do that?
Patty Salmon: Maybe get paid later.
The SnowJobs Podcast: True.
Billy: Maybe.
The SnowJobs Podcast: True.
Putz: Maybe.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
Patty Salmon: yeah I still wish I could send kyle Kyle Martin UDM's episode from Storm Chasing to every single customer to just show them. what actually happens to be able to possibly service their lot.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah. Without even going out.
Patty Salmon: Yep.
The SnowJobs Podcast: All right.
RICK JAMES: That's all free money though.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Jay.
RICK JAMES: That's all free.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah, it's all free money.
Patty Salmon: yeah
RICK JAMES: It's... It's the same as everybody's saying. I mean, they... I mean, like you can educate and educate or you think you're educating them, but... You know, they they're just. Listen to you talk, but not actually listening, seems like.
Patty Salmon: it
RICK JAMES: personally but yeah these all these guys have brought up good points you know They... I mean... There's just... they want They want it their way and only their way. If you do it their way.
RICK JAMES: And it's not the right way. And then they're mad because we, you know, I don't know. It's just. You're never going to make them happy. You try to. educate them and all that stuff. Like I said, it's just not, not a. No. It's a losing battle, but you obviously we're dumb enough to keep doing it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
RICK JAMES: Because we're on here, right? and ah And we just try to do the best job we can. And they just...
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's it.
RICK JAMES: ah They keep moving the goalposts, you know. They keep moving the goalposts.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yes.
RICK JAMES: Definitely. ah I mean and You know, and we... The problem is we go with it because, you know. We can make good money at this, but... They just... Their expectations are sometimes... So ridiculous, man.
RICK JAMES: Whatever I guess we're ridiculous for doing it. I guess I don't know
Patty Salmon: there
Billy: I ask that of myself a lot.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Billy: And I'll make one last point is the... I don't know if it's sarcasm, but it's been 25 years of the same shit. You guys really don't have to. Do you actually work in the winter?
Billy: like It must be nice. You guys work hard in the summer, but you know you know guys don't do shit in the winter.
RICK JAMES: Yeah. Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh yeah.
Billy: But you expect to charge me this?
RICK JAMES: Yeah, that's awesome.
Billy: Like, for you but it's like vacation for you guys.
RICK JAMES: Well, you know what we're doing
RICK JAMES: Well, that's you know what we're doing all summer.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
Billy: that's what That's what drives me nuts.
RICK JAMES: all summer we're out there trying to catch all the snow fairies to catch them so we can release them in the winter to take care of all the snow that comes down you know that
Putz: Heh heh heh heh heh.
RICK JAMES: It magically disappears.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah. I mean, we We do a ah fair amount of educating if the customer will allow us. And we're very lucky that we've had. A great many of our customers that will ask us for, you know, tell us what we don't know. Explain this. You know, if they don't understand something, can you explain this further? And once you get in there and you start explaining it. What I've found to be the number one thing that they have no conception of.
The SnowJobs Podcast: is what the actual fucking cost. of pushing snow and keeping their sites safe in snowstorm costs. When you start breaking it down for them.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Um, And like, okay, listen. This is what that sidewalk guy costs. This is what the depreciation on that machine costs. ah This is what the salt costs for that machine that it's putting down on your walkways. This is how much fuel we're using doing that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Uh, This is the labor hours involved. This is the, you know, the insurance cost for for that event. um Here's the loader. It's burning 2 .3 gallons of fuel per hour. ah You know, when you actually open up and itemize.
The SnowJobs Podcast: what one three inch storm is costing you to push their site and make it safe. They understand what you do and they may love the work that you do and how clean you get their site with a snowstorm.
The SnowJobs Podcast: But. None of them have any conception. of what the actual cost. to do that work is. And once you show them that, you see Jaws like hitting the floor.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Like, oh my God, like that's ridiculous. And then when. I remember one customer I got down to the insurance line item. And he's like, what is that? I'm like. That's what we pay for snow insurance. That's your percentage.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You know, we divvy it up amongst the 23 sites, 24 sites we do. you know But that based on your size site, that's what your percentage of our snow insurance is for the rider.
The SnowJobs Podcast: And he's like, You gotta be kidding me! I'm like, You want to see my policy? Here you go. Take a look. He goes, that's outrageous. I can't believe you guys pay that. i'm like You want to push snow? and you want to be properly insured, that's what you pay.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I was like, there's only two companies in New York state that'll even give you snow insurance. So you know you're kind of hamstrung. But I'm like, you want to give me a little sheet of paper? That. is a hold harmless and my lawyer signs off on it, I'll be more than happy to not charge you insurance.
