taxpreparer said:
Loyal Ag, how often do you find yourself stuck doing business with someone for no other reason than they are your client? Or in this case, subcontractor?
I try to use clients (and at that time subs) when I can and that was the case there. Unfortunately they were terrible at the paperwork even though they did keep up with the maintenance schedule. I would see them onsite doing a check then never get billed until eventually the county informed me I wasn't under contract. That's when I went back to Heath.
As to that general question I try to separate those two things at least in terms of there being an expectation of using someone. I don't do discounts and I don't ask for them, I don't barter, etc. you pay me and I'll pay you both at a market rate. That way there's no expectation and no hurt feelings.
Where I find myself occasionally in an awkward spot is If I have a client looking for a service and I connect them with another client. I have to participate from both perspectives and I try to be as transparent as I can be with both and will let them know when I'm switching hats during a conversation. No expectation other than I'll let Client A know if I think we're getting a good deal/service from Client B or not. My job is to drive success and to that end finding the right fit is paramount. Still that's something I'm paranoid about making sure the buying client doesn't think they have to buy from the selling client.
A fearful society is a compliant society. That's why Democrats and criminals prefer their victims to be unarmed. Gun Control is not about guns, it's about control.