Intheswamp
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Member since September 2015
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Post by Intheswamp on May 8, 2016 21:31:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the rotator cuff info, James. I pm'd you. To me it seems that you've found a nice niche that you are comfortable (and definitely capable) in. Lowering the consumable expenses on the square footage goes straight to the bottom line...and the pits don't eat or drink or get sick. Having a higher valued inventory would be precarious if it was a perishable good, but those iron pits are just gonna get a nicer patina sitting out there. Good transition if you ask me.  |
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Intheswamp
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Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on May 8, 2016 21:52:38 GMT -5
Btw, those liners.... EPDM? Might make some good barrel liner material....  |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 9, 2016 7:19:04 GMT -5
Btw, those liners.... EPDM? Might make some good barrel liner material.... Funny story behind those liners. Yes Ed, they are Firestone EPDM. I planted Evander Hollyfield's water features in part trade for a 1500 pound leftover roll of that Firestone EPDM. Evander hired Kenny Loggins' gardener. He insisted on putting a liner in Evander's 5 acre pond. In comes a semi truck loaded with 1500 pound rolls of EPDM 20 feet wide. An army of men laid the liner out and glued it together. Keep in mind that Georgia red clay holds water with great efficiency, but the California gardner insisted. They had a 100 gal/min well that could have fed a dozen such ponds with no liner. Within a month muskrats had cut a dozen holes in the liner to make their burrows. I tried to tell him. Snapping turtles, herrings, muskrats and beavers all hell on liner. Muskrats so stupid that they would walk up to a 12 inch tall water container made of 2 X 12's sitting on the ground. Like a sand box Instead of climbing the 12 inch wall they would dig a hole under the box and chew a hole in the liner to make their entry from the bottom. Needless to say, muskrat trapping became high priority. Method: Look for underwater paths in aquatic weeds, place slanted door trap in path just underwater. Muskrat will push door open, get trapped and drown. Traps $5 each.  Alternate: Lay a 6 inch pipe in creek parallel with flow and set foot trap inside. It is impossible for a muskrat to walk past a hollow log laying in a creek without entering it. Impossible. |
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Intheswamp
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Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on May 9, 2016 19:37:09 GMT -5
<chuckle> James, it still amazes me what all you've gotten into/out of in your past....you really need to write a book...really!!!!!
Oh, and that Fstone epdm...probably the best out there.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 9, 2016 20:10:11 GMT -5
<chuckle> James, it still amazes me what all you've gotten into/out of in your past....you really need to write a book...really!!!!! Oh, and that Fstone epdm...probably the best out there. Had 6 months off every year for 25 years. People too busy to delve into stuff. Others would use their spare time same way. it's all about having spare time. Takes 2 months to recuperate from those 6 months lol. and body worn out My neighbor just passed last year. He a hard core farmer/trapper/mechelectrical genius . Learned a dump load from him. Older guy, 2nd Dad. Killed me to lose him. He was high level military dude. Loved to get calls when neighbors had a burglar. Good man to have on the home team. jack of all, master of all |
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Intheswamp
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Member since September 2015
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Post by Intheswamp on May 10, 2016 6:42:01 GMT -5
Regarding the EPDM liner story and the fancy gardener... It's amazing how folks believe they know everything and spit into the wind when someone indigenous to the area tells them not to. <chuckle> I hear you on the 6 months...plenty of time to get into trouble things... My father went to Cohen's Electrical School up in Chicago in the early 40's. They hired him to teach classes before he graduated and he actually got his Social Security card at *the* SS office there. Everybody elses SS# in the family reflected our region/local but my fahter's showed Illinois.  Anyhow, he started out selling small/large appliances, electrical parts, auto parts, etc., (no tires to start with). In the evenings after work he would go out into the country side and wire houses...this was after (as Jerry Clower said) the electric company had thrown a creosote pole out in the yard. He'd wire one base plug and one drop cord per room...electric company specs. Well, ten or twelve years later I came along. I'd hang out at the store until he closed up. By then the house wiring had petered out and he would do service calls on appliances that he'd sold after work. My job was holding the flashlight. To this day, my inclination to tinker with and repair things I think comes from my Daddy and the flashlight....ya gotta keep your eyes on whats being worked on when you're holding the light, ya know. But, what he taught me about being a person far outweighs what I learned trade-wise. It's hard to let them go, but, it's good that it's hard...means you loved them a lot and vice versa. Yep, always good to have someone you can depend on to cover your back. |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 24, 2016 7:01:31 GMT -5
Regarding the EPDM liner story and the fancy gardener... It's amazing how folks believe they know everything and spit into the wind when someone indigenous to the area tells them not to. <chuckle> I hear you on the 6 months...plenty of time to get into trouble things... My father went to Cohen's Electrical School up in Chicago in the early 40's. They hired him to teach classes before he graduated and he actually got his Social Security card at *the* SS office there. Everybody elses SS# in the family reflected our region/local but my fahter's showed Illinois. Anyhow, he started out selling small/large appliances, electrical parts, auto parts, etc., (no tires to start with). In the evenings after work he would go out into the country side and wire houses...this was after (as Jerry Clower said) the electric company had thrown a creosote pole out in the yard. He'd wire one base plug and one drop cord per room...electric company specs. Well, ten or twelve years later I came along. I'd hang out at the store until he closed up. By then the house wiring had petered out and he would do service calls on appliances that he'd sold after work. My job was holding the flashlight. To this day, my inclination to tinker with and repair things I think comes from my Daddy and the flashlight....ya gotta keep your eyes on whats being worked on when you're holding the light, ya know. But, what he taught me about being a person far outweighs what I learned trade-wise. It's hard to let them go, but, it's good that it's hard...means you loved them a lot and vice versa. Yep, always good to have someone you can depend on to cover your back. Can't underestimate the value of wisdom from the old folks. Overlooked this day. Things are changing Ed. |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 24, 2016 7:04:52 GMT -5
Under the redwoods in San Francisco, 36 inch pit  Burning fallen Royal Palm fronds in St. Croix, 64 inch pit  |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 24, 2016 7:21:28 GMT -5
Six pallets of raw materials rejected unload from NE US by Averitt Freight Company. No warning. Local Averitt dispatcher. They