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StarsandStripes
BBQ Fan
Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 385
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 Posted: May 04 2007 Post subject: |
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| SoEzzy wrote: | | StarsandStripes wrote: | | It can't get any worse, can it? |
How many days left have you got?
If it is more than 1 then it can get wose!   |
I'm stuck here until NEXT Friday!!!!  |
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marvsbbq
BBQ All Star
Joined: 15 May 2005
Posts: 6186
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| Posted: May 04 2007 Post subject: |
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I was asked to bid a job at Ft Lewis (Army base) 2-3 years ago. I put myu bid in SHOWING tax and grauity. This lady calls me back and said..."The government does NOT pay tax OR grauity". I asked for the proper tax exempt paper work to turn into the IRS and she said "they know already." Well without the proper paper work, I would have to pay taxes on the event. Which means I would make even LESS profit.
Also, she wanted to CUT my given price...If I remember right, she wanted a BBQ lunch for $5-$6.
Needless to say....I did NOT get/do the job...I don't care who it is, I can't GIVE it away!!
Oh, I should say, she wanted chicken, ribs and sides, drinks AND all the plate service....
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StarsandStripes
BBQ Fan
Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 385
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| Posted: May 05 2007 Post subject: |
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Lunch was two pieces of cold brisket* served over salad, cup of chicken noodle soup, scoop of corn, roll, and a soda.
*I couldn't figure out how the brisket was cooked. It had a grilled taste to it but there were no grill marks. I think it was oven roasted but how did they get the grilled taste on it?? Hmm.
People are starting to get ticked off at the caterer. |
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Big Brother Smoke
BBQ Fan
Joined: 01 Apr 2006
Posts: 269
Location: Ventura, CA
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| Posted: May 05 2007 Post subject: |
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| StarsandStripes wrote: |
People are starting to get ticked off at the caterer. |
And rightfully so! |
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BBQMAN
BBQ Super All Star
Joined: 13 Jun 2005
Posts: 15475
Location: Florida
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| Posted: May 05 2007 Post subject: |
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Sounds like quite the train wreck Starsandstripes.
Seeing as Atomic already jumped thru all the hoops, and had a great bid, you might just get them back again next year!  
I've done a few jobs for military and law enforcement and they are always great folks to work with. The USCG has a couple of bases here, the air base in Clearwater is the second largest in the country (only Alaska's is bigger). Great group and no red tape to deal with! 
Keep us posted on the menu "selection". I bet this story only get's better!
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005. |
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marvsbbq
BBQ All Star
Joined: 15 May 2005
Posts: 6186
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| Posted: May 05 2007 Post subject: |
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The problem lies with whom ever was in charge of approving the caterer AND the menu the caterer was to provide...I take it that was not you?? 
As a caterer, there is only so much you can offer for any given price...Although it WOULD be nice if it was HOT...and TASTED decent..
As for the quanity, there is only so much you can get for the price you are paying....sad but true.
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BBQMAN
BBQ Super All Star
Joined: 13 Jun 2005
Posts: 15475
Location: Florida
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| Posted: May 05 2007 Post subject: |
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Not so sure on that Marv. I know I sure could have done better than what he's describing, and still made a real nice profit for all the work involved!
You would think that out on the open economy for $30.00 a day you could get better food?
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005. |
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marvsbbq
BBQ All Star
Joined: 15 May 2005
Posts: 6186
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| Posted: May 05 2007 Post subject: |
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| BBQMAN wrote: | Not so sure on that Marv. I know I sure could have done better than what he's describing, and still made a real nice profit for all the work involved!
You would think that out on the open economy for $30.00 a day you could get better food? |
You have to understand that these BIG caterers have a certain profit they have to meet. Also, I am betting there are a LOT more staff there (included in the price) than you or I may have.
Without seeing the contract (which we never will) really hard to compare apples to apples. I know I am WAY under other caterers in my area too and still feel I make a cecent profit.....Or do I???? Maybe I should RAISE my prices....
I just booked a luncheon today (while I was cooking at another event), that wanted pulled pork and a salad for $10 a person. I told them I would 'throw in' the beans IF I could get the $10 PLUS tax (so I don't have to pay out of the $10). I am NOT charging gratuity as they are a City agencey AND I get to set up at the farmers market to feed them (120). Not feeding anyone else, just feeding the 120 for the city but I get TONS of exposure..
