Today I Learned...

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I laugh about how often it comes down to who clicks first. I lose because I spend too much time editing.

There is pretty much something that already exists that will cover all circumstances.

[JD001]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Your background doesn't really change my opinion, or answer. I don't use an independent specialty shop. I use a general mechanic that works on all makes and models. I prefer someone with a broader range of knowledge personally because I don't want to have to go to a different shop depending on car make/model.

The one I use also does work for several large independent used car lots so they basically see every make/model of car I would ever own.

Originally Posted by Tcoat

IMPOSSIBLE!
It has been well established on this forum that techs can only possibly know one make of car at a time.

Pretty sure the repair industry controls this!

I have discovered a local garage, family run.. Will pop by their workshop this coming weekend.. Check the vibe.. Called a local Subaru dealer, they sell various other makes including MG! Didn't inspire me with confidence...

Fensport has stopped doing the annual roadworthy tests, so that's another hurdle.. will keep you posted with developments, I promise!!

Oh, I learned the other day that we can't multi-task, this is from a very good source (Earl Miller, MIT)... I would have posted this on the correct day but was too busy fucking about looking for a Subaru service centre...

[JD001]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Originally Posted by Tcoat

But it is a Subaru engine so the Toyota techs are baffled as soon as they open the hood.

Going to a Toyota dealer had crossed my mind, it was fleeting nanosecond...

[Stephen W.]

Well, not just today but over the past six weeks I've learned that:
Hours: We're open 24/7. doesn't meanwhat you and I think it means.
You see about six to seven weeks ago I started to loose satellite signal. That means frozen screens, pixelated images and then the dredded error message:
Your receiver has lost satellite signal.
This is due to Mother Nature had her big leaf brigade. So I stat calling arborists to get a quote on having the trees (in my yard) that are blocking my signal trimmed.
But does anyone answer my calls, returns my voice mails or replies to the on-line forums I've filled out. NOPE! Not a one.
I got angry and two weeks ago I started phoning and leaving very harsh comments about the lack of professionalism in the Tree Service business. Of all the messages I left I had only two guys return my calls. Both booked appoints to come out and quote me BUT! Only if there was more work then just trimming some trees to gain satillite service. Well it so happens that yes, I have a dozen trees that need to come down plus others that should be cut back. So I said yes but would they please quote things separately so I can get what I can afford done now and the rest at a later date.
Both said no problem and both came out the next day. The one came first thing in the morning, told me how ht would do everything and use big think mats to drive on and to protect the grass from falling limbs.
the second guy came late in the day and said basically the same things but no mats and more climbing less bucket truck due to the lack of back yard access.
I got a verbal quote from the second guy and an email quote from the first. I was surprised that both were near exactly the same for everything even though their individual parts were different.
Now here's the kicker, guy #1 won't come to just do the leaves so I can get my satellite back. He will only come to do everything and it's a two day job that he can't possible do before mid to late July!

The second guy says he'll stop by after his next job and trim the leaves. He'll come back to do the rest of the tree removal in July.
So I go with guy #2 and he's suppose to have been here last Thursday. I talked to him just now and he's hoping to get back to me by Friday of this week.
Not only do they not man their phones/web sites 24/7 they can't be bothered to keep a new customer informed of changes in their schedule.

[JD001]

Originally Posted by Stephen W.

