Gentle and beloved readers:
"I know you paid up the wazoo to be here, so I am going to sing my ass off for you"
Josh Groban, July 15, 2011 Concert
And he did. It was a wonderful time and getting away from the shop and doing something normal, gave me the feeling for the evening that I was human again, the gentle LADY I used to be. Thank you Josh, and thank you my children for being a part of it.
Last week was a strange week of flux in the shop. Most of my time is in the back now, hot and sweaty, but I keep up front when it is busy or when anyone comes in with a bad vibe. It was hot, but I have felt worse, so I compare everyday to the "worst" and then it is not so bad.
Two young men came in and wanted their car painted......ok.....it was very old, beat up....boss had to approve it. I looked at the car, talked about restoration vs. paint. Told them we usually will not do an old car, faces drop......without my approval.....faces back up. That comes with talking to you and your understanding the potential reactions that could happen. etc., anyway, by the end of the conversation, their commitment to not complain, accept how it turns out, etc. they then left a down payment of $300 in 5s and 1s. I will leave that to you, gentle reader, to figure out.
God, My Lord, you put me here for a reason, it sure would help if you told me what that reason is. (little prayer)
Had two customers yell this weekend over nit pick crap. I handled them better, I did not yell back, just talked and/or cut them off nicely. People. One man, extremely nasty and rude, did his own body and prep, refused to pay a dime more than paint, was not happy with a spot under the paint. He yelled at me, "it would have taken 5 minutes to fix that before we painted and I should have done it for free." I told him my body men were funny about working for free and he stated he did not want any bodywork. Well, sir, that was body work and it would take much more than 5 minutes. He said he would give me $40. to fix it and not a dime more. I told him I was not interested in working on his car for any money. It is a great feeling to be at that point. Take your attitude elsewhere cranky old man.
The shop itself is in flux. As you know, I fired a body guy, hired two and promoted one. I am now short paint line techs. I have one new one starting Wed, but did not get the cars done last week we needed. I am going to try to hire another person next week for the back. One of my guys let me know he had another job and I asked him for just a few days lead time to replace him. He PROMISED me to stay till Friday and did not show up the next day. He texted Brady telling him he wanted to come in on Friday and pick up his check, Brady told him I was pretty mad and he would not advise it. I mailed his check. I did not want to see him. Coward.
My new bodyman seems to work hard and do very good work. He has his head down and gets quite a bit done. I get a hinky vibe from him and cannot put my hand on it. At least work is flowing. I have another one who won't make it past next week. He talks about work, more than he works! He does not get things done as he is always screwing around. I will give him a few more days and then cut him loose. He has been told 25 times now to shut up and work. Does not get it.
I wish Mr Anthony Spumoni from New York was here to size up the bodymen. I know what he would tell me an I will do it, it would be easier if he was here.
I have been talking to another owner in town of a like body shop. He is an older gentleman and gives me almost as much shit as I give him. After we BS and lie to each other for a while, there has been a friendship develop. Some of the advice he has given me has helped. Someone in the exact place as me, who understands me and treats me with respect, I am starting to let this man in, spent the last three years not trusting him. Is there help for me yet?
Got to get productive, looking forward to our next visit. Je Tem, Mon Cheri.
In the words of my granddaughter, age 4, "I love you my love".
Lynn
"I know you paid up the wazoo to be here, so I am going to sing my ass off for you"
Josh Groban, July 15, 2011 Concert
And he did. It was a wonderful time and getting away from the shop and doing something normal, gave me the feeling for the evening that I was human again, the gentle LADY I used to be. Thank you Josh, and thank you my children for being a part of it.
Last week was a strange week of flux in the shop. Most of my time is in the back now, hot and sweaty, but I keep up front when it is busy or when anyone comes in with a bad vibe. It was hot, but I have felt worse, so I compare everyday to the "worst" and then it is not so bad.
Two young men came in and wanted their car painted......ok.....it was very old, beat up....boss had to approve it. I looked at the car, talked about restoration vs. paint. Told them we usually will not do an old car, faces drop......without my approval.....faces back up. That comes with talking to you and your understanding the potential reactions that could happen. etc., anyway, by the end of the conversation, their commitment to not complain, accept how it turns out, etc. they then left a down payment of $300 in 5s and 1s. I will leave that to you, gentle reader, to figure out.
God, My Lord, you put me here for a reason, it sure would help if you told me what that reason is. (little prayer)
Had two customers yell this weekend over nit pick crap. I handled them better, I did not yell back, just talked and/or cut them off nicely. People. One man, extremely nasty and rude, did his own body and prep, refused to pay a dime more than paint, was not happy with a spot under the paint. He yelled at me, "it would have taken 5 minutes to fix that before we painted and I should have done it for free." I told him my body men were funny about working for free and he stated he did not want any bodywork. Well, sir, that was body work and it would take much more than 5 minutes. He said he would give me $40. to fix it and not a dime more. I told him I was not interested in working on his car for any money. It is a great feeling to be at that point. Take your attitude elsewhere cranky old man.
The shop itself is in flux. As you know, I fired a body guy, hired two and promoted one. I am now short paint line techs. I have one new one starting Wed, but did not get the cars done last week we needed. I am going to try to hire another person next week for the back. One of my guys let me know he had another job and I asked him for just a few days lead time to replace him. He PROMISED me to stay till Friday and did not show up the next day. He texted Brady telling him he wanted to come in on Friday and pick up his check, Brady told him I was pretty mad and he would not advise it. I mailed his check. I did not want to see him. Coward.
My new bodyman seems to work hard and do very good work. He has his head down and gets quite a bit done. I get a hinky vibe from him and cannot put my hand on it. At least work is flowing. I have another one who won't make it past next week. He talks about work, more than he works! He does not get things done as he is always screwing around. I will give him a few more days and then cut him loose. He has been told 25 times now to shut up and work. Does not get it.
I wish Mr Anthony Spumoni from New York was here to size up the bodymen. I know what he would tell me an I will do it, it would be easier if he was here.
I have been talking to another owner in town of a like body shop. He is an older gentleman and gives me almost as much shit as I give him. After we BS and lie to each other for a while, there has been a friendship develop. Some of the advice he has given me has helped. Someone in the exact place as me, who understands me and treats me with respect, I am starting to let this man in, spent the last three years not trusting him. Is there help for me yet?
Got to get productive, looking forward to our next visit. Je Tem, Mon Cheri.
In the words of my granddaughter, age 4, "I love you my love".
Lynn
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