The SnowJobs Podcast: you know, for that insurance. but I said, we we have to have it. But that is the biggest thing I think that customers just have no conception of under any circumstance. because of all the...
The SnowJobs Podcast: The guys in a truck, one truck. No insurance. I'll plow for $40 an hour. you know, just to make a couple extra bucks. That is a problem Because.
The SnowJobs Podcast: If they have those guys and then they're trying to see what a ah professional snow company is charging. They have no conception of what it costs. And you really got to educate them. They either have the budget for you or they don't.
The SnowJobs Podcast: What? All right, moving on. oh let's see oh here's a good one At what point should you fire a customer?
Billy: What point should I fire a customer? If you know payment's not coming.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Or would you?
Billy: Excuse me?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Or would you? At what point would you fire a customer?
Billy: ah Disrespect is... That's the biggest. I mean that. i don't care who you are get the fuck out of here you start ah using you know, taking my people or, you know, just, ah you know, these men and women are hardworking individuals and it's shitty.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Amen.
Billy: You know, I mean, I ain't got to say it. I've said it every time I've been on here. It's two in the morning. It's cold as shit. we're working our ass off we're doing the best we can battling you know obviously we're not god But...
Billy: When you start... Getting abusive. Get the fuck out of here. and then payment as well.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
Billy: That's probably my two things. Disrespect. Money. Either get you fired or get you shot.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Amen.
Billy: And, you know, we're from Detroit.
The SnowJobs Podcast: i
Billy: so
Patty Salmon: ah
The SnowJobs Podcast: There you go.
RICK JAMES: Heh heh.
Patty Salmon: thanks
The SnowJobs Podcast: What about you, Putsy?
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: When are you firing a customer?
Putz: Yeah, I mean, we fired. I bet you at least five. I mean... I mean, the last five years. end. It's usually like Billy says money is one or else like unrealistic um expectations uh we had another one this well we we pushed them last winter and they gotta notice now this summer that we're not gonna service them because Like everything we did for him. was unsatisfactory and like we'd go check i mean
Putz: every Every time it snowed, they'd have another complaint. and we go check on it and the place was immaculate like I mean... you couldn't do any better but they just had something else they were trying to get free service you know songs very short so
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Putz: Um, So like I didn't fire him mid -season like I'm not that type of guy like we signed the contract and I'm A man of my word, like, I'll...
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep. We honor it.
Putz: I'll stick. and they paid their bill. but they're always trying to argue. Just stupid stuff. and I mean, i i said in january i said they're getting uh a fire letter in in the summertime that we're not going to service them anymore. And we do it.
Putz: Like I say, in the last five years, we probably don't. one a year. ah for instance like that i mean if you have one If we service you like everybody else and we can't service you, I mean, maybe you're a Karen and we can't.
Putz: you know meet your needs you know so It just is what it is. so
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep. Amen. What about you, Pat? When are you firing a customer?
Patty Salmon: yeah The only time we fired a customer would be Non -payment.
Patty Salmon: Yeah, realistically, non -payment. I suppose if it doesn't, we did have one property. We thought it was going to work into our route and it just really didn't. So I suppose that's not firing the customer. We just, Hey, sorry, this, you know, it didn't fit into our operations. like like we thought it was.
Patty Salmon: like we thought it was going to. Um, when Okay. Yeah, the people who have unrealistic expectations. so that and the ones they wait till hey you send them how many how many renewal rate letters you send them hey Renewal, renewal, renewal, renewal. And then they they they call before the first snowstorm and in January on some of these later winters that we have. It's like, no, we're full. Sorry.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep. Sorry about that. Oh well.
Patty Salmon: Get on in August next year.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Absolutely. Oh shit. Alright. Jay, what about you? Clean fire.
RICK JAMES: I mean, I I would fire him too with the, you know. non -payment and, you know, just ah like Putt said, unrealistic ah expectations, which, you know, we've had that quite a bit. and We haven't really fired anybody which you know i And I always stand behind my guys. and Like Billy said, the disrespect of the guys.
RICK JAMES: I wish that. you know We would stand up for us a little more. and some of the I know there some of these comments are good, but when when they start getting at you about dumb shit that... You know, we're getting after you guys and stuff like that. i I take that pretty personal because I take a lot of... a and I give my guys a lot of respect. No.
RICK JAMES: the the work they're doing out there and i know they're busting ass and Joe. Not everything's perfect all the time. There's, you know, there's always something and we always should try to do the best job as possible.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
RICK JAMES: but you know. Just... you know, Just like anything else in life if somebody's gonna disrespect you They can just go bye -bye. There's no need to be around them. so obviously payment's a big thing as we always talk about and we're always the last to get paid so
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep. Absolutely. ah For me, it's... How you treat my people? Uh, Annie. Any issues with. Customers yelling. or being disrespectful to my guys while they're in the performance of their job.