Well, not just today but over the past six weeks I've learned that:
Hours: We're open 24/7. doesn't meanwhat you and I think it means.
You see about six to seven weeks ago I started to loose satellite signal. That means frozen screens, pixelated images and then the dredded error message:
Your receiver has lost satellite signal.
This is due to Mother Nature had her big leaf brigade. So I stat calling arborists to get a quote on having the trees (in my yard) that are blocking my signal trimmed.
But does anyone answer my calls, returns my voice mails or replies to the on-line forums I've filled out. NOPE! Not a one.
I got angry and two weeks ago I started phoning and leaving very harsh comments about the lack of professionalism in the Tree Service business. Of all the messages I left I had only two guys return my calls. Both booked appoints to come out and quote me BUT! Only if there was more work then just trimming some trees to gain satillite service. Well it so happens that yes, I have a dozen trees that need to come down plus others that should be cut back. So I said yes but would they please quote things separately so I can get what I can afford done now and the rest at a later date.
Both said no problem and both came out the next day. The one came first thing in the morning, told me how ht would do everything and use big think mats to drive on and to protect the grass from falling limbs.
the second guy came late in the day and said basically the same things but no mats and more climbing less bucket truck due to the lack of back yard access.
I got a verbal quote from the second guy and an email quote from the first. I was surprised that both were near exactly the same for everything even though their individual parts were different.
Now here's the kicker, guy #1 won't come to just do the leaves so I can get my satellite back. He will only come to do everything and it's a two day job that he can't possible do before mid to late July!

The second guy says he'll stop by after his next job and trim the leaves. He'll come back to do the rest of the tree removal in July.
So I go with guy #2 and he's suppose to have been here last Thursday. I talked to him just now and he's hoping to get back to me by Friday of this week.
Not only do they not man their phones/web sites 24/7 they can't be bothered to keep a new customer informed of changes in their schedule.

I have a very strong feeling that there is moral or even a meme in this story.. You need to give the second guy the chop, get the first back, trim his quote.. Touch wood, you should get a clearer message..

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Stephen W.

Well, not just today but over the past six weeks I've learned that:
Hours: We're open 24/7. doesn't meanwhat you and I think it means.
You see about six to seven weeks ago I started to loose satellite signal. That means frozen screens, pixelated images and then the dredded error message:
Your receiver has lost satellite signal.
This is due to Mother Nature had her big leaf brigade. So I stat calling arborists to get a quote on having the trees (in my yard) that are blocking my signal trimmed.
But does anyone answer my calls, returns my voice mails or replies to the on-line forums I've filled out. NOPE! Not a one.
I got angry and two weeks ago I started phoning and leaving very harsh comments about the lack of professionalism in the Tree Service business. Of all the messages I left I had only two guys return my calls. Both booked appoints to come out and quote me BUT! Only if there was more work then just trimming some trees to gain satillite service. Well it so happens that yes, I have a dozen trees that need to come down plus others that should be cut back. So I said yes but would they please quote things separately so I can get what I can afford done now and the rest at a later date.
Both said no problem and both came out the next day. The one came first thing in the morning, told me how ht would do everything and use big think mats to drive on and to protect the grass from falling limbs.
the second guy came late in the day and said basically the same things but no mats and more climbing less bucket truck due to the lack of back yard access.
I got a verbal quote from the second guy and an email quote from the first. I was surprised that both were near exactly the same for everything even though their individual parts were different.
Now here's the kicker, guy #1 won't come to just do the leaves so I can get my satellite back. He will only come to do everything and it's a two day job that he can't possible do before mid to late July!

The second guy says he'll stop by after his next job and trim the leaves. He'll come back to do the rest of the tree removal in July.
So I go with guy #2 and he's suppose to have been here last Thursday. I talked to him just now and he's hoping to get back to me by Friday of this week.
Not only do they not man their phones/web sites 24/7 they can't be bothered to keep a new customer informed of changes in their schedule.

That's what chainsaws and polesaws are for.

[Stephen W.]

Originally Posted by Spuds

That's what chainsaws and polesaws are for.

My days of climbing trees and using chainsaws is well passed me. That's what "professional arborists" are for. (And why they charge big money!)

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Spuds

That's what chainsaws and polesaws are for.

We use chainsaws and tracksteers.

[The Red One]

Originally Posted by Stephen W.

Not only do they not man their phones/web sites 24/7 they can't be bothered to keep a new customer informed of changes in their schedule.

Sorry to hear your frustrations at getting good service Welcome to the real world.

I had an experience 2 months ago with similar services that was quite the opposite in outcome..

