Dear Miss Diary,
We have a short day today. Then we do not come back to work until 2010! With 2010, BRING ON THE CARS! We are ready to be busy again. Last January, the flood gates opened Jan. 1. Hope for the same kind of January. We keep getting a better kind of customer and that is good. A police man told me yesterday that they were investigating the previous owner for painting cars for drugs. That explained a lot. We also get repeat customers. Not so good for the poor person who just got their car fixed and got hit again, but we are glad they come back here. The worst one was a nice young man who picked up his car late afternoon and was hit by someone that night. He was a mess. He told me he grabbed the guy by his lapels put his face to his bumper cover. He said, "Smell that!!! that is brand new paint, still wet!!!" None the less, he calmed down and we got him back to pristine shape.
I am thinking of any new years resolutions to make....."get more cars and get on the black side of the line. (stay out of the red) I am sure I can come up with some personal, but you do not need to hear those.
We had a customer drop his car yesterday and needed a ride home. I volunteered. I picked him up at the door and proceed to follow his directions. His first question was, "How long have you worked for MAACO?" I said about 15 months. He said, "Do they treat you well?" At that time I had to fess up....I own the place. Then the conversation began in earnest. He had an interesting story. He said two years ago, he gave a $20.00 tip to a bartender and told her to play the lottery with it. She won 1.6 million. So, every 12/30 since then he has given an young gal some money and told her to play the lottery. He decided the girl this year will be ABBY. He gave me $50.00 to give to Abby and tell her the story and play the lottery.
We all enjoyed the story and Abby took her assignment very seriously. She won $2.00 of which she will split with the gentleman when he comes to pick up his car. Yes, Miss diary, John Q. Public is a very interesting fellow and we enjoy all our encounters and turn them into stories to remember.
I wish you a safe and fun New Year's eve. I have told all my friends to call if they need bail now that I know how to do it. (I bailed one of my employees out recently)
I most of all wish everyone a safe, healthy and prosperous 2010. I pray that this recession lifts by God's Hands and all who seek work find it. In the meantime, lets hold each other up in prayer, for financial security. Lord, let us just be normal again. Hugs and kisses to you Miss Diary! See you next year. Lynn Moore
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Bah Humbug!!
Beloved, It is my favorite time of the week...Sunday Morning. I wake up when I feel like it and do what I feel like. I feel like talking to you. Everyone who ownes their own business at this moment in history share their worries quietly. We just look at each other and no words are needed. Just the look says it all, God be with you, I feel your pain, hang in there, I hope you make it, Be strong, etc., etc.
I have two weeks till January and x numer of dollars. We so desperately need cars these next two weeks. I know from history, January gets busy fast. It is hang in there until then. My guys, what a tough time to not be able to get 40 hour pay checks. I pray with the group most mornings and have been reading verses pertaining to the real meaning of Christmas. Lets all not forget what this Holy Season is about.
Being an OWNER of a business, (warning) is like being a mother to a large family. I worked for a very large business for many years, and was manager of a division of that company. I felt a lot of pressure and responsibility.......Nothing like being the owner. The weight and responsibility of being an owner is not compairable to anything I have ever experienced. I do love and care about the/my men. I took a young man who was doubled over with a tooth ache to my dentist. I took care of it out of my personal money. Soda is his what we all call him. I have never seen anyone in so much pain. In my mind, there was nothing else to do. He had no ins. or money or a dentist. I am sure many men owners would have thought it not their problem. For me, is that a fault or an attribute. If you look at it from a financial point of view, men would call me weak. From a human view, and I am human, a woman, mother and Christian. Soda hugs me good bye every day and says, "I love you Mom" before he leaves each day. I say I love you too. sometimes, when I am at the counter with a customer and he comes in to say Goodbye, I catch the look of awe on the customer's face. I act like it is business as usual and I know the customer is seeing a rare relatiohnship between boss and employee. They can tell by skin color that it IS boss and employee. sometimes, I wonder what they think, if they wonder what makes our business so special.
This week I did something I had never had to do before in my life, I bailed one of my employees out of jail. It was completely nuts that they locked John up. He had a fix-it ticket. When he went to court he was told the fine would be between 100-200 dollars. I fronted him $200. I got a phone call from him telling me they locked him up for an additional $105. He was near tears and so sorry to call me. After 15 minutes, (of which I had some hysteria, shhhhh) I got a policeman on the line. I had to speak my peace to the peace officer, "You mean to tell me you are locking up a man who has a full time job over 105 dollars! He gave you 200 of the fine. I happen to know you are requied to accept 10 percent and let them go to pay the fine later! This man works for me and I need him at 8 am tomorrow morning! I cannot believe you are locking him up for 10 days for$105!" I was told...."Mam, that is the way we do thing in Ohio" What was I, from outer space??? I could continue to comment on the Ohio thing, but I have many dear friends who are in law inforcement and I respect what they do everyday. I paid the fine with a credit card and John was let go and was at work the next morning. Another experience for me and my knowledge of the world continues to grow.
We had great customers this week, everyone was very happy. I had one gentleman pick up his vehicle and leave his other one for body work and paint. That is a great complement to the work my son and his crew does in the back and my daughter-in-law's customer service skills.
I gave out bonus monies on Friday. Since I cannot do anything small, I wrote a speech recapping the funny stuff and hard stuff of the last year 2009 to read. We all enjoyed remembering: The time a customer had left a rubber snake under the passenger seat of their car. John, a large man got into the car to move it into the shop and JUMPED OUT SCREAMING and ran through the shop. I could hear the laughter and fun in the front office. there was the time when the power went out and Hugh, the manager decided to plug in a light stand to help them keep working on a car. He actually plugged it in before the "oh yea" moment hit. They all laughed pretty hard, together. In the spring, I bought a new sign. It is huge, on a pole and lit at night. It is beautiful! part of it blew down in a wind storm recently. Waiting for the sign guy to put it back. Being prepared for anything and everything is the only way to stay sane. If you let it, it will take you to that famous farm that is know to be humerous. The first year was hard not to let each thing be a mountain. Now I know something will happen every day and look at it as a adventure. I am on the monkey train and jumping off would mean the end, so I am enjoying the ride and cannot wait to see what is around the next bend.
God Bless all druring this Holy Season. Lynnie
I have two weeks till January and x numer of dollars. We so desperately need cars these next two weeks. I know from history, January gets busy fast. It is hang in there until then. My guys, what a tough time to not be able to get 40 hour pay checks. I pray with the group most mornings and have been reading verses pertaining to the real meaning of Christmas. Lets all not forget what this Holy Season is about.
Being an OWNER of a business, (warning) is like being a mother to a large family. I worked for a very large business for many years, and was manager of a division of that company. I felt a lot of pressure and responsibility.......Nothing like being the owner. The weight and responsibility of being an owner is not compairable to anything I have ever experienced. I do love and care about the/my men. I took a young man who was doubled over with a tooth ache to my dentist. I took care of it out of my personal money. Soda is his what we all call him. I have never seen anyone in so much pain. In my mind, there was nothing else to do. He had no ins. or money or a dentist. I am sure many men owners would have thought it not their problem. For me, is that a fault or an attribute. If you look at it from a financial point of view, men would call me weak. From a human view, and I am human, a woman, mother and Christian. Soda hugs me good bye every day and says, "I love you Mom" before he leaves each day. I say I love you too. sometimes, when I am at the counter with a customer and he comes in to say Goodbye, I catch the look of awe on the customer's face. I act like it is business as usual and I know the customer is seeing a rare relatiohnship between boss and employee. They can tell by skin color that it IS boss and employee. sometimes, I wonder what they think, if they wonder what makes our business so special.
This week I did something I had never had to do before in my life, I bailed one of my employees out of jail. It was completely nuts that they locked John up. He had a fix-it ticket. When he went to court he was told the fine would be between 100-200 dollars. I fronted him $200. I got a phone call from him telling me they locked him up for an additional $105. He was near tears and so sorry to call me. After 15 minutes, (of which I had some hysteria, shhhhh) I got a policeman on the line. I had to speak my peace to the peace officer, "You mean to tell me you are locking up a man who has a full time job over 105 dollars! He gave you 200 of the fine. I happen to know you are requied to accept 10 percent and let them go to pay the fine later! This man works for me and I need him at 8 am tomorrow morning! I cannot believe you are locking him up for 10 days for$105!" I was told...."Mam, that is the way we do thing in Ohio" What was I, from outer space??? I could continue to comment on the Ohio thing, but I have many dear friends who are in law inforcement and I respect what they do everyday. I paid the fine with a credit card and John was let go and was at work the next morning. Another experience for me and my knowledge of the world continues to grow.
We had great customers this week, everyone was very happy. I had one gentleman pick up his vehicle and leave his other one for body work and paint. That is a great complement to the work my son and his crew does in the back and my daughter-in-law's customer service skills.
