Spring is here and that means spring cleaning. Make sure your outside faucet didn't freeze and burst on you this winter. When you use it for the first time make sure it isn't leaking in the crawlspace, basement or worst case, the ceiling. If you notice it leaking, shut off the faucet and call Gates Plumbing to repair it. 865-2358 or 791-3121.
Macon County Sheriff's Office
January 10, 2015 at 10:00 AM ·
Please share this with your friends and family. The Elder Fraud Hotline is a joint effort between Macon County Sheriff Thomas Schneider and Macon County State's Attorney Jay Scott to stop scams being carried out on our communities elderly. The phone number listed (217) 615-7582 is monitored by Sheriff Schneider and State's Attorney Jay Scott.
We are currently in the process of getting these signs posted at businesses that sell Green Dot cards to hopefully stop a scam in its tracks!
U.S. 93.3
November 20, 2012 at 3:14 PM ·
Please support our area small businesses!!! Like/Share if you agree!
I'd like to give out a little free advice for would be consumers. When you hire a contractor of any type get some references and second estimates. If they ask for money up front it should only be for material, and that really shouldnt be paid until they are on the job. Never pay someone upfront for labor, you are asking for trouble.
If you have a contractor who tells you he can do the "whole" job, make sure he is using licensed plumbers and electricians. This is in his best interest and definitely yours. It is also State Law, the only plumbing an unlicensed plumber can do is on their own personal plumbing.
I hate hearing about people having bad experiences with home remodeling, or new home construction but most of the time it is non-reputable people trying to get one over on you.
Its been my experience that a company that puts their own name (Gates, Janvrin, Kirby, Dossett, etc.) on the work they do seem to care alot more about the quality of their work. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, I wont point those out here.
This has been a great year for me and I hope my reputation keeps it going into next year. I'm truly blessed with great customers and contractors!
Holly Melissa Infanti
November 9 at 5:53 PM ·
A customer asked me how much it cost to make a table....
I answered him: $ 1500
He said: So expensive for this job?
I asked: How much do you think it would cost you?
He answers me: $ 800 maximum... That's a pretty simple job right? !"
- For $ 800 I invite you to do it yourself.
- But.... I don't know how to.
- For $800 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $700, you'll get the knowledge for the next time you want
- It seemed right to him and he agreed.
- But to get started: you need tools: A table saw, a planer, a top, dormants, etc...
- But I don't have all these equipment and I can't buy all of these for one job.
- Well then for another $250 more I'll rent my stuff to you so you can do it.
- Okay, he says.
- Okay! Tuesday I'm waiting for you to start doing this work
- But I can't on Tuesday I only have time today.
- I'm sorry, but I'm only available Tuesday to teach you and lend you my stuff. Other days are busy with other customers.
- Okay! That means I'm going to have to sacrifice my Tuesday, give up my tasks.
- I forgot. To do your job yourself, you also have to pay for the nonproductive factors.
- That is? What is this?"
- Bureaucratic, tax, vat, security, insurance, fuel etc.
- Oh no!... But to accomplish these tasks, I'm going to spend more money and waste a lot of time!
- Do you have them? You can do it to me before?"
- Okay!
- I'll make you all the material you need. Truck loading is done Monday evening or Tuesday morning you'll have to come by 6 loading the truck. Don't forget to be on time to avoid traffic jams and be on time
- At 6??? Nope! Too early for me! I used to getting up later.
...
- You know, I've been thinking. Y ' all better get the job done. I'd rather pay you the $1500. If I had to, it wouldn't be perfect and it would cost me a lot more.
When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted, you pay not only for the material used, but also:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Study
- Tools
- Services
- Time to go
- punctuality
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Guaranteed
- Patents
- Sacrifices
- Safety and security
- Payment of tax obligations
No one can denigrate other people's work by judging prices.
Only by knowing all the elements necessary for the production of a certain work can you estimate the actual cost.
I did not write this dialogue, but am sharing it to support craftsmen and entrepreneurs.
