Really? They had to ORDER this motor?

Steamhead

Got a no-heat from a customer with a 30-something-year-old Beckett AFG. The original split-phase motor bearings were shot, and the oil company told the customer they don't stock replacement motors.

For a Beckett AFG.

Which would not only fit most of the smaller 3450-RPM Becketts except the AF-II, and similar-size Carlin, Sunray or Wayne burners as well.

They had to order it.

I went over there and put on a PSC motor, which we had in stock, and made sure the burner was still in proper tune. Problem solved.

Just when we think things couldn't get any worse in our industry, they find a way to do it.

I won't mention the oil company's name, but it's one of several in the Baltimore area that's owned by Star Gas.

EBEBRATT-Ed

That's the trend these day and it will only get worse. I have see "technicians" freak out if the replacement part isn't quite the same or god forbid has a different part #. And the people at the supply house most are usually no better. No imagination and no idea what their working on

HVACNUT

Why wouldn't you just put in the PSC motor in the first place? That's all I carry for 3450 rpm, or did I not read it right?

Steamhead

I don't know if they had PSC motors available or not......

STEVEusaPA

Looks like you can fix stupid.

JakeCK

Products of no child left behind, just wait until the common core kids make it into the work force. 

We've become a national test takers with little to no critical thinking skills. Any surprise people are unable to understand what the intent and purpose of something is?

bucksnort

The auto parts stores have led the pack.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Unfortunately the dumbing down of America.

Anyone old like me will remember being in school in the 50s, 60s, 70s and the Russians were beating us in the space race because they had launched "Sputnick" which i herd was about the size of a basketball. So we were behind in the space race and in danger of being behind Russia.

This was a common topic back then we had to have the best teachers, the best schools and pretty much we did. We had to catch up and we did

Then we closed most of the High School & Junior High shops and a lot of the voc schools. We grew up working on bicycles, then lawn mowers then cars. Now we play video games and make joke about how stupid plumbers are and plumbers butt crack jokes

I don't know whats going on now but it seems our hold on first place may not be very tight

mattmia2

It is decisions being made based on statistics by people who don't understand statistical analysis. they look at how much they sell of a part and what it costs to have it in inventory completely ignoring if it is important for someone to have that part immediately.

the same thing happens in evaluating customer service reps, they are evaluated on how many people they move through, not if they actually succeeded in helping them. Better yet if you have to come back they get to help 2 customers. What they are completely missing is you're going to stop asking them altogether and just order it online.

Kickstand55

I've been trying to get a new Power Venter for nearly 2 1/2 months. "Not in production". Claim: No workers, (but sales of air purifiers are roaring).
When I'm finished with the trade in a few years, I won't be concerned. I've done my time.
By then, there may be no electricity or fuel to run anything.

EBEBRATT-Ed

@Kickstand55

I am already retired. I miss it (coworkers & working) but.......I don't miss the agrivation at all LOL

Haven't you herd? It's going all electric. Heat pumps, electric baseboard, and electric boilers. All powered by wind, solar and a hope & a prayer

Kickstand55

Ed,
A lot going on out there. You mentioned "Dumbing down America". I believe there's some truth to that. Here's what I found. After Sputnik, America wanted all their students to become mathematicians because we were entering a space race with the USSR, (there's article on this), so, the New Math was born. I entered school in 1961 ripe for this modern way of arithmetic, but being who I am, I decided to take up Space! Only the brainiacs were getting it. I was going to be a plumber, unknown to myself at the time.
On the " Have you herd part", yes, I have and have to be careful, for I may receive a spanking noting my views. We are living in unprecedented times like never before. What happens in the next few years should be interesting to say the least. What will happen to our industry with the young not wanting to work, the serious drug problem, immigration and more is uncertain.
Side note: I can't find any qualified, I mean qualified candidates that have any experience even changing a sparkplug on a lawnmower or without some criminal or drug history. Where the others are is the big unknown. There is only one exception though. I was able to train a 19 year old 7 years ago while working at an employer. He is one in a million. He had the interest, willingness, drive and the skillset needed to learn this trade, along with much praise. There was no bell curve there, he took off like an F16 firing the afterburners straight to the clouds.
He bought a house at 23 with encouragement, like I did. Now, at 26, he's on his second house, making over 100k a year. He works for the brother of the business we were both at.
He still calls me frequently, and love to hear from him. One thing I always say is: I'm proud of you! And I am.
So, for now, I work alone, taking work I can do and turning away the rest.
So, at least one sucess story. Anyone else out there got one?

HVACNUT

@Kickstand55, I don't know how immigration comes into play. The area I work is Latino heavy because they're willing to work and learn. And these are multi million dollar homes. If you're referring to immigrants taking away jobs from Americans, well, they are Americans. They passed a test and everything. 

SuperTech

@Kickstand55 I have had the experience of attempting to train a few greenhorn apprentices all of them 19-23 years old. It's frustrating. I see too many that don't work out because they are either lazy and afraid to get dirty, addicted to drugs or alcohol or have no critical thinking skills or ambition.  

I have one success story. I started training a 22 year old in 2020. He asks tons of questions and has a great work ethic. He told me the first week about the goals he's working towards and how happy he is to have the opportunity to work towards achieving them.It was unbelievable the difference between him and the other ones who didn't work out. He's now doing installation and service work without any help. 

People who have what it takes to become successful in the trades are still out there. It's just become a lot harder to find them these days. 

clammy

I think this is a common thread w star gas , once there the only one left they will gouge and pull a Enron and stick it to everyone ,plus I know there also in the propane side of the business . They will never deliver anything close to the mom and pop service some oil customers are used to and there’s nothing for free they bill for a 1/4 zip screw totally corporate . It’s great if you support that sort of things but once all the eggs are in one basket your stuck and they hold the upper hand ,I know how they are they brought a place I used to worked at Way after I left , heard all the bs and it was all corporate w lots of bull promises . The old service manger left didn t think they treated there customers or the service guys the respect they deserved .again all corporate if that’s what u want just remember they follow there own rules which is money first over all things peace and good luck clammy