I gave out bonus monies on Friday. Since I cannot do anything small, I wrote a speech recapping the funny stuff and hard stuff of the last year 2009 to read. We all enjoyed remembering: The time a customer had left a rubber snake under the passenger seat of their car. John, a large man got into the car to move it into the shop and JUMPED OUT SCREAMING and ran through the shop. I could hear the laughter and fun in the front office. there was the time when the power went out and Hugh, the manager decided to plug in a light stand to help them keep working on a car. He actually plugged it in before the "oh yea" moment hit. They all laughed pretty hard, together. In the spring, I bought a new sign. It is huge, on a pole and lit at night. It is beautiful! part of it blew down in a wind storm recently. Waiting for the sign guy to put it back. Being prepared for anything and everything is the only way to stay sane. If you let it, it will take you to that famous farm that is know to be humerous. The first year was hard not to let each thing be a mountain. Now I know something will happen every day and look at it as a adventure. I am on the monkey train and jumping off would mean the end, so I am enjoying the ride and cannot wait to see what is around the next bend.
God Bless all druring this Holy Season. Lynnie
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sunday Morning Recap
Good Morning Dearest Diary: It is good to sit with you again. It is raining and what a wonderful time to enjoy a rare treat, a cup of coffee and sharing my experiences with you. It is close to Christmas and slow in the body shop world. I am running 1/2 off all paint, put up my banner, with the permission of the City, (whom thinks of themselves as gods ruling their little world) We are slow with walk ins, but with such a sale, manage to sign them all up. We also have a base of trade business and I am thanking God as if we did not have them, we would not have any business at all.
I want to share an experience we have had on going for the last few weeks. A Lady names Lacy Gilligan, a self proclaimed princess and a person better than all else on earth, you know the type, has a very old volvo. She came in some time ago and dealt with Greg, daily to include asking him out. She is about 15 years older than Greg. She and Greg went over all her dings and dents and circled them with a crayon. She chose to stay with the Manufacture color, wise move. She came in while the car was in the body shop and approved all the repairs. She called Greg everyday to flirt and feel important. Her Volvo came out BEAUTIFUL. Hugh had our detailer wet sand and buff a few spots to make it flawless. FYI, anytime someone says they want it perfect, we tell them to go to God's Body Shop. This car was near perfect. As is the nature of black there are always a ding or two that is not visible until new paint is put on it. We tell people who want black so they are prepared. Remember, she saw the car in the body shop and circled the repairs herself. We actually found several more and fixed them for free.
Well, when she came in, Greg was out sick and I had to deal with her. She was in full Paris Hilton mode. She is the type who hates women and has never met a male she does not try to wrap around her finger. She proceed to talk down to me and act like everthing about the car was awful. I couldn't stand her and told her I would have Greg call her. She told me I did not have to bother "Little Greg". I told Oh, I believed I would be bothering little Greg.
Her chief complaint was, "The car looked painted"! It was painted.......I would guess it was painted when she bought it as well.... None of us could see what she was talking about. It was a beautiful base clear.
Getting to the point. She next latched onto Hugh as Greg would not bow down to her. She came in to go over her car with Hugh. We played Good Cop, Bad Cop. I made sure she hated me and would see Hugh as her savior.
By the way, when she left the second time, in a huff, she stated she was going to call her people.....I guess her people let her down as she came back in to try to get her way again.
She was walking the car with Hugh, flirting, yelling - the full monty. I stood closer and interjected to make her angry and hate me, so Hugh could be the good guy. I told her to watch her tone, that none of the stuff she wanted would come free, etc., She stated, "I have been dealing with you guys for three weeks!" I shot back with a little smug laughter, "We have been dealing with YOU for three weeks!"
At that point, I went into my office and got all my stuff and left as I had an appointment. Hugh said politely, Good bye Lynn and I said the same back. He played her savior at that point and we got her where we wanted her. She at that time asked to speak to Hugh alone. They went into my office. Hugh listened to her tell him how she woke up Sunday and prayed for her car and felt he was God's answer to her car prayers. Hugh listened and thought what a nut! He was professional at all time and did not engage, just listened........Who the hell prayes for their car???
We laughed and talked about the entire experience. She never knew he was my son and that we played her to get her where we wanted her. Gone! What a piece of work that gal is. I still wonder who her "people" were.
My Beloved, the next few weeks will be a real challenge. The Holidays always are. We will get through them and after the first of the year will be very busy. The stress shows in all of us as paychecks are not full, I cannot break even, but we are blessed by our Lord with a great crew and the love we have for each other. We will get through.
At night or early am, when I am alone in the shop, I walk the shop and feel a wonderful feeling knowing I own this. It is pride, I believe. Pride that we do things right, we are honest and survived a first year. We had a man bring his pride and joy to us to be painted and he drove all the way from Indiana to come to us. I believe we are turning around the bad rap from the previous owner. That is a wonderful feeling!
God Bless all of you and lets never stop praying for our soldiers and each other.
Lynn Moore, Body Shop Gal
I want to share an experience we have had on going for the last few weeks. A Lady names Lacy Gilligan, a self proclaimed princess and a person better than all else on earth, you know the type, has a very old volvo. She came in some time ago and dealt with Greg, daily to include asking him out. She is about 15 years older than Greg. She and Greg went over all her dings and dents and circled them with a crayon. She chose to stay with the Manufacture color, wise move. She came in while the car was in the body shop and approved all the repairs. She called Greg everyday to flirt and feel important. Her Volvo came out BEAUTIFUL. Hugh had our detailer wet sand and buff a few spots to make it flawless. FYI, anytime someone says they want it perfect, we tell them to go to God's Body Shop. This car was near perfect. As is the nature of black there are always a ding or two that is not visible until new paint is put on it. We tell people who want black so they are prepared. Remember, she saw the car in the body shop and circled the repairs herself. We actually found several more and fixed them for free.
Well, when she came in, Greg was out sick and I had to deal with her. She was in full Paris Hilton mode. She is the type who hates women and has never met a male she does not try to wrap around her finger. She proceed to talk down to me and act like everthing about the car was awful. I couldn't stand her and told her I would have Greg call her. She told me I did not have to bother "Little Greg". I told Oh, I believed I would be bothering little Greg.
Her chief complaint was, "The car looked painted"! It was painted.......I would guess it was painted when she bought it as well.... None of us could see what she was talking about. It was a beautiful base clear.
Getting to the point. She next latched onto Hugh as Greg would not bow down to her. She came in to go over her car with Hugh. We played Good Cop, Bad Cop. I made sure she hated me and would see Hugh as her savior.
By the way, when she left the second time, in a huff, she stated she was going to call her people.....I guess her people let her down as she came back in to try to get her way again.
She was walking the car with Hugh, flirting, yelling - the full monty. I stood closer and interjected to make her angry and hate me, so Hugh could be the good guy. I told her to watch her tone, that none of the stuff she wanted would come free, etc., She stated, "I have been dealing with you guys for three weeks!" I shot back with a little smug laughter, "We have been dealing with YOU for three weeks!"
At that point, I went into my office and got all my stuff and left as I had an appointment. Hugh said politely, Good bye Lynn and I said the same back. He played her savior at that point and we got her where we wanted her. She at that time asked to speak to Hugh alone. They went into my office. Hugh listened to her tell him how she woke up Sunday and prayed for her car and felt he was God's answer to her car prayers. Hugh listened and thought what a nut! He was professional at all time and did not engage, just listened........Who the hell prayes for their car???
We laughed and talked about the entire experience. She never knew he was my son and that we played her to get her where we wanted her. Gone! What a piece of work that gal is. I still wonder who her "people" were.
My Beloved, the next few weeks will be a real challenge. The Holidays always are. We will get through them and after the first of the year will be very busy. The stress shows in all of us as paychecks are not full, I cannot break even, but we are blessed by our Lord with a great crew and the love we have for each other. We will get through.
At night or early am, when I am alone in the shop, I walk the shop and feel a wonderful feeling knowing I own this. It is pride, I believe. Pride that we do things right, we are honest and survived a first year. We had a man bring his pride and joy to us to be painted and he drove all the way from Indiana to come to us. I believe we are turning around the bad rap from the previous owner. That is a wonderful feeling!
God Bless all of you and lets never stop praying for our soldiers and each other.
Lynn Moore, Body Shop Gal
Saturday, December 5, 2009
here we go again!
Hey Lady,
"This befell and behappened and became and was, O my best beloved, when the tame animals were wild" (Rudyard Kipling)
It is Saturday afternoon and I am sitting in my office as my estimator, Greg, has taken it upon himself to paint his brother's car. How hard can that be? We shall see. I have at least an hour to wait....and write. Greg has never painted a car before but always appears to be a quick study. I hope for his brother's sake, who is at his side, that he truly is a fast learner. Nonetheless, it has been an adventure they will both remember and laugh over many an alcoholic beverage.
