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We are only taking care of established customers and direct referrals from them...
No new customers other than referrals.

Atlanta has a rough pollen season every year... pollen counts on Monday were over 8000 (not kidding)...
We generally try to wait until after the pollen counts go down, before doing spring maintenance... as it is not fair to the customer to change the filter and it loads up with pollen within a few weeks.

Got this from a local contractor. Name of company has been omitted. I think it’s a pretty good policy.

XXXXXX Company has been categorized as an "Essential Business" by the state of Maryland. Meaning we will remain open to provide service, replacement estimates, and replacement installations. We have provided latex gloves and Clorox wipes to all installers and technicians to use while working in our customers' homes. Our office staff is now operating remotely from home until further notice.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow within our community, we have decided to temporarily postpone all maintenance appointments to reduce personal interactions with our customers. Once the threat is reduced or dismissed, all maintenance appointments will be fulfilled promptly. We believe these actions are necessary to protect our customers, community, and technicians at this time.

As always, If you need us please give us a call or visit our website.

Originally Posted by Poodle Head Mikey

I have generally found the responses from my insurance companies tend to be more like this:

Yes; you do, in fact; have Insurance Coverage. Too bad it doesn't cover whatever it is which has just occurred.

BTW: Your premium is due - when can we expect payment so that we won't be forced to cancel your coverage?

PHM
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It's awaking when it's realized people don't start an insurance co. to be altruistic and come to the aid of their fellows. Payouts aren't a priority.
That's as it is. All that can be done is play the hand dealt.
The news told of more domestic violence happening. Not surprising but disappointing. Hard times should draw people closer but for some it's only the good times. It's ez to be happy when your drawing aces.
Well, duck & cover.

I have generally found the responses from my insurance companies tend to be more like this:

Yes; you do, in fact; have Insurance Coverage. Too bad it doesn't cover whatever it is which has just occurred.

BTW: Your premium is due - when can we expect payment so that we won't be forced to cancel your coverage?

PHM
-------------

Originally Posted by jmac00

I got a similar letter from my Insurance company. basically:

yeaa you do in fact have Business Interruption Insurance:

to bad it doesn't cover biological or pandemic situations, so sorry

For some of y'all that wondered what you might do with your time when you retired, now you can practice.
Lots of people that retire have a short money supply, maybe aren't as mobile as before, and might not be as motivated. Some will take to the TV or other diversions found at home. Chase their partner until told enough. Eat too much.
The lucky ones are never bored. They have interests established and cultivate them. Time like this is what they hope for unless their interests involve others.
There is understanding that while business sucks today, most everyone else is the same situation. Work usually doesn't go away forever. Their will be a mini-boom or maybe a big boom after this so maybe enjoy your time off. Free vacation and all that.
Start a new hobby/interest. Plant a garden, help animal rescue, do the honeydo's, mostly learn to roll with the punches. Enjoy your bailout.
There was a hustle type TV add when BO was in office. One of those "Call this number! Obama bailed out the banks, now it's your turn." At the least you'll be getting some of your taxes back.
What might happen is people will get antsy and one day say $crew it and go outside and re-start their lives. Virus or not. The others that achieved paranoia might never be able to cope well. Trust always involves risk.

One thing that is compounding the problem this time is the global economy was already showing signs of weakness.

But yeah, too much over blown media hype. The proof will be in the pudding. Look at the number several months down the road. In particular, the number of flu deaths. I'll bet the number will be close to zero. When in past years it has ranged around 30,000 to 50,000.

Originally Posted by Poodle Head Mikey

I don't dispute that it's real. I do dispute that paralyzing and severely damaging the US economy while freaking out much of the population is warranted for what is apparently just another virus to contend with.

Want to self-quarantine? Go ahead. Hell; let me know and I'll bring you the supplies you need.

Want to wear a mask and disinfect every possible thing in every direction? Go ahead - I will fully support your decision for yourself.

But don't try to force me to buy into what I consider to be an unjustified hysteria-driven mania.

All my life I have heard: "Yeah, well; it's Different this time!"

Every stock market peak, every stock market pullback, every newly elected official, every new disease, every real estate market issue: "Oh but this time - it's different!"

And you know what? It's never once been different. <g>

PHM
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Yeah, historically, I've always noticed a slow down in the two or three weeks preceding April 15.

Originally Posted by jmac00

for the last 26 years, March and April have been slow, it's always slow. We plan for it to be slow. So we are not in a panic YET!

The good news is, it's been warm enough that the ice is off the lake our seasonal OFF GRID cabin is on, the only way to get to the cabin is by boat (or ATV when the lake is frozen) it is extremely remote. Our nearest neighbor is a ¼ mile across the lake and the cabin is surrounded by a 1200 acre conservancy, which is all swamp.

With the state on "pause" I see no reason to sit there and be miserably bored
I going to get the boat ready and head up to the cabin

If the business owner doesn't have that sort of cash laying around, ain't gonna happen.

