Carpet to tile transition on a concrete floor

getoverit · May 10, 2010, 07:34 PM

Very well said Jim....A deplorable predator taking advantage of the trusting and uneducated.

Did I get that right?

rusty baker · May 10, 2010, 08:18 PM

This guy is just plain and simple, a hack.

Barry Carlton · May 10, 2010, 08:25 PM

Jim McClain said

He said this about another video:

Would I be wrong in assuming this applied to just about all his videos?

Too many consumers don't know what we know. They see a tool and think it's being used properly - after all, the guy is a pro, isn't he? Tools they don't see, like a stretcher, go unnoticed because they aren't familiar with them or don't understand that when you pull a carpet off the pins, you lose some of the stretch. They may not know the pad has to be adhered or taped to keep it from shrinking away from the seam or the edge of the tackless, especially in a busy traffic zone. Maybe they think the pro wouldn't damage the tile when cutting on top of it because they know exactly how much pressure to put on the knife - didja see the pad get sliced through too?

Some people defend this guy for being an innovative business man. I criticize him because this seems more like predatory fast buck practices. Preying on consumers who don't know or understand is not fair. This is deplorable.

Jim

I am sorry, but I wonder when we became policemen?

Who are we to single anyone out and pick on them?

At one time the admin of TFP would not stand for singling out one specific poster and targeting them.

Where are we going?

(sorry Jim.....just an observation)

getoverit · May 10, 2010, 08:55 PM

I think he singled himself out by making these videos. His comments during them sound like he really thinks he knows what he's doing. Maybe you're right from a moral standpoint Barry. But it really bothers me to see so many wrong methods of installation portrayed as being the right way to do things. I'm not quite sure how else to strike back so I ridicule him and his methods.

Hopefully the people he employs actually are as good as he says they are and aren't using his videos as an instruction manual. He does admit that he hasn't truly worked with the tools for over 2 years. That's a good thing.

Barry, I'm properly ashamed of myself. I shouldn't stoop so low

Mr. Gordon....I apologize....I shouldn't make fun of you and your ways just because you don't know how to properly install carpet...You obviously didn't have a good teacher.

OK, those are my last comments on this subject.

pblnslee · May 10, 2010, 09:05 PM

I think on the tube of chemtrex it says to wait at least 2 hours before streching. And you are supposed to mist with water.

rusty baker · May 10, 2010, 09:07 PM

pblslee said

I think on the tube of chemtrex it says to wait at least 2 hours before streching. And you are supposed to mist with water.

He never did stretch it, so I guess he did that right.

Jim McClain · May 10, 2010, 09:59 PM

barrycarlton said

I am sorry, but I wonder when we became policemen?

Who are we to single anyone out and pick on them?

At one time the admin of TFP would not stand for singling out one specific poster and targeting them.

Where are we going?

(sorry Jim.....just an observation)

First of all, I want to say you don't have to apologize for asking me to be accountable. I think because I am the owner of this site that some people can't ask the same of me that they would any other member.

That said, I sometimes wonder why I shouldn't be allowed to express my opinion, just as any other member. I use my personal account here, as Jim McClain and not TFP Admin, just so my posts are read as a person and not the administrator. If the consensus is that I should at all times maintain a strictly administrative role here, then I will. I would hate to think that I can't voice my opinion as a flooring professional here at TFP. I will do whatever is in the best interests of The Floor Pro Community though.

As to your comments... I wouldn't categorize my post as that of TFP Cop. I shared my opinion of the skill and quality of the repair and my opinion of the person for targeting consumers with what I think are unacceptable repairs.

[deleted paragraph]

The reason I posted this is because I feel it's important that other pros provide feedback on this [deleted]. Maybe others don't feel this is wrong. Everyone here should have the opportunity to share their own voice. [deleted]

I've tried to make my position here clear. Everyone follows the rules, including me. Some things are subjective though and I leave it to you and the rest of staff to decide if I am out of line, or if this type of posting is unacceptable. I believe we have an obligation to the consumers that don't know better, to let them know what quality is and what it isn't. If that means putting one of our own on the hot seat, then so be it. I see this as a great opportunity for the guy in that video to actually learn better methods and to improve his business. I would love to be able to tell a consumer with problems to give this guy a call.