It is the beginning of the second week of December. As is the case during the Holidays, we are slow. Shop guys are edgy. Damn, I am edgy. So, I gulped and made the decision to throw up the 1/2 price sale banner for a few weeks. We will be very busy....with the hiding hinky. As you will recall, nothing brings out the "best" in people like a half price sale. I already have a little gal who won't pick up or pay for her car as she is mad that it "looks painted"! Well, we painted it. It is a beautiful base/clear black. It looks great and above standards. We wet sanded and buffed it even though she did not pay for us to. We also fixed several dings for free. I might venture to guess, it looked painted when it was new and when she brought it in as it has always been painted. She seems on an ego thing and high maintenance. She said she was calling, "her people". I told her storage charges start today as she stormed out. I am wondering if she plans to steal it out of the lot without paying. I cannot imagine "her people" advising her to do so.
I let a guy go a while back whose chief position here was "breaker of all tools, daily". He backed two cars into the garage doors, broke everything he touched did as little work as he possible could. You see, poor man was addicted to unemployment and I was hell bent on not letting him get it. He became better and better daily at sluffing, breaking, disturbing others at work, sitting on the john and his other daily duties. I found out about his addiction when he applied for unemployment on his vacation and sick days. I gave him credit for his creative ways of trying to cheat his way onto the couch with a beer, as his new career. As Greg said, he had "anal glaucoma".....couldn't see his ass going to work.
My daughter in law, Abby is doing estimates on a regular basis and she is doing great! The customers love her and she is so customer service oriented and detailed that she is great! I so seldom do an estimate anymore, I do not think I have done one since the gentleman disrobed. I need to keep my fingers in the pot or I will forget how to cook.
I took a mental health break and got away from the shop for a week. I have a good group of people, they held down the fort. But, enough of the relax, we have a half price sale to drive us forward into 2010! Thank you Lord for all your blessings. Keep all my guys safe. talk soon love, Lynn Moore
"This befell and behappened and became and was, O my best beloved, when the tame animals were wild" (Rudyard Kipling)
It is Saturday afternoon and I am sitting in my office as my estimator, Greg, has taken it upon himself to paint his brother's car. How hard can that be? We shall see. I have at least an hour to wait....and write. Greg has never painted a car before but always appears to be a quick study. I hope for his brother's sake, who is at his side, that he truly is a fast learner. Nonetheless, it has been an adventure they will both remember and laugh over many an alcoholic beverage.
It is the beginning of the second week of December. As is the case during the Holidays, we are slow. Shop guys are edgy. Damn, I am edgy. So, I gulped and made the decision to throw up the 1/2 price sale banner for a few weeks. We will be very busy....with the hiding hinky. As you will recall, nothing brings out the "best" in people like a half price sale. I already have a little gal who won't pick up or pay for her car as she is mad that it "looks painted"! Well, we painted it. It is a beautiful base/clear black. It looks great and above standards. We wet sanded and buffed it even though she did not pay for us to. We also fixed several dings for free. I might venture to guess, it looked painted when it was new and when she brought it in as it has always been painted. She seems on an ego thing and high maintenance. She said she was calling, "her people". I told her storage charges start today as she stormed out. I am wondering if she plans to steal it out of the lot without paying. I cannot imagine "her people" advising her to do so.
I let a guy go a while back whose chief position here was "breaker of all tools, daily". He backed two cars into the garage doors, broke everything he touched did as little work as he possible could. You see, poor man was addicted to unemployment and I was hell bent on not letting him get it. He became better and better daily at sluffing, breaking, disturbing others at work, sitting on the john and his other daily duties. I found out about his addiction when he applied for unemployment on his vacation and sick days. I gave him credit for his creative ways of trying to cheat his way onto the couch with a beer, as his new career. As Greg said, he had "anal glaucoma".....couldn't see his ass going to work.
My daughter in law, Abby is doing estimates on a regular basis and she is doing great! The customers love her and she is so customer service oriented and detailed that she is great! I so seldom do an estimate anymore, I do not think I have done one since the gentleman disrobed. I need to keep my fingers in the pot or I will forget how to cook.
I took a mental health break and got away from the shop for a week. I have a good group of people, they held down the fort. But, enough of the relax, we have a half price sale to drive us forward into 2010! Thank you Lord for all your blessings. Keep all my guys safe. talk soon love, Lynn Moore
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Dear Madam diary,
It is Sunday pm and I am thinking of tomorrow. Sunday is always ruined by thoughts of the next day. I want to mention my Christian pen pal. His name is Dauntel. He sends letters and constantly encourages me to keep going and to walk in the word of God. He prays for us and is waiting for the day he can be part of the kaos. Thank you Dauntel for your prayers and words of encouragement. I cannot tell you how many times a letter from you arrived just as I was giving up.
Gentle readers! wonderful news! we are CERTIFIED. That is a big deal in my business and not an easy thing to do. I told Hugh, my son, in typical BOSS fashion, "I want to be certified, make it happen" He did it. Stress galore!!!!!! from both of us, but he did it!!!!! Way to go my son, I love you more everyday and am so proud of you. Now, what are you going to do for me tomorrow??????
(typical boss fashion)
On to new body shop frontiers, Hang in there with me Body shop friends, we have just begun to have fun. The lady who has given up it all to fix your damn cars!! I love you all and can stink eye anyone who needs it.
God be with all our soldiers tonight. all my love, Lynn M.
It is Sunday pm and I am thinking of tomorrow. Sunday is always ruined by thoughts of the next day. I want to mention my Christian pen pal. His name is Dauntel. He sends letters and constantly encourages me to keep going and to walk in the word of God. He prays for us and is waiting for the day he can be part of the kaos. Thank you Dauntel for your prayers and words of encouragement. I cannot tell you how many times a letter from you arrived just as I was giving up.
Gentle readers! wonderful news! we are CERTIFIED. That is a big deal in my business and not an easy thing to do. I told Hugh, my son, in typical BOSS fashion, "I want to be certified, make it happen" He did it. Stress galore!!!!!! from both of us, but he did it!!!!! Way to go my son, I love you more everyday and am so proud of you. Now, what are you going to do for me tomorrow??????
(typical boss fashion)
On to new body shop frontiers, Hang in there with me Body shop friends, we have just begun to have fun. The lady who has given up it all to fix your damn cars!! I love you all and can stink eye anyone who needs it.
God be with all our soldiers tonight. all my love, Lynn M.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Dear Madam,
It is Friday Morning and that means "crunch" day. It has been a bitch of a week!!! It never fails when you do a good deed, like painting a car for free for a friend, or doing extra work, or helping out someone who is in a real bind, those are the jobs that bite you in the ass. A young man, Manfred wrecked his vehicle bad. For a third of what it should have cost, we have fixed his "wheels" and put a new paint job on for free. We even gave him the expensive service. He was in and asked we use the original "Eddie Bauer" colors if we could find them instead of his color. Well we did! and it looks awesome!!! Now he wants his original colors back.......pouting....pouting......No thanks for the beautiful FREE expensive paint job, just "I want that ugly tan back, instead of the beautiful Golden Tan". OY. We will put back his rattle can tan, finish his car and I will not let him come back. I guess people only appreciate what they pay for. Then they know the value. Also, learned, never do an estimate for a drunk guy. They do not remember what they said when they are sober. Tidbits I am learning upon the way. What a legacy to pass on to grandkids! I think I will keep this between us, Madam.
We have a lot of cars coming out today. Hope the biz makes some money this week. It is going to be a busy month.
As an aside, I lost my cat of 16 years a few weeks ago. He was my best friend, and that is not easy to get over. I have taken to having his cat shaped ceramic urn in my bed at night. We talk. I have talked to other people who have lost pets, I am not so unusual so stop thinking what you are thinking! It is part of the grief process. Lets keep this to ourselves, Madam. I am not ready for the rubber room, I have got a business to run!!! Love you my friend. Lynn Moore
It is Friday Morning and that means "crunch" day. It has been a bitch of a week!!! It never fails when you do a good deed, like painting a car for free for a friend, or doing extra work, or helping out someone who is in a real bind, those are the jobs that bite you in the ass. A young man, Manfred wrecked his vehicle bad. For a third of what it should have cost, we have fixed his "wheels" and put a new paint job on for free. We even gave him the expensive service. He was in and asked we use the original "Eddie Bauer" colors if we could find them instead of his color. Well we did! and it looks awesome!!! Now he wants his original colors back.......pouting....pouting......No thanks for the beautiful FREE expensive paint job, just "I want that ugly tan back, instead of the beautiful Golden Tan". OY. We will put back his rattle can tan, finish his car and I will not let him come back. I guess people only appreciate what they pay for. Then they know the value. Also, learned, never do an estimate for a drunk guy. They do not remember what they said when they are sober. Tidbits I am learning upon the way. What a legacy to pass on to grandkids! I think I will keep this between us, Madam.
We have a lot of cars coming out today. Hope the biz makes some money this week. It is going to be a busy month.
As an aside, I lost my cat of 16 years a few weeks ago. He was my best friend, and that is not easy to get over. I have taken to having his cat shaped ceramic urn in my bed at night. We talk. I have talked to other people who have lost pets, I am not so unusual so stop thinking what you are thinking! It is part of the grief process. Lets keep this to ourselves, Madam. I am not ready for the rubber room, I have got a business to run!!! Love you my friend. Lynn Moore
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Dear Madam of wonderful listening skills, I am here to talk to you again.
