Breakdowns cost more than Parts

[Magicman]

My recent breakdowns cost me a sawing job.  I have been calling customers and scheduling jobs as the names filter to the top of the list.  A call this morning confirmed that a customer had already gotten his logs sawed because when he called I told him that it could be a couple of weeks because I had an engine failure.  He assured me that I had not lost a customer, just a job.

I guess that I am greedy because I hate to loose anything.   ;D

[rasman57]

After lurking here for some time and often reading your posts, you are not at all greedy.  You are very attentive to your customers and craft!  Should be more folks just like you out there in the world sir.   Good luck getting up and running soon.

[drobertson]

this sounds like a good thing to me, sounds like he was under a time constraint, that was out of your control. If he is good to his word then you will surely get him back,  and with a new engine!   david

[Kingcha]

I will 2nd that rasman.

matt

[T Welsh]

Magic, It happens to the best of us! Last job I was on,I lost all hydraulics due to a bad solenoid. I was able to finish the job,but it embarrassed me in front of the customer. I check the operation of the mill before leaving for the job so I do not have any problems on the job site and on the customers time. But break downs happen,and if you have my kind of luck it happens at the worst time and place >:(. I take pride in my work and like everything to go as planned. But we all know about (Murphy s Law) Tim

[Magicman]

When you combine the engine failure, Pig Roast, and then the hydraulic motor, this was my longest down time ever.

This customer's name/job was not at the top of the list and I explained my situation to him when he called.  I knew that he might have to get another sawyer, but I was hoping that he had not.  We are OK for future jobs.

I will admit to it......it is a pride thing.   ;)

[WoodenHead]

I will admit to it......it is a pride thing.   ;)

Loosing one job (and likely keeping the customer) is nothing to be ashamed about.   

[logboy]

Unfortunately it happens. I've had carb issues that shut me down for hours on a job. A nose sprocket that welded itself solid.  Etc. If you're working all the time stuff is going to break, period. The best we can do is stay on top of the maintenance and bring along a tool kit and spare parts.