The SnowJobs Podcast: uh you are if you're if you're not missing any teeth you're you're definitely getting terminated Um, I probably won't do it during the season.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Uh, because like, like putsy said, you know, once you sign a contract, uh, I am a man of my word and also. that muddy that water gets a little muddy and murky as far as if you leave somebody hanging in the middle of winter whose responsibility is it if people slip fall why they have no contractor so uh but if you are If you are giving my people a hard time or disrespectful.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Um, That is the quickest way to get your ass fired by me. Um, Second quickest way would be to question a bill. Um, Question my integrity.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That will get you fired real quick. Um, We have only fired. to...
The SnowJobs Podcast: Two customers in 18 years, so. It doesn't happen often, but it... It has happened. We just fired one this year. That we said, we will not be rebidding you any longer. And we've had them for. seven or eight years.
The SnowJobs Podcast: We just told them, you know. better served by others. We've, uh... you know, you strike three. Um... Yeah, the non -payment thing that... I mean,
The SnowJobs Podcast: That won't we and we don't have that problem. ah We really don't I gotta say like in our area as far as paying for snow um I've never really had that happen. I've had late payments.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Um, most of which are communicated that they're going to be late for one reason or another. ah One was a mistake. um A payment was sent to another company with the same. First two names.
The SnowJobs Podcast: um So. they just They do business with two all two companies named All Hands. And. ah When they were doing the drop down, I guess, to to send the payment, they sent it to the other all hands. and Those guys didn't think anything of it to just pocket, you know, eight grand. like oh okay we didn't do any business with them but we'll take the money And they didn't say anything. So had to track that down, but yeah, payments, not really a problem here. It's more for me. It's, it's more, you know, you fuck with my people. That's going to get your pink slipped.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Um, And then. ah If you, are if you. if you question my integrity that's definitely gonna get you pink slipped Hmm. let's see what else do we have here I want to get another good one here
The SnowJobs Podcast: What do we got what have we got? What do we got? Ah, here's here's a good one. Are customers, do you find customers are willing to pay?
The SnowJobs Podcast: for better ice management. um salting and or brine. Or are they willing to do it as or are they wanting to do it as cheap as possible? Billy, are they willing to pay for higher quality service or they just want it fucking done?
Billy: Certain people, certain customers are I mean, we all have them, I believe, right? We have good customers that...
The SnowJobs Podcast: Sure.
Billy: Whatever. Whatever you say, get it done, Bill. Uh, you know, cause you could those people Karen, you wish your whole portfolio was those people. you know we do a ah real big hose manufacturer, and that's how they operate. like Whatever you see fit.
Billy: Do it. What's a cop? Fine. you know i don't want to think about it just my people need to be safe my customers need to be safe ah But that's... I don't even know a percentage, but I think for the most people, everything comes down to price.
Billy: So it's how can you do it the cheapest possible or don't do it at all?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
Billy: Can I call you if I need it, which we don't allow. We already talked about that a hundred times. Um, i think that Most people would, if they could get away without doing it.
Billy: They wouldn't do it. I mean, yes, we all have customers that do care about their employees and their shipments and their the people coming in, our customers, retail, whatever.
Billy: But then there's other people. That's... If they could get out of it, they would.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah. Patsy.
Putz: Yeah, I mean... I think I almost have to agree. like Uh... In our market to like Somebody's not. i don't think gonna hire you based off of your like you know salt or brian operation And that's...
Putz: One of the last things that they checked like we we let our customers like line item everything out like in check like you know certain boxes and I mean... the The salt and the brine box is one of the last ones that gets checked.
Putz: Um... It's just... i don't know i mean people The ones that carry a lot of, like Billy said, like we got. a few percent in our company that like they don't care you could you could salt them you can go salt them today and it's not even going to snow and they'd be happy in hell but Then you got ones that.
Putz: on an ice storm. They're like him and Han, whether they should salt it. and how much is it going to cost or only put x amount down and it's like i don't know I mean Yeah. It's not a...
Putz: The customers don't know about that until they have a slip and fall, then that's probably the good ones. Like, like I mean, the ones that we got that are good are. probably the ones that have had issues in the past so now
The SnowJobs Podcast: 100%.
Putz: how they want good service and I mean... I've... kind of been in some battles with that. and Being once you're in that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Nothing educates them quicker.
