Shane
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Everything posted by Shane
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As someone who doesnt sell logs this may be a rubbish idea, its certainly NOT based on experience so shoot away. Assuming the current state of confusion continues- If someone is vague about what they expect or whinging about other peoples prices, why not offer to sell it by value rather than amount ie if they say someone else is selling it for £60 a load why not offer them a 'discount' load for £55 and deliver less? That way the discerning customers will still be happy -understanding what they are getting - and the 'Lidl' brigade will think they are getting a cheap deal. The only problem might be when mrs 'ow much?' tells another of your customers that she got a load for less than mrs Discerning paid BUT you can explain that to mrs D. It could get complicated, but why not if you are selling more?
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Nice one - it's good to breed your own staff. My daughter started helping me on Saturdays then did her CS30/31 when she was 16, then worked up to CS38. My son (and chief climber now) did all his tickets up to CS39 when he got to 16, then did a years arb course at Brinsbury. I must admit he works very hard and is now a great person to work with, usually. I've found you get unswerving loyalty but it can strain the domestic relationships. We have an agreement that work issues stay at work and domestic issues stay at home. I also sometimes wonder if they would really prefer to do something else but daren't let me down??? Personally, I am very pleased with the way it is working out- mutual respect/loyalty are priceless. I hope it keeps on working for you and your boys. Shane
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Nearly got divorced after a nightmare involving an increment borer. I once dreamed I was eating a giant marshmallow - When I woke up in the morning I coudn't find my pillow
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When you spend a large sum on a machine is it worth saving a few quid on 'cheap' blades. Along with the bearings the blades are at the heart of the process. The saving (£20??) is far outweighed by the risk (mullered machine/ injured operator/member of public) IMO.
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Will do
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Are they the round ones? If so.. Its not local but Saturn machine knives will do them for under £5.00 each +VAT They can do them in matched pairs so you keep the flywheel balanced. I sent 12 discs to them yesterday for £16 postage (including tracking and £200 insurance) It was the best deal I could find
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My guys are getting rebellious. After having to do a couple of 3ft+ diam. oaks with the RG13 (Rayco pedestrian) grinder they want a hydraulic one. If I can't get them to man up and we end up with unrest amongst the workers I'll have to look into a bigger beastie. The constraints are 75cm width for access and storage, max length 2.2 mtrs. Height and weight not really an issue. I guess hydraulic control for all cutting controls and probably drive too. Oh, yea - budget. For the moment under £5k so an older one (hopefully not too old). I've been looking on all the manufacturers web sites but all the dimensions quoted are, understandably, for new machines. Open to suggestions
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The suggestion that caravans should be subjected to tacho legislation is outrageous! It would mean certain members of our democratic, multicultural society would be unable to move their homes without enduring yet more legislative red tape. And my grandad couldn't block up the A5 twice a year as he drives up to Tryfan at 20mph
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Agreed but its closer to what I would want than £25 for a day.
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I suspect you will get a volatile response to that. If anyone bothers. I would have assumed the £25 was closer to an hourly rate than daily. How much per day were you charging before? My answer to his 'suggested rate' would be 2 words.
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I paid just ove £2k for an R reg transit tipper with alloy arb back and tool storage. 103K miles, MOT for 9 months, some tax. It runs great just needed £400 spending on new discs and drums. Very pleased with it. Would post a piccie if I could
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I recon we should be charging Mat for all this good publicity.
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Theres a stump-grinding firm round our way thats called Grind Force. Awesome - though I must admit I've never seen any of their vehicles marked up.
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I was in a meeting many years ago when the boss got up, walked over to the door, then opened it so he could slam it shut (very hard) while still in the room. Then he turned round to tell us - 'Thats how angry I am' The next couple of minutes were like the Biggus Dickus scene from LIfe of Brian, all of us trying not to laugh or visibly smirk. Losing your temper is one thing - and we all do it sometimes, pretending to lose it is just tw@tish.
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I'm gonna write that quote down and keep it in my van! Top advice
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Well done, difficult to comment on what retribution we would have carried out. If we lived in the Hollywood clouds you might have shown him how the saw works, but back on planet earth... I'm sure the little sh!t will think twice in future. Other than legal advice from your solicitor, why not pre-empt the MPs suggestion and write to yours now, maybe he can put something into the equation before it gets to court, or maybe prevent it needing to go to court. Good luck and well done!
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Matt is good - thats why I always go to him. As for letting his employees stay dry, what a wimpish attitude. At least my guys appreciated the nice day we had in August.
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I recall laying some turf once when a passer-by yelled out 'green side up'
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I dont think Matt can be making much money, he drives around in old renovated series 1 landrover when his 08 Rangie is out of action . Us Sussex boys paid for those
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I can't afford Matt's rates, Dan does my repairs
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With all this rubbish weather lately I must admit to feeling a bit guilty. Do most people work regardless of weather (unless safety is compromised). With bookings up to mid JAnuary I really can't afford to delay any jobs. The point is I am recovering from shoulder surgery so I can't actually go out and do any 'real' work with them. Its all quote visits, paperwork and ferrying broken bits to DM chainsaws. The guys are brilliant and say they would rather work than sit around. But here am I sitting in the warm while they come back every evening soaked and freezing. I've seen a lot of crews out and about so I guess I should just relax and let them enjoy getting wet. I think a really fun Xmas do needs to be arranged for them. How bad does the weather have to be to stop YOU going out
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If someone doesn't fit theres no point faffing about. You did the right thing. 1. He knows for sure that its unacceptable 2. You have acted responsibly to protect the public, yourself and him! Telling someone they are crap isn't easy sometimes - but not telling them is worse.
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This gives me an idea.... I was in tecos yesterday and the sell 2oz of bay leaves for about £1.00 Next time I remove a bay tree I'm going to be a millionaire!
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With limited risk of liability issues re-bracing would seem sensible on the assumption the decay at the base isn't too bad. The use of cobra and the like would be an option. They have different capacities so with something of that size go for the heavy duty kit. I would instal the cobra kit, maybe one 1/3 of the way up and maybe another one further above that. The other issue is to get the tension right BEFORE removing the old stuff. Any of the old bracing which has been absorbed by the tree may be better off left inside it and just remove what you can. Good to see the tree given another chance - fun job! Some others on here may have better ideas but that my two penneth.
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think of the expense he'll save on not having to buy boots, trousers, shirts - even ties. Better buy a decent helmet to look after whats left though.