It is mid morning, I think it is a Wednesday. I have a story that was scary and of no fun, potentially serious, but true to the "body shop" world, down right hilarious! As you can imagine, working 6 days a week, owning your own business during a ression, etc, etc, can be stressful. I took my 12 hour firearms safety class on saturday and had no time to rest and wind down on Sunday. Monday AM, my estimator, Greg was out so it was just Abby and I in the front.
I was doing an estimate for an elderly gentleman for his Mercedes s series, and by the way, if you have one, be careful, the headlight oem cost was $2,200.00! So anyway, I am almost done and SUDDENLY, I am doubled over with chest paint, sweat, paint up my neck to my ears and am slurring my words. Having taken a CPR class, I knew what that meant. Abby was at the front counter doing an estimate on her computer, kinda unaware of what I was feeling. I was trying to hurry and ended up just printing his estimate and handing it to him. I went into my office and grabbed a baby asprin from my purse, (something I learned to carry after the CPR class) and took it. I paged my son, Hugh to come up front, as Abby was with a customer. I could not get the pain to stop by changing positions.
What I was not aware of, due to my sudden condition, was that the customer I was doing the estimate for had removed his clothes during the end of the estimate! Abby told me later she could not believe I had allowed that and was ignoring it. I was totally not aware!
Hugh came pretty quickly to the front, in time to see a man walking out in white boxers, black sox and no shirt on. He walked in my office, a little stunned, and asked me what was wrong. I wispered, I think I may be having a heart attack, He said, because that guy flashed you? I am what? Hugh is what?? He thought I was kidding because of the semi nude dude, I was not aware of the semi nude dude, so He was completely confused. I just said again call 911. He did and of course, we could hear sirens while he was on the phone. Even when the paramedics were there, Hugh was still confused about the boxer shorts guy and asked the parametic if that casued my problem. Medic guy said, "WHAT!" He said we have to ask your Mom that.
They hooked me up in my office and the ekg was ok, but there were some blips, do not know the name of them, at 10-15 second intervals that indicated potentially something had happened or there was stress on the heart. The paramedics promised if I went to the hosp, get checked out, I would be back to work in two hours. Well, I stayed two days. Did many tests, and my heart is as tough as my dads. (he is 86 and parties and has more fun than I do!) My mother has heart history, so that was part of why they kept me.
Having passed all tests, the verdict is I need to worry less, work less, eat better and sleep more. Oh My Lovely Lord, don't we all!!!
PS, now I have to put a sign on my door, "please do not disrobe during your estimate, Thank you, Management"
It is mid morning, I think it is a Wednesday. I have a story that was scary and of no fun, potentially serious, but true to the "body shop" world, down right hilarious! As you can imagine, working 6 days a week, owning your own business during a ression, etc, etc, can be stressful. I took my 12 hour firearms safety class on saturday and had no time to rest and wind down on Sunday. Monday AM, my estimator, Greg was out so it was just Abby and I in the front.
I was doing an estimate for an elderly gentleman for his Mercedes s series, and by the way, if you have one, be careful, the headlight oem cost was $2,200.00! So anyway, I am almost done and SUDDENLY, I am doubled over with chest paint, sweat, paint up my neck to my ears and am slurring my words. Having taken a CPR class, I knew what that meant. Abby was at the front counter doing an estimate on her computer, kinda unaware of what I was feeling. I was trying to hurry and ended up just printing his estimate and handing it to him. I went into my office and grabbed a baby asprin from my purse, (something I learned to carry after the CPR class) and took it. I paged my son, Hugh to come up front, as Abby was with a customer. I could not get the pain to stop by changing positions.
What I was not aware of, due to my sudden condition, was that the customer I was doing the estimate for had removed his clothes during the end of the estimate! Abby told me later she could not believe I had allowed that and was ignoring it. I was totally not aware!
Hugh came pretty quickly to the front, in time to see a man walking out in white boxers, black sox and no shirt on. He walked in my office, a little stunned, and asked me what was wrong. I wispered, I think I may be having a heart attack, He said, because that guy flashed you? I am what? Hugh is what?? He thought I was kidding because of the semi nude dude, I was not aware of the semi nude dude, so He was completely confused. I just said again call 911. He did and of course, we could hear sirens while he was on the phone. Even when the paramedics were there, Hugh was still confused about the boxer shorts guy and asked the parametic if that casued my problem. Medic guy said, "WHAT!" He said we have to ask your Mom that.
They hooked me up in my office and the ekg was ok, but there were some blips, do not know the name of them, at 10-15 second intervals that indicated potentially something had happened or there was stress on the heart. The paramedics promised if I went to the hosp, get checked out, I would be back to work in two hours. Well, I stayed two days. Did many tests, and my heart is as tough as my dads. (he is 86 and parties and has more fun than I do!) My mother has heart history, so that was part of why they kept me.
Having passed all tests, the verdict is I need to worry less, work less, eat better and sleep more. Oh My Lovely Lord, don't we all!!!
PS, now I have to put a sign on my door, "please do not disrobe during your estimate, Thank you, Management"
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Dear What's your name.....HI, Today, October 13th, 2009 is our one year anniversary! Who'd thought a lady and her son and daughter in law could open a body shop and make it work. We knew NOTHING about what we were getting into. Here we are one year later....smarter, meaner and really good with cars. We had lunch brought in for our crew, actually, my daughter in law and her mom did it, Abby, and we celebrated and told stories about the last year. We have two employees who have been with us since day one. They had stories. Their favorite story was the day I found out from my attorney that the previous owner had screwed me out of 25 grand. That his attorney had given him the money and he ran, instead of paying his bills as stated in the agreement. I blew a gasket! I had been cleaning out the skanks office and tossing his crap in a box, like a nice girl. I was so mad, I grabbed the box, in my cowboy boots I stomped the entire length of the shop screaming obscenities about Hank the Skank and ended up at the dumpster and threw the box in it. My body guy said I screamed at him if he talked to Hank to tell him, "&@&)*^$#@%^&**&^$#@%&(*^%!!!!!" and that I threw his shit in the trash. They told me one of the techs actually dove behind a car when he saw me coming! They said two of the guys tip toed out and peeked into the dumpster to see what the heck I had thrown out. I was crying tears of anger and screaming. No wonder they ran and dove for cover. But we all laughed about it today.
Remember Washington??? First post, I think, he called today and someone stole his BMW! He wanted copies of all his repair work, probably for ins. It would be hard for the police to miss, it is covered in rhinestones.
It is late and I am sitting waiting for my painter to finish clearing a couple of cars. I have got to go to the gun shop and buy ammo as we are all going to the range Thursday to practice. I am going to say "good night" for now and go check on the progress in the paint booth. Still sane as of today, but getting hinky. God Bless, Lynn Moore
Remember Washington??? First post, I think, he called today and someone stole his BMW! He wanted copies of all his repair work, probably for ins. It would be hard for the police to miss, it is covered in rhinestones.
It is late and I am sitting waiting for my painter to finish clearing a couple of cars. I have got to go to the gun shop and buy ammo as we are all going to the range Thursday to practice. I am going to say "good night" for now and go check on the progress in the paint booth. Still sane as of today, but getting hinky. God Bless, Lynn Moore
Friday, October 9, 2009
Dear Miss Diary,
No, I have not forgotten you but do forgive me. I have been overwhelmed with personal challenges, but will not bore you dear reader with such. I know the crazy shop sagas are what quench your thirst. (and mine sometimes) We have actually had mostly happy customers these last few weeks. None the less, I have some observations to share.
Back in the day, when one had an accident, one called insurance and paid the deductible and had the car repaired. Then, consumers got wiser and searched body shops to find one who charged a little less and perhaps they did not have to pay some or all of their deductible. Now, in our day, people come in and tell us the estimate is out of pocket, no insurance do they have. "I only want this fixed, not that, no cheap, not that dent....." and by the way, here is a copy of my insurance estimate. Usually dated before the date of my estimate....get it?
Now, we look at the insurance estimate and compare it to ours, and there is more repair, such as a new headlight, etc. and we ask the customer if they want us to do that. Back up...all hell will break loose! Of course they want all the work on the ins. estimate done, but they do not think they should pay one cent more than our original estimate!
Last week an insurance company called several times to see if Daisy had dropped her car yet. I said no, she kept calling and changing her apt. (That was my tip off that it was not "out of pocket". She picked up her insurance paid for rental several days before she dropped the car. The last time the insurance company called they asked me to double check as Daisy was on the other line swearing her car was here! I told her no, it was not. So Daisy dropped it the next morning. The is a doosie! I will exhale when her car is gone. She had the screaming fit over a piece of molding not on our estimate, but on her ins. estimate. I told her if she wanted it, she would have to pay for it. The screaming went on until I called the police. She promised to come back Monday AM and straighten me out with her uncle the sheriff. Folks, I prayed on Sunday that God would give her an Valium before Monday Morning. He did. She called and asked how much the part was, and said to order it and she would pay for it. Her car is not done yet, but I also pray that all goes well when she comes to get it. People, car insurance is not a profit center!!!!!!! Do not try to make money off your accident!!!! You can usually get it done quality and save some of your deductible, but do not look at as a way to make money.
