What speedy had to say a few posts down makes a lot of sense for those who have invested their blood and sweat over the years to come to todays economy and market. In one day you lose about half of your equity, if by chance, you were lucky enough to have any, and if you do, will the market you are in, allow you to hold onto it.

I tried years ago on this forum to address these exact issues, only to have my computer hacked, and a visit from a manufacturer that made no sense let alone dollars for them.

I have been in this industry for many years, and here we are still stuck in the same de ja vu. Manufacturers doing anything and everything to gain market share. The cost to the owner is received in many ways.

1. Manufacturers who allow your competition to be dealers which automatically put you at a purchasing and pricing disadvantage.

2. When the market slows and they have to get rid of surplus equipment they hold, there went your value of your fleet.

3. An association which is in place to safeguard our industry, which is controlled by all the above.

4. All the businesses they sold pumps to in markets that they could not bear, took away all your years of hard work raising your rates to try to make a buck (Thats what you are in business for) for all you ignorants, because the only way they can get the work is to sell by price, being flat rates, lower prices, etc.

The worst thing I have seen in the industry, is thru all of the above, the old, the new, have lost an opportunity that I do not believe can be retrieved.

1.We lost track that we are a specialty contractor. When we show up on the job, that we in all reality are soley responsible for the safety and in control of the whole jobsite, which for what reason I can not fathom many do not understand, and have made decisions that ultimately have cost us all in many ways. The first loss was our respect for who we are and just exactly what we do, and the second is that we no longer control our price. Shame on YOU.

2. There are certified operators out there by many companies out there for what ever excuse, drop equipment on their sides, which have raised all our premiums through the roof, and knock on wood I have never had a claim, but I have been CANCELLED. Just what is safety.

I, as of now have said enough today, hopefully gave some fuel for thought, and am totally heartbroke as to where everyone has let this opportunity go.

Get a good nights sleep, and make tommorrow a safe, and properous day. FOR EVERYONE.

my three cents are.i have helped my friend salvage his excavation business and even though he makes four times the money he still owes me 1K that should have been paid. wages equal a hundred a month basically what it cost me to pull up. my truck needs new parts so the credit card got hit pretty hard last month and i do not think it will stop. my insurance is due soon and i gave my second attorney $500- for starters to sue the girlfriend for forging the title on my trailer pump that showed up at dealers lot on consignment. do you think that she will get charged with a felony bet not. otherwise business has been awesum and everyone wants to be like me or just my money.

BRAVO, well said.  If you really, really, digest this industry it is "controlled by a few and they are supported by two."   

Take a step forward, LOOK at the two manufacutures that have taken big ad space on this independent site, CIFA and REED,  both direct sellers of their equipment.  One has been in business since 1928 and is one of the largest manufactures of concrete equipment worlwide, do you think they know their stuff ? I would put these 2 guys machinces up against any ones out there. Do you call them ? if not why ? perhaps you are listening to the wrong crowd it's almost 2008 wake up. 

It's time stop getting caught up in all the hype, hecht one of the big two has not really changed there tecnology in how many years, wow they just came out with a "z" boom and made a big deal out of it like its new, come on. the other has so much junk on a machince its a service nightmare.  

When you buy equipment from companies like CIFA or Reed that do not have pumper dealers your dollars go to them and not to your competitors pocket, so perhaps next time you Bi......  about costs and buy a new or used equipment or parts from a competitive pumper/dealer think about it.  they like your money, why raise their rates when they have you by the b....s. 

you have choices it's up to you to get off you a..  and learn about them.

I have hope for us.

Consumers know.

Walked into customers office tonght, showed me a price sheet from one of the big boys....$45.00 and hour lower and I'm not getting a fair return on investment...LMAO, they (my client) has no intention of leaving.

28M prices less than line pumps in area, 32M at prices I was pumping for in 1982. 36M at less than my line pump rates Gotta love it, Richee can sure talk the talk but can't walk the walk.

28M at 20% less than local Mack dealers hourly labor rate. Park em and sell em. How pathetic.