The OT
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham, WA
Brent I have the same damn problem. As stubborn, hard headed, quick to get worked up, pr1ckish that I am, I am ALWAYS trying to help someone else out. Most of the times it comes back to bite me in the @ss and i keep doing it!!
I guess i should add stupid to the above list about me haha.
Ah well, least i feel good for abit while trying to help out
I guess i should add stupid to the above list about me haha.
Ah well, least i feel good for abit while trying to help out
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,398
Likes: 1
From: Gilbert, Az
Never do. I've only had to deal with that scenario once, and that was way back in the beginning when I first bought the business and it was a job left over from the previous owner. There have been plenty of times that the owner of the car has had body language that tells me I had better ask if they have the money to do the job. Usually it is a few seconds of hesitation before they say: "Yes, fix it." At that point in time, I simply ask them if they want to consider thier decision a little longer. They always take the "out" from having to approve the job. I REALLY don't want to pressure anyone to spend money on thier vehicle that they aren't 100% committed to doing so.
Every time they have been honest about it and say they don't have the funds right now. It's a win-win for both of us, because they simply take the car back home to save up for it, or trade it in on something else.
Sure, I don't get to do THAT job, but I simply turn to the next one in line and go to work.
Sometimes it is the only big job of the day, but I go home at night and sleep well.
Every time they have been honest about it and say they don't have the funds right now. It's a win-win for both of us, because they simply take the car back home to save up for it, or trade it in on something else.
Sure, I don't get to do THAT job, but I simply turn to the next one in line and go to work.
Sometimes it is the only big job of the day, but I go home at night and sleep well.
Couldn't have said it better myself Joe!!
Its even worse trying to get a payment out of someone when they are A "FRIEND"
Ive done a few custom excavating jobs for friends, and they seem to think they they dont have to pay at all!
Good to know my time, skill, equipment, and fuel is worth something to me still lol.
Ive done a few custom excavating jobs for friends, and they seem to think they they dont have to pay at all!
Good to know my time, skill, equipment, and fuel is worth something to me still lol.
From what I know of you and everyone else on here, being to nice would be alot of our problems. We like to think the best of everyone and help out when and where we can.
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
Try almost 2 months, for 500 bucks. 20x40 deck, done with Cypress (which is garbage) had to put the joisting on 12" centers because the Cypress was just 3/4" without much strength, including fancy hand rails and a 30' long handicapped ramp with a turn in it. It only took that long because I did it completely by myself and only worked on it a few hours a day. But I had no idea she had so little money in mind to give me. She figured parking my motor home there was worth a small fortune. I do not argue, but I do hold a grudge for a long time.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham, WA
Try almost 2 months, for 500 bucks. 20x40 deck, done with Cypress (which is garbage) had to put the joisting on 12" centers because the Cypress was just 3/4" without much strength, including fancy hand rails and a 30' long handicapped ramp with a turn in it. It only took that long because I did it completely by myself and only worked on it a few hours a day. But I had no idea she had so little money in mind to give me. She figured parking my motor home there was worth a small fortune. I do not argue, but I do hold a grudge for a long time.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham, WA
It is very rare to find an honest business man out there today, good for you Dan!!
Couldn't have said it better myself Joe!!
Gotta love when friends/family take you for granted. Happens to me also but nothing to the extent of you guys, mine is just doing hair.
From what I know of you and everyone else on here, being to nice would be alot of our problems. We like to think the best of everyone and help out when and where we can.
Couldn't have said it better myself Joe!!
Gotta love when friends/family take you for granted. Happens to me also but nothing to the extent of you guys, mine is just doing hair.
From what I know of you and everyone else on here, being to nice would be alot of our problems. We like to think the best of everyone and help out when and where we can.
Cris, it may seem smaller, but to me, taking advantage is taking advantage. Could be $5 bucks, could be $500, principal is the same...
Oh and Mark, I too can hold (and am) a grudge for years...
Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,849
Likes: 0
Its even worse trying to get a payment out of someone when they are A "FRIEND"
Ive done a few custom excavating jobs for friends, and they seem to think they they dont have to pay at all!
Good to know my time, skill, equipment, and fuel is worth something to me still lol.