Mid march I really needed my old apple tree pruned, some large dead branches to cut and clear off the shade to my neighbours property, ( Pls when you install your new pools don’t do like my neighbour and stick it under a old fruit tree, you have a whole yard to place it in.) I had been investigating getting my tree trimmed for a few weeks as the early spring seems to be the right time to do it, saw my neighbour early one morning and he advised me my tree was dumping too many apples and leaves in his pool and what im I going to do about it? ( I fell off my ladder a few years ago and cracked a few ribs, I don’t do ladders anymore tree was overdue for some care) Called up my local professional that I had never used before, shows up 2 hrs later says he has no time for next few weeks to do the job, gives me a quote that is nice for my budget, calls me back around 3PM if his team could pass right away ? 6 guys show up and job gets done. While they were here one guy zip tied the neighbourhood Fibre cables that were hanging low to the ground, Propped up my aging fencing because it interfered with their access… Job well done!

Saw my neighbour a few days after and he never noticed the cut tree!

[pope]

Originally Posted by The Red One

. . . saw my neighbour early one morning and he advised me my tree was dumping too many apples and leaves in his pool and what im I going to do about it?

Generally, any part of a tree overhanging a property line (and the droppings) become the responsibility of the affected property owner, not the owner of the tree. However, if the adjoining property owner damages/kills the tree by trimming overhanging branches they become likable for the real cost of restoring the tree and in some states/jurisdictions the damages are automatically tripled.

Example: kill a neighbor’s 50 year old tree, become responsible for cost of transplanting comparable 50 year old tree (10’s-100’s of thousands of $, then tripled)

Being a nice neighbor is good and all, but wasn’t your problem.

[Stephen W.]

Originally Posted by The Red One

Sorry to hear your frustrations at getting good service Welcome to the real world.

I had an experience 2 months ago with similar services that was quite the opposite in outcome..

Mid march I really needed my old apple tree pruned, some large dead branches to cut and clear off the shade to my neighbours property, ( Pls when you install your new pools don’t do like my neighbour and stick it under a old fruit tree, you have a whole yard to place it in.) I had been investigating getting my tree trimmed for a few weeks as the early spring seems to be the right time to do it, saw my neighbour early one morning and he advised me my tree was dumping too many apples and leaves in his pool and what im I going to do about it? ( I fell off my ladder a few years ago and cracked a few ribs, I don’t do ladders anymore tree was overdue for some care) Called up my local professional that I had never used before, shows up 2 hrs later says he has no time for next few weeks to do the job, gives me a quote that is nice for my budget, calls me back around 3PM if his team could pass right away ? 6 guys show up and job gets done. While they were here one guy zip tied the neighbourhood Fibre cables that were hanging low to the ground, Propped up my aging fencing because it interfered with their access… Job well done!

Saw my neighbour a few days after and he never noticed the cut tree!

Actually, the guy I picked did some work for my youngest daughter. Cleaned up a mess left behind by Ontario Hydro when they took down a tree in her front yard. He then did a remarkable job in bringing down a huge old Oak that was about to split and might have damaged two homes. His crew was quick, professional and left things looking better then before. I was expecting the same. However, a major storm came through 5 weeks ago and now it seems everyone is cherry picking the best (big dollar) jobs and people like me are getting the shaft.

[The Red One]

Originally Posted by Stephen W.

However, a major storm came through 5 weeks ago and now it seems everyone is cherry picking the best (big dollar) jobs and people like me are getting the shaft.

Was that the storm that caused massive power failures?

I was on my way back from a family picnic on the Rideau at Kempville when an extreme weather warning was received. That storm was nasty, my niece near Ottawa was out for a few days. Saw lots of your Ontario crews still helping out at Tremblant last week.

[Stephen W.]

Originally Posted by The Red One

Was that the storm that caused massive power failures?

I was on my way back from a family picnic on the Rideau at Kempville when an extreme weather warning was received. That storm was nasty, my niece near Ottawa was out for a few days. Saw lots of your Ontario crews still helping out at Tremblant last week.

Yep that was it. Oldest daughter lives just north of Norwood and they were without power for 6 days.

[nextcar]

TIL that the Floppotron exists, and is on version 3.0: