Are all tradsemen bastards

Are all tradsemen bastards?
Well read on.

I have been doing brickwork for the same builder for about 5 years, give or take a break or two.

Anyway, the up come to the story is that they lowered their bricklaying rates with out telling me.

And here I am thinking Im getting payed $900 per 1000 bricks.
Seems a lot I know but it aint, beleive me.

So anyway, I send in the invoices and get no payment.
Hmmm? :mad:

Send a repeat of invoices.
Hmmmm, same result.:mad:

It seems those in power have deamed, that the brickies are too over paid and shall now receive only $800 per K bricks.

Soooo when were they going to tell me? :confused:

8 weeks Ive been sending the same invoices in to be paid, 8 weeks Ive been ringing the office to see whats going on.

Freakin hell. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Why was I told after I done all this ball breakin work, and not before?

Of course you cant expect the same quality of work for lesser money?

Dont ever trust a company with "Con" in their title.

Al :mad: X1Brazillion

$800 per hundred k......... how long does it take you to earn that $800 ?

Is it anymore than $25 hour ? .... cause if it is, I just don't know how I'd feel about a bloody bricklayer making more than me..... (ya winger ozwinnnnnnnnnnnner !:p )

He might be one of those CUB's we have ben hearing about?:D

But Al, have you not told us that the bricks have got larger.:D

Get out your ruler if don't beleive me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by apricotripper

$800 per hundred k......... how long does it take you to earn that $800 ?

Is it anymore than $25 hour ? .... cause if it is, I just don't know how I'd feel about a bloody bricklayer making more than me..... (ya winger ozwinnnnnnnnnnnner !:p )

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I average about 100 bricks per hour, but I have overheads. :p

And I get no super.
No holiday pay.
No sick leave.

I dont really see what the quantity I lay has to do with it.
If I layed less would you pay me more to make up for it?

Besides, how would you feel about your employer lowering your rate after you have done the work?


Al :)

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but al , have you not told us the bricks got larger

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then he should get more. if the bricks were smaller then he would get less.

so do you know why they didn't tell you?

It's the same story all over Al,

If they're screwing you like that, they're either greedy or they're going bad. Either way, time to change your allegiances.

On the other hand, our builder has a plumber who has left open trenches on our small site for over 4 weeks. Now someone needs a kick up the backside...

woodbe.

Time to move on Al,
don't work for them again,
when they ring with a job say ok
then don't turn up but keep saying you will.
if they kickup remind them of the unannounced rate cut.

Simple situation is that one party cannot change the rate without the agreement of the other.
If you did the work without the notice of their "desire" to offer less, you are entitled to the $900 rate. That continues until you are aware of their desire to offer $800. Effectively, if you chose to then do more work, you have accepted the amended rate. Until then,the old rate applied.
Turn it around. How do you think they would respond if you told them you put your rate up 2 months ago and they arenow obliged to pay you at that higher rate? Right!!! It goes both ways.

If they changed the rates without notification, then I'd say they are liable to pay the rate that was agreed to ($900). Otherwise, sounds like they may have to be taken to court.

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Originally Posted by sea dragon

Simple situation is that one party cannot change the rate without the agreement of the other.
If you did the work without the notice of their "desire" to offer less, you are entitled to the $900 rate. That continues until you are aware of their desire to offer $800. Effectively, if you chose to then do more work, you have accepted the amended rate. Until then,the old rate applied.
Turn it around. How do you think they would respond if you told them you put your rate up 2 months ago and they arenow obliged to pay you at that higher rate? Right!!! It goes both ways.

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I couldnt agree more, but getting the money from them is the problem.
They have this person on a desk that is told to pay no more than X, so its imposible to get them to pay up.

Al :(

Threaten them, tell them your going too call the lawers and sue.

Al,
Its like being back in the old country, remember the coal mine owners reduced their rates.

Al, it's not Tradesmen who are bastards. It's people in general I'm afraid.

Al, from the little law I know they cannot vary the rate without discussion.

Any variation needs a minimum of an offer, acceptance and agreement, even an appearance of those three. If you've chased them for eight weeks that does not show agreement. Go to small claims or start giving them what $800 per 1000 is really worth - whose insurance is on the job quality?

They have to notify you.
If they notify you & you don't respond, your problem.
If they notify you & you tell them that you don't agree, their problem.

Do you have an order from them?
Written or verbal?

I hate pricks like this & I really stick it to them.

I have one & one only invoice for $77 outstanding from January this year.
Big company, well known brand, they claim I didn't give them a 'Certificate of Currency' for my workers comp & public liability insurance so they aren't paying.
Their problem is that I have several expensive peices of their gear 'stored' somewhere til they pay up. :D
What is even better is just last weekend, they tried to log an urgent after hours call & I told them that they were on credit hold. The bloke on the phone was desparate & tried to pay by credit card & I said "Sorry, we don't take plastic." :cool: :D

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Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

They have to notify you.
If they notify you & you don't respond, your problem.
If they notify you & you tell them that you don't agree, their problem.

...

I hate pricks like this & I really stick it to them.

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Good advice and a great story, bastids.

Cliff,
Dont take plastic reminds me of another one of my stories:D

We were on an atlantic flight and running low on fuel, the captain approached the passenger in the seat in front of us who turned out to be the president of the airline. The president said I can use my credit card (we were making an emergency landing at Prestwick airfield (in the north of England) )
Fortunately the airfield accepted plastic for the additional fuel supply.