Yours truly,
PS-next post the trials of Demmett Harpo
No, I have not forgotten you but do forgive me. I have been overwhelmed with personal challenges, but will not bore you dear reader with such. I know the crazy shop sagas are what quench your thirst. (and mine sometimes) We have actually had mostly happy customers these last few weeks. None the less, I have some observations to share.
Back in the day, when one had an accident, one called insurance and paid the deductible and had the car repaired. Then, consumers got wiser and searched body shops to find one who charged a little less and perhaps they did not have to pay some or all of their deductible. Now, in our day, people come in and tell us the estimate is out of pocket, no insurance do they have. "I only want this fixed, not that, no cheap, not that dent....." and by the way, here is a copy of my insurance estimate. Usually dated before the date of my estimate....get it?
Now, we look at the insurance estimate and compare it to ours, and there is more repair, such as a new headlight, etc. and we ask the customer if they want us to do that. Back up...all hell will break loose! Of course they want all the work on the ins. estimate done, but they do not think they should pay one cent more than our original estimate!
Last week an insurance company called several times to see if Daisy had dropped her car yet. I said no, she kept calling and changing her apt. (That was my tip off that it was not "out of pocket". She picked up her insurance paid for rental several days before she dropped the car. The last time the insurance company called they asked me to double check as Daisy was on the other line swearing her car was here! I told her no, it was not. So Daisy dropped it the next morning. The is a doosie! I will exhale when her car is gone. She had the screaming fit over a piece of molding not on our estimate, but on her ins. estimate. I told her if she wanted it, she would have to pay for it. The screaming went on until I called the police. She promised to come back Monday AM and straighten me out with her uncle the sheriff. Folks, I prayed on Sunday that God would give her an Valium before Monday Morning. He did. She called and asked how much the part was, and said to order it and she would pay for it. Her car is not done yet, but I also pray that all goes well when she comes to get it. People, car insurance is not a profit center!!!!!!! Do not try to make money off your accident!!!! You can usually get it done quality and save some of your deductible, but do not look at as a way to make money.
Yours truly,
PS-next post the trials of Demmett Harpo
Monday, August 31, 2009
Hello there diary lady! I got a "comment" from my lovely daughter. I love you too Honey! She is a wonderful daughter and a dear mother of two.
First thing this morning a gentleman brought in two wipers from his car that we painted a week ago. He claimed we broke them. Well, no one would remove a wiper blade to paint a car. they are just covered with paper along with the windshield. We did not touch his wiper blades. He stated LOUDLY, that his 20+ some year old car was "Perfect"! Just Perfect! The fact that his wipers were original, rusty and 20+ years old may have had something to do with his problem, but I did not. I sent him packing. Again and again I ask, what is wrong with people. Did he really just realize that they were rusty and about to break??? or see an opportunity before his eyes? My theory is that when the new paint is on the car, everything else starts to look it's age. Then they notice. None the less, we keep on painting cars. Keep focus on the good people of the world!! Have a wonderful day. Lynn M.
First thing this morning a gentleman brought in two wipers from his car that we painted a week ago. He claimed we broke them. Well, no one would remove a wiper blade to paint a car. they are just covered with paper along with the windshield. We did not touch his wiper blades. He stated LOUDLY, that his 20+ some year old car was "Perfect"! Just Perfect! The fact that his wipers were original, rusty and 20+ years old may have had something to do with his problem, but I did not. I sent him packing. Again and again I ask, what is wrong with people. Did he really just realize that they were rusty and about to break??? or see an opportunity before his eyes? My theory is that when the new paint is on the car, everything else starts to look it's age. Then they notice. None the less, we keep on painting cars. Keep focus on the good people of the world!! Have a wonderful day. Lynn M.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Dear Dear Diary Lady, Whats up? It has been a busy week at the shop. Our new painter is doing great! that is good. I got short with a body man over going too fast and not doing perfection, and his "Good Morning" to me was not his usual greeting. Either the customer is mad or an employee. I choose the employee, rather the customers be happy.
My Daughter-in-law, Abby is the office manager. She is a constant delight. She bubbles ALL day, no matter what, the customers love her. The shop loves her. She keeps us all laughing. She is on top of every detail and can multitask like you have never seen. Her latest thing is she bought a bunch of chocolate and has it hidden. Anyone who needs an afternoon "fix" has to ask Abby, then enjoy an outrageous demonstration of some sort of act of getting the chocolate from crazy places. Last thing in the world one would expect from that pretty face, but none the less funny as hell. She demonstrated for my son, her husband and he was concerned regarding the stress getting to her and her mental health.
Greg is our estimator, sales rep. Greg is from North Carolina and you just have to say "HI" to him and you know it. The customers love him. A customer brought his car in and wanted to pay $199.00 for all the work. Greg did his estimate, explaining to him the prep and repair on the panels before the paint and what body work was needed. By the time he was done, and the customer agreed it was needed, the estimate was $700+. The customer, happy and laughing told Greg, "His mouth ought to be in the circus"! We all laughed over that.
Just wanted to give you a little info on our front staff. We all get along and work hard. That is the best thing about having a family business.
My Daughter-in-law, Abby is the office manager. She is a constant delight. She bubbles ALL day, no matter what, the customers love her. The shop loves her. She keeps us all laughing. She is on top of every detail and can multitask like you have never seen. Her latest thing is she bought a bunch of chocolate and has it hidden. Anyone who needs an afternoon "fix" has to ask Abby, then enjoy an outrageous demonstration of some sort of act of getting the chocolate from crazy places. Last thing in the world one would expect from that pretty face, but none the less funny as hell. She demonstrated for my son, her husband and he was concerned regarding the stress getting to her and her mental health.
Greg is our estimator, sales rep. Greg is from North Carolina and you just have to say "HI" to him and you know it. The customers love him. A customer brought his car in and wanted to pay $199.00 for all the work. Greg did his estimate, explaining to him the prep and repair on the panels before the paint and what body work was needed. By the time he was done, and the customer agreed it was needed, the estimate was $700+. The customer, happy and laughing told Greg, "His mouth ought to be in the circus"! We all laughed over that.
Just wanted to give you a little info on our front staff. We all get along and work hard. That is the best thing about having a family business.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
A quiet Saturday at the shop
It is after 2:00 on a Saturday at the shop. We have done several estimates in the morning and the afternoon is quiet. I have done all my financials and am passing time until 3:00 when I can lock up, go to the bank and call it a day. I plan to take a nap when I get home. I now have 4 employees who owe me money. I do not want to be a bank. I take it out of their pay, gradually. Encourage them to BE HERE AND CLOCK IN AND MAKE MONEY!" so they do not need to borrow money. I need a full time bank clerk to keep this all straight. I never let them off the hook. I would like to, but just cannot do that.
We had a good week. Lots of happy people. A couple of evil ones. I was prepared for the one evil guy and we had a staring contest. Weirdo. I asked him what he wanted after my son told him we would fix the two small problems he found and why he was continuing to complain so much. He did the stare at me for a full minute before he answered. I could see the writing on his pea brain inside his scull....."do I mess with this Bi..h or not?" I, head held high, stared right back, not flinching a muscle. He backed down and said he was going inside to take care of the crap...."Excuse me!" I said, "I mean pay the bill" was his response. I said Thank you and went back to what I was doing.
Another week, and now I am ready for my one day off. It seemed like a long week, but thankfully it was a busy and productive one. My body guy who came in today, cannot get his car started. that means I have to give them a ride home. That means going downtown. God has been good to me and I believe through faith in His expecting the same from me. So, downtown we go. May God Bless all who read my little stories. Lynn
We had a good week. Lots of happy people. A couple of evil ones. I was prepared for the one evil guy and we had a staring contest. Weirdo. I asked him what he wanted after my son told him we would fix the two small problems he found and why he was continuing to complain so much. He did the stare at me for a full minute before he answered. I could see the writing on his pea brain inside his scull....."do I mess with this Bi..h or not?" I, head held high, stared right back, not flinching a muscle. He backed down and said he was going inside to take care of the crap...."Excuse me!" I said, "I mean pay the bill" was his response. I said Thank you and went back to what I was doing.
Another week, and now I am ready for my one day off. It seemed like a long week, but thankfully it was a busy and productive one. My body guy who came in today, cannot get his car started. that means I have to give them a ride home. That means going downtown. God has been good to me and I believe through faith in His expecting the same from me. So, downtown we go. May God Bless all who read my little stories. Lynn
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Jane Fonda
My Dear Friend, Ms. Diary,
I just have one quick note to share with you. I have a car in my lot that has a bumper sticker on it which says, "SCREW JANE FONDA". Now, if you are over 50, you would chuckle and remember the day. If you are younger, like Abby, you would look at me and say "what is that about, I know who Jane Fonda is, an older lady actress, but why would anyone hate Jane Fonda???" Yes, back in the day, what a piece of antiquity, we took a picture. If anyone of you do not understand, go ask Grandpa!