Putz: Yeah, once you're once you're in it. battle of that I mean you got to protect yourself too. I don't know, I mean Our contracts are we, I mean.
Putz: We want to be black pavement. All the time. ah And that's the type of clients we're looking for. but um Yeah, it's it's hard like not all of them get that so
The SnowJobs Podcast: 10 -4. Patty.
Patty Salmon: Yeah, definitely all definitely all customer. dependent um most of our contracts are black pavement all the time. So they know they're fine with, Hey, we're going to come in. We're going to do a pretreatment with Brian.
Patty Salmon: Before the storm, we're going to go in every two. two, three scrapes or whatever, put down a maintenance application, and then we're going to de -ice it later. and At the same time, there's other people who want to be completely on call for salt.
Patty Salmon: Let's go. that's what you want to do that's fine but you're going to assume all the liability for that
The SnowJobs Podcast: unformed Yeah, I can't. We can't do that at all. Like, if you're going to tell me, I will call you when we want salt. Better served by others. That is not what we do.
Patty Salmon: Yep.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Jeremy, what about you.
RICK JAMES: Yeah, I'm just going to echo everything you guys have been saying. you know just You know, I'll, I mean, I clearly should add. We got plenty of them. great customers that let us do what we you know they let us be the professionals we are and We salt as much as we want.
RICK JAMES: and But I don't think we're we're not really. I would say back in the day maybe we were. selling stuff on our salt operation and stuff like that because people would see our lots compared to other people's lots, but I mean, nowadays everybody's kind of caught up, so.
RICK JAMES: it's i don't think it's like josh said it's kind of one last things people check on the old box so Personally, it's just...
The SnowJobs Podcast: 10 -4.
RICK JAMES: Pretty much echoing what all the guys say on notes. That's. kind of a standard answer but that's about the only answer we have so
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep. No, that's that's... pretty much dead on i mean they're we're very lucky with our customer base. Like we don't advertise. And if they're calling us, it's because they want.
The SnowJobs Podcast: that top quality snow. you know, top quality snow work and they want it done how we do it. And they don't. They don't venture to tell us how to do what we do. They just say, okay, listen, we're calling you.
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah We know what you cost. We know what you do. Just do what you do and give us a price. They don't try and tell us. Well, could you only salt at the end of the storm? ah Do you have this? pre -treat you know do you have to do you know an application in the middle um You know, no there's none of that with our customers. but I think the general customer out there.
The SnowJobs Podcast: is There's two types. There's ones that have been sued for a slip and fall. And ones that haven't. ah The ones that have been sued for a slip and fall and have had to battle that in court or with the insurance company, um they've seen how costly it is. They've seen what a pain in the ass it is.
The SnowJobs Podcast: And. They're on board with. getting... You know? taking their precautions to make sure that doesn't happen again, i .e. having a snow contractor. uh you know, take care of the icing for them and do it the right way. um The ones that haven't.
The SnowJobs Podcast: are You know, the gamblers, the ones that are, yeah, I think we can get by with no salt on this. I mean, it's only a half an inch of ice. it It'll be all right in 36 hours.
Patty Salmon: yeah
The SnowJobs Podcast: You know, they're they're the gamblers. They're the ones that haven't been bitten the ass yet. by the legal system or the abuse of the legal system. And, ah you know, they they may roll the dice. so You know, it is what it is.
Billy: Oh, yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: i i think you got to find the right customers
Billy: i got something to add to that uh actually two things um
The SnowJobs Podcast: Go ahead, Bill.
Billy: That lost me a train of thought. ah Oh.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's all right.
Billy: the uh well it was kind of a there was a before question is but the after part of it is This all comes down to if you're legitimately doing your job and you get paid to de -ice, you get paid to salt, you get paid to do your job, whether it's...
Billy: per visit blah blah blah I guess what irritates me about this business is. why the customer thinks that We shouldn't be paid. When I say not... pay the company but like why shouldn't our guys get paid a decent wage, right? Why shouldn't we be able to earn a...
Billy: like I'm gonna say it. Profit. Right. Your business that we service, you know, or... Whatever that you're doing, whatever type of customer that you have. They need to make money too to just survive, their families, their employees.
Billy: That irritates me when they say, well, I don't want no salt. Well, I'm just like you, Steve. we don't want you anyway. There's no on -demand salting. We have to make money and this is how we do it. I don't like the fact that in this industry, we're like whored to the bottom of not respected to where.
Billy: We can't make money. Right.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Boom.
Billy: So the second part of this question was about salt and brine. Uh... We don't get a lot, but we do get kicked back on. Oh, you sold it on a Saturday. We're closed on a Saturday.
