I just left an interview of this company called “business for government” after they cold called me yesterday. What they supposedly do is win federal contracts for you. I told them I was not interested because they always go to the lowest bidder, and he said yes that was true, but in this case it is not so. Why? Because the stimulus money from last year has a portion alloted specifically for small businesses, and they get priority to win the bid.
Here’s the catch: you must be certified by the SBA to qualify. Now, I am not. So they told me they will get me certified within 4 to 6 weeks, but it will cost me 4000 bucks, with a 1000 dollar deposit.
Thats when I walked.
Alarm bells were ringing in my head…I look around their office, and there is no computers except for what the receptionist had, only one phone (receptionist) and the offices only had a brand new table and 4 chairs. New floors, no pictures on the wall…nada. So I walk. I call a friend of mine here in town, because he IS certified, and he tells me its a scam…its free to get certified, and it only takes a few days not 4-6 weeks. Why do they want the grand? So he passed…so I called everyone in town I know (your call is comming Doug) to let them know about whats up…
If they need certified companies to win the bids, why dont they call certified companies?
Does this sound like a scam to any of you?
It sounds like a real big scam. Why don’t you call the SBA and check whether a program like they described even exists and then let the SBS know what this company is up to.
That’s crazy man.
I got your voicemai too, thanks for the headsup.
I got the same exact call two days ago. The lady wanted me to come for an interview the next day so I could bid on some government jobs in my service area. I was skeptical enough to say no…when she asked why, I told her I didn’t believe her. She said “fine, I’ll give someone else the work”… I have been wondering if I missed out on something, that is until I read your post.
The same type of scam as the “would you like to do insurance work in your local service area” calls I’ve been receiving lately.
The next stage will be can you leave a security bond . then you will never hear from them again. I know many who have been caught out by scams like these. just remember big companies and goverments do not use out side agencys to find window washers normaly the building maintance man is the one who looks. 60% of my work comes from approaching the maintance manager
It does exist. If I had the cash I probably would have done it…well, if I was single I would have. The ONLY reason I didnt was because I was thinking to myself how I was gonna explain it to the wife. I started thinking of my speech, and when I went over it in my head I called myself an idiot. I checked out their website, and it looks good and they do other stuff as well…supposedly. If I turned down a killer oportunity so be it, it just dont look right. I mean, that office looked like they could pack up and be gone in an hour!
I also got a call from a lady with the same offer. They wanted to interview me the next day. She said that only certain companies would qualify for these contracts, and wanted to see if I fit their criteria. It just sounded like a lot of BS to me.
According to them, only small businesses, but that are certified by the SBA qualify. Thats public record. The way they are supposed to make their money is the 5% off of the job…so why wouldnt they call companies already certified, instead of waiting the 4-6 weeks to “certify” the company, they can send one already certified to do work right away and make their money even faster…
This is a scam. Call the SBA they will hook you up. You need to be registered in the CCR database before you can do any business with the government. You also have to have a D&B number which you will be directed to get at the CCR website.
I have dealt with government work and looked into it a lot. Here’s the facts. GO here.
https://www.fbo.gov/
Do a search for window cleaning. Or window washing. There are very very little contracts for window cleaning. Even search past awarded contracts and you will see there have been very little in the past also. This is a scam. There is no way a company is going to get you a contract if there is no open bid. I stopped going that route. Also keep in mind that even though they have to take the lowest bidder, it’s not always the case. They can choose a high bidding company if they want to. They just have to justify why. Example. Company #1 bids $100, company #2 bids $500. Company #1 uses chems to clean the widows, company #2 uses WFP. WFP is envio friendly and you can be awarded the job on that alone.
Here’s the best to go about getting the gigs. Every year there is a conference for government maintainence departments. They are informed of new rules and regs, etc. You can go and make some contacts. Every government department has a credit card that they can bill up to $5000.00 to $10,000.00 per month per service depending on the department. The credit card spending is not overseen by congress or anyone else other then the department heads. As long as the job is really needed and it’s not the guy/girl trying to scam and buy a flat screen TV all is good. You can bill multible times on the card for the service. I just did my huge government contract for the Air Force last Oct. It was over 50 grand. They could only spend $5000.00 on their card per service. I have worked with them before and knew the drill. They received over 10 invoices for differant parts of the jobs. EX: front wing #1 building #1 $4800.00. front wing #2 Building #1 $4800.00, Outside Lobby building #1 $4800.00, Back wing #1 building #1 $4800.00 etc. You get the idea. That’s how you do it. That’s the best and easiest way. Like anything else you need to find the person who has the card and can make the purchase. That’s the hard part. That’s why you are best to go to the confrence, it’s a one stop shop for all the people with the card. Only problem is the people in your state my not be attending or worse yet they may be there but you just can’t find them. But it’s worth the shot unless you know someone who knows someone.
Thanks Ray,
Good info there. Its good to hear that in fact it is a scam, its a good one. Think I will call the BBB so they can warn everyone about them.
Well, I just checked them out with the BBB here:
BBB Review of Business Thru Government - Consultants - Van Nuys, CA
and I was thinking about what I would say to complain, and really, I didnt get robbed so what can I say? I will call them and see what they can do but all I can do at this point is call everyone and warn them I guess.
Check out their grade tho, they get an A+ and they have only been with them for less than a year! I have been with them for 3 and I get an A- with 0 complaints!!! Unbelievable.:mad:
I just remembered. I got that call too. Unless it’s a call from someone wanting to book a job I don’t give them more than 5 secs. of my time. All I need to hear is:
“Hello my I speak to the owner?” or Hello may I speak to Damian mis-pronounce my last name"?
“This is him”
“How are you doing today Damian”
“I was doing FANTASTIC up until the point I got a telemaketing call or someone trying to introduce a new service to me.”
The call usually ends right after that.
I now have a new script. Thanks for that one bro…
BTG is for real. They helped me land $200,000 worth of contracts last year.
Thank you very much…you just saved me a trip to San Diego!
