Replies

1. 
   Wile_E.Coyote_"Genius" | Jul 01, 1999 05:17am | #12

   *
   George, Over the years my vocation has given me the opportunity to build various structures and "gadgets". Can't tell you how many times I have purchased ACME items at a discount.Your post may shed some light on my lack of success.

   Sincerely, Wile E.Coyote

2. 
   Guest_ | Jul 01, 1999 07:01am | #13

   *
   Mr Coyote , ..... can I call you Wile E. ? I'm a big fan of yours . Respectfully , Chuck

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 01, 1999 07:01pm | #14

   *I liken our services and craftmenship to the trusty american hamburger. you can get one at a national chain for under a buck or you can go to the local bistro and pay 10 times as much. they both are called hamburgers but the quality is not the same----which do you prefer? once you are established you will be known for your type of quality and there will be no need to use terms like custom etc.

3. 
   Guest_ | Jul 06, 1999 06:44pm | #15

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   Tailor-made---what are building trades' equivalent
   to this term of respect for handmade clothing by a
   craftsperson of yore that still personifies site
   specific quality? Union-made, Made in USA and Made
   in Canada (as well as "organic") continue to be
   embroidered upon. "Button it up" and "nail it
   down" are a bit on the fringe. The off-the-cuff
   reference "built like a.." is vested with the
   brickies.
   "Rollies" suit me better than "tailor-mades", but
   that's another thread.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 27, 1999 02:52am | #1

   *"custom" said with a small smile of pride and slight nod of the head.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 27, 1999 02:58am | #2

   *Somehow some people have the notion that we can build it cheaper than they can buy it. I will never understand that line of thinking. Whenever this comes up with a person asking about our services, I always use the "custom made shirt vs a shirt off the rack".THAT is something they can understand.Ed. Williams

1. 
   Rock_Heindel | Jun 27, 1999 03:06am | #3

   *If I'm not mistaken-in the British Isles-they call it "purpose built".

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 27, 1999 03:19am | #4

   *The Brits also call it "bespoke".

2. 
   Guest_ | Jun 28, 1999 07:49pm | #5

   *Do you mean "custom" as in "Offering 25 new custom houses starting in the low $200's"?

3. 
   Guest_ | Jun 29, 1999 09:11am | #6

   *No, I mean when something comes out better than I thought it would/could and I've even surprised myself, and somebody else remarks on it, I say that. A lot of guys around here do. That is such an overused word, but in this case I think it's the right one. By the way, I've been meaning to ask, there are two kinds of homes built here - specs (speculation) and "custom" (which really means presold). Is it the same everywhere?

4. 
   Guest_ | Jun 29, 1999 09:24am | #7

   *"Handcrafted" or "Craftsmen Built" specifically denotes high-end work.Too often the term "Custom" has become a catchphrase for ordinary. Developers, and Manufacturers of building materials are the worst offenders, with "custom" being the second or third offering in decending scale.

5. 
   Guest_ | Jun 29, 1999 03:47pm | #8

   *I like the sound of 'craftsman built'. I agree with you about the comedown of 'custom'; we are an old fashioned custom woodwork shop. Everything is made specifically for individual customers, and I'm proud of that. And then you see it misused all over the place.

6. 
   Guest_ | Jun 30, 1999 07:35am | #9

   *Jim-Bob: In NCCustom = a one-of-a-kind. May be built to order.Tract = not one of a kind Spec = not a presale (could be a tract or custom)

7. 
   Guest_ | Jun 30, 1999 08:40am | #10

   *Exactly so Adrian. Custom back thirty years ago, was just that... made to order and/or fit. Now we've the top of the line item, usually with some pompous or vain name like "The Acme Wellington"; a second line with "Pride" or some such rot,"The Acme Pride"; and finally "The Acme Custom" to round out the line as the third, crap option. Sounds great... to the homeowner. "Yep, we'll be installing Acme Custom materials... just sign here, this offer is only good tonight, while our 50% off sale is on..."Further decay of a decent language, further "spin" rather than truth, further time spent explaining the differences.

8. 
   Guest_ | Jun 30, 1999 06:15pm | #11

   *Who stops the tract and spec builders from using the word "custom" in their advertising?