Billy: or you know I don't know if you guys get that and kick it around.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
Billy: I'm going to tell you my reasoning of why. That doesn't play a part in mine because a lot of these buildings that we do on a Sunday. And, you know, we don't try to. Screw anybody. I mean, I don't think anybody that listens to the show tries to screw people. I'm saying.
Billy: You have building cleaners that come in on weekend. I've seen them. You have the fire department that comes in on a weekend. to maybe drive through your parking lot or a police officer or something. If somebody gets hurt, Liability goes away because it's Saturday?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Mm -hmm.
Billy: I mean, maybe that is a thing here in Michigan or in North Dakota or Massachusetts.
RICK JAMES: Hmm.
Billy: I'm pretty sure that doesn't happen. so We salt on.
RICK JAMES: okay
Billy: Friday night, Saturday, Sunday. Because of that reason, there are people that enter that building that are not. that particular company's staff. or it could be in somebody that just drives through the parking lot randomly to take a leak or something and then falls.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Sure.
Billy: Hello. You know, so I don't know if anybody else has got kicked back on that or.
Putz: Good night.
RICK JAMES: Oh yeah.
Putz: i i would say like we we do the same thing we might get a snowstorm on a friday night and
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah, 100%.
Billy: okay
Putz: It's a... 25 degrees. And Sunday night might be 25 below, like, because we're getting a huge... uh you know cool down so we're gonna go plow all that snow salt all everything so that way saturday Everything's done.
Putz: And we could have waited until Sunday. But when it's 20 below all... that snow for i mean it cross over here once it gets hard because it's windy every day And how are you going to play ice control at 20 below? Like, I mean.
Putz: Jeremy's seeing it too. like sometimes you got to use your common sense like
RICK JAMES: Oh yeah.
Putz: We have all these warehouses that we could have let sit till Sunday, but... If you get that. wet snow in in the spring when we get a cool down or in january whenever it may be You kind of got it all today.
Putz: these customers.
RICK JAMES: Right.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Absolutely.
Putz: Got to understand that, you know.
RICK JAMES: We've. We've done that numerous times. We'll have guys saying, well, well what if it's... it's snow friday we're not open till monday i'm like so my crew's out friday night we're cleaning it i don't care we're not gonna send another crew out sunday sunday night just for you
Billy: Absolutely.
Putz: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: and By Monday, it's a sheet of ice.
Putz: Exactly.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
Putz: And then yes.
RICK JAMES: And like like Josh said, you know, we can have all these other. things happen i'm like i'm not doing that we're gonna clean it now and guess what if it does snow again you're gonna charge it again that's just the way it is
The SnowJobs Podcast: Amen. Alright. Uh, let's hit some commercials real quick. We've got one more really good question that we're going to hit tonight. And, uh, We'll get to that right after we hear from our partner.
The SnowJobs Podcast: let's go Luke Agabrotten. Yeah.
RICK JAMES: Oh boy.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That Salt Flap commercial is in my head, dude. Holy crap. I cannot get it out of my head. I'm singing along with it as it's playing. All right, we got to go in here. This one, I mean.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Shit, I hope. I hope i I probably should have done this one first because this one might take the longest to answer. um What is one industry practice that. pretty much been standard in the past that needs to disappear forever, in your opinion.
RICK JAMES: Oof.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Uh huh.
Patty Salmon: or
The SnowJobs Podcast: I got it. If you guys need to think for a couple seconds, I got one.
Billy: Zero tolerance.
The SnowJobs Podcast: No, no, no, no. Uh... Well, actually two things. The fucking dumbass motherfuckers that say some years we win, some years we lose. uh and And hear me out.
Patty Salmon: yeah
The SnowJobs Podcast: hourly. Hourly.
RICK JAMES: Who says that?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Hourly billing. Hourly billing. um With today's efficiencies.
RICK JAMES: I agree.
Patty Salmon: yeah
The SnowJobs Podcast: hourly billing.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Fucks the snow contractor.
RICK JAMES: Yep. 100%.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Otherwise, I mean, I don't know anybody that's charging $1 ,100 an hour. but the The efficiencies that we have available to us with. ah I mean, down to a truck with a Razorback or a snow power or a wide out.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You're going so much faster. You're clearing so much more of an area in a shorter time period. You are fucking yourself. if you're if you're doing hourly. So I think hourly billing, I think hourly needs to disappear.
RICK JAMES: She didn't even bid it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That whole system of hourly needs to disappear for guys.
RICK JAMES: She put that in the law. Shubhi Allah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's mine. That and if I ever hear some years you win, some years you lose.
RICK JAMES: That's it. That's a great one.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You're fucking.
RICK JAMES: Who says that?
The SnowJobs Podcast: I don't know, but if I hear it, I'm gonna smack somebody.
RICK JAMES: We got to get that shirt made. I'm getting that shirt made this week.
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah But yeah, hourly would be my thing that needs to go away forever. That's been a standard practice.
RICK JAMES: Yep.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Anybody else got one?
RICK JAMES: That's a great one. sinker
Billy: Those are good ones.
The SnowJobs Podcast: They are.
RICK JAMES: Those are great ones.
Patty Salmon: I think, that yeah, the hourly one. i'd I'd say that that's probably one of the biggest. biggest one.
The SnowJobs Podcast: If that's the only one that needs to go, that's the only one that needs to go.
Patty Salmon: It's exactly what you said.
The SnowJobs Podcast: But that's just the one I thought of.
Patty Salmon: Just the efficiency.
The SnowJobs Podcast: And I don't... I don't even do it. I've never done hourly, but I hear you guys talk about hourly and I think about my own company and say. what What the fuck would I even charge hourly with ah how efficient we are with our machines and our artics and shit?
RICK JAMES: It's... Yeah, you you can't charge enough an hour for what your efficiencies are.
The SnowJobs Podcast: No!
Patty Salmon: Because you'd be at $1 ,100 an hour, like you said, right?
RICK JAMES: I mean...
The SnowJobs Podcast: yeah and you'd never win that
Patty Salmon: $50 ,000 metal parts in the front of the truck.
RICK JAMES: Yes.
Patty Salmon: You got... Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You'd never win that.
RICK JAMES: I mean, that's why if you're... you know we charge hourly for like hollering and stuff yeah you can charge that because That's what you're getting with all the trucks and loaders and everything around.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's different. Yeah, that's different.
RICK JAMES: Yeah. Yeah. But honestly we made. When I go out and just bid a pile. I can make some really good money just, you know, bend the pile in a fucking move.
The SnowJobs Podcast: totally different though i'm talking about the actual operation of clearing the snow salting
RICK JAMES: Because we're so efficient. yeah No, I know. I know you are. I know I'm just talking.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That is, yeah. after After contract stuff. or out of contract stuff, absolutely hourly. All day, all day long. But. Yeah, that. In contract, I don't know.
The SnowJobs Podcast: How you guys are doing it and not just fleecing yourself
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Anybody else got a good one?
RICK JAMES: insurance would be a good one insurance would be a good one to get rid of
The SnowJobs Podcast: What insurance?
RICK JAMES: insurance Insurance on the on the kind on the contractor would be a good one to get rid of.
Patty Salmon: That's about it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I love that, dude.
RICK JAMES: I mean, come on.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's... ah Number one answer on the board.
RICK JAMES: I really... everything Everything's not ah our fault. are you know so
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
RICK JAMES: I mean...
The SnowJobs Podcast: I would just like to see the...
RICK JAMES: I don't know
The SnowJobs Podcast: Not even do away with insurance because that's impossible. but Just have insurance reform.
RICK JAMES: Right. What's a scam
The SnowJobs Podcast: in certain states. where the laws are not designed to screw you.
Putz: Yeah, they need to protect you. I mean, like if you live in a snow state.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yes.
Putz: like i mean Thank you Shit happens. Like people get in an accident. Is that the fault of... the snow i mean like If you get in an accident in January, I think it's the same as June, you know?
Putz: If you get in a bumper -to -bumper.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Putz: Uh... So... Yeah, I mean, I would agree that insurance like
RICK JAMES: Anyway, well...
Putz: theres there There's some states that protect you, but there's...
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
Putz: some states and we're on a border state so that's a terrible deal for us but there's states that don't protect you
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah. Yeah, and you're bordering a nut job state.
Putz: And... Yeah, and it's
RICK JAMES: No, he isn't a nut job state. He isn't a nut job.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh, he is in the nut job state.
Putz: Yes, I live in the... I live in a good nut job state, yes.
RICK JAMES: Yeah. Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Gotcha.
Putz: Yes.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Okay.
RICK JAMES: He's got a couple of daycares.
Putz: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Wing nuts!
Putz: Well, I think, I think she married, did she marry her brother?
RICK JAMES: So he's doing all right.
Putz: Is that what they're saying this week?
RICK JAMES: Yep.
The SnowJobs Podcast: that That is the word.
RICK JAMES: That's what's coming up.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That is the word.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
Patty Salmon: What?
Putz: Yeah.
Patty Salmon: thats
RICK JAMES: But...
