People need to understand a privateer hobbyist like me cannot honor warranty claims, yet they get pissed when you say take it back to the place you bought it, then find out they never sent in the warranty card! Another plus from buying at a dealer, it’s registered! Thanks for watching!
Good man ! A lot of sympathy for your position - if you don't learn to do this it leads to mental health problems and a whole lot else. Quality of life is what matters. Those customers worth working for will understand that.
I only work on my own stuff or close friends stuff at the moment. If I do start working on other people’s stuff, it’ll be the jobs I want to do- that’s for certain. Life’s to short. Good advice Ken
I actually hate fixing these darn machines. I learned it to keep my machines in the field and that is it. I can't cut for a living anymore and only take work from the pros that I know and like. I try to provide a quick turn around and probably don't charge enough. Oh well, my heart is with the kids working hard out there.
What pisses me off is the people who drop stuff off and don't leave a note as to what's wrong. Guy dropped a Predator motor off last Wednesday with his phone number only. Friday he stopped me and asked if I fixed it. I told him I haven't looked at it and won't unless he tells me what it needs. It's still sitting on the floor of the shop. My rider needs a battery and I went to use my trimmer and the purge bulb broke. So guess whose stuff gets fixed next. Heat index is killer here. The older I get, the harder it is to work in these temps. And My shop is not air conditioned. I'm going to finish a few items and that's it for awhile.
Hi Ken. I'm in the same situation. I had to quit accepting work for three months. I had over 60 items to work on. customers are still dropping equipment off. They are telling me I'm the only shop in the valley working on garden equipment. I'm trying to keep it fun but customers are getting upset. Some of the equipment has not been use in years. I guess the cost of new equipment has got high enough that they are willing to fix their old junk.
I've been like this since day one. I go by appointment either arrange a pickup or they can drop off. If they try to drop off early then I just tell him that they're going to pay daily storage until their appointment. That prevents them from dropping random stuff off at the house. What grinds my gears even more is the presumptuous nature of customers is they expect you to work on it or at least look at it that day they drop it off or pick it up. Oftentimes it's a few days after that to figure out parts and what it needs and if the customer even wants to pay the money to fix it. To a small degree my wife and I do depend on the small engine income to make up for the gaps in her pet care services side of the business. Most times of the year I only need to do a few machines a month to make ends meet. In terms of the smaller handheld stuff I tell people I will only work on Stihl or Echo machines, anything else is not worth my time and I pass up on that work.
I was at a friends shop last week picking up parts. A guy brought in a Craftsman trimmer with a broken starter rope. Monty told him to take it back to where he bought it. He won't work on them either.
@@jimbrewer2893 start a ropes are not terrible but if there's any other parts broken on it then you pretty much screwed. I get plenty of calls for those small handheld equipment and even the backpack blowers. I shy away from them because one there's not a lot of money to be made on them and you will wind up spending more time researching parts if you can find them
I still don't do out side repairs. Hard times I'll get through, but someone asked I just say sorry I don't do outside work. Still have the lt1000. Once I said I was going to sell it that let him off the hook. So no more... I'll eat peanut butter again.... Later Kenny!
Feeling the same over here. I started charging an extra hour on chain saws, just to clean those messy things before repair. I'll be turning 65 soon so the day job will go away.
Ken Buddy... 40.00 diagnostic fee first line of the repair sheet. If they don't want to fix it ... 40.00. If they fix it 40.00 plus parts and labor. This 40.00 fee is automatic No matter what. Try that it works great for me. You said 17 items times 40.00 each up front. 680.00 if ya fix it or not. Plus parts and labor on top. Drop off 2 items like your buddy did that's 80.00 just like that.
Also Ken. . .I will/do not tolerate people just dumping their broken equipment in my driveway anymore and expecting me to drop everything to fix it. I make them call me first and evaluate whether it is worth my time to repair.
I only work on the older stuff, I'd say maybe 90's to 1940 tractors. And i've been saying no. Heck theres stuff sitting here from 2 years ago I told them no, they brought it anyhow. I just do stuff I enjoy working on and makes me happy now adays
Team Ken it’s time to say no, you can’t work those hours and then get home especially when it’s hot, in cooler weather it’s more comfortable and if you feel like it then okay.😊
I like the ones that say its warranty as the opening statment of conversation,new customer, said it has to be determined first
People need to understand a privateer hobbyist like me cannot honor warranty claims, yet they get pissed when you say take it back to the place you bought it, then find out they never sent in the warranty card! Another plus from buying at a dealer, it’s registered! Thanks for watching!
Good man ! A lot of sympathy for your position - if you don't learn to do this it leads to mental health problems and a whole lot else. Quality of life is what matters. Those customers worth working for will understand that.
We all need veg time! Thanks for watching!
I only work on my own stuff or close friends stuff at the moment. If I do start working on other people’s stuff, it’ll be the jobs I want to do- that’s for certain. Life’s to short. Good advice Ken
It’s ballooned over the years. Hard to say no to cash!
Deliver by appointment only.. then you can pick and choose..