Yeh Groggys got it right but you know how it works Al, theres Sweet FA that you can really do cos its going to cost you more in legals or your own time and effort to get the difference back.:confused:
And if the con firm is a major source of your contract work its a big thing to tell them to shove it.

Make an appointment with the CEO take them to lunch and remind them how important it is that they have strategic alliances with such reliable tradespeople as yourself.
If they dont budge key their Bema..;)

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Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

Do you have an order from them?
Written or verbal?

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Its a verbal from one of their senior supervisors, it goes back 12 months or more.
The problem is, if I make a fuss I will lose all the work from them.:o

And up to date they have been good to work for. ( so were Avonwood, and look what happened to them ) :eek:

Havein said that I am actively looking for other builders to work for.

Al :(

Not familiar with the term... :confused:

Does that mean...
1. make a new key for it?
2. glue the keyhole up with CA?
3. use it as a keystone in an arch?

No cliff think fingernails on blackboard.

Al, there was a bricklayers labourer vacancy being advertised somewhere around here, so you could always apply for that one if all else fails.

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Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

Not familiar with the term... :confused:

Does that mean...
1. make a new key for it?
2. glue the keyhole up with CA?
3. use it as a keystone in an arch?

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No, it means scratch with your keys their BMW.:mad: A wanton act of vandalism which might release your frustrations but could cause you more grief.:mad:


Peter.

The problem with Constuction companies is, they forget that without the tradies, they are just companies, and they cant construct anything without us.

Al :cool:

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Originally Posted by Sturdee

No, it means scratch with your keys their BMW.:mad: A wanton act of vandalism which might release your frustrations but could cause you more grief.:mad:


Peter.

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That is the last thing I want to endorse.

If you must, get a sledgie, and beat the kcuf out of the thing, same sentance as a key, but more rewarding.

Al :D

I posted a reply about 5 mins ago & the forum bounced it & now I forget what I said. :o

Damn I hate that. :rolleyes:

OK, I'll try & wing it.....

How fast can you find somewhere else to work? :D

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Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

I posted a reply about 5 mins ago & the forum bounced it & now I forget what I said. :o

Damn I hate that. :rolleyes:

OK, I'll try & wing it.....

How fast can you find somewhere else to work? :D

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Yeah I had the lag to a few replies too.

How fast, maybe a week or two that I cant afford right now.
Short and curlies, short and curlies.....:mad:

Al :(

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Originally Posted by ozwinner

That is the last thing I want to endorse.

Al :D

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I meant that off the cuff remark in the strictest metaphorical sense. I would never condone such behavior .. there are far better ways as you have alluded to Al.:D

I thought it was a good punchline, Bleedin :D :p

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Originally Posted by ozwinner

Short and curlies, short and curlies.....:mad:

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Ooooo.... (warning: Old fart lecture coming up) After 27 years in the same trade I always try to have something up my sleeve. wife{does she have green shoes? :cool: }, stock, etc)
One of my 'customers' pays me 2.5%/annum of the stock value to store it at my place. :D :D :D
They are very, very, very, good customers. :rolleyes: :D

This is a straight out breach of contract. A contract exists between you and them, regardless if it is written or verbal. They have breached - Small Claims Tribunal will help out. But what mongrels they are! Hope you can get it sorted soon and still keep your work with them.
Jeff

My wife is expressing great concern for the Australian ladies because their menfolk are staying up so late tonight.:D

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Originally Posted by woodsprite

.... - Small Claims Tribunal will help out. But what mongrels they are! ...

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In the mean time, they don't pay & Al looses work.
If you employ the services of a parasite, (sorry Pete) most of them (parasites) drag it out (I said most) so they make money too along the way.
This is the bit that really sux about being a subie. :(

Are things getting a bit quiet down there Al? Everybody is so busy here that the rates just keep going up. Looks like it's time to find a new builder. Either that or move to sunny North Queensland and start laying blocks instead. ;) .

Mick

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Originally Posted by jow104

My wife is expressing great concern for the Australian ladies because their menfolk are staying up so late tonight.:D

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It is only 5 past 11, my wife is at.... no, I am, at the other house (not dog house) tonight so there is nobody (other that your wife) to nag me. :D

PS. If I am still here at 1:42am our time, Ubeaut tells me to go to bed. :D

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Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Are ....move to sunny North Queensland and start laying blocks instead. ;) .

Mick

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Can ya lay Custom Orb? (Corro) We need a new roof on the Cairns house.
I asked for a quote 7 weeks ago & I'm still waiting for anybody to show up. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Are things getting a bit quiet down there Al? Everybody is so busy here that the rates just keep going up. Looks like it's time to find a new builder. Either that or move to sunny North Queensland and start laying blocks instead. ;) .

Mick

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As far as Im aware Mick there is heaps of work here for brickies, I beleive a lot have gone West from Melbourne to chase the big money.

I went to sunny FNQ once, no thanks, its too freakin sunny, and humid too. :(


Al :)

Hear theres plenty of work on the Gold Coast.
All you need is a pair of white loafers some bling around the neck and a mambo shirt and they wouldn't even know your a Mexican.:cool:

Remember the ads for brickies from not long ago?

"You won't believe the pay."

Finally some truth in advertising, even though it doesn't mean what you think at first...