A Door Closed Yesterday... Another Opened

   / A Door Closed Yesterday... Another Opened #1  

scott_vt

Super Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2004
Messages
7,336
Location
east wells,vt
Tractor
1986 MF 1040, 1942 Farmall A, 1949 Farmall Super A
Good Mornin Guys,
Yesterday was a pretty traumatic day ! :p

BTW is anyone looking for a layed off "displaced" toolmaker/modelmaker 56 years young with 35 years experience ??? ;) For the past 19 years I have worked for Pitney Bowes,I have had a chance to do some very interesting work for them, unfortunately my services are no longer needed as of yesterday ! Im including a link to an article so you might be better able to understand whats going on with the company.

I might add that in no way am I bitter over what happened, its just the way it is these days ! I received a very equitable severance package that pays me until next summer and at that time I am elgible to collect unemployment and also my pension. Unfortunately the pension isnt great and I would need to supplement it with some other income.

In my entire working carreer I have never been layed off, quite the opposite, I have been gainfully employed ! I have alot of different thoughts and emotions running around in my head, not really knowing what to do next ! Kathleen feels that I should just try and find some part time work and call it a day. I just dont know if Im ready for that yet !

My oldest boy who majored in computer science in college wants to create a web site so that I can sell my wood working talents on line. Im not sure how that would work ! :confused: My other son who majored in Fire Science and is a paid firefighter wants me to get my EMT certification and then work part time.

Anyways it sure feels different, Ive never had this happen, I think I can relate to some one like Dougster a little bit now !

Anyways I think Ill have lunch now and then maybe Ill rake somemore leaves this afternoon. :)

In conclusion it certainly is sad to see our countries work be subcontracted overseas " China " ! :p

Pitney Bowes to Cut 1,500 Jobs: Associated Press Business News: PBI - MSN Money

Have a good day !
 
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   / A Door Closed Yesterday... Another Opened #2  
I'd go the woodworking/internet site. If my kid would handle the website and all I had to do was buy cool tools to make cool stuff that people would buy, I'd be all over it.
 
   / A Door Closed Yesterday... Another Opened #3  
Scott,
I went through that 25 years ago and ended up better off. Problem is where I am at now is going through this (down sizing, out sourcing) again and I am worried it could happen again. Hope all works out for you, take care.
Bill Jones
 
   / A Door Closed Yesterday... Another Opened #4  
Hey Scott it is a real problem... less highly skilled craftsmen we wonder why???

I worked in a Tool and Die shop for 16 months right out of college. There were a number a small and medium shops in the area... none of them exist today.

I believe we are losing much of our collective knowledge base and once it's gone...

With your talent, I'm certain the next opportunity is just around the corner.

Just say the word and I will severe my business ties with Pitney Bowes ;-)
 
   / A Door Closed Yesterday... Another Opened #5  
I'm sorry to hear about the lay-off, they seem to be very common lately. It does sound like a new door has opened that would fit you well. Designing and building wood crafts is a very skilled trade and starting a company to sell your work is definitely worth the time and effort to see how it goes.

If you don't want to start a new website, you could create a store on Ebay and sell your items items there exculsively. This would also give you a good idea on what your crafts are worth to the average buyer.

If you do start something like that, I will be one of your first customers. I could use a nice welcome/entry sign for the house and a Tractor only parking sign for the new carport coming in on Friday. :D

My father worked for a GM plant for over 20 years before leaving just before a huge lay-off. He got his CDL license and drives for a living now. At 54 years old, this job is much less stressful and less physical work. He only does local driving so no overnights or long hauls and is much happier.

Good Luck with any future endeavors.
 
   / A Door Closed Yesterday... Another Opened #6  
I feel for you Scott. I work for what was one of the Big 3 we are doing good at are plant, but we see our industry go down all the time.
I don't want to turn this into a political thread but alot of people don't support there country and then wonder why there are so many people losing there jobs.
Yes i am from Canada but we are in the same boat as you guys.

Good luck.

Shane
 
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   / A Door Closed Yesterday... Another Opened #7  
Scott,
I don't mean to sound prude, but it sounds to me like you got it licked!

1. You're still young!

2. You got a most righteous severance package!

3. You have a little pocket ching-a-ling coming compliments of a pension. Even though you say it's small, be thankful. Very few places will give you a pension for 20 years of service, much less 19.;)

4. You've got a beautiful place in VT.

5. You've got your health.

6. You've got 2 great (and educated;) ) sons that already have plans for you and a couple of viable options!

I think you should replace that "frown:( " in your post with a :p

Podunk
 
   / A Door Closed Yesterday... Another Opened
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Podunkadunk said:
Scott,

I think you should replace that "frown:( " in your post with a :p

Podunk

Afternoon Podunk,
Consider it done ! :)
 
   / A Door Closed Yesterday... Another Opened #9  
Hi Scott,
BTDT it stinks but as you understand life goes on. So, youve gotten over the major hurdle. Good for you! :)

That said, do you have the means to purchase some machine tools and work out of your home? If so I think youll *never* be wanting for work. Machinists (as opposed to machine operators) are few and far between. The skills/knowledge youve acquired in your career have considerable worth. While the woodworking gig would be fun it hardly pays the bills or is worth much more than a PT amusement. Unless you do something like hi-end cabinets/counters all you can look forward to is hard work/long hours and perhaps subsistence pay. Doing hi-end work expect a pretty aggressive work schedule. On the furniture end of things the number of people w/ the means and taste for high qual furniture are *few* and theyve been mostly spoken for (when they decide to spend their $$). I have some considerable experience in this end of the world. :) In the end I decided that being a machinist was best of all. Its the perfect marriage of hand and brain work and in huge demand.

I wish you the best!!! :)
 
   / A Door Closed Yesterday... Another Opened #10  
Scotty,

Sorry to hear of your news. I don't have any doubt that you will come out stronger and better from this, but I also know how much of a hurdle it is to get started all over again. If anybody can do it, I know you can!!!!!!!!!

As an amature woodworker and craftsman, I have a small understanding of your woodworking skills. I also know how much time and effort go into creating a quality piece of work. Selling it online and on ebay is probably going to be a big disapointment. The reality is that online buyers are looking for bargains and convienence. Not quality.

If it's in your heart to try woodworking, then you need to decide what you will do and make some pieces. Then find a good venue for selling them. We have some giant flea markets here with everything from junk to high end furniture. The guys selling the good stuff have been doing it for years and people come to them because of his quality and reasonable prices.

In my experience, people want to look at it in person. A picture will not sell it for you for what you have into the materials. It's sad, but your time isn't worth very much to bargain hunters. When they look at in person and meet you in person, then it's just a matter of winning them over.

My current client list for woodworking projects is pretty small, but it's growing. I build shelves, storage units, boxes and tables. All are pretty unique, and they have all sold on word of mouth. It's not enough to live off of, or even enough to consider it real income, but it is a profit.

There are dozens of cabinet makers in my area too. Most are terrible, but they make a living. I don't understand it because of how lousey their work is. There are only a few that build quality cabinets and they price diffrence in the workmanship is like night and day. Costs are aslo allot more, but they stay busy because there is always a demand for quality. The other guys come and go.

If you decide to put up a webpage, then just use it as a resume to show off your work. Then put it on your business cards so potential clients can look at what you are capable of. My clients really like this and it's gotten me quite a few jobs.

Eddie
 

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