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How are you battling the Underground Economy? SPEC has Fact Sheets to Help!

Posted by Laurie Batter on June 7, 2010 at 10:16am in Business Growth, Expansion, and Current Opportunit
Industry advocate, SPEC (California Spa & Pool Industry Education Council), announces the third leg of a three-part action campaign designed to help the industry fight and win against the activities of contractors who don’t play by the rules – the largest contributing business segment of the fast-growing, invasive underground economy in California.  SPEC’s campaign first supports recent legislation; second, it advocates for and collaborates with agencies and industry members to catch these illegal workers in the act; and third, educates industry and consumers on how to protect themselves. 
“The underground economy is creating a lose situation for all concerned.  SPEC is standing strong to turn that “lose” around into a win-win-win with the three-part action campaign.  The third, critical component in the battle against underground activity is the necessity of direct consumer education, and the weapons of information and knowledge industry members need to become pro-active to help the fight,” explained John Norwood, President of SPEC.

SPEC has authored two hard-hitting Fact Sheets –that explain what is really at stake for legitimate industry members and for consumers; and what SPEC is doing to help combat those who are propelling the California underground economy, and how industry and consumers can help.  Industry members are encouraged to download these Fact Sheets at www.calspec.org or call 916-447-4113 to request copies.  SPEC is making these available to all industry members, not just those who provide financial support to the association. SPEC urges industry organizations to post PDFs of the Fact Sheets on their trade and consumer websites.

Detailed press release and Fact Sheets can also be downloaded here.


SPEC UE Fact Sheet Consumer.pdf

SPEC UE Fact Sheet PR Trade.pdf

PR SPEC Fights Underground Economy FINAL.pdf

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Tags: berryhill, cslb, california, fact, geremia, monning, spec, undergroundeconomy, bipartisan, consumer
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Replies

  • Jeremy Hine June 11, 2010 at 8:07pm
    Amen.

    Rick Hamilton said:
    About 15% of my business is repairing problems caused by the cheaters. If I have to pay taxes and licenses, then I report any one I see cutting corners to the authorities, which in my experience lack power to enforce, but I do my part to uphold honesty and do my part to weed out cheaters which normally hurt their own selves. Yes the honest guys pay for the loss by the cheaters and we will always have them, but cheating customers deserve to be handed over to cheating companys. In the long run honesty still pays.
  • Rick Hamilton June 11, 2010 at 6:20am
    About 15% of my business is repairing problems caused by the cheaters. If I have to pay taxes and licenses, then I report any one I see cutting corners to the authorities, which in my experience lack power to enforce, but I do my part to uphold honesty and do my part to weed out cheaters which normally hurt their own selves. Yes the honest guys pay for the loss by the cheaters and we will always have them, but cheating customers deserve to be handed over to cheating companys. In the long run honesty still pays.
  • Laurie Batter June 11, 2010 at 5:32am
    Thanks Jeremy, we know this is going on all over the country. Education, training and knowledge are critical to the growth of our industry. Good for you for separating yourself from those who are not and don't care enough to offer legitimate services.

    I appreciate any efforts you can give to spreading the word and sharing the postings/links.


    Laurie
  • Jeremy Hine June 11, 2010 at 4:50am
    I've got a couple of guys here doing the underground thing here in my area It hurts. I come behind them many times over to fix their mistake(s). It is satisfying knowing that I'm the one hired to fix and doing the right thing because I know better and can see the difference in the workmanship. Most of the underground guys are not educated, trained, though experienced.
    What I lack in experience, i make up in the education and training and knowledge gained from the repairs i make from these guys.

    I will certainly spread the word with the postings you mention above. Thanks for sharing Laurie.

    -Jeremy
    Florida Leisure Pool & Spa
    www.FLLeisure.com
    Florida Leisure Pool, Spa, Hot Tub Repair, Pumps, Filters, Heaters, Salt Chlorinators, Automation
    We repair pools, spas and hot tubs, pumps, motors, heaters, filters, automation equipment in Gainesville and North Central FL
  • Laurie Batter June 10, 2010 at 5:40am
    Maybe you haven't read the attachments? May I suggest that you do.
    These are people doing business but not paying their fair share of taxes, workers comp etc etc, and are undercutting legitimate business people.
  • Laurie Batter June 9, 2010 at 5:10am
    Luke,

    What are you saying???
This reply was deleted.

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