Stood Up

[Magicman]

In 10 years of sawing, I guess this was a first.  The customer drove out to the work site this morning and told me that the help was a "no show", so I buttoned everything up.  I had been there about an hour and was wondering where he was.  I will go back tomorrow morning.

Fifteen miles out makes it a 30 mile trip.  This is my all time best customer, but I still think that I am justified to charge him for that hour.

[GeneH]

Couldn't he be the help, don't know the circumstances (did he have on his good clothes, another obligation?) Anyway, enjoy your day off Magicman!

[Magicman]

Oh no, that is out of the question.  He is a logger and runs the entire operation.  He has a load of responsibility on his shoulders.  Part of my job is to not be another problem.

[GeneH]

I understand completely now. Having worked a big chunk of my life in the log woods I know about the no shows.....and it's Monday too Magicman, not a good time to look for everybody to show up. Sad, but true.

[redbeard]

Iam sure he excpects to pay your rate. You are fulfilling your end of the contract. It not your fault his hire didn't show.

[Hilltop366]

It would not be unreasonable to charge him, however a discount on the hour rate would look nice to your good customer and not cost you anything if you did not do any sawing (no gas, blades or wear on your sawmill). Not sure if you charge for the travelling?

[Magicman]

I will only charge him 20 bucks for the trip out this morning.  Remember, this is my best repeat customer that always has good,  clean, and well staged logs.

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,51744.0.html

[red oaks lumber]

if he's your best customer, not charging him this time will go alot farther than the measly 20 bucks your chargin.
just my opionion. are you the only sawyer in a 50 mile radius? is yes than you can get what you want ,if no he might become the best customer you had.

[Groo]

I's say $20 is more than reasonable. It screwed up making other plans for that day, not to mention time and fuel costs. I'd say $50 would be reasonable. If he is going to throw a fit about it, he'd throw a fit about something eventually, but this guy sounds like a professional. You know he'd want to get paid if he hauled all his equipment out and and was told "My wife wants it quiet in the woods for the picnic she planned for today. How about we give it a try tomorrow"

[clww]

$20 is more than reasonable, but he's been your #1 customer, so it all balances out. Monday mornings are a bad bet for all the help to show up.

[customsawyer]

You know your customer better than us but I would let let it slide if it was me. $20.00 will not make you or break you but it could pith off a customer as it was not his fault anymore than it was yours.

[Magicman]

Yes, it will slide.      What I got done here at home today was worth more than any loss that I had.

Tomorrow is another day and after we finish those 14' ERC logs, we will saw those two Pecan logs.  Then the 12' ERC, then the SYP, and then the Red Oak.




The butt Pecan log is 32".  The Logrite is new.   

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Hey Magic, what size boards will you be sawing the Pecan? Just wondering, I've never had the pleasure to saw any.

[Buck]

You gonna flat saw that pecan?

[Magicman]

Yup, all 1X8's flat sawn.

[WDH]

Uh oh, the wide board police are going to be on your tail  ;D.

[Magicman]

 :D  Yup.  I'm sure that these will go immediately to the kiln in Sumrall.  I'm guessing that it will be used for wall paneling in the customer's fish camp that he is rebuilding after the Mississippi River flood.

I love my job.   

[millwright]

How is the new logrite cant hook working? It looks like its getting a workout.

[Magicman]

GREAT !!!   I tried and I can't bend the cant hook handle.   :D

I may have to break down and get a couple of 48's since that is my "go to" size around the sawmill.

[millwright]

I just recently got a 48" one and it works great.

[Banjo picker]

I got two of the mill specials with the base ball bat handles....I think they are 30" ...They have turned every log I have needed to roll on the lift arms...I can see where MM would need a bigger one working mobil on uneven ground...Tim

[Magicman]

I had to get all of the way out to the end of the 60" to roll that Pecan log.  He has a FEL there on the job site, but I just wanted to try that Logrite out.

[John Mc]

If he's such a good customer, you might want to let the charge for your time slide -- especially if this is the first time it happened. I'd let him know, however: "Normally, I'd charge for time time and mileage to make the run out here for nothing. Since you have been such a good customer over the years (throw in a few compliments/examples of why you like dealing with him), and this is the first time, I won't charge you for it."

[Collima]

If it was my best customer that is usually on top of things I wouldn't charge. If it was a new customer I would charge $120.  My 2 hr minimum rate.

[Magicman]

I did not charge him and we finished that job this morning.  A bit over 16Mbf.