What to do....

So, if I understand this correctly, because prices in this nation and many other for that matter have almost doubled in the last year, your president has to be taking kickbacks. A Sucker born every day.

It would be creepy if homeowners in my community recorded audio from my conversations with vendors, saved to their computer, and then circulated for homeowners to evaluate and listened to.

I can't say that strongly enough....there are homeowners in my community that think they own my free time because I serve on the Board. They think that every comment that I make is subject to community review. That every time I walk the neighborhood I must be doing unauthorized compliance visits. A few homeowners can only see Board members as being evil neighbors rather than for the good that they do.

Your Board is made up of volunteers. Probably they are not receiving kickbacks. There isn't much that you can do if they are, and it would be hard to prove. I've never been offered - save one vendor - kickbacks for sending business their way. I've never inquired, but am reasonably confident that nearly every vendor would decline to offer kickbacks.

HOAs are prevalent in our society.

What about the one time that I was offered kickbacks? A general contractor firm (rather large) was running a promotion where if we signed a contract above $10,000 in the next 30 days, I would receive a free "big green egg" grill. I never inquired if HOAs were included in the promotion but thought that in poor taste and unsubscribed from the e-mail. Didn't want that in my inbox.

Make sure you're not violating your state's laws against recording people's conversations without their consent. Ditto your state's laws on defamation. Things may not go well for you otherwise.

The Contractors and vendors should not have been talking price in front of a Ring Camera at a customer's door. Verbal pricing is nothing more than an estimate. The PM should always get an emailed scope of work and listed pricing.

I do not think she was wrong to overhear the conversation since they were on her doorstep. I also can see that the pricing is subject to change and most quotes these days are only valid for 30 days.

That's really weird to be on the Board yet thinking you need to record conversations between another Board member and the vendor.

Yes Micheal it is weird that ring video doorbell would record audio and visual of anyone who crosses in front of it or rings the doorbell notifying me there is someone at the door even while I'm not at home. Guess its doing its job of providing security.

After one calendar year, the previous bids are certainly null and void unless the vendor would honor the pricing. Since the project involves a Ring doorbell, it's clear all parties knew they were discussing the camera-based system while standing in front of camera unit.

The wait killed this project, not the company.