The line between giving and advice and educating..

[Rob D]

I don't know where this line is exactly or how to draw it but this question comes up all the time.

 

From our point of view we have time to sell what we sell and provide some pointers - we don't have time to educate. How do you point this out to customers [politely]?

 

'I have a large oak tree come down in next doors garden, they said I can mill it, can I pop in and have a chat with someone about what I want to buy? I've never done milling before but am really keen to try it'

 

I try to answer by 'we can sell you what you want to buy and give some pointers but we can't educate from scratch as it would take minimum a full morning and we don't have time to do this.'

 

But it's an interesting discussion - for me it leads back to the opinion that everyone who uses a chainsaw should be required to do some sort of basic course [1 day?]. Not only because it's a dangerous tool but so at least it starts you on a road of building knowledge and taking the time, energy and some £ invested.

 

[jfc]

I don't know where this line is exactly or how to draw it but this question comes up all the time.
 
From our point of view we have time to sell what we sell and provide some pointers - we don't have time to educate. How do you point this out to customers [politely]?
 
'I have a large oak tree come down in next doors garden, they said I can mill it, can I pop in and have a chat with someone about what I want to buy? I've never done milling before but am really keen to try it'
 
I try to answer by 'we can sell you what you want to buy and give some pointers but we can't educate from scratch as it would take minimum a full morning and we don't have time to do this.'
 
But it's an interesting discussion - for me it leads back to the opinion that everyone who uses a chainsaw should be required to do some sort of basic course [1 day?]. Not only because it's a dangerous tool but so at least it starts you on a road of building knowledge and taking the time, energy and some £ invested.
 

Rob,

You provide lots of useful videos online for people to educate themselves i found them very helpful buying and setting up the mill. So I think you do a good job as a teacher already. If someone can't work it out from the vids then they probably need proper training.

Have you thought of offering an Introduction to Milling course? Obviously you would be charging for this, participants could maybe get a discount on milling products subsequently purchased.

A number of years ago I went on a one day chainsaw course for home users, we had to have PPE but no tickets required. There were about 15 people there so even at £40 a head it could be a profitable day.

Just a few of my thoughts.

Jan.

[Steve Bullman]

In your case Rob, you've put such a massive amount of effort into posting content here over the years, as well as your own blog, would surely make sense just to point them to one or the other.

[gobbypunk]

Hi Rob you used to do a chainsaw  milling day as I did one with you not long after I bought my alaskan if I remember right it bloody snowed and you did cover all the basics even using the 12v sharpner but hey that was like yrs ago 

[Rough Hewn]

I offer milling lessons.
[emoji106]

[Stubby]

There is no substitute for experience . If you have none you have to start somewhere  to gain some .  Not your worry  Rob .

[Mick Dempsey]

Your sharpening vid is the best I’ve seen, clear explanation and execution.

[Stubby]

1 minute ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Your sharpening vid is the best I’ve seen, clear explanation and execution.

Major suck up Mick ?

[Mick Dempsey]

You know me!

[Rob D]

On 17/10/2020 at 11:44, jfc said:

Rob,

You provide lots of useful videos online for people to educate themselves i found them very helpful buying and setting up the mill. So I think you do a good job as a teacher already. If someone can't work it out from the vids then they probably need proper training.

Have you thought of offering an Introduction to Milling course? Obviously you would be charging for this, participants could maybe get a discount on milling products subsequently purchased.

A number of years ago I went on a one day chainsaw course for home users, we had to have PPE but no tickets required. There were about 15 people there so even at £40 a head it could be a profitable day.

Just a few of my thoughts.

Jan.

 

Yep it's a good point - and sadly health and safety blocks this - ie. to get it set up with all the red tape sorted, insurances etc is a hard one to do. I went into details with my insurance [NFU] and basically it's a whole other level getting insurance if you are being paid to hand over knowledge.

 

So to do this properly and legit it's too big a project.. yes it's possible but you would only be doing that ie. there would be no time left for doing all the other stuff that needs doing.