Concerning how would you handle this

Unknown

a discussion. I feel somewhat obligated by my inner most feelings to say something. This is not directed at Chuck or anyone else I just feel a burden here to say something about the importance of doing what is right within our own personnel set of beliefs and conduct of our business.

For many years up until my 30th birthday I found doing people in was the best way to go. Get them before they get you. Money was my God and I made a lot of it.

In 1970 after an amazing spiritual transformation I found myself at war with these previous feelings. I do not want to make this a long thread nor do I want to preach.

This today is my philosophy if you would, for the last 33 years I have had many opportunities to give away my services in many capacities and at times I was at war with that old nature but I have found that when you do good and give with all of your heart, mind and soul to others it does not leave you broke and destitute. The opposite has happened in my life, it seems every time I give something away I am rewarded sometimes 10 fold. I find it is better to give than to receive. When friends, neighbours, church ask me to do something I never charge that way I will never have to be concerned about a break in fellowship with anyone. So far it has worked. Have I been taken advantage of, sure I have but that is on them not on me. I will never lend peole money it is better to give it to them and not have to worry about them paying me back. This is a wonderful way of life believe me it is. I also sleep very well nights. I am wise enough I hope to realize that not everyone believes this way and I am careful not to push my convictions on others as the one in whom I believe is all powerful and all knowing. He admonishes me to let my light shine before men, that they may see my good works and glofify God. Works will not get me into heaven I know that but after you are assured of heaven it is the good works which build up a reward in heaven. I do not want to stand before Jesus empty handed. Now I am starting to Preach and I promised not to do that , Sorry!! I love ya guys.

David Sutton_3

Tim that was great!!!

i two find myself doing things in secret for those who can't, i feel good deep inside, yes ,like you i to have been taken advantige of, but like you said so well its on them not me , i did what i felt was what i was surpose to do.i was given gifts by way of my skills, its for me to give back to those who don't have, for gifts can be given and taken away... let us that have succeded help those who have not.. those by no means of there own have fallen short in life.. and save up ours till needed...David

Mike T., Swampeast MO

From the Kyoto Global Warming Treaty Talks

Saudi Arabia insists that it be guaranteed aid if the treaty is ratified and renewable energy grows in usage!

I think they DO need some of your preaching Timmy!

James W.Stamo

Worked for telco

I retired from a Baby Bell Telco last year as a repairman,.If you went out on a repair job and you isolated the trouble
to the customer's system you charged the customer $98.00 the first 1/2 hour and $45.00 every half hour after that.
I can't tell you how many times I had to deal with plumbers, heating contractors and mechanics those three trades
especilly always argue with me that the charges were too high or they didn't want to pay or it was nothing and so and on.It is human nature I guess.Now when I was on a residense call the charges were about half of the busines calls.Many a times I used to go on a call for some old lady whose pfone was out of order and she was all alone, and the trouble in her equipt.Shoul I charge her ? According to company rules I should without any.hesitation.But most of the time I didn'r.Having said that I was still getting paid by the hour, the truck and all the tools belonged to the company so I could be generous with the company's money, but and this is the big one If my boss found out
that I didn't charge the little old lady or charged less on purpose, he could have fired me on the spot, all of 36 years down the drain and no pension.You see I was taking a bigger risk than this fellow who got shortchanged by his neighbor.

PS Doctors were the biggest whiners of them all, I never saw a doctor who was happy with his phone service
or willing to pay

mp1969

Proof

A law of nature "Give once and receive at least three times" Thanks for your refreshing post!

MP 1969

Brian_19

Word of mouth

I have done many small jobs for neighbors and good customers for free. Now, when I say small I mean jobs that take less than 10 or 15 minutes to do and require no material. It all depends on the situation. Keep in mind these little jobs only come up a few times a year. I'm not saying all jobs under 15 minutes are free. I think doing this promotes good word of mouth which is the best form of advertising. I never have advertised in the newspaper nor am I even listed in the yellow pages. So when these things come up I take the small loss and consider it marketing.
I would rather lose $50.00 and have a happy neighbor than make $50.00 and have unhappy neighbor. That unhappy neighbor will probably spread bad word of mouth.

chuck shaw

i also

have done free work, I did two houses plumbing and heating for Habitat for Humanities no charge. I have done work for people who dont two nickles to rub together and said I would send a bill, then "forgot" to do it. These people needed a hand and I helped them. I am not opposed to helping those who need it.

If this lady had called my home number (which i know she has in her phone book) and asked for a favor, I would have done it for nothing, but she called my buisness line and said she needed my services. She and her husband both have good jobs, I dont know what they make, none of my concern. She could have paid the bill and not called again, she could have called and questioned it. If she had offered to pay as I was walking out the door, I may have refused it. I dont know.

I have given of myself to those who need it, this person does not. I think what bothers me about it, is she decided that she was going to pay me a certian amount. That is all my services were worth to her. I was insulted, that she placed so little value on what I do.

I really didnt mean for this to take up so much time. I just was wondering what was the best way to express to her, that I felt insulted and hurt. It is not an issue of money, I am giving her check, and an additional donation to the building fund of the local YMCA.

I am really sorry that this topic has caused such and uproar on the wall

Chuck Shaw

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Unknown

Chuck don't be sorry it makes

us all take a good long deep look at ourselves and how we go about our daily lives. It is very difficult sometimes to seperate the business side from the human side. I for one know the kind of person you are and the deep concern you have for others is evident.