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
RICK JAMES: ah i Don't know though I mean, yeah, like Pat just said. a Guy's fucking around in the parking lot. in the middle of summer Oh. falls down you know playing hanging out with their buddies fucking off in the parking lot and breaks his ankle.
RICK JAMES: He doesn't sue anybody in summer, does he? But if he does the same thing in the winter. oh it's those con it's there's snow on the ground we got to get the contractor for that one same same Same deal.
Putz: every Yep.
RICK JAMES: Same deal.
Putz: Every time, yeah, every time you go on site, like in... We don't do site photos. I mean. We do a little bit more than we have in the past, but like. Anytime you go on site, like...
Putz: irresponsible i mean there might be a scrape 18 feet in the air 12 feet in the air, whatever. on that building that may have been there for years who knows and that and the customer comes back at you you know? ah It's just like every time you're on site It's the easiest person to point the finger at, you know, so.
Patty Salmon: Always a snow guy's fault.
Putz: It's yeah
Billy: Always a long guy, always a snow guy.
RICK JAMES: Always.
Billy: We're easy targets.
Putz: Yeah, lots of them. yeah exactly and like We've done a lot better job at documenting that. Probably not as good as... One should. Um...
Putz: But yeah, I mean... I don't know. Documentation's got to be huge because... these people come back at you and if you don't have documentation and You were the last guy there and you can't prove it. I mean... I don't know. It it sucks. like I mean, I'm a nice guy.
RICK JAMES: Problem is you have documentation.
Putz: at that point Yeah.
RICK JAMES: Problem is you have documentation and it still doesn't help you.
Putz: Yeah.
Putz: that Right.
Putz: Yeah, I don't know
RICK JAMES: you spent you spent all this money and all these apps and all these things and you know it still doesn't always help you. So.
Putz: Yeah, I don't know that there's one thing I mean
RICK JAMES: You're muted, Steve. You're muted.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I'm sorry. That's why I said I think insurance reform is the key.
Patty Salmon: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You know, you're never going to do away with insurance, but insurance reform like.
Billy: Amen.
The SnowJobs Podcast: How about using all this ammo we've fucking acquired to you to fight this bullshit instead of paying it? Because all you're doing by paying one lawsuit off to go away is enabling.
Putz: Yeah, exactly
The SnowJobs Podcast: them to come back. more and more people to come. You're just asking for more lawsuits. If you fucking fight everyone. Guess what? People are not going to fucking, they're not going to do frivolous slip and falls. when they're not really injured because it's ah it's now a hassle. They now have to go to court. They now have to do depositions. They now have. A lot of work to do, and it's going to be a battle.
The SnowJobs Podcast: when you sit there and settle everything all that the only message that sends is It's free money. Let's go get it. It's all these skills. And that that does happen. Look at the city of New York. City of New York set settles everything.
The SnowJobs Podcast: And all it does is invite more lawsuits. They pay him 20 grand, 30 grand to go away. ah So who else has some? A standard industry practice done for a long time that needs to go away forever.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Anybody got anything else? I got one more.
RICK JAMES: straight straight edges of no no trip no trip blades
The SnowJobs Podcast: That yeah, that true I agree with that. I agree with that. Uh... How about nationals routinely taking 50 to 60 % off the top of every contract and offering the contractor fucking shit.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's a standard industry practice.
Putz: Yeah, we used to work with them.
RICK JAMES: nationals.
Putz: I mean like... I mean there's we don't live in as big of a city as maybe some of you guys but Uh, I mean we get those bid packets all the time and it's not even worth your time to click the button to open it, you know.
The SnowJobs Podcast: No, it's not
Patty Salmon: now
Putz: And there's some.
The SnowJobs Podcast: But my point is that that it's ah it's an industry practice and it's it's accepted.
Putz: Yeah, no, I I would agree right and there's always some some Joker that's gonna
The SnowJobs Podcast: Bye.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Exactly.
Putz: that's gonna click on it and be like oh i'm just getting in 45 bucks an hour, that sounds pretty good. But. Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Somebody sent me the other the best one I got the other day was some plate a Cracker Barrel in... Northern Virginia. was $50 to plow, $60 to salt.
Putz: Jesus Christ.
RICK JAMES: Sign me up.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Like, oh, sign me up.
Putz: You can.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I'll take 20 locations.
Putz: You go plow it and salt it and then you go inside and eat and you still owe money
The SnowJobs Podcast: fucking ridiculous.
RICK JAMES: yeah
Patty Salmon: but but
Putz: It is. jesuss
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: It's fucking ridiculous.
Billy: i got I got one for you.
RICK JAMES: Yep.