Some time back, a couple of members emailed/PMed me about a problem they perceived in TFP. They both thought we were being far too lenient toward members who exhibited less than quality work practices (one was referring to other installers, the other referred to retailers and manufacturers). Both left after a while and told me in so many words (few of which can be printed here) that we were a bunch of kiss-asses. We let slop go and excuse poor quality and bad business just to keep members happy. One thought I was the ass-kisser, the other thought we were all one big clique patting each other on the back and I was the happy follower looking to capitalize on it. Neither of those members have been back to post. It's too bad because both had something to offer the rest of us. I guess they thought their opinions weren't going to be acceptable to us.

Jim

Barry Carlton · May 10, 2010, 10:34 PM

It just seems that this individual is becoming a target. I know that we all have our opinions (just like belly buttons, we all have them). But here at our site "targets" are not what we are about.

When I reference TFP I do not reference you Jim.....I reference us ....now and in the future.

Jon Scanlan · May 10, 2010, 11:12 PM

Jim McClain said

First of all, I want to say you don't have to apologize for asking me to be accountable. I think because I am the owner of this site that some people can't ask the same of me that they would any other member.

That said, I sometimes wonder why I shouldn't be allowed to express my opinion, just as any other member. I use my personal account here, as Jim McClain and not TFP Admin, just so my posts are read as a person and not the administrator.
Jim

As Jim I think you have done the correct thing in the way you post messages
As the administer of TFP you have to wear that hat and be just the administer where as if you wish to post comments regarding your past flooring experiences or similar you would have to post this under the Jim McClain hat.
Newer members might not realize that you are one of the same person like the older members but as long as the "Jim " follows the rules there shouldn't be any problems.
Its a pity that the comments from the members here about the video cant be added to that video as credits to warn the public

BrianM · May 11, 2010, 05:27 PM

barrycarlton said

It just seems that this individual is becoming a target. I know that we all have our opinions (just like belly buttons, we all have them). But here at our site "targets" are not what we are about.

When I reference TFP I do not reference you Jim.....I reference us ....now and in the future.

**
I was fine with all the professional criticism of his methods. Couldn't agree more that the videos show HORRIBLE craftsmanship. It's pretty scary what goes on at the low end of our market. But when Jim called his business model "[deleted]" I found that way out of line. The reason I feel this accusation is unjustified is because from what I've seen in the video, on the linked site as well as what Details posted here I think Steve Gordon of Creative Carpet Repairs BELIEVES in is heart he is doing quality/industry standard work. From a legal and moral standpoint that absolves him of any guilt as far as being an unethical, sleazy business operator.

I think we're all frustrated with the direction our industry is headed. Attacking someone who's stuck on the low end of our business and trying to scrape out a living isn't going to help him or any of us. The unions learned this only recently that antagonizing and neglecting the competition was a losing battle. They don't go away. Now we do whatever we can to gather these folks into our way of thinking collectively towards our mutual interests.

It ain't easy.

Jim McClain · May 11, 2010, 07:20 PM

BrianM said

... But when Jim called his business model "[deleted]" I found that way out of line. ...

And you are probably right. I am sorry. I edited all of my posts in this topic to tone it down and remove the derogatory accusations. As you can see, I also edited yours to remove that quote of mine.

Again, I'm sorry. I should have thought before posting. Thanks to all of those who aren't afraid to speak up when I am wrong.

Jim

Robert Akin · May 11, 2010, 07:42 PM

Jim McClain said

And you are probably right. I am sorry. I edited all of my posts in this topic to tone it down and remove the derogatory accusations. As you can see, I also edited yours to remove that quote of mine.

Again, I'm sorry. I should have thought before posting. Thanks to all of those who aren't afraid to speak up when I am wrong.

Jim

Jim,

Do not apologize for what you believe in. I know why you said it and so do the others here. We all feel the same exact way about OUR trade and Brian was right when he said we are getting frustrated with it. You spoke with passion and it came straight from the heart. It just sometimes it comes out fast and furious.

I have been on the edge for the last couple of months trying to figure out what direction this crazy industry is going in. Every day I see more and more jobs that are hacked in. More often then not they get away with it while the rest of us who care get crucified for nothing.

You have done a fantastic job on the website and your opinion matters a lot. We all pick on each other and sometimes throw punches but all of us have the same desire. We want to make a difference and be the best.

Rob