Very sincerely yours, Lynn
I just have one quick note to share with you. I have a car in my lot that has a bumper sticker on it which says, "SCREW JANE FONDA". Now, if you are over 50, you would chuckle and remember the day. If you are younger, like Abby, you would look at me and say "what is that about, I know who Jane Fonda is, an older lady actress, but why would anyone hate Jane Fonda???" Yes, back in the day, what a piece of antiquity, we took a picture. If anyone of you do not understand, go ask Grandpa!
Very sincerely yours, Lynn
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Top of the morning to you, Miss Diary!! coming to you early this morning in the dark at my desk....waiting, waiting, on the electrician. It is Tuesday and I am in early as I have yet another new employee starting at 7 am. I have come to understand that among body shop employees the acceptable way to quit is to not show up one day and not to call. If someone is more than two hours late, with no call, I know they have quit. That is just how it is done. To say, "I quit" or (heavens no) give notice, I now know is just foolish for me to expect. Sometimes, I am a slow learner.
I have had a letter on my desk from a gentlemen regarding his mother. Ms. Aldondo McCracken. Aldondo brought her car in to be repainted. She seemed like a very nice elderly lady. Seemed. When she came to pick up her car she blamed us for "fading" her molding. OY! We explained to her, very nicely, that one cannot fade molding. Often when an older car is painted it becomes more apparent that the moldings have faded over time. Aldondo went from 0 to 10 in a nano second and declared us incompetent and left is such a huff that we did not have a chance to tell her we could flat black her molding if she wanted us to.
She came back with the car two weeks later, again angry. She had tree sap on the hood. She said that was out fault because we used crappy paint. We use very expensive paint, by the way. She admitted that she probably parked too close to a tree, but that was not her fault and she demanded we repaint her car. I told her no. That tree sap was not covered by the warranty. We offered to try to get it off for her, but that I could not do it for free. Again with the 0 to 10, name calling and off she went.
Then, the letter from her son arrived addressed to Mr. Moore. He explained in his letter that his mother was very upset with her paint job. Duh. He said she came in with over spray all over her car and we told her that we would not take it off unless she paid us. He further stated that she had black spots all over her car, (sap) that was a sign of a bad paint job. He states that his mother was told to keep her car in the garage! We agreed with her when she said it was not a good idea to park under a tree. That one was the closest to the truth in the letter.
Now, I ask you, Miss Diary, how do I respond to her son??? without offending him regarding his mother's two sided story telling?! I plan to call him, I have thought about this enough, and just be upfront, say, bring the car in, talk to me in person. Yep, this will be fun. Thank you Aldondo!
I have had a letter on my desk from a gentlemen regarding his mother. Ms. Aldondo McCracken. Aldondo brought her car in to be repainted. She seemed like a very nice elderly lady. Seemed. When she came to pick up her car she blamed us for "fading" her molding. OY! We explained to her, very nicely, that one cannot fade molding. Often when an older car is painted it becomes more apparent that the moldings have faded over time. Aldondo went from 0 to 10 in a nano second and declared us incompetent and left is such a huff that we did not have a chance to tell her we could flat black her molding if she wanted us to.
She came back with the car two weeks later, again angry. She had tree sap on the hood. She said that was out fault because we used crappy paint. We use very expensive paint, by the way. She admitted that she probably parked too close to a tree, but that was not her fault and she demanded we repaint her car. I told her no. That tree sap was not covered by the warranty. We offered to try to get it off for her, but that I could not do it for free. Again with the 0 to 10, name calling and off she went.
Then, the letter from her son arrived addressed to Mr. Moore. He explained in his letter that his mother was very upset with her paint job. Duh. He said she came in with over spray all over her car and we told her that we would not take it off unless she paid us. He further stated that she had black spots all over her car, (sap) that was a sign of a bad paint job. He states that his mother was told to keep her car in the garage! We agreed with her when she said it was not a good idea to park under a tree. That one was the closest to the truth in the letter.
Now, I ask you, Miss Diary, how do I respond to her son??? without offending him regarding his mother's two sided story telling?! I plan to call him, I have thought about this enough, and just be upfront, say, bring the car in, talk to me in person. Yep, this will be fun. Thank you Aldondo!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Bonjour Madam Diary,
Good morning Madame Diary: It is Sunday, no people to deal with. I slept in 3 segments last night. I am having my once a week pleasure, a cup of coffee. I can usually recover from the overwhelming frustration and see things clearly with a good night sleep.
I am remembering "Shake Down Week" for some reason. Shake down week is the first week you open your shop. It was described to me as "disorganized hell" and to be ready. The person who worked shake down week with us was a young man named Mitch Todd. Mitch is a high energy, good looking young man with a streak of mischief in him. A very wide streak. I barely remember that week. I know I had to set up payroll, taxes, business license and insurance, etc, etc....and write over 80 estimates, fire an employee, deal with 15 people who were told to come back by the previous owner for a free paint job. People so filled with rage at him and frustration that many men had tears in their eyes when they came in. I had to figure out the computers and the program we bought and the bank. We were there at the shop at 6:00am and left around midnight. The shop was full of cars, not touched and no work orders, names etc., to be found. As we tracked each and everyone down and found out why they were there, we learned they had all paid in advance. of course.
There were also 7 barrels of toxic waste sitting in the shop, They were written into the purchase agreement that HE DEVIL would have picked up($150.00 per barrel). Most of the tools were gone that were there the day before during the walk through. By the third day, as I was numb to any further shock, the owners of the air compressor came to pick it up, the compressor HE DEVIL sold to me. No parts vendors or any vendors would deal with me as HE DEVIL owed everyone and I mean EVERYONE, money.
As I said, I do not remember that week for the most part. Mitch took charge of most everything and kept us moving. (running) I lost 10 pounds that week. Was too stunned to even cry. What Mitch kept telling me was to TRUST NO ONE WHO WALKS IN THAT DOOR. He put a sign on the inside of my door. I still have it there. Mitch taught Hugh and I to write estimates, to yell back at customers who yell first and fire crappy employees. He tried to teach me to be tough and laugh at the thugs, not do anything that was above basic service levels as when they do not pay, they do not appreciate. I couldn't toughen up in a week, I had to change my core and am still at it. It seems like "shake down week" lasted 6 months. I dealt with HE DEVIL legal issues for 6 months straight. My legal fees were $5,000. a month. There is another one I pray for, May he recieve his just rewards. Some of the people he owed money to called me at work and threatened to come to my shop and beat the crap out of me. Men! If I did not pay them the money HE DEVIL owed them. Stop in anytime, I told them. I have 911 on speed dial.
Mitch Todd was a very important part of my life for the next 9 months. He called every week or I called him. He talked me through handling customers, vendors and the previous owner. Listened to me cry with frustration and anger almost daily. He listened to me cry over marriage issues. He even called a customer and pretended he was a police officer to get him to pay his bill. Did not work, but we had a good laugh over the the waste of human skin guy. I have one big secret I have kept from Mitch, if he ever comes back and we share a drink again, I will tell him. I believe I would surprise that young, tough skinned fellow. I would like to see him again, and wish him the best where ever he may be.
I had no idea what I had gotten us into, but Mitch was there to explain it to me. If he was still around, he would tell me to tell these people to %$^*(^%#$@@$% and then take their money. They aren't worth it. He is right, everytime we go above and beyond and give a customer services they did not pay for to help them, THEY are the ones who complain and cuss at us the most. I think they think if they got something, they could get more. People have told me "I broke their radio or something in the car". I say "Sir, your radio was broken when you brought the car in" They go, "ok" and leave. But they gotta try, huh! I have begun to hate humanity and especially hate this town.
Dear Lord, please give me the strength to deal harshly with the dishonest people and not let the anger reflect on the good people of the world. Help me be discerning and know a liar and thief when I meet them and not become so jaded that I hate all people because of the bad ones.
Thank your Madame Diary for your friendship. You are the best!
I am remembering "Shake Down Week" for some reason. Shake down week is the first week you open your shop. It was described to me as "disorganized hell" and to be ready. The person who worked shake down week with us was a young man named Mitch Todd. Mitch is a high energy, good looking young man with a streak of mischief in him. A very wide streak. I barely remember that week. I know I had to set up payroll, taxes, business license and insurance, etc, etc....and write over 80 estimates, fire an employee, deal with 15 people who were told to come back by the previous owner for a free paint job. People so filled with rage at him and frustration that many men had tears in their eyes when they came in. I had to figure out the computers and the program we bought and the bank. We were there at the shop at 6:00am and left around midnight. The shop was full of cars, not touched and no work orders, names etc., to be found. As we tracked each and everyone down and found out why they were there, we learned they had all paid in advance. of course.
There were also 7 barrels of toxic waste sitting in the shop, They were written into the purchase agreement that HE DEVIL would have picked up($150.00 per barrel). Most of the tools were gone that were there the day before during the walk through. By the third day, as I was numb to any further shock, the owners of the air compressor came to pick it up, the compressor HE DEVIL sold to me. No parts vendors or any vendors would deal with me as HE DEVIL owed everyone and I mean EVERYONE, money.
