E-Tenders are the future ....a pricing nightmare

**RobPristine** · 07-02-2011, 11:19 PM

I dont know if any of you have come across e-tendering yet, but you will soon, unfortunately they are the future and if we think pricing is bad now, then be prepared for a nightmare. A large multi-national supermarket chain already use them for all aspects of newbuild and refurb work. basically what they do is invite you to a special pricing web-site then you are in an auction for your aspect of the job, they give you a starting highest figure they are prepared to pay for the job and you basically submit your lower bids to see if you win the job. The site is open for 30 minutes, you dont know who your bidding against you only know what position your bid is in. Lowest bid wins. so you sit there with your calculator working out if you can afford to submit a lower bid to get into first position. its a nightmare. they give you a spec to work to and you just fight for 30 minutes to get the job, you can submit as many bids as you like and then you find out after 30 minutes if your in pole position. if you win, you then start worrying about doing the job for the price you have submitted. its the modern system thats going to be national before long.

**amestaper** · 07-02-2011, 11:23 PM

Theres another thread here about e-procurement from last year, or maybe 2009?

http://www.tapingandjointing.com/for...=e-procurement

**TonyM** · 07-02-2011, 11:38 PM

Guess i'll be telling them all that I can do the job for a pound a metre, and the day before i'm due to start, get my Mrs to call up and tell them i've had a heart attack. That'll teach 'em

**amestaper** · 07-02-2011, 11:46 PM

Basically you make one error or a bad judgement and you've had it?

I'm thinking what you're thinking Tony but no doubt their lawyers will have you sign and bent over with your nuts in a vice. I'd like to see one happening, but someone please give me a smack if I ever tender for one of these.

**RobPristine** · 08-02-2011, 11:50 AM

yeah its a horrible way of getting work, the best way is just cutting all the b/s and asking the QS what he wants it done for and then seeing if you can do it, cuts out so much time, usually takes the guy by surprise.

**DMC** · 08-02-2011, 09:54 PM

Taylor Wimpey have started pricing in much the same way, they give a price they are willing to pay for the taping and painting, they then expect you to work to it or less. The lunatics have taken over the asylum

**Goodmanatee** · 09-02-2011, 10:00 AM

This seems to be a very cut throat way of doing things.

**DMC** · 09-02-2011, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Goodmanatee

This seems to be a very cut throat way of doing things.

I think that is there idea, we all cut one anothers throats trying to make a living, B&Q is starting to look promising.

**Goodmanatee** · 09-02-2011, 05:31 PM

Oh well, hopefully when they've paid peanuts and got monkeys and they mess it up, they will call for the professionals (us) to put it right. Stick to your guns, always leave a good finish and reputation should see us good in the end!

**TonyM** · 09-02-2011, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Goodmanatee

Oh well, hopefully when they've paid peanuts and got monkeys and they mess it up, they will call for the professionals (us) to put it right. Stick to your guns, always leave a good finish and reputation should see us good in the end!

They won't though. They'll get the painters to correct it, pay them and take it from the drylining contractors retention, so it costs the bloodsucking main contractors nothing.