Export thread

When the bolt dropped, they probably didn't even look down in the carb?

I have had a cust bring me an engine in a box completely disassembled and all fasteners and small parts in a bag

Hammermechanicman said:

I have had a cust bring me an engine in a box completely disassembled and all fasteners and small parts in a bag

Click to expand...

I have had 2 of those plus a MTD rear tine tiller with the transmission totally disassembled and laid out in the bed of a pickup when it arrived.

And I had one mower brought in boxes too. What worst the customer bitched because I charged him $50 to put it back together because I felt sorry for him but those days are long gone now. Now it is regular shop labor time.

StarTech said:

Now it is regular shop labor time.

Click to expand...

Yes sir!

Exactly.

I guess I am living right this week. Had 3 customers give me a tip in the last few days for quick turn around. About $100.
Being handy is better than good looks. LOL.

Not only small engines /tillers etc. , my hvac man says a large percent of his business is homeowners attempting to FIX it .

Some folks THINK they are handy.
For some folks screwdrivers should have HOLD THIS END printed on the handle. And not be allowed to shop in certain aisles of the home improvement stores.

Basically there are three types of people. One that are maybe better mechanics that you are me, but will know what they are doing regardless. Two are the people that have no idea what they are doing, but will let you do the repairs on everything because they will admit they don't know. The third type are the ones that you have to be worried about. Those are the ones they think they know everything but in the end know nothing.

I’ve got this senior friend who is a magician! He will ask me to come over
and repair his riding mower. He admits he knows very little about mowers.
But when I start to diagnose and repair it, he suddenly turns into a genius
mechanic and tells me what I need to do to fix it! His wife will come out and
say “Billy, come on in the house and let Dave work on the mower!” Ever had
one of those? Similar to IL’s # 3 on his list.

I had a truck that a local tractor repair man worked on. The gas tank rotted out so He cut a hole in the truck bed and used a grease barrell for a gas tank. Changing the oil one day and looked into the engine I noticed there was a hole in the block mostly welded up. Asked Him what happened and He said that He lost a bolt and could not find it and it blew a hole in the side of the block so He sleeved it. He took the transmission apart and put it back togheter and it would not stay in gear so I had to hold the shifter (3 on the tree) constantly, snap ring left out when assembled. Last thing He did was welding on something and laid the stinger down on the bench touching an aerosol paint can and it blew up taking an eye with it. Another neighbor was worse also killed.

Now come on haven't you looked a Metric adjustable wrench? I love to drive the inexperienced tool guys at Lowe's and Home Depot crazy.

StarTech said:

Now come on haven't you looked a Metric adjustable wrench? I love to drive the inexperienced tool guys at Lowe's and Home Depot crazy.

Click to expand...

I ask if the case of post holes i ordered 12 years ago are in .

Hammermechanicman said:

I have had a cust bring me an engine in a box completely disassembled and all fasteners and small parts in a bag

Click to expand...

I'd love to get something like this, and charge them about $500 to put everything back together. And when asked what was wrong, tell them "Oh it just needed a spark plug," or something simple and external.
Then snap a quick pic of the look on their face.

PTmowerMech said:

I'd love to get something like this, and charge them about $500 to put everything back together. And when asked what was wrong, tell them "Oh it just needed a spark plug," or something simple and external.
Then snap a quick pic of the look on their face.

Click to expand...

One of my in a box engines just needed a spark plug after reassembly

Nice to get an EZ one..

I'm not going to fool with their junk I'm already 4 weeks behind.

hlw49 said:

I'm not going to fool with their junk I'm already 4 weeks behind.

Click to expand...

Well then. You need to step it up, man. Loafing all day won't get you caught up.

yea right.

Must be chainsaw week. Had 6 come in in the last couple days and another couple coming in. Just thought I was getting caught up.

hlw49 said:

I'm not going to fool with their junk I'm already 4 weeks behind.

Click to expand...

