abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

[Fuddy1952]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

You're correct about the diddley farting, but you have to realize what's so weird is for months now I've seen Bob every day (Mon-Fri)...then worked with him last couple weeks. He knew what equipment I had, that I have posts to put in, etc.
All he had to was say he had stuff for sale, stop by, see if anything I wanted to buy.
Instead he lists it for sale...then asks if I wanted it. I said yes...should I have said "he'll YES! Let's quit work...fly over to your place right now and get it! You start truck while I run get my wallet"!!!
When I said yes, I was going to wait a few hours and follow him home. Of course, I don't know this guy that well. I did want to see it!!!!!
I guess in retrospect I could have run to the house, given him $300, get a signed receipt and buy it sight unseen. But?
The way I do business is if someone wants to buy something first person gets first choice. Other people interested I say I have a buyer...but let me get your name and number if they don't get it.
I didn't work with him today. He worked alone. Tomorrow I'm running my backhoe close by. I won't mention it. If HE does I'll simply say I don't think it was right, I have other work to do, I'm paying the company for the barn, not hired by them.

 

[Doofy]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

I would ask ol' Bob if he would like to get paid...and leave him hanging.

 

[ovrszd]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

I would ask ol' Bob if he would like to get paid...and leave him hanging.

Oh that's very mature.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

I'd be more inclined to question why the heck you would ever even think to HELP someone build a barn for you, that you're PAYING them to build for you??

That's just..., well...

I would never jump up from my seat at a table in a restaurant, if I saw they were busy and backed up, and help the waitress bring food to tables, or help the busboy clear tables, or the cook make my meal. That is what I'm PAYING them for. It's why I "hired" them (came into their restaurant in this example).

You hired this company to build your barn. I sure wouldn't have jumped in and given my free labor, then paid them for the privilege of working for them. Let alone given them any materials (you gave him lumber to use?). Or used any of my own machinery to assist them in building the project I hired them for.

You Sir, are one NICE guy...

On the post hole digger... Yeah, that's too bad really. I would have at least said "SOLD!" and shook his hand as soon as he asked about it. Then said, "I'm on my way to get the cash right now, and I'll follow you home tonight to pick it up." Anything other than that, and yeah, the guy may have been thinking the "money talks and "stuff" walks".

Sorry you missed out on the post hole digger.

Now he's just going to think you're a "jerk" because you stopped helping him build the barn you're paying him to build.

You just can't win sometimes.

 

[CobyRupert]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

I'd be more inclined to question why the heck you would ever even think to HELP someone build a barn for you, that you're PAYING them to build for you??

You Sir, are one NICE guy...

On the post hole digger... Yeah, that's too bad really. I would have at least said "SOLD!" and shook his hand as soon as he asked about it. Then said, "I'm on my way to get the cash right now, and I'll follow you home tonight to pick it up." Anything other than that, and yeah, the guy may have been thinking the "money talks and "stuff" walks".

Sorry you missed out on the post hole digger.

It wasn't a post hole digger. It was a post hole pounder for $300 !!

I feel for him, that's what makes this story so sad. :hissyfit: :grumpy: :mur:

I don't knock the OP for helping. Maybe he wants to. Maybe he has the free time, & enjoys the activity. Maybe he just needs to get out of the house away from the wife and sitting on his *** watching Judge Judy. We don't know.

 

[Oldoak]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

Ahhh, yes, the 都poiled generation. More of the boomers shirking their responsibilities and denying any wrong doing. Who exactly raised this 都poiled generation?

You realize that most of my generation will never even get to retire. Wonder why that is? Couldn稚 have anything to do with the income vs living expenses or the inflation of every **** thing so far beyond our salaries. At the least the boomers did their best to not obliterate the environment.

Perfect little angels the boomers are. Can稚 wait to hear about I should 途espect my elders or something. Respect is earned, not a given. The only whiner I see here is you.

What a joke.

How true, what a joke YOU are! If you never get to retire, it's your own fault. Do you know the meaning of "personal responsibility"? Sounds like you are already looking to blame others for your own negligence.

TiP: Work hard and save for the future rather than living for today. Don't live off credit cards. Income verse expenses is all relevant. Of course the cost of living was cheaper way back when, but wages were also a lot less than they are today.

