ukminch

Looking at all the thefts recently got me thinking. How would you know if you brought stolen gear. Yep there are obvious ones, 15k chipper for 2k £800 saw for £50 quid in a pub. But what about buying a secondhand MS200T for instance for about £300 quid off ebay, that was complete with all serial numbers. Would you check the serial numbers with a stihl dealer. I wouldn't but it's probably how gear that was nicked a couple of years ago becomes seemingly legit. Likewise I've got an old chipper that I brought for going rate off a reputable firm, with receipt etc, so I'm assuming that it's all above board. But how would I know that somewhere down the line it wasn't stolen? Same with my first ride on mower I brought secondhand. Brought from a dealer but what about past history? Is there a way that insurers or individuals could add stuf to a database that could easily be searched by anyone by serial number or reg etc. I'd happily do a 30 second check before buting something but with most stuff unfortuantely it does come down to get instinct when purchasing stuff. Rob

You mean when I'm offered plasma screen TV's out of a van that 'are left over stock we can't take back' they're not legit, or won't work properly? Good job conveniently I have never had any cash on me when I've been offered such things....... If you want some entertainment of course (works best at just before 5...) Say I'm interested but need to pop in here for a couple of things before they shut. Then come out realising that you need to go to a cash machine for money. Then realise that you can't get cash out because you've already taken some money out already, so you'll have to go to the bank. Get there and it's shut - Oh sorry mate, tell you what don't suppose you can meet me at x tomorrow can you....... Then again I enjoy baiting. I even had one offer to let me pay by cheque for a pressure washer and generator (both brand new from a trade show....) when I gave him the no cash line. Was almost tempted to give out duff cheque, but couldn't bring my self to rip off even people that I suspected to be theiving bar stewards.. Rob

I've got half a mill with trust to. Having said that read the small print carefully. If your charging for the survey it won't be covered. If however yu do it as part of a job you are. It's more an indemnity against felling the wrong tree or something like that with trust. Having said that companies offer it over the phone for about 300quid if you ring round for 1 million. My problem is that I'm not qualified to survey, but employ someone to do surveys and I needed PI for them. Rob

South West bit further down than bristol... Rob

Hi there, Hijacking another post. Don't know if it's of any interest to you but I'd have a days work next week (probably tuesday) at the old RAF locking site in Weston Super Mare if you would be interested? Regards Rob

MS260 was what I had, brilliant saw, still use it the most out of them all. Rob

Would have to be a very bored anally retentetive environment agency person that would attempt a prosecution if he was carrying stuff he'd been sold..... I don't mind having to have one given that part of my business definitely does require me to have one. I object to the fact I can't ring up buy one job done, to many forms and waiting periods. I also object to the fact that it doesn't stop and possibly encourages people to fl tip if they can't get rid of their waste at a legetimate tip site. Rob

It's annoying because I'm exempt under #1 When I spoke to them they agreed that because I have a contract in which I decide if and when to remove by products I am actually generating them and therefore exempt. Unfortunately for private jobs and minor property repairs that we do on site I am not exempt so do need one for that aspect. Rob

Just realised that mine has lapsed, does that mean I will have to pay the full 150 or the 90. I sense a phone call coming on. Luckily my tip sites have all the details on file..... Last time I had an absolut nightmare getting one, It took nearly 4 months from the first phone call. I don't mind complying but why make it so awkward. Any body got the telephone number to hand whilst I'm doing admin this morning? Rob

Anybody know if it's easier to get one now, i.e can you now ring up and get one over the phone, or do you still need to send off for the form, fill it in, post the cheque, wait 3 months for it to come through..... Rob

What a stupid thing to do. Screws up everything, just to get votes. Many thick people think it's a good thing to lower taxes and hence will vote for lower taxes, but things have got to be paid for somehow............ And for 2.5% if it was 10% it might make a difference, 2.5% is just stupid with all the admin that goes with it Rob Hoping to go back under the VAT threshold next year!

What day rates you looking for? Have you got own climbing and lowering gear with loler tickets? I'm going to have a few days work in Weston Super Mare once I get authorisation from the Tree Officer if thats any help? My background is Grounds Maintenance, and I have tickets to climb, so would do some of the climbing but always helpful to have someone pointing out mistakes/ doing the job for speed as necessary..... Fully insured etc. Would need copies of tickets for file. Let me know if your interested Rob

I thought the Navara could tow 3.5 tonne? Only heard that secondhand though, so might be wrong. Rob

Me to please Rob

Yep I've done it, and also had my new one nicked about an hour before the flight about a year later. My mates also don't take the piss.......

In reply to Jason James Gairn: I take what your saying, as far as I was concerned he was safe (as you can be doing this job) awesome level of fitness combined with a methodical working approach meaning less climbing than many would have done. Bits roped down where necessary - I especially like the way he roped several small branches down together saving numerous lowers. As for piecework always difficult. It's fairer that those that work harder, better, smarter earn more money. Obviously that shouldn't come at the risk of safety but thats the climbers call when he's in the tree I guess. Rob

The fact it was a weekend certainly helps the wages, but apparently it's still possible during the week. I certainly feel that it would be worth it if I was employing him full time Rob

Brilliant. Thanks for the link Rob

A mate of mine came to do some work for me, he wanted £200/day. It was at a weekend. Apparently any less and he'd earn the same working for his firm working a weekend. Having said that though he's an absolutely awesome climber and was more than worth it. He turned up with harness, rope and saw. It's obviously possible but you've got to be good. They also get paid by the job rather than per day so effectively piecework. Rob

I'll pay £7-800 for a 2 man gang if they'll do 2k worth or work for me in a day..........

I think the biggest problem that the original poster he's had some muppets turning up saying they can climb when they can't - Not that he doesn't understand that people need to start somewhere. I get similar problems. My company conducts grounds maintenace and over the past two years we've branched into treework. I've got tickets to climb and use a saw, but lack climbing experience. Hence I get climbers in when it's complicated or time is of an issue. When I can do it, I do it myself, but I wouldn't advertise myself as an experienced climber. So when some muppet turns up that has got less experience than me I do get a tad peeved. Oh and I do make sure that I've explained the job to them. Rob

Best bit of advice I was given about accounting, was don't ask someone for advice, ask them where they get their advice. I.e Everybodies got an idea about accounts, tax, vat etc some of which is good others bad. Use an expert it will save you money long term Rob