It is the busy time of year until November. Any large “projects” that customers would like repaired, are welcome to go to another shop. Being more selective on equipment and repairs I take in for 2024 is the big change for me (one person shop). There is tons of good business out there! No need to be doing long involved frustrating repairs like I have done in the past. Huge time waster, huge gross profit killer, big cause of frustration and stress, and ain’t going to do it anymore if at all possible.

why is it customers know they have a problem that is a big job and wait until they need it to bring it in. Had customer bring a Jacobson mower that needs a changer over kit from a code pad to a key start. Had the kit last fall and waited until we get busy to bring it in. Have 2 mowers that need governors in them. Takes a while to do these. Shee

That's called being a 'merican.

Not mower related. But still relatable for us.

CLIENT – How much will it cost to do this job?
CONTRACTOR - $2,800 dollars.
CLIENT – That’s too expensive for this job!
CONTRACTOR – How much do you think it should cost?
CLIENT – $800 max! It’s a simple job!
CONTRACTOR – I can’t do the job for so little.
CLIENT – People in your line of work wants to make a huge profit!
CONTRACTOR – I’m sorry you feel this way. Why don’t you do the job?
CLIENT – But, but, I don’t know how to do any of that.
CONTRACTOR – For $900, I can teach you everything you need to know to do the job. You can then use $800 to do the job, and you’re still saving $1,100. Also, you will obtain all the knowledge and the experience for the next time you need to do this job.
CLIENT – Deal!
CONTRACTOR – Great! To start, you need to buy tools. You will need a chipping hammer, a nail gun, a laser, a drill, a mixer machine, PPE, and some other things.
CLIENT – But, I don’t have any of those tools and I can’t buy all that for just one job!
CONTRACTOR – Ok. I can rent you my tools for another $300. You’re still saving $800.
CLIENT – That’s cutting my savings, but I will rent your tools.
CONTRACTOR – Perfect! I’ll be back Saturday and we can start.
CLIENT – Wait! I can’t Saturday. I only have time today.
CONTRACTOR – I’m sorry, I only teach others on Saturdays. I have to prioritize my time and my tools needs to be in other jobs I have during the week.
CLIENT – Ok then. I will sacrifice my family’s plans on Saturday.
CONTRACTOR – Right, me too! Oh, I forgot. If you’re going to do the job yourself, you need to buy the materials. There’s a high demand nowadays, so your best bet is to get a truck and be at the hardware store by 6am before other contractors get there.
CLIENT – AT SIX IN THE MORNING? On Saturday? That’s too early for me. I don’t even have a truck!
CONTRACTOR – I guess you’ll have to rent one. By the way, do you have some helpers to help you load the truck?
CLIENT – You know what? I’ve been thinking. Probably is better for you to do the job. It’s better to pay you to do the job right and not having to go through all that hassle.
CONTRACTOR – Good thinking. Sign here and let me get to work.
This is the truth.
People are not just paying for a job, they are paying for knowledge, experience, tools, time, family sacrifices, and other things you bring to the table.
Don’t let others dictate your worth.
~Unknown Author

I have people want me to do woodworking projects for them such as built ins, cabinets, floating shelves, tables. After I tell them what the wood alone will cost let alone my labor @ $40/hr would be their jaw drops. I tell them I can't compete with IKEA and home depot if that is what you are looking for.
Did this for my son. The butcher block top to the cabinets and shelves was $600 by itself. Over $1500 in just materials 8' high 12' wide. If I was to bid thisit would be like $3500

Hammermechanicman said:

I have people want me to do woodworking projects for them such as built ins, cabinets, floating shelves, tables. After I tell them what the wood alone will cost let alone my labor @ $40/hr would be their jaw drops. I tell them I can't compete with IKEA and home depot if that is what you are looking for.View attachment 68227
Did this for my son. The butcher block top to the cabinets and shelves was $600 by itself. Over $1500 in just materials 8' high 12' wide. If I was to bid thisit would be like $3500

Click to expand...

Nice work, man.

PTmowerMech said:

People are not just paying for a job, they are paying for knowledge, experience, tools, time, family sacrifices, and other things you bring to the table.
Don’t let others dictate your worth.
~Unknown Author

Click to expand...

Ain't that the truth...

PTmowerMech said:

Nice work, man.

Click to expand...

Thanks