Oh, when I was growing up respect was taught as well as earned. You couldn't earn respect without first being taught what respect meant.

Live is all of what YOU make of it..........good luck.

Back to the O.P. Sounds like there was possibly a lack of clear communication.

 

[the old grind]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

I've had guys offer to sell me something, and I say "ok". Then they won't discuss it. Months later they bring it up again. I say "Yes", and then nothing happens again. Yeah, these were guys I rode with, and it was about bikes they couldn't decide to keep or let go. So, I thought to say "I'll buy it, but only if we do the deal today." The reason stated was that "I have the $$ today & I might not tomorrow. Deal or no deal?" Bought two nice HDs that way, but had to wait out nearly a year each time for J & R to make up their minds.

Over the years I've learned that communication can be enhanced by posing simple yes or no questions vs cornering someone into explanations they don't feel confident to put into words. "Do you really want to sell it, yes or no?" .. "Is $XX enough, and can I give you $xx of it today."

As often as not, that approach just shuts a guy up and as cheap as talk often is, showing someone the buck$ is what closes a deal.

As was said earlier, it isn't over until the goods are paid for and in hand.

 

[ddbackhoe]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

So sorry. Happens to me too. Try to help my family and neighbors. Hoping to lead by example. Been burned more often than not. Just glad that I appreciate someone痴 help and not like many others.

:thumbsup:

 

[ddbackhoe]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

TiP: Work hard and save for the future rather than living for today. Don't live off credit cards. Income verse expenses is all relevant. Of course the cost of living was cheaper way back when, but wages were also a lot less than they are today.

Oh, when I was growing up respect was taught as well as earned. You couldn't earn respect without first being taught what respect meant.

Live is all of what YOU make of it..........good luck.

Found one of dad’s paystubs US marines, 1943. He earned $39.00 for one month and sent most of that home to his mom to help out with the family farm. A loaf of bread was about 5 cents, a gallon of gas 20 cents.....

 

[PA hayseed]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

I've helped out a few contractors working on my place before. I do it for several reasons, 1) it lets me watch their work and see what is going on with their crew 2) sometimes I learn stuff that I didn't know and 3) it generally gets them off my property faster.

As for the other issue, as I see it the OP was a bad negotiator. I've left jobs to go with a contractor or laborer to their home to buy tools. When I know that they are selling because they hit a "tough" spot, like didn't get paid for several jobs, I offer to let them buy the tools back off me at the same price (with more use). If I know that they are selling because they want money for booze or drugs, I don't offer to let them buy it back at the same price, and I normally don't give what they are asking. In the instant case, when I hear barn full of equipment, man that gets my heart racing and we need to leave now. Sometimes it doesn't pan out, but when it does .... Sweet Christmas!

I would imagine the crew left because of a reason he didn't want to discuss, maybe they weren't getting paid. I wouldn't give free materials to a contractor ever. The stuff they steal from jobsites is insane (steal = saying job requires 42 4x4, use 38, keep the other 4 but charge customer for 42). Masons seem to be the worst at it in my area, you watch them load the block/brick and take it to the next job. Some bricks must have been paid for 10 times.

 

[ddbackhoe]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

I wouldn't give free materials to a contractor ever. The stuff they steal from jobsites is insane (steal = saying job requires 42 4x4, use 38, keep the other 4 but charge customer for 42). Masons seem to be the worst at it in my area, you watch them load the block/brick and take it to the next job. Some bricks must have been paid for 10 times.

Sounds like you hook up with very shady type contractors. It is unfair to apply that label to all. Did you count the material/brick and block when it was delivered and compare it to the invoices or are these “hand shake” deals where you’re paying flat rate?

 

[Fuddy1952]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

Lot's of good advice and thanks. I'm never too old to learn. It's water under the bridge, good thing Bob is the worker. His boss and the company owner are really great guys.
Today I'll be working with trench I put in, water and electric which wasn't in contract. I'll wait and see if he says anything, I won't bring it up.

 

[Ford850]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

Lot's of good advice and thanks. I'm never too old to learn. It's water under the bridge, good thing Bob is the worker. His boss and the company owner are really great guys.
Today I'll be working with trench I put in, water and electric which wasn't in contract. I'll wait and see if he says anything, I won't bring it up.

That's the right attitude. Moving on.