As I said, I do not remember that week for the most part. Mitch took charge of most everything and kept us moving. (running) I lost 10 pounds that week. Was too stunned to even cry. What Mitch kept telling me was to TRUST NO ONE WHO WALKS IN THAT DOOR. He put a sign on the inside of my door. I still have it there. Mitch taught Hugh and I to write estimates, to yell back at customers who yell first and fire crappy employees. He tried to teach me to be tough and laugh at the thugs, not do anything that was above basic service levels as when they do not pay, they do not appreciate. I couldn't toughen up in a week, I had to change my core and am still at it. It seems like "shake down week" lasted 6 months. I dealt with HE DEVIL legal issues for 6 months straight. My legal fees were $5,000. a month. There is another one I pray for, May he recieve his just rewards. Some of the people he owed money to called me at work and threatened to come to my shop and beat the crap out of me. Men! If I did not pay them the money HE DEVIL owed them. Stop in anytime, I told them. I have 911 on speed dial.
Mitch Todd was a very important part of my life for the next 9 months. He called every week or I called him. He talked me through handling customers, vendors and the previous owner. Listened to me cry with frustration and anger almost daily. He listened to me cry over marriage issues. He even called a customer and pretended he was a police officer to get him to pay his bill. Did not work, but we had a good laugh over the the waste of human skin guy. I have one big secret I have kept from Mitch, if he ever comes back and we share a drink again, I will tell him. I believe I would surprise that young, tough skinned fellow. I would like to see him again, and wish him the best where ever he may be.
I had no idea what I had gotten us into, but Mitch was there to explain it to me. If he was still around, he would tell me to tell these people to %$^*(^%#$@@$% and then take their money. They aren't worth it. He is right, everytime we go above and beyond and give a customer services they did not pay for to help them, THEY are the ones who complain and cuss at us the most. I think they think if they got something, they could get more. People have told me "I broke their radio or something in the car". I say "Sir, your radio was broken when you brought the car in" They go, "ok" and leave. But they gotta try, huh! I have begun to hate humanity and especially hate this town.
Dear Lord, please give me the strength to deal harshly with the dishonest people and not let the anger reflect on the good people of the world. Help me be discerning and know a liar and thief when I meet them and not become so jaded that I hate all people because of the bad ones.
Thank your Madame Diary for your friendship. You are the best!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Dear Diary, friend, I could not handle today in the manner I wish I could. I took it all inside and it ate at me until I got home and drank Port and ate ice cream. I cried and cursed in frustration.
A man came in with a Jag we had repaired and painted earlier this week. It was beautiful and he said that. He was angry because he hosed it off and let it dry in the sun. Well, duh, he had some hard water spots. He denied doing that said we put the spots there. My son explained to him that they would come off, with waxing the car, but he had to wait a few more weeks to wax. my son even waxed a small portion of his trunk lid to show him they came off. This jerk then demanded that Hugh, my son wax his entire car then and there. We both said no, but Hugh offered him a bottle of the wax we use and he shoved his hand away. He got in his car and said "I am never coming back" I said "OK". What is wrong with a guy like that! We tell people that the rain won't hurt the car, but not to wash it for 4 weeks. We tell them they can hose it off, but dry it gently with a chami.
My next problem was so awful, I am not sure I can write about it without getting emotional again. This one will play it out on Monday and after some time, I may be able to share. I do know one thing, I am done trying to do nice things for anyone. They are the ones who think if they get something out of you, they can threaten, cuss etc and you will give them more.
We delivered several cars today to very appreciative people, who loved the work and the service. When will I turn the corner and focus on those wonderful people and not go to pieces over the human trash I have to deal with?
I am becoming a hater of people. This is completely opposite of who I was and I am somewhere in the middle. It is late and I am usually much better in the morning. So, I apologize. I also want to thank my wonderful friend who called, listened to my frustration and even got me to laugh. Yes, a homicide trumps an nasty, threatening tramp who signed up for a $298 paint job and was mad that it was not the $1,000.00 service. Silly me, I should give it all away and close my doors next month. At least I am on the right side of the dirt today. good night to all my friends and great customers. To the human garbage I deal with, I will always pray you get all you deserve and more. Lynn Moore
A man came in with a Jag we had repaired and painted earlier this week. It was beautiful and he said that. He was angry because he hosed it off and let it dry in the sun. Well, duh, he had some hard water spots. He denied doing that said we put the spots there. My son explained to him that they would come off, with waxing the car, but he had to wait a few more weeks to wax. my son even waxed a small portion of his trunk lid to show him they came off. This jerk then demanded that Hugh, my son wax his entire car then and there. We both said no, but Hugh offered him a bottle of the wax we use and he shoved his hand away. He got in his car and said "I am never coming back" I said "OK". What is wrong with a guy like that! We tell people that the rain won't hurt the car, but not to wash it for 4 weeks. We tell them they can hose it off, but dry it gently with a chami.
My next problem was so awful, I am not sure I can write about it without getting emotional again. This one will play it out on Monday and after some time, I may be able to share. I do know one thing, I am done trying to do nice things for anyone. They are the ones who think if they get something out of you, they can threaten, cuss etc and you will give them more.
We delivered several cars today to very appreciative people, who loved the work and the service. When will I turn the corner and focus on those wonderful people and not go to pieces over the human trash I have to deal with?
I am becoming a hater of people. This is completely opposite of who I was and I am somewhere in the middle. It is late and I am usually much better in the morning. So, I apologize. I also want to thank my wonderful friend who called, listened to my frustration and even got me to laugh. Yes, a homicide trumps an nasty, threatening tramp who signed up for a $298 paint job and was mad that it was not the $1,000.00 service. Silly me, I should give it all away and close my doors next month. At least I am on the right side of the dirt today. good night to all my friends and great customers. To the human garbage I deal with, I will always pray you get all you deserve and more. Lynn Moore
Friday, August 14, 2009
Woe to the Half Price Sale
Dear Diary: I arrived at 5:00 am and opened the shop. I opened up the shop garage doors and turned on all the fans to cool it off before the crew arrived to work. Of course, there is a daily surprise, none of my office light are working. I am working by the light of my computer. Checked all circuit breakers, nothing. Oh well, electricians got to live too, I guess.
With my time this morning, I want to share my experience with Unice. Let me back up a little.
I have put on a "Half Price ALL Paint Services" sale twice this year. Generated a lot of business and it was wonderful for all the people who were able to get their cars fixed and painted whom would other wise not be able to afford it. Yet........nothing like a half price sale, will bring the truly hinky out from where ever they hide. One such Hink was a gal named Unice. She came in as sweet as can be and agreed to some body work and a half price paint job. That was accomplished.
When Miss Hink picked up her car she proceeded to walk the entire car, face to car, for 25 minutes. My daughter in law accompanied her. Sadly for Unice, great for me, she could not find ANYTHING wrong and proclaimed it a wonderful paint service. She paid by check, something I do not allow, but Abby will occasionally do if one has no other means to pay. Miss Unice left and phoned me 15 minutes later. She said when she was driving home she noticed one of her floor mats was dirty and torn. I told her I highly doubted that, but to bring it back.
I asked my detailer if he knew anything, he is great at his job and quality oriented to a fault. He said he cleaned all of her mats, they were black rubber, heavy and none were damaged. I just could hardly wait till she got back.........She pulled in and I walked to her car. All her mats were in her car, fine and she went to her trunk and got one out filthy and torn. I looked at her and said, in shock, "You gotta be kidding me! you obviously went home and got this and thought you could get me to pay you money!" As a true Hinky person does, she went off into a tirade of obscenities and screaming. She liked to get nose to nose to me as if to intimidate me. I regret, but what went through my head was to go to my purse and give the psycho $20, which was what she wanted, to get rid of her. Now it gets interesting. She stood in my lobby and announced she was going to put a stop payment on her check and ran out the front door. I thought "the hell you say". I ran through the shop and out into the parking lot and stood behind her car she was starting.
She had the courtesy to roll down her window so I could hear all her descriptive verbiage directed to me, but I told her she was not leaving until the police arrived. By this time, my entire crew was in the lot as well as, the crew from next door. My Son was standing beside me on the phone with 911 and had one hand on my arm ready to pull me out of the way if needed. He was dealing with two women who would not back down! Miss @##$%$%, put her car in reverse and hit me with it to try to get me to move. At that time, everyone in both lots started to scream at her. I still would not budge. (My son was almost in tears) She got out and got nose to nose, again to intimidate me. (she was 4 inches shorter than me, so it did not work well) I told her I did not care if she fully intended to not pay for her service or not, but she threatened not to and that was good enough for me.