Originally Posted by Scoobie

Federal government is telling business owners with under 500 employees to keep paying everyone for 2 weeks at full pay and then 10 weeks at 2/3 pay. While the guys stay home. We will pay you back later.

What would you guys do?

Originally Posted by jmac00

I got a similar letter from my Insurance company. basically:

yeaa you do in fact have Business Interruption Insurance:

to bad it doesn't cover biological or pandemic situations, so sorry

Yep got something similar myself

pissed about what?

:::::::: Pissed::::::::

Originally Posted by Metalman0880

Shortly after you mentioned this I ended up talking to our insurance agent. We do have it but, I was told if we were seeking to make a claim related to everything going on with this virus that coverage would be excluded. I’ll find out why exactly on Monday. It was a good idea though Dad. Thanks.


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I got a similar letter from my Insurance company. basically:

yeaa you do in fact have Business Interruption Insurance:

to bad it doesn't cover biological or pandemic situations, so sorry

I don't dispute that it's real. I do dispute that paralyzing and severely damaging the US economy while freaking out much of the population is warranted for what is apparently just another virus to contend with.

Want to self-quarantine? Go ahead. Hell; let me know and I'll bring you the supplies you need.

Want to wear a mask and disinfect every possible thing in every direction? Go ahead - I will fully support your decision for yourself.

But don't try to force me to buy into what I consider to be an unjustified hysteria-driven mania.

All my life I have heard: "Yeah, well; it's Different this time!"

Every stock market peak, every stock market pullback, every newly elected official, every new disease, every real estate market issue: "Oh but this time - it's different!"

And you know what? It's never once been different. <g>

PHM
-----------

Originally Posted by marybear

Here in Orlando for the most part business is continuing. Vendors have no-contact guidleines in place. Most office staff are working from home. There are restrictions in place for office visits by field employess and others. We are down to a core office staff of about 5. Next week I am going to talk with the Operation Manager about instituting a policy of all warehouse business with field people being done in the parking lot barring inclement weather.

Poodle Head Mikey, this virus is very real and far from being over with ! All part of the new reality until this is done.

Here in Orlando for the most part business is continuing. Vendors have no-contact guidleines in place. Most office staff are working from home. There are restrictions in place for office visits by field employess and others. We are down to a core office staff of about 5. Next week I am going to talk with the Operation Manager about instituting a policy of all warehouse business with field people being done in the parking lot barring inclement weather. Poodle Head Mikey, this virus is very real and far from being over with ! All part of the new reality until this is done.

Originally Posted by dkalasz

I feel for them this is one time being a one man shop seems advantage's

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I feel for some of these companies that are in the wrong sector of the business. If you could add plumbing, you may be able to get some work coming in. Defiantly essential.

Yes. I am a one man shop and I will survive this just fine. I have not blown my profits on expensive new trucks. I could survive for a few years without any income. Might have to just lower some business expenses.

Everyone just has to tighten their belt a little and see what they can do to survive this temporary situation. Remember- summer is coming and will be here soon.

Originally Posted by reymitchel

My friends who have a business are afraid to lose it

I feel for them this is one time being a one man shop seems advantage's

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My friends who have a business are afraid to lose it

for the last 26 years, March and April have been slow, it's always slow. We plan for it to be slow. So we are not in a panic YET!

The good news is, it's been warm enough that the ice is off the lake our seasonal OFF GRID cabin is on, the only way to get to the cabin is by boat (or ATV when the lake is frozen) it is extremely remote. Our nearest neighbor is a ¼ mile across the lake and the cabin is surrounded by a 1200 acre conservancy, which is all swamp.

With the state on "pause" I see no reason to sit there and be miserably bored
I going to get the boat ready and head up to the cabin

Originally Posted by Poodle Head Mikey

OH! I thought you meant as a direct result of The Wuhan Flu.

Because it is my opinion that in a few weeks that will be pretty much a done deal. A new mania will take over the media and then this one will fade away as being a major deal. And really; that's all it is - a triumph of advertising. <g>

The most serious issue is going to be main-street financial. Wall Street and all that will be fine but once all the credit card bills start showing up at Ma & Pa Kettle's house is when the current panic will end and the real problems will manifest.

That depletion of cash and credit will make consumers Seriously pull-back and that will ripple through the economy overall. That lack (and the perception of lack) of household funding will likely impact the AC business negatively. And I think we can easily agree that toilet tissue sales are likely to be flat for a good while. <g>

PHM
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We agree that it is going to impact the AC business negatively. You are talking about causality. Cause lies in the past and you are talking about future events and saying they are the cause, which is not possible. Now an effect can also be a cause but not until it happens and it also has a cause. In this case it's SARS-CoV-2.

Besides the economical concerns even if your prediction about the virus is true many people will not want people coming into their home for maintenances etc unless it is absolutely necessary.

How did the media get China to go through the extreme measures that they did? How did the media control the doctors and Epidemiologists?

I expect your response to be that it is a prediction but then what was the cause of your prediction. It is time you took this virus seriously.

Probably have a resurgence this fall. Bets anyone?