 

[4570Man]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

I've helped out a few contractors working on my place before. I do it for several reasons, 1) it lets me watch their work and see what is going on with their crew 2) sometimes I learn stuff that I didn't know and 3) it generally gets them off my property faster.

As for the other issue, as I see it the OP was a bad negotiator. I've left jobs to go with a contractor or laborer to their home to buy tools. When I know that they are selling because they hit a "tough" spot, like didn't get paid for several jobs, I offer to let them buy the tools back off me at the same price (with more use). If I know that they are selling because they want money for booze or drugs, I don't offer to let them buy it back at the same price, and I normally don't give what they are asking. In the instant case, when I hear barn full of equipment, man that gets my heart racing and we need to leave now. Sometimes it doesn't pan out, but when it does .... Sweet Christmas!

I would imagine the crew left because of a reason he didn't want to discuss, maybe they weren't getting paid. I wouldn't give free materials to a contractor ever. The stuff they steal from jobsites is insane (steal = saying job requires 42 4x4, use 38, keep the other 4 but charge customer for 42). Masons seem to be the worst at it in my area, you watch them load the block/brick and take it to the next job. Some bricks must have been paid for 10 times.

What are they supposed to do with it? I’d rather have a little extra material vs paying a crew to sit around while more is delivered. Would you rather pay them to to haul it back for a return in the event that’s even offered? Most people don’t want the extra material laying around.

 

[Diggin It]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

^^ Depends on the material and if I think I'll have a future use for it. If I bought and paid for 500 bricks as part of a job contract and they only used 450, I'd rather they leave the 50. I can always use bricks for something and it would save me paying retail price and hauling them. I had the guys that built my garage leave the extra vinyl siding and I've used it for a few other small projects.

 

[Industrial Toys]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

I have had lousy contractors steal my material in a different way. Cuts sheet of plywood, ooops, wonder how that happened? No offer to pay for a ruined sheet. That would have been the second thing out of my mouth, after sorry. Not to mention me paying to do it twice!

I too thought the OP was maybe too "NICE". I help on all my projects but mainly to make them go smoothly, because if I don't, no one else cares or gives it the attention to detail, I demand.

Maybe, just maybe, there never was a post driver. My BEST friend LIES to me continuously! It has NEVER hurt or even inconvenienced me. There are people like that out there. MOST of it is driven by insecurity. The price seemed way too low. Why is this guy working with one hand and giving money away with the other?

 

[buckeyefarmer]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

I dont see where a contractor is obligated to leave leftover material, unless you pay for the material outside of his contract. I.e., if i pay a bricklayer to build my chimney, and he furnishes all material, and he brings 2000, and has 50 left over, that 50 is his. I paid him to have enough to do the job. If you say ill pay for 2000 brick, then it's yours.

 

[Industrial Toys]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

The kicker sometimes is, that they take full sheets, intact lumber and leave the garbage. Then, take everything! Probably, the odd piece would no longer be worth their time to take and dispose of everything.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

re: abrogator? Post driver!#%@&

I dont see where a contractor is obligated to leave leftover material, unless you pay for the material outside of his contract. I.e., if i pay a bricklayer to build my chimney, and he furnishes all material, and he brings 2000, and has 50 left over, that 50 is his. I paid him to have enough to do the job. If you say ill pay for 2000 brick, then it's yours.

You sort of have a point. As a contractor, it is maybe we leave it, maybe we don't. In all honesty, I have made that decision based on how nice my client was to work with, did they pay as required and quickly, and what exactly are we talking about that is left over. Just this morning I was on the phone with one of our major clients who supplies a special type of flooring we use for their projects. The rule is nothing is left behind when we finish so we bring the leftover back to the shop. After three years I realized we have enough for one new project and they were thrilled they would save over 10k on the cost of the next job. To me that is just good business.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Re: Indian giver? Post driver!#%@&

I managed a contract once where the contractor didnt have the necessary tools ( yea, i know) so he bought them, billing the cost to the project (contract allowed this). At the end of the project, the contractor wanted to keep the tools. Nope, you billed us for them, they're our tools now.

If the contractor intended to keep the tools, he needed to purchase them outside the contract. Now if he bid the job with enough overhead to buy the tools, and didn't charge extra for them, they would have been his.