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StarsandStripes
BBQ Fan
Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 385
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| Posted: May 05 2007 Post subject: |
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Tonight was a little better. Beef tips, mashed potatoes, corn (again), side salad, two cookies, soda/bottle of water. The food had ZERO taste but it was hot!!!!!!!!! I added two packets of salt and inhaled it before it lost any of it's steam. Not bad.
No, it was not me who approved the catering service. The dude that did got samples and raved about how good the food was back in San Antonio. Everyone of us is disappointed. |
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Big Tom
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
Posts: 1234
Location: Owensboro, KY
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| Posted: May 05 2007 Post subject: |
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What type of activity/event is this?
Do you pay those prices for the meals, or is that what they are valued at?
I would mutiny if I was having to be out-of-pocket for that for a long period of time.
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Big Tom
Pigs-R-Us Cooking Team
Owensboro, KY / Corinth, MS |
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BBQMAN
BBQ Super All Star
Joined: 13 Jun 2005
Posts: 15475
Location: Florida
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| Posted: May 05 2007 Post subject: |
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| Big Tom wrote: | What type of activity/event is this?
Do you pay those prices for the meals, or is that what they are valued at?
I would mutiny if I was having to be out-of-pocket for that for a long period of time. |
Military/Gov't Big Tom!
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005. |
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StarsandStripes
BBQ Fan
Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 385
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| Posted: May 05 2007 Post subject: |
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| Big Tom wrote: | What type of activity/event is this?
Do you pay those prices for the meals, or is that what they are valued at?
I would mutiny if I was having to be out-of-pocket for that for a long period of time. |
I work for the Army. It's a hurricane response training event.
Well, our HQ paid directly for the caterer and is not giving us per diem...which is...by the way...$75 a day. So, in short I'm paying $75 a day for this crap. |
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StarsandStripes
BBQ Fan
Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 385
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| Posted: May 05 2007 Post subject: |
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| This morning was two pieces of toast, eggs, slice of ham, fruit, bottle of juice. Just finished eating 8-10 minutes ago. I'm hungry. |
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BBQMAN
BBQ Super All Star
Joined: 13 Jun 2005
Posts: 15475
Location: Florida
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| Posted: May 05 2007 Post subject: |
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Makes me glad I was AF! Just kidding of course thanks for all you do!
I was stationed at Hurlburt Field in the panhandle. As a special operations base, we had members from all branches of the service on board. When we went to chow the other services were always standing in line in amazement with comments like "you actually get your choice of eggs!". Or "wow two meat choices and/or something off the grill menu, I can't believe it!" and "do you guys eat like this every day?" Then there was "dang, look at all these desserts and and icecream bar with made to order sundaes!" It's funny, but I'm not kidding!
$75.00 a day per-diem- you guys got jacked!!!!
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005. |
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Harry Nutczak
BBQ All Star
Joined: 01 Mar 2007
Posts: 8558
Location: The Northwoods
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| Posted: May 05 2007 Post subject: |
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| marvsbbq wrote: | quote]
Without seeing the contract (which we never will) really hard to compare apples to apples. : |
Actually, I thought the contracts and purchases had to be made publicly available since it is our money that is being spent on this gig.
in the past I have researched equipment purchases by the university of Wisconsin Madison to be able to work a deal on our Bobcat skid-steer.
I saw the exact same model with accessories was sold to UW Madison for $13K
So, maybe with a little digging in a few months, you should be able to find the catering expenditures. (Hopefully)
Starsandstripes,
I looked at the Biz-Ops list, is there any way to seperate by state?
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StarsandStripes
BBQ Fan
Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 385
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| Posted: May 05 2007 Post subject: |
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| Harry Nutczak wrote: | | marvsbbq wrote: | quote]
Without seeing the contract (which we never will) really hard to compare apples to apples. : |
Actually, I thought the contracts and purchases had to be made publicly available since it is our money that is being spent on this gig.
in the past I have researched equipment purchases by the university of Wisconsin Madison to be able to work a deal on our Bobcat skid-steer.
I saw the exact same model with accessories was sold to UW Madison for $13K
So, maybe with a little digging in a few months, you should be able to find the catering expenditures. (Hopefully)
Starsandstripes,
I looked at the Biz-Ops list, is there any way to seperate by state? |
Yes. Right under the search window on the main page select 'Advanced Search'. Toward the bottom of the subsequent page you will find 'Search by Performance Zip Code'. Just be careful. If you search for 78133 and the work is in 78132 it will not show up in the results. |
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