We are all in this together and every day is a new day to learn.

The late Jim Valvano a basketball coach who died several years back from cancer gave a speach at the ESPY awards. He said every day should include the following:

TAKE TIME TO LAUGH

TAKE TIME TO THINK

TAKE TIME TO CRY

I like that and as I think about each day I hope I can do that. Dan has that in his life when he talks about going to the bird feeder. It is at those times we often laugh, think or maybe cry.

Duncan_6

Uproar?

Are you kiddin? That was the best I've read in a long time, interesting as... well... people.

Sorry you felt insulted and hurt, but you sure gave us something to think about, Chuck. I think we got some good mileage out of it.

This is stuff we probably don't give two seconds time to think about during a normal day, we just get pissed, bury it, and let it bug us more than we should.

I enjoyed it, and thank you.

scrook_2

the business number...

that detail changes the the story a bit more. I see better where you were coming from. Try not to let'm get you down, and have a Merry Cthristmas!

jackchips_2

Excellent post, Tim.

My late Father-in-Law told me, when I was going into business, to never chase a customer for money. Fortunately, for the final nine years in business I did not have one bad debt.

Of coarse there are a few on this site who would immediately say it's because I didn't charge enough-probably not. The point I wish to make is that one day, when having been in business for only a couple of years, our refrigerator went. We weren't to sure what we could afford but had planned on going to pick one out.

An hour before we left, a contractor who had owed me a final payment on a project walked up our driveway and handed me enough money to buy a better fridge than Lynn and I could have bought. He told me he had felt bad about not paying and because I never chased it. At the time he owed the money he said he couldn't afford it and thanked me for being understanding.

Lynn and I did and continue to believe that when you do good to others you will be paid back.

Thanks for the walk down memory lane Tim.

Steve Ebels

I think it was Frank from Philly

Who I first saw use the phrase, "Non bastardi carborundum". His translation was "Don't let the **** wear you down".

There are plenty of those who we run into in life. We have to take time to stay focused on doing what is right and good or we will go crazy. Don't let it bug you Chuck. Keep on paying it ahead and you will find that it will be paid back.

jim_14

how about those electricians

who report an "outside" problem, wait all day for you to show up and then you show them the problem is inside the new wiring they installed? Try handing them or their customer a bill for 98 bucks!

Your right about those doctors though, never want to pay for anything and every job for them is an "emergency".

I guess its the same across all trades, people will spend big bucks on themselves (new car, mink coat, flat screen tv) but hate to pay for labor. Personally Ive found that very well off people who didnt make it from scratch are the ones who give you the hardest time and the guy whos living from check to check knows better then to ask you to work for free.. Funny isnt it??

Wayco Wayne

Hey Chuck,

Those who know you or know of you through the Wall and other venues know you r value and worth. The first time I heard of you was when you donated your 50/50 winnings at Wetstock I to the Charity, I think it was Martha's Table.(?)I've gotten caught in things like this before and I do believe I will never learn. I'm a sucker for helping people out and will always be. When helping friends and neighbors I try to remember to ask them what their expectations are concerning payment. I also mention what they are worth in the business place. If we can't come to an agreement I go along with their expectations and don't help them again. I'm a pretty passive guy. Life's too short. Keep being yourself. From my view it a good person to be. WW

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DanHolohan

W1

That was Bill Curry from County Supply who gave back the money. Chuck was there for me at the Memorial Day weekend project in Harvard Square when my daughter, Colleen, asked for help. He's always there for a friend. Thanks, Chuck!

Bill Nye

At wetstock I

......Chuck Shaw paid for dinner for about 14-16 people! I was there, so was cheese and Kathy and M/M Felcie and Ken S. I forget who else braved the rain on our walk from the hotel.

If I didn't get a chance to thank you, Thanks. Let me know if the new job doesn't work out, I was just putting a resume together .

Mad Dog

Me, Mark Hunt, and Murph weren't hungry enough

to leave that great bar. We closed it that night too. Look! Chuck is a stand up guy, the neighbor is an ingrate any way you slice it. Mad Dog

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Mad Dog

That's commendable Brian, but do you have a

home with mortgage? Wife, kids? Do you pay workman's comp on yourself or your men? Do you hire American Citizens? Do you have a shop? Do you pay you or your men health benefits? a retirement plan? I don't know bout you, but I've done more than my fair share of "freebies". Once I began to pay for all of the above, there is always a charge (even a 20 spot) except for close friends and family only, and the destititute old WW II vet and his wife. Mad Dog

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kevin_5

I LIKE your preaching Timmie!

And maybe some guys here won't get to hear it anywhere else.
I'm reminded of a time in Sunday School the teacher, (a friend of mine) mentioned the abortion issue. A guy in back said that it was a political issue and not to be discussed in church. Dennis replied, "That's funny, you mention it outside of church and people say it's a religious issue and not to be discussed in secular society." Some things people just aren't comfortable hearing about and want to ignore them forever. Many people spend more time planning a two week vacation than where they will spend eternity. Just to put this in the context of hydronics, I imagine many of the DEAD MEN were devout, God-fearing men who heard and discussed a lot of good preaching in their day! Kevin

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