At this point, my son gently asked me to move, he said the lady at 911 asked me to move so I did not get hurt. I did and moved and she pulled out. The police were on their way and I believe she was scared that she had hit me with her car because she parked next door. When the police arrived, I told him everything that happened, but I told him she did not know I was behind her car when she hit me. I did not want drama, just paid! She started to scream at the officer that she wanted that statement on tape! WHAT A SICK Bit.... God Bless him, the officer turned to her and said if she stopped payment on her check, he would issue a warrant for her arrest and cuff her and bring her in. No if, ands or buts about it! She quietly left. I proceed to lock my self in my office, it was 5:00, and open the bottle I keep hidden in the file cabinet. It was hours before I stopped shaking, partly out of adrenalin and partly out of anger at my self for giving her money for that stupid mat.
There were several other vulgar people who came in for "half price" and wanted to cuss their way into a freebee. I may run one during the Holidays to generate some business during the slow time, but will come to work every day in battle armor. What a business and what in the world is wrong with some people?
With my time this morning, I want to share my experience with Unice. Let me back up a little.
I have put on a "Half Price ALL Paint Services" sale twice this year. Generated a lot of business and it was wonderful for all the people who were able to get their cars fixed and painted whom would other wise not be able to afford it. Yet........nothing like a half price sale, will bring the truly hinky out from where ever they hide. One such Hink was a gal named Unice. She came in as sweet as can be and agreed to some body work and a half price paint job. That was accomplished.
When Miss Hink picked up her car she proceeded to walk the entire car, face to car, for 25 minutes. My daughter in law accompanied her. Sadly for Unice, great for me, she could not find ANYTHING wrong and proclaimed it a wonderful paint service. She paid by check, something I do not allow, but Abby will occasionally do if one has no other means to pay. Miss Unice left and phoned me 15 minutes later. She said when she was driving home she noticed one of her floor mats was dirty and torn. I told her I highly doubted that, but to bring it back.
I asked my detailer if he knew anything, he is great at his job and quality oriented to a fault. He said he cleaned all of her mats, they were black rubber, heavy and none were damaged. I just could hardly wait till she got back.........She pulled in and I walked to her car. All her mats were in her car, fine and she went to her trunk and got one out filthy and torn. I looked at her and said, in shock, "You gotta be kidding me! you obviously went home and got this and thought you could get me to pay you money!" As a true Hinky person does, she went off into a tirade of obscenities and screaming. She liked to get nose to nose to me as if to intimidate me. I regret, but what went through my head was to go to my purse and give the psycho $20, which was what she wanted, to get rid of her. Now it gets interesting. She stood in my lobby and announced she was going to put a stop payment on her check and ran out the front door. I thought "the hell you say". I ran through the shop and out into the parking lot and stood behind her car she was starting.
She had the courtesy to roll down her window so I could hear all her descriptive verbiage directed to me, but I told her she was not leaving until the police arrived. By this time, my entire crew was in the lot as well as, the crew from next door. My Son was standing beside me on the phone with 911 and had one hand on my arm ready to pull me out of the way if needed. He was dealing with two women who would not back down! Miss @##$%$%, put her car in reverse and hit me with it to try to get me to move. At that time, everyone in both lots started to scream at her. I still would not budge. (My son was almost in tears) She got out and got nose to nose, again to intimidate me. (she was 4 inches shorter than me, so it did not work well) I told her I did not care if she fully intended to not pay for her service or not, but she threatened not to and that was good enough for me.
At this point, my son gently asked me to move, he said the lady at 911 asked me to move so I did not get hurt. I did and moved and she pulled out. The police were on their way and I believe she was scared that she had hit me with her car because she parked next door. When the police arrived, I told him everything that happened, but I told him she did not know I was behind her car when she hit me. I did not want drama, just paid! She started to scream at the officer that she wanted that statement on tape! WHAT A SICK Bit.... God Bless him, the officer turned to her and said if she stopped payment on her check, he would issue a warrant for her arrest and cuff her and bring her in. No if, ands or buts about it! She quietly left. I proceed to lock my self in my office, it was 5:00, and open the bottle I keep hidden in the file cabinet. It was hours before I stopped shaking, partly out of adrenalin and partly out of anger at my self for giving her money for that stupid mat.
There were several other vulgar people who came in for "half price" and wanted to cuss their way into a freebee. I may run one during the Holidays to generate some business during the slow time, but will come to work every day in battle armor. What a business and what in the world is wrong with some people?
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Dear Diary, Woke up an hour early this morning. I get up at 4:40 am and at 3:30 knew I would not go back to sleep, so I started to review my most colorful customers. So many come to mind, but I have chosen to introduce you, Dear Diary, to Washington. Washington is a young man who, fancies himself a male model, somewhat famous, an irristable ladies man and wealthy. It is obvious to everyone who meets/knows Washington, that none of the above is reality. We have treated him with the respect he feels he deserves and chuckle at his behavior after he leaves. None the less, he is entertaining and likeable. Washington drives a black BMW 7 series covered in rhinestone bling and chrome. He sais the "ladies" love it. Washington has had two repairs on his Beemer so we came to know him well. He stopped in each and everyday his car was in our shop and spent so much time hanging around my young daughter in law, who runs the office and trying to butter me up, that on several occassions, we had ask him to leave and let us work. He loved to share his stories about fending off the ladies.
Now, the other side of Washington, the side I worked at keeping in check, was the side that he tried to find every reason to not pay his bill and nit pick everything he could to get money back. I was told by one of his friends that he did not actually have a job. In the course of his latest repair, he took it upon himself to purchase two parts for his bmw from the dealer. He claimed he had "connections" and could get them cheaper. (I never had the heart to tell him, if I had ordered them, a regular customer, the list was lower) He brought those parts in and my body man installed them. I added nothing to his bill for the labor.
Getting to the point, Washington felt since "he" purchased the parts, I owed him the cost of the parts. I was floored, I did not charge him for the parts, ask him to get them for me nor charge him labor to put them on. He got loud the day before he was picking up his car demanding I owed him for the parts. So, dear diary, what would you have done?
The day Washington came into pick up/pay for his car he came walking into the front office of my shop with a friend standing next to him. Before me stood Washington and an unknown friend, two young black men looking very serious. I said Hi, and Washington, very serious said, "Miss Lynn, I want you to meet Dauntel, he is in the Asian Mob". Beyond my ability to control myself, I burst out laughing, and with tears of laughter, I told Washington, I could see it around the eyes. Dauntel gave Washington the "I told you this was stupid" look and left. I mentioned to Washington how funny his joke was, giving him his dignity by letting him believe I knew he did that to be funny. I did mention to him everyone I have everknown in the "mob" would never tell.
So, here we stood, Washington wanting his car and not wanting to pay anything he could wiggle out of. He zeroed upon the parts he purchased. His receipt was $79.00. Remember, I did not charge him for those parts. He wanted reimbursed. He had paid for his car already. I ended up doing more work than he paid for as the high end cars require more labor. Washington tried the cuss and swear loudly tactic. After a few minutes of letting him go, I reached for the phone and asked him.....911? "Miss Lynn, Miss Lynn, why would you do that???? Washington, please lower your voice and drop the language. I walked into my office and wrote a check. He was drooling and gloating with glee. BUT...as I walked back to the front desk, I said, "Now, I am still thinking this through and why should I pay for your parts. They are on your car and I did not charge you labor to put them there...as a matter of fact.....I do not owe you any money back sir." I then tore up the check in front of him and tossed it. Smiled and said Washington, your car is finished..perfect to your standards and here are your keys. Off in rage he went.....it was not fun to watch, when I had enough....I reached for the phone, he stopped. At that point, he thanked me for how beautiful his baby looked and gave us each his business card and autographed the back for us! His business card has his picture on it sitting like Sherlock Holmes, and it states "male Model". I especially loved the autographed part. I still have that card, one never knows when one will need a male model.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Sunday morning reflections
I woke up this morning, like every morning, thinking about cars. One by one. They each have people attached to them. People who are each unique. (actually had one named, Uneek, and she was!) We work very hard to do everything we can to remove the stress from this situation for the customer, yet, there are those who will blame me for their entire car accident because they can. There are many who think prices are negotiable by screaming. There are many who think if they want extra work for free, after the completion of their work, they can do so by screaming profanities. AND, there are those wonderful people who are so happy they bring flowers, cakes, lunch and send thank you cards.
What is for sure is there is drama daily. Drama that keeps me up at night and by sharing the "you just would not believe this person" I plan to learn to let this stuff go and to let other people's problems be theirs and not mine. I also plan to share the truly wonderful human beings I deal with and become good friends with.
It is not common for an attractive woman to own a body shop. That is the first shock. My shop is clean and comfortable and professional. That is the second shock. From here I will sign off for now. From now on, it will be stories, true stories about what our days are like. Believe it or not......
What is for sure is there is drama daily. Drama that keeps me up at night and by sharing the "you just would not believe this person" I plan to learn to let this stuff go and to let other people's problems be theirs and not mine. I also plan to share the truly wonderful human beings I deal with and become good friends with.
It is not common for an attractive woman to own a body shop. That is the first shock. My shop is clean and comfortable and professional. That is the second shock. From here I will sign off for now. From now on, it will be stories, true stories about what our days are like. Believe it or not......
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