Behind the Scenes @ Work

Rudey · #1 07-06-2007, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

But if you have a small business, and have another small business do some service (plumbing, electrical, roofing, etc), and offer to pay cash up front, you can usually save at least 20%.

So basically you're aiding and abetting a crime? The reason why it's cash is because it's off the books and there are no taxes paid on it.

-Rudey

UGAalum94 · #2 07-06-2007, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudey

So basically you're aiding and abetting a crime? The reason why it's cash is because it's off the books and there are no taxes paid on it.

-Rudey

Or because it's payment up front with no need for billing.

Rudey · #3 07-06-2007, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

Or because it's payment up front with no need for billing.

That's a whole load of crap. Payment up front? It's not an AR issue. Pay with a credit card and it's paid up front. Pay with a bank check and it's up front. Pay with an online funds transfer and it's upfront. There are numerous ways to pay upfront that are trackable. Cash is not trackable. Contractors and small businesses stick to cash so that they can cheat on their taxes. It's not an issue of payment dates.

-Rudey

PeppyGPhiB · #4 07-06-2007, 02:15 AM

A majority of the stories you see/read in the news every day are the result of great PR people. WE dictate what is news. You think newspaper reporters and TV journalists have time to research and write their own stories every day? No way. If it weren't for PR people, they wouldn't even know about most of their stories. AND, they usually report the story the way we orchestrate/spin it, if we're good.

Of course, journalists deny this on a regular basis.

DaemonSeid · #5 07-06-2007, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

A majority of the stories you see/read in the news every day are the result of great PR people. WE dictate what is news. You think newspaper reporters and TV journalists have time to research and write their own stories every day? No way. If it weren't for PR people, they wouldn't even know about most of their stories. AND, they usually report the story the way we orchestrate/spin it, if we're good.

Of course, journalists deny this on a regular basis.

that is true.....like for instance...murder rates....for every 2 murders the news may report from 'official' figures at least 3 go unreported.

OneTimeSBX · #6 07-06-2007, 08:40 AM

woow...i went home last night and came back to this! i have certainly learned a few things lol! keep 'em comin guys!

does anyone have any tips/hints on how to not get ripped off at mechanics?

AlphaFrog · #7 07-06-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneTimeSBX

does anyone have any tips/hints on how to not get ripped off at mechanics?

Never sign a blank work order.

If you think the estimate sounds too high, don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

Keep records of what was done to your car when, and know how often most parts need to be replaced/fixed/changed/tuned up....so when the mechanic tells you "Gee, I think you need new brakes", you know when your brakes were last replaced, and how long brakes ususally last.

DaemonSeid · #8 07-06-2007, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneTimeSBX

woow...i went home last night and came back to this! i have certainly learned a few things lol! keep 'em comin guys!

does anyone have any tips/hints on how to not get ripped off at mechanics?

yes......take someone that really knows about cars with you....seriously....my g/f's brother is one and lord only knows how much money we have saved since he does all of our work....he got my truck inspected (free) changed our brakes at a crazy markdown, and so much other stuff it makes you wonder....but if you don't have someone that close it always helps to have someone that has some knowledge about it.

Same thing with computers....if my friends are about to buy PCs and they are PC illiterate they call me to go along to get the best deal.

OneTimeSBX · #9 07-06-2007, 12:04 PM

did anyone see that "hell's kitchen" episode a few weeks ago where the girl took the food out of the trash bin and dropped it back in the water to reheat?

well...i had two graduates of culinary school who were watching with me who said that YES that does happen. apparently the "bin" (aka trash can) is not for trash. it is for food based trash, i.e. corn husks, potato skins, etc. its not like the TRASH trash, where they would sweep the floor or something. i truthfully dont care that it takes an extra 12 minutes for new pasta, germs killed or not, i want NON-TRASHED CUISINE!!

ZTAngel · #10 07-06-2007, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

A majority of the stories you see/read in the news every day are the result of great PR people. WE dictate what is news. You think newspaper reporters and TV journalists have time to research and write their own stories every day? No way. If it weren't for PR people, they wouldn't even know about most of their stories. AND, they usually report the story the way we orchestrate/spin it, if we're good.

Of course, journalists deny this on a regular basis.

Yes. Many journalists do not write their stories. They take a press release that a PR person gave them and put in the newspaper word-for-word what the PR person wrote up. The only difference is that the journalist's name goes on the article instead of the PR person. I've had a great many of my press releases turned into articles in Atlanta-area papers.

tld221 · #11 07-06-2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZTAngel

Yes. Many journalists do not write their stories. They take a press release that a PR person gave them and put in the newspaper word-for-word what the PR person wrote up. The only difference is that the journalist's name goes on the article instead of the PR person. I've had a great many of my press releases turned into articles in Atlanta-area papers.

isn't that...sorta like... plagarism?

PeppyGPhiB · #12 07-06-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tld221

isn't that...sorta like... plagarism?

Actually, PR people love it when our news releases are copied. The reporter wants to print every word we wrote, and how we wrote it? PERFECT! That's why we write in Associated Press style...so the reporter can slip in our press releases without having to re-write anything.

Most of them will change a word or two, or the headline, to make it their own piece. Or they won't sign the article.

ZTAngel · #13 07-06-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tld221

isn't that...sorta like... plagarism?

Yes and no. You essentially become a "ghost writer" which happens a lot in the PR field. Many times when you see a bylined article by a CEO or high-profile executive in a magazine or newspaper, the CEO or executive didn't write the article. A PR person wrote up the article for them and attached the CEO's or executive's name to it. You'd be surprised how many executives just cannot write. They're very business savvy but when it comes to putting their thoughts on paper they have no clue where to even begin. It's essentially the same thing with reporters (except the reporter can write - he/she is just being lazy when putting in a press release directly from the PR rep rather than writing something on their own). When you send out a press release, it's almost an unwritten contract between the PR rep and the reporter that states "use this how you wish". Sometimes the reporter will use the release in its entirety, sometimes they'll use parts of it or sometimes they'll twist the release to fit their own agenda and give a negative 'spin' to your company. (the last one suuuuuucks but, unfortunately, it happens because reporters know that their constituents would like to read a more 'juicier' article)

UGAalum94 · #14 07-06-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudey

That's a whole load of crap. Payment up front? It's not an AR issue. Pay with a credit card and it's paid up front. Pay with a bank check and it's up front. Pay with an online funds transfer and it's upfront. There are numerous ways to pay upfront that are trackable. Cash is not trackable. Contractors and small businesses stick to cash so that they can cheat on their taxes. It's not an issue of payment dates.

-Rudey

I don't have a small business, so I don't know. It seems like the business getting the work done would have a tax incentive to claim money that went back into the business, but I have nowhere near the experience with tax fraud that you apparently do.

Rudey · #15 07-06-2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

I don't have a small business, so I don't know. It seems like the business getting the work done would have a tax incentive to claim money that went back into the business, but I have nowhere near the experience with tax fraud that you apparently do.

You're not much of a thinker. Again, there are numerous ways to pay upfront. To skip billing and take payment in an untraceable manner, a la cash or say...diamonds...is the clearest sign of keeping something off the books for either tax evasion or something more exotic, like money laundering and, oh say, terrorism financing. I'm glad I educated you. Next time, if you don't know about something you shouldn't make such suggestions.

-Rudey