Billy: Frito -Lay distribution here in Plymouth He did it 15 years ago.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Go ahead.
Billy: I was getting... $55 ,000 for it. Years ago. 15 years ago. Key. i get and I check my spam email. I get something from, I won't mention the name, but I click on it just for shits and giggles because I was probably in a bad mood and I needed to smile about something.
Billy: Got a great opportunity. Usually things that start with great opportunities.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh yeah. Woo!
Billy: 20.
The SnowJobs Podcast: whoa Set me up.
Billy: 22 fricking grand.
Putz: Oh, haha.
Billy: So here we are 15 years later
Patty Salmon: 30 grand ones
Billy: 22 grand.
The SnowJobs Podcast: It's ridiculous dude.
Billy: I laughed.
RICK JAMES: Wow.
Billy: and you know they have They give you the option to counter, so I put $125 ,000.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Bang. That's what it would probably cost today. Legit.
Billy: Just wild.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Ridiculous.
Billy: I mean... Puts a little snicker on my face.
RICK JAMES: So you got it? You got it.
Billy: Yeah, got I actually took it. I said, you know, 22, I think you're overpaying me. Why don't you give it to me for 15?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Billy: Because ignorance wipes the smile off my fucking face.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I don't feel right about 22.
RICK JAMES: I'll just do it
The SnowJobs Podcast: I don't feel right about 22.
RICK JAMES: You should just do it for training. Do it for training your guys.
Billy: I'm too honest here.
RICK JAMES: Do it for free.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Okay.
RICK JAMES: Pay them.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah, I think you're a little high. I wouldn't feel right about 22. 19 sounds up better.
Billy: yeah And I want the expired chips.
Patty Salmon: And it'll take another.
RICK JAMES: We'll just do it for free.
Patty Salmon: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh my god. Too funny.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
Patty Salmon: It'll take another 10 years to make it back to that 55. That's that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: It's not going up.
Patty Salmon: That was 15 years ago.
The SnowJobs Podcast: It's not going up. Once nationals are involved, it's not ever going to go back up. It's only going one way, and that is down. They've proven that, and they can argue with me all they want, but they've only done one thing for this industry, and that's taken the mean average price of sites they've gotten involved in.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Well. Well, well down. 100 % or more down.
RICK JAMES: It'll come on the show.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You know, you're you're taking. You're taking Walmart's that were going for $65 ,000, $70 ,000. in 2000. That in 2026, the same Walmart is going for 29.
Patty Salmon: plenty clicks
The SnowJobs Podcast: How the fuck is that possible? So the Nationals can kiss my ass.
Billy: You can fuck off.
RICK JAMES: Because we're so efficient.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's all they've done.
RICK JAMES: We're so efficient.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's That's all they've done is the only the only thing they've done for our industry is taken the price, the mean price of a contract. anything they touch and, the and.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Drop it by 100%. That's all they've done. So everything they touch, they've killed. and the sites that they've touched. They're not going back up. You're not going to magically take a site from, oh, the national is doing it for 35, but now we're going to get away from a national and we're going to pay 80.
The SnowJobs Podcast: It's not going to happen, boys. So these guys are fucking locusts They're cancer. They're awful you know I don't mind saying it.
Billy: allluahh I don't either.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So. Keep working for them and see what happens to you.
Putz: ah
The SnowJobs Podcast: because it's not good business. But that's, yeah, I mean, that's the bottom line. Everything they touch, their only claim to fame is any site they've touched in the last 25 years since they came into existence is.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Their claim to fame is that they've dropped the mean average price of that site by 100 % or more. from what it was.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Anybody got anything else that needs to go away? in the standard industry practices.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Good. All right. I got nothing else for you, boys. It's vacation time.
RICK JAMES: but There you go.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You got anybody else got anything?
RICK JAMES: All right. Thanks, everybody.
Billy: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Cool.
Patty Salmon: Great time as always.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Thank you, boys. Appreciate you, as always.
Billy: Always.
RICK JAMES: Appreciate it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That was... ah it was good to get these done tonight That takes a load off our minds. So thank you as always for the help, man. We couldn't have couldn't do it without you guys. Um, All right.
RICK JAMES: Yep. Thank you so much.
Billy: Robert and Bill signing off.
The SnowJobs Podcast: All right, well. There we go. We'll wrap it there. That's going to do it for episode 195 of the Snowjobs Podcast main show. That is it, boys and girls. Thanks again to Billy, Josh. And Patty. for helping us out with this one. ah That's it. Me and Jeremy are officially on vacation. so Everybody out there be safe.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Have a great week. Keep pushing.
