Any body ever worked for Ferrandino & son

[rock18201]

How could any sane person with a brain in their head say their prices are fair? They were offering less per month on a site then it would cost to salt one time...Stay away from them and to the hacks out there doing work for them. Go and get a job at Mcdonalds you will make more, plus keep the legitimate business owners in business,

[lilweeds]

I usually don't comment on these, at least not in a negative tone. They called me about some banks and all I can say is for a 1-3 inch storm with two de icings, plow/shovel I could shovel and calcium the walks for what they were willing to pay on one particular location. I know someone high up in the banks, when they fail I'll be jumping in!

[snowplowpro]

I hope we all can jump in and take the big contracts because the Little guy is the one who takes pride is in work and make these big companies realize that the job they do is horrible . So lets show these big that were taking back are jobs all cause these places wanna save a dollar

[MahonLawnCare]

The thing is, most chains don't necessarily do it to save a dollar. Their cost is cheaper, probably. But mostly, they do it because it simplifies vendor relations. They can save money within their company by not having local branches have different contractors for every service. Corporate will come in and hire one vendor for everything, therefore saving the company time, payroll, etc. I really don't see nationals going away entirely. We live in a world of now results and that's what nationals do for these chains. The nationals are the ones completely screwing us on pricing. They take 30-40% off the top and make people sign these ludicrous contracts. Until the smaller guys quit working for these guys, it will continue. And since 90% of landscapers want to brag about equipment and their "clients", these guys will keep taking the sub work. It's a never ending cycle. I've worked for nationals and won't do it again unless the price is right, and the paperwork is fair. I have yet to contract with a national in over 2 years because they are ludicrous in their requirements. There is still plenty of money to be made servicing residential, hoa, medical, government, etc. Too many guys get caught up in plowing the big chains as a status symbol. How great is it you plow the Home Depot when you have sheriff sale in Spring because you didn't get paid and overextended yourself?

[snowplowpro]

As long as the big company is making money they don't give a rats a$$ about the little guy.

[snowbrothers101]

I like the earlier point made. If it works for you, great. Work with a national. They are not going away any more that the local hardstore who wants Home Depot to go away is going to happen. If the model doesn;t work for you, there are a million other buildings you could plow. More than 95% of the commerical buildings in the US are owner operator. There simply are a lot of other fish in the sea to go after. Even within the markets we service, there are options. Take convenience stores. More than 55% of convenience stores are owner operator. So for everyone who is mad at FM who manages 7-11, know the real opportunity is with the local guy who needs his lot plowed.

[Flawless440]

They are trying to push all the Bob Evans in our area right now. Price is crazy low, i passed.
I did worked from them 3 years back, i got paid but turned the contract down the next season. To many good paying contracts out there.

[B-2 Lawncare]

Man I can't believe that this thread is still going. There are some very strong and valid points.
For the most part I feel like we are on an island here, I live in a very small town and am the only legit plow company in town. There are some other guys who try but its a joke, for example there is a guy who runs a excavation company and has a back hoe. He takes care of the local hardware store and some days doesn't event show up. I am the only guy in town who spreads sand. We are are also the only ones who shovel side walks.
So when these clowns were dragging there feet looking for someone else I knew that they would have to deal with us in the end. Man that sounds conceited. I just wanted to share some. I think that if a guys going to ask he should alo be willing to share, even if that means he going to get critized.

[ALC-GregH]

I get a call every fall inquiring about snow removal at a few locations near me. I tell them every time that I work for my OWN company, not someone else's company. Then asked why I should do the work for less when I could make more for the same work? They hang up by the time I get to there! I've even told them to not call me back but it seems that I get at least 2-3 calls each year regarding snow removal. I also had ECO call, e-mail and call again about a Comcast tower that they have a contract to maintain. The money was good but the hoops were so small, I couldn't fit through them!

[snowcrazy]

Originally Posted by ALC-GregH

I get a call every fall inquiring about snow removal at a few locations near me. I tell them every time that I work for my OWN company, not someone else's company. Then asked why I should do the work for less when I could make more for the same work? They hang up by the time I get to there! I've even told them to not call me back but it seems that I get at least 2-3 calls each year regarding snow removal. I also had ECO call, e-mail and call again about a Comcast tower that they have a contract to maintain. The money was good but the hoops were so small, I couldn't fit through them!

I actually was getting ready to post my reply and then I read yours. You pretty much posted what I was thinking.

When I was 19 years old (30 now) I took an old retired vet out crappie fishing that I met. I will never forget that day. This was when I had a full time job working in a pharmacy, and mowing several accts during time off. I will NEVER forget what he said to me that day. He was telling me that I seemed like a go getter and thought I could very well run a successful business one day.

The next thing he said is what I will NEVER FORGET! He said to me, "BOY, JUST REMEMBER THAT WHEN YOU RUN AND OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS YOU MAKE YOU MONEY............. WHEN YOU WORK FOR SOMEONE ELSE YOU MAKE THEM MONEY"................ Im not ever going to forget that day. I have lived by that since then. I get rid of the pharmacy job and dove in head first into my business and do very well.

With this all being said im with ALC-GREG............... Im not working for some dam contractor that is begging for a reason to not pay you for the services you provide.....

If we would all quit supporting the nationals this would be a non issue but they will be around for ever because ppl just cant figure out the damage we are doing by supporting them............ Gets them rich for doing nothing while we (the idiots) work for little to nothing and pray to get paid. Not me!!! I will go out of business before putting myself in this situation.........

[hatefulmechanic]

I'm new to the forum, but I have been a "vendor partner" of F&S for 3 years now. For the area I am in, their rates are actually on par with what most commercial lots are going for. Their insurance and compliance requirements are a real *****, but once you get the hang of it they do well. I am typically paid 45 days like clockwork, earlier in the season I emailed my account rep and mentioned I needed to buy a bunch of salt for the season and I got paid on my landscaping invoice in 15 days.

The company is growing very fast from what I have seen, they got quite a bit of retail contracts and are hiring a bunch of people who really don't know a thing about landscaping, sweeping, or snow removal. Their computer system is fairly decent, the dispatching is kinda spotty but if you communicate via email I have found the results are much, much better. I started doing one location for them for snow, then they offered me the sweeping, then I was offered the landscaping, then I was offered several other locations. All of which are reasonable on the pay, plus it gives a decent reference for other jobs I have bid and won.

What really surprised me is the last round of Food Lion contracts were issued as a 2 year agreement. They asked to lower my rates about 4%, I countered and got the increase I asked for after minimal discussion.

All in all, I have had very good luck with them. Like all other bids, the key is in the pricing and contract.

[mriddlesr]

Did work last yearfor a Gap and Old navy store in chicago and still have not been paid. Their automated call in line is a joke they only want one service per day even in an ongoing storm. Becareful.

[snowplowpro]

The sub for ferradino that plows the target by me the company is (landpros)
Anyway last week they were there at 11 pm to about 3am moving snowpiles from the parking lot.
Nothing like waiting three or four weeks later to move melted snow.

[JCPM]

They called me about two Target locations here in CT for seasonal plowing. I quoted high, 90k, figuring they would they would try and negotiate. They came back with 30k for both. I didn't bother following up after that.