[NYNick]

Let's not forget paying people on time. When I was in business, I paid my vendors, especially those I might need in an emergency, right away. No 30 days, 60 days, 90 days. No, as soon as I got the bill, or even in cash.

When the breaker box exploded, the exhaust fan broke on Memorial Day, the ice machine went down on a Sunday, the sewer backed up into the bathrooms, all of which actually happened, my subs showed up. Know why? Because I treated them well, paid them on time and used them during non-emergencies as well. These guys get stiffed and drawn out all the time, more often than not, but never by me.

The home improvement stuff is another kettle of fish, and you have to vet those guys multiple ways. I usually get recommendations from my other subs that I've been using for years. I've only been burned once, and that guy wishes he never took my job. Hello BBB and State Comptroller!

My electrician was totally re-wiring my cottage when he took a phone call. As I listened in, the guy on the other end needed him right away, an emergency. The electrician put him off, told him he was really, really busy and probably couldn't get to him for two weeks, sorry. As he hung up, he said to the cell phone; "maybe if you paid me what you owed me, I'd stop by".