I got to arguing with a contractor yesterday because I would not do business with him. His only argument was that I would not do business with him because he is black.

Yet he refused to acknowledge the facts that I had pointed out to him that his work was shoddy at best and his prices on labor and material were pretty steep. Still the only thing he could focus on was the black factor.

So it had me thinking this morning, should we purchase from black people out of pure loyalty if they have higher prices for the exact same product? Sometimes for poorer families it comes down to having extra money to eat or supporting a black owned business. What are your thoughts in cases similar like this for you?

Don't include the hustle man because I look for the low low too LOL

Anything which relies on a high level of technical expertise... eg. building or construction... I don't mess around with... I try and get recommendations and whoever is best, and can work within my budget will get the work... (However even better if it is a Black man or woman)...

If I had to go to a corner shop, and it is just a matter of a service... then where I can find the Black shop that is where I will go... Nice Nigerian man who owns a minimarket near me... although it is a 15 minute walk... I try to go there whenever I can...

But, from your story... the guy just seems as though he was grasping at straws to win an argument... he's making it Black in a situation where it is skill and cost which is important...

Saftey

So it had me thinking this morning, should we purchase from black people out of pure loyalty if they have higher prices for the exact same product? Sometimes for poorer families it comes down to having extra money to eat or supporting a black owned business. What are your thoughts in cases similar like this for you?

Don't include the hustle man because I look for the low low too LOL


I'm a contractor myself and I know how tough the market is for black tradesmen so sometimes we have to raise the price because we can't get the resources and publicity that white mostly Italian contractors get.

But on your subject, let me just say that my biggest problem with black businesses isn't the price, it's the poor attitude that so many in the establishment have.

First of all, it's hard to find a black business that will open up on time..they're always late and don't seem to respect punctuality.

Only him and his boys REALLY know what time the business opens up.

You try to call the fool up to make sure he's there....and instead of a professional answering maching...you got his ass mumbling something on it with Wu-Tang sounds in the background.




Another problem is just the lack of respect for the consumer.

You walk into some black businesses and the people who are supposed to be working are either talking about how drunk they got last night, who got shot, and if they don't have anyone there to talk to....they sit grinningwith their hand down their pants talking on the cell phone.


Even the atmosphere is terrible.

Most black business have dim lights, and you got inapproriate music playing at all hours of the day.

Most of our people are just totally unprofessional and it's sad.

We have a lot of talent, but lack the discipline and morality to effectively use it.

My thoughts are that, I will first and foremost try to do business with black contractors, and if he/she does very good job/poor I will take a note for the next time. With this, it will take me over the long held andracist based ideology that says black contractors will half-ass. After that, I will move to the next blackcontractor. I'm building new home for myself, and all are my people.

I am sure that if people looked hard enough, they will find a good deal when dealing with black business. Yes it might be a trying search, but if you have the time, it's worth it. My mother has her own business, and has successfully worked with other black businesses. Although when in a jam, or the choices are slim, she may use the resource of other races, but still it's generally black.

@ Omaar that reply is typically sterotypical

@ forum

Can any1 point to a time when you have receved a service by a black business which have gone past the call of duty

I ask this because we have alot of this whatI term ' cumby-ya mentality' whicch in effect means black unity utopia. Me , I suspect most of the black builders/cowboys just see you as anoher customer/suckerand so in effect ypu could be throwing your money away inthe old adage of'keeping it real'I

CashMoney

@ Omaar that reply is typically sterotypical

You know we're living in a sad state when even the truth sounds too outrageous.....but believe it.

Perhaps my reply sounds stereotypical because you're experiences come from a British environment.

Come to America and go into most black owned and operated establishments....if you can still find some....and you'll see that I'm actually holding back.

No one desires bad service, so when its bad, try the next black business person. Only once all 'black' avenues are exhausted, that's the time to move on to other races.

As someone once said on these boards - let the offenders know what you are doing and why. Just remember you can't run their business for them.

Well my usual contractor is a black man who does excellent work on time and at a reasonable price. I have never had a problem out of him. Thing is he has a big contract and wll not be available for some time. Now the rest of the black contractors I have brought in either do not have the expertise or have a ridiculously higher price I have lumped them with really with the rest of the contractors.

fair enough @ omaar. I have to remember that all people have different expereinces . sorry bout that

By the way, welcome to the forum

Reminds me of the other day when I went to a west indian shop in my area. I ordered my food and as it was heating up I went to the other side of the counter to look at the cakes,which happened to be near the dr. My woman follows me down there and says "canI have my money please" holding out her hand. She hadn't even given me the food yet!Now it soundspetty butif it wasn't for the long ass queue in the west indian shop which was right opposite them I wouldn't have gone in there in the first place.

I don't care if it's a black owned shop or not, if u give me good customer service and I can get good quality products at reasonable prices then I will continue to go back.

I think supporting Black busineses is very important, not only that but I believe we should have a network wherein we produce and distribute our own goods, so we aren't dependent on another group of people. Either you have that, or produce a niche (such as electronics) so well, that another will trade with you for the things you need, regardless of the circumstances.

To get back on topic, I think that person is missing the point. Supporting any subpar business isn't positive. If a business can get away with half doing things and still be successful and make money, they have no reason to change. That person needs to step up their game before they make race an issue. Otherwise, they're just asking that you lower your standards, on the strength of Black unity, that's manipulative and unsatisfactory, and benefits neither.

Whenever I get the chance to support a good Black business, I don't miss the chance. Feels like supporting myself.

PraiseGodDaily wrote:

Quote:

Same thing in England. During the 1980's, there used to be any number of black owned hair care businesses, but they were all put out of business by the Pakistanis and the Indians

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When i look at all these other races and their attitude towards us,i always ask myself this one question.just what exactly is there problem? Why are they always soobsessed with wanting tostick their nose into our business, why?

Could i justwalk into any oftheir communities and set up businesses selling goodsaimed specificallyat Asians or any other race of peoples? NO!Not that i wo