I have a preference to continue getting older for a long time. Much better then the alternative
I have to become the expert at everything
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k0ua
Epic Contributor
Wow. And I thought I was the lone ranger about being disgusted with professionals. I am pleasantly surprised when one actually knows what they are doing. This seems to be a larger club than I thought.
ultrarunner
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Don't know the reasons why but times are different.
I do ask when I have things out to bid who is the person that will be running the job and what experience does that person have.
A lot of my work gets inspected... mostly electrical, plumbing and mechanical... not once has an inspector not been complimentary...
Everyone likes a compliment and I was surprised what does pass for journeyman at times in the trades is much lower than I had expected...
In all fairness... the guys doing Tract work often have to be fast to not lose their shirts... such is the nature.
My Uncle is a journeyman cabinet maker... he helped my with building the cabin and it shows... a cabinet maker is slower than a carpenter... but each cut is precise in my experience.
I think it goes for all the trades... pick any two... fast, quality or cheap... the three simply don't go together in normal life.
I do ask when I have things out to bid who is the person that will be running the job and what experience does that person have.
A lot of my work gets inspected... mostly electrical, plumbing and mechanical... not once has an inspector not been complimentary...
Everyone likes a compliment and I was surprised what does pass for journeyman at times in the trades is much lower than I had expected...
In all fairness... the guys doing Tract work often have to be fast to not lose their shirts... such is the nature.
My Uncle is a journeyman cabinet maker... he helped my with building the cabin and it shows... a cabinet maker is slower than a carpenter... but each cut is precise in my experience.
I think it goes for all the trades... pick any two... fast, quality or cheap... the three simply don't go together in normal life.
tcreeley
Elite Member
Like others- have the knowhow and tools, but the arthritis too. Long as I don't have to walk more than 10 feet or work low - I'm good!
And to add insult, the douchebag company sent me a bill today to $75 to cover the freaking morons bill for coming out to test the line which was leaking because he caused it to leak and lied about testing it in the first place. He was out for about 10 minutes. How can a new propane line leak within one year? I am going to call the local manager and discuss with him. The bill says found leak in customer installed line. What a crock of ****. He installed the dang line. This is what the country is coming to. Nothing but corrupt lying assholes that want to steal from you. If the local manager jerks me around, which he/she probably will since they will back up the moron, I will contact corporate in Knoxville. I probably won't get much satisfaction from them other than knowing I was able to ***** to someone about being ripped off and their horrible service.
ultrarunner
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For those that plan to be in one place for a long time there is a real advantage in cultivating business relationships with preferred vendors... so at least the person on the other end knows you.
I questioned my brother use of the local lumber and stone yards... he said one call and whatever he wants will be delivered and he doesn't have to be there to sign... and the drivers have the gate code.
He also has a great Vet... he lets her retired house pasture at his place so she never charges for travel or for questions or a quick look....
It takes time to build relationships and sadly... this is too often what it takes.
I questioned my brother use of the local lumber and stone yards... he said one call and whatever he wants will be delivered and he doesn't have to be there to sign... and the drivers have the gate code.
He also has a great Vet... he lets her retired house pasture at his place so she never charges for travel or for questions or a quick look....
It takes time to build relationships and sadly... this is too often what it takes.
^^^ +1 Totally agree. Unfortunately in today's society, the good employees often don't stay around very long. If it is TRULY a good vendor, they may take good enough care of their employees to retain them for a while.
ultrarunner
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- Cat D3, Deere 110 TLB, Kubota BX23 and L3800 and RTV900 with restored 1948 Deere M, 1949 Farmall Cub, 1953 Ford Jubliee and 1957 Ford 740 Row Crop, Craftsman Mower, Deere 350C Dozer 50 assorted vehicles from 1905 to 2006
It is a constant battle...
I work with a lot of dedicated people that are devoted to the company... they would come in or stay late on their own time to see to it the work is done.
After the founder retired and moved several states away the culture shifted... the employees were no longer the soul of the company... we are seen as replaceable cogs which hurt morale
Some left and others carried on... with more taking a hardline in that anything outside their 8 hours is no longer their problem... the kids don't know any different... the oldtimers are the ones that remember how it was.
The founder said the company's greatest asset are the people that make us a success... for 25 years there was one person at the top... in the last 5 years it has been a series administrators rolling through with department heads keeping the doors open.
A lot of us have months of sick leave on the books... the latest announcement is all accumulated sick leave will be wiped out as it is carried as a liability on the books... 20% of the workforce is having surgeries before the sick leave is gone...
My observation is loyalty is a two way street... if the top doesn't care about training and longevity employees won't either.
So far it has taken a just a few years to undue what it took 20+ years to achieve.
What this means is a lot of the accumulated institutional knowledge is lost forever...
I work with a lot of dedicated people that are devoted to the company... they would come in or stay late on their own time to see to it the work is done.
After the founder retired and moved several states away the culture shifted... the employees were no longer the soul of the company... we are seen as replaceable cogs which hurt morale
Some left and others carried on... with more taking a hardline in that anything outside their 8 hours is no longer their problem... the kids don't know any different... the oldtimers are the ones that remember how it was.
The founder said the company's greatest asset are the people that make us a success... for 25 years there was one person at the top... in the last 5 years it has been a series administrators rolling through with department heads keeping the doors open.
A lot of us have months of sick leave on the books... the latest announcement is all accumulated sick leave will be wiped out as it is carried as a liability on the books... 20% of the workforce is having surgeries before the sick leave is gone...
My observation is loyalty is a two way street... if the top doesn't care about training and longevity employees won't either.
So far it has taken a just a few years to undue what it took 20+ years to achieve.
What this means is a lot of the accumulated institutional knowledge is lost forever...
