Just my opinion............ The pumping industry is getting a check-up from the neck-up! With the slow economy right now, It's sure to weed out the weak, thats a given. What I can't figure out is Most of the companies out there knew it were coming, and in my opinion they either turned their cheek or simply just ignored the FACTS. The majority continued to buy NEW machines instead of looking to re-Mann the Used ones."IMO" this has caused the value of both New and Used machines to plummet drastically.The market is over saturated at this time and has been for a year or two. Could this have anything to do with ones EGO? I Definitely think so.

its not an exclusive business anymore. every general contractor and big finisher company has one. that means to be operational the banks and insurance companies have a bigger piece of us.

just like the pump manufactors, lots of companies same parts. the only thing special is the paint job ha ha.

like resturants, an owner has two and sales are down a third and some of them cannot pay thier garbage bill.

we could all do some kind of union and keep new people out for a long time ha ha.

And what happens when your the one that has lowered your prices the most? You not only keep your customers but you take on alot of your competitors customers as well. Your charging so much less than the "standard" that your employees have to take a pay cut. The other companies are so slow at the time that none of the operators stand up against the pay cut because they are just happy to have a job. Next, it gets so busy with all the "new" customers that you took on that your working the hell out of your operators. They get a crapy attitude real quick and the guys that are weak and need to be weeded out are getting tired and costing the company THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of $$$ in stupid mistakes, like for instance the old " I cant believe that concrete went off so fast. I only waited 45 minutes to circulate.". But you know what, you cant weed those people out because your so greedy that you would rather pay him less and let him lose pipe again and again than hire a decent well paid replacement, and not to mention you've become completely blind of the difference between a small short term investment and a large long term investment. And now you've reached the "DONT FIX IT TILL IT BREAKS" mentality of your maintenance supervisor. Yes thats right THE SMAREST GUY IN THE WORLD.

I couldn't agree more. The only thing I feel that I can do is to keep doing a better than good job for the customer, work as smart as I can to keep everyone safe and not cost the company that I work for any money. And as for my pump, well I know what my pump needs and 90% of the time I do repairs myself. If Im not doing any of those things then Im with my family.

Oh yea. As to the question "over populated pumps or too much EGO" Maybe both. but definitely more EGO.

Egomania is the norm in the construction industry, and it leads to everyone wanting bigger and better pumps. Or maybe its a manhood thing.

I don't know why your all so shocked it's the American way.Wallmart,Macdonalds,Home Depo etc.have made billions selling there product using there low price! high volume! minimum wage method for 30+ years and it has'nt seemed to hurt there bottom line any.It's all only a matter of time.

I don't see it as a "one or the other" situation. It is more

cause & effect

Mudwrestler, With all do respect to your comment,I were talking about a service provided.not merchandise for sale. You do have a valid point in regards to walmart.mcD's etc.. unfortunately that same mentality doesn't work well in the pumping industry.

Bob, Agreed 100% (Cause & Effect scenario) Cause = I can do it RIGHT NOW !! (over populated) Effect = I can try to re-coop Later !! (EGOTISTICAL)

SOS! (Same Old Story.) "Who ever drops their prices, Ruins it for everyone else." Pleeease dont drop your prices 10 bucks. Because we'd have to drop ours $20 to beat you! Know what I say? Boo-freak'n-hoo! Oh no! You might have to cancel that 5th Harley on order. Or put off the plans to buy the matching his&hers MiniCoopers painted custom w/company colors. Owners are having to re-think things, Especially the 8-10 year companies that rip snorted through a prime economy buying new pumps every year. Now their realizing they really did'nt even NEED the million dollar machine that might aswell be a billboard right now! The ones that apply their $ to the right areas will make it. Even with reduced prices. The "Ego-trips" wont. Pay the operators well & keep'em happy & positive. All the customers you've lost, Will be back. Everyone learns eventually, You get what you pay for!