If only
I actually hate fixing these darn machines. I learned it to keep my machines in the field and that is it. I can't cut for a living anymore and only take work from the pros that I know and like. I try to provide a quick turn around and probably don't charge enough. Oh well, my heart is with the kids working hard out there.
What pisses me off is the people who drop stuff off and don't leave a note as to what's wrong. Guy dropped a Predator motor off last Wednesday with his phone number only. Friday he stopped me and asked if I fixed it. I told him I haven't looked at it and won't unless he tells me what it needs. It's still sitting on the floor of the shop. My rider needs a battery and I went to use my trimmer and the purge bulb broke. So guess whose stuff gets fixed next. Heat index is killer here. The older I get, the harder it is to work in these temps. And My shop is not air conditioned. I'm going to finish a few items and that's it for awhile.
I’m backed up for at least a month. Cooler weather ahead it’s a pleasure to be outside!
Good call, work on something you enjoy. You can’t put a price on enjoyment from your hobby. Otherwise it’s no longer a hobby, it’s a job.
Ya, I already have a job lol
😏👍 it's okay ken don't feel sorry it has to bee fun doing
Best regards
True, when it stops being fun it sucks!
We are 4 weeks out at work on repairs. After 10 hours a day working on mowers I don’t feel like doing repairs at home
I hear ya. I couldn’t do this all day
Hi Ken. I'm in the same situation. I had to quit accepting work for three months. I had over 60 items to work on. customers are still dropping equipment off. They are telling me I'm the only shop in the valley working on garden equipment. I'm trying to keep it fun but customers are getting upset. Some of the equipment has not been use in years. I guess the cost of new equipment has got high enough that they are willing to fix their old junk.
Same here. Dealers turn down the junk!
I've been like this since day one. I go by appointment either arrange a pickup or they can drop off. If they try to drop off early then I just tell him that they're going to pay daily storage until their appointment. That prevents them from dropping random stuff off at the house.
What grinds my gears even more is the presumptuous nature of customers is they expect you to work on it or at least look at it that day they drop it off or pick it up. Oftentimes it's a few days after that to figure out parts and what it needs and if the customer even wants to pay the money to fix it.
To a small degree my wife and I do depend on the small engine income to make up for the gaps in her pet care services side of the business. Most times of the year I only need to do a few machines a month to make ends meet.
In terms of the smaller handheld stuff I tell people I will only work on Stihl or Echo machines, anything else is not worth my time and I pass up on that work.
I was at a friends shop last week picking up parts. A guy brought in a Craftsman trimmer with a broken starter rope. Monty told him to take it back to where he bought it. He won't work on them either.
@@jimbrewer2893 start a ropes are not terrible but if there's any other parts broken on it then you pretty much screwed. I get plenty of calls for those small handheld equipment and even the backpack blowers. I shy away from them because one there's not a lot of money to be made on them and you will wind up spending more time researching parts if you can find them
I need to start refusing the low buck garbage
Don't blame you Ken. I'm just about to try and restart everything in my new house but i did learn akot from before.
Me to on the house work, but mine is to redo the stuff I did 30 yrs ago!
I went into a funk this summer as well.
I still don't do out side repairs. Hard times I'll get through, but someone asked I just say sorry I don't do outside work. Still have the lt1000. Once I said I was going to sell it that let him off the hook. So no more... I'll eat peanut butter again.... Later Kenny!
Thanks Casey
Feeling the same over here. I started charging an extra hour on chain saws, just to clean those messy things before repair. I'll be turning 65 soon so the day job will go away.
I HATE dirty chainsaws!
Ken Buddy... 40.00 diagnostic fee first line of the repair sheet. If they don't want to fix it ... 40.00. If they fix it 40.00 plus parts and labor. This 40.00 fee is automatic No matter what.
Try that it works great for me.
You said 17 items times 40.00 each up front. 680.00 if ya fix it or not. Plus parts and labor on top. Drop off 2 items like your buddy did that's 80.00 just like that.
Sounds good.
Also Ken. . .I will/do not tolerate people just dumping their broken equipment in my driveway anymore and expecting me to drop everything to fix it. I make them call me first and evaluate whether it is worth my time to repair.
I try to fix everything but when you get busy it gets frustrating! Thanks for watching
I only work on the older stuff, I'd say maybe 90's to 1940 tractors. And i've been saying no. Heck theres stuff sitting here from 2 years ago I told them no, they brought it anyhow. I just do stuff I enjoy working on and makes me happy now adays
Older is better I agree. K series are my favorite !
I thought you would have one of them nice air conditioned shops.......lol
After I’m retired lol!
When I worked in HVAC controls, my partner would say yes to everything! I would constantly remind him that the word NO is an answer! lol
Thankfully I’m a solo act!
Instead of just dropping off, they need to talk to you. They can see how many things are there. You need to make money too.
I agree
Team Ken it’s time to say no, you can’t work those hours and then get home especially when it’s hot, in cooler weather it’s more comfortable and if you feel like it then okay.😊
True, I hate hot weather. Fall is ideal!
Head on the nail Kenny - supply and demand dictates that you must raise your rates.
Maybe I should! Just need more time!
Got to know when to say no right ken
Absolutely!
😊
NO NO NO !