Bogydave has a good thread going and he is asking about wood sellers not giving what they claim and not dry wood, etc. I started to answer in a post but instead decided to start this one.
It is really a shame that it is the way it is with wood sellers and it does seem to be the rule rather than the exception. It should not be this way. But beware! We, as good people should be on guard so that we do not become this way in our own dealings with people. It seems to be only too easy for folks to say and think that "everybody does it" and then all we get is people screwing people and nobody wanting to trust anyone else. No, better is to always try to set a good example.
For example, if I were to attempt to start a wood selling business I would definitely follow the philosophy I've always tried to follow throughout my business career. That is, give more than expected. With me, this started out with doing more work than expected when I worked for others. Sure, people scoffed, mocked me, laughed at me and told me how much of a fool I was.
I recall when I tried working in a manufacturing place. It was my first time of working with a large group of people (I was just a farm kid). I was shown how to do the job and very soon I was putting out more work than the rest of the guys. They, of course, told me to slow down as I was a fool. They asked if I realized that the laziest guy in the department was actually making more money than I was at that time (until I reached top pay). So why would I work any harder than he was? Why would I work any harder than any of them in the whole shop? Well, it is because I was taught to give more than expected. A man pays you for a days work; make sure he gets his money's worth.
Perhaps I was a fool because I did work harder but there also were some benefits. I soon made many friends and was respected in the shop by most, but not all, of the employees. I took it upon myself to learn other jobs in the department where I worked. I actually was given pretty free reign and could actually change jobs without asking the boss! So, I learned. It did not take long at all before I could do any job there. Long story cut short, when I finally left that place, I was the plant foreman. Yes, I had moved up a bit. This is quite typical of all places where I worked for someone else.
Naturally, I was called some names and mocked and even some nasty stories or rumors got started. Most of them never amounted to much and one just has to expect this sort of thing. You don't have to like it but have to accept it because there are always folks who do not agree with you and would love to see you fall on your face.
On the wood business. How would I do it? First, I might charge just a bit more than others but the buyers would actually be getting a better bargain. I would cut and season the wood properly and not sell any (unless expressly requested) wood that was not ready to burn. I would tell every customer what type of wood it was and the way this particular wood burns best. For ever cord of wood I sold, there would also be enough kindling (free) to start several fires. A cord of wood, or just a tad over a cord would be given when someone ordered a cord. Better they get more than less.
If I made delivery, I would need to know where it was to be placed. Would it need to be stacked? Could I drive on a lawn? Would I be expected to rake the lawn clean after a delivery. Many other things would need to be known beforehand. Naturally, an extra charge would be necessary for stacking or cleaning up or if wood had to be carried a distance, etc.
I do believe a fellow could build a business doing these things but it would take some time. This would be a project that would take several years before the business would turn into a paying proposition. It is this reason why wood sellers do some of the things they do. Cutting, splitting and stacking wood is not easy. It is hard physical work and the chances of injuries are much higher than in many other types of work. Therefore, very, very few could or would attempt to do business this way and I doubt that will change.
The biggest point I wish to make with this thread is to ask everyone to be very aware that they do not become like so many when they think everyone is out to screw everyone else. Life is too short to be this way just as life is too short to hate or let someone who has done you wrong ruin your whole frame of mind. Yes, we will get taken a few times in life but we'll also reap many benefits which will outweigh the bad things.
I really feel sorry for those folks who make it a point to beat others out of some cash or material goods.
I just had a very bad dealing with a fellow who lives very close to us. It all started when I tried to help a neighbor kid. Driving around the woods with a golf cart and it stopped and would not start. She and her friend came to our house to see if I could help. Of course I'll help. But I could not get it started. I called and when her father came he could not either. I found that the battery was pretty low so jump started it with my atv. Long story short, it screwed up my atv. I learned of a fellow only a couple miles away who is a certified mechanic for Yamaha (my atv) and was recommended to me. I took it to him. I got screwed....big time. Yes, I got a bit ticked and actually had to leave his place quickly before certain things were about to happen. Yup. I was mad.
So I got the atv back (unfixed) and have taken it somewhere else to be fixed. The thing has already cost me over $400 and still is not running. I have no idea how much more it will take. So, should I now become like so many and start to hate? Should I distrust others? Should I try to screw others because, after all, they are all out to screw me? Well, I still have to live with myself so I choose to not hate. No, I don't like it but I have to live with it now. I can't change the situation but I can change my attitude towards the situation. btw, I also have a neighbor who wants to go and bend this fellows nose! Maybe an attitude adjustment is in order, but it would not be worth a thing because no doubt the fellow would then try to sue and we know what sewers are.
Good luck to all in your dealings and Happy Thanksgiving to all. Don't let others ruin your party.
It is really a shame that it is the way it is with wood sellers and it does seem to be the rule rather than the exception. It should not be this way. But beware! We, as good people should be on guard so that we do not become this way in our own dealings with people. It seems to be only too easy for folks to say and think that "everybody does it" and then all we get is people screwing people and nobody wanting to trust anyone else. No, better is to always try to set a good example.
For example, if I were to attempt to start a wood selling business I would definitely follow the philosophy I've always tried to follow throughout my business career. That is, give more than expected. With me, this started out with doing more work than expected when I worked for others. Sure, people scoffed, mocked me, laughed at me and told me how much of a fool I was.
I recall when I tried working in a manufacturing place. It was my first time of working with a large group of people (I was just a farm kid). I was shown how to do the job and very soon I was putting out more work than the rest of the guys. They, of course, told me to slow down as I was a fool. They asked if I realized that the laziest guy in the department was actually making more money than I was at that time (until I reached top pay). So why would I work any harder than he was? Why would I work any harder than any of them in the whole shop? Well, it is because I was taught to give more than expected. A man pays you for a days work; make sure he gets his money's worth.
Perhaps I was a fool because I did work harder but there also were some benefits. I soon made many friends and was respected in the shop by most, but not all, of the employees. I took it upon myself to learn other jobs in the department where I worked. I actually was given pretty free reign and could actually change jobs without asking the boss! So, I learned. It did not take long at all before I could do any job there. Long story cut short, when I finally left that place, I was the plant foreman. Yes, I had moved up a bit. This is quite typical of all places where I worked for someone else.
Naturally, I was called some names and mocked and even some nasty stories or rumors got started. Most of them never amounted to much and one just has to expect this sort of thing. You don't have to like it but have to accept it because there are always folks who do not agree with you and would love to see you fall on your face.
On the wood business. How would I do it? First, I might charge just a bit more than others but the buyers would actually be getting a better bargain. I would cut and season the wood properly and not sell any (unless expressly requested) wood that was not ready to burn. I would tell every customer what type of wood it was and the way this particular wood burns best. For ever cord of wood I sold, there would also be enough kindling (free) to start several fires. A cord of wood, or just a tad over a cord would be given when someone ordered a cord. Better they get more than less.
If I made delivery, I would need to know where it was to be placed. Would it need to be stacked? Could I drive on a lawn? Would I be expected to rake the lawn clean after a delivery. Many other things would need to be known beforehand. Naturally, an extra charge would be necessary for stacking or cleaning up or if wood had to be carried a distance, etc.
I do believe a fellow could build a business doing these things but it would take some time. This would be a project that would take several years before the business would turn into a paying proposition. It is this reason why wood sellers do some of the things they do. Cutting, splitting and stacking wood is not easy. It is hard physical work and the chances of injuries are much higher than in many other types of work. Therefore, very, very few could or would attempt to do business this way and I doubt that will change.
The biggest point I wish to make with this thread is to ask everyone to be very aware that they do not become like so many when they think everyone is out to screw everyone else. Life is too short to be this way just as life is too short to hate or let someone who has done you wrong ruin your whole frame of mind. Yes, we will get taken a few times in life but we'll also reap many benefits which will outweigh the bad things.
I really feel sorry for those folks who make it a point to beat others out of some cash or material goods.
I just had a very bad dealing with a fellow who lives very close to us. It all started when I tried to help a neighbor kid. Driving around the woods with a golf cart and it stopped and would not start. She and her friend came to our house to see if I could help. Of course I'll help. But I could not get it started. I called and when her father came he could not either. I found that the battery was pretty low so jump started it with my atv. Long story short, it screwed up my atv. I learned of a fellow only a couple miles away who is a certified mechanic for Yamaha (my atv) and was recommended to me. I took it to him. I got screwed....big time. Yes, I got a bit ticked and actually had to leave his place quickly before certain things were about to happen. Yup. I was mad.
So I got the atv back (unfixed) and have taken it somewhere else to be fixed. The thing has already cost me over $400 and still is not running. I have no idea how much more it will take. So, should I now become like so many and start to hate? Should I distrust others? Should I try to screw others because, after all, they are all out to screw me? Well, I still have to live with myself so I choose to not hate. No, I don't like it but I have to live with it now. I can't change the situation but I can change my attitude towards the situation. btw, I also have a neighbor who wants to go and bend this fellows nose! Maybe an attitude adjustment is in order, but it would not be worth a thing because no doubt the fellow would then try to sue and we know what sewers are.
Good luck to all in your dealings and Happy Thanksgiving to all. Don't let others ruin your party.
......anyway, good job, Dennis.