Ive done a few custom excavating jobs for friends, and they seem to think they they dont have to pay at all!
Good to know my time, skill, equipment, and fuel is worth something to me still lol.
I've had people approach me on making flyers, or designing a logo or whatnot, and expect it to be free..this is something I spent plenty of money on, whether it be through education and computer programs, and is usually hours worth of work.
I've had people ask for design work, and accept the finish product, and just walk away. hellooo
Just because I am not a plumber, or electrician, or mechanic, does not mean I don't deserve compensation for what I do, like its some sort of hobby.
Rant over.
I'm not talking about those of you who I have discussed doing some work for, just so ya know.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
I've given plenty of work away before.
It just needs to be discussed before you start working.
It just needs to be discussed before you start working.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: BLT, MN
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, MO
If a friend who's good at something offers to help, I'll gladly take them up on it, but in no way would I ever go to them and ask for free help.
My buddy Jeff is about the only one I'll do work for and never ask for a thing though, mainly because it goes both ways with us. I'm skilled with the wrench work on his vehicles, and he's skilled with the homebuilding stuff. We pretty much end up trading labor over the years. I've helped him a lot with his truck (as I'm doing now...wouldn't even want to know what the dealer would charge for what's being done...I'm sure it would be in the thousands of dollars), and he's helped me a ton around the house with laying tile, painting, building a storage shed, and helping to lay out and pour my back patio & driveway extension. We never ask for anything because we know we'll eventually on the other side of the help fence.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
I agree Dan, sometimes I wouldnt mind helping someone out for no, or very little cost, but it seems like there is no communication of that.
I charge 130 bucks an hour (add 80 onto that if running my dump truck) and if someone, friend family or whatever wants a good deal, hell ask me, say something, offer to trade something, work, a nice meal out (sometimes, someone taking ya out for a meal and drinks is worth more then ya think)
I made it into a habit to always ask someone what they want for their help/work/time. If all else fails and they say they want nothing, then I buy em beer!
I charge 130 bucks an hour (add 80 onto that if running my dump truck) and if someone, friend family or whatever wants a good deal, hell ask me, say something, offer to trade something, work, a nice meal out (sometimes, someone taking ya out for a meal and drinks is worth more then ya think)
I made it into a habit to always ask someone what they want for their help/work/time. If all else fails and they say they want nothing, then I buy em beer!
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
It sucks when your friends just seem to expect it from you. I guess that's what you get when you're good at skilled labor, like building things, working on vehicles, graphic design, etc...
If a friend who's good at something offers to help, I'll gladly take them up on it, but in no way would I ever go to them and ask for free help.
My buddy Jeff is about the only one I'll do work for and never ask for a thing though, mainly because it goes both ways with us. I'm skilled with the wrench work on his vehicles, and he's skilled with the homebuilding stuff. We pretty much end up trading labor over the years. I've helped him a lot with his truck (as I'm doing now...wouldn't even want to know what the dealer would charge for what's being done...I'm sure it would be in the thousands of dollars), and he's helped me a ton around the house with laying tile, painting, building a storage shed, and helping to lay out and pour my back patio & driveway extension. We never ask for anything because we know we'll eventually on the other side of the help fence.
If a friend who's good at something offers to help, I'll gladly take them up on it, but in no way would I ever go to them and ask for free help.
My buddy Jeff is about the only one I'll do work for and never ask for a thing though, mainly because it goes both ways with us. I'm skilled with the wrench work on his vehicles, and he's skilled with the homebuilding stuff. We pretty much end up trading labor over the years. I've helped him a lot with his truck (as I'm doing now...wouldn't even want to know what the dealer would charge for what's being done...I'm sure it would be in the thousands of dollars), and he's helped me a ton around the house with laying tile, painting, building a storage shed, and helping to lay out and pour my back patio & driveway extension. We never ask for anything because we know we'll eventually on the other side of the help fence.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham, WA
My problem is a lot of the time it is discussed, even in a contract, and it's like it doesnt matter. I have about 4 people I will kill myself for in labor, and they will do the same for me. I just need to learn more about reading people sometimes. It's my problem just a much as it is theirs.
Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,849
Likes: 0
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, MO
Thanks for clarifying that last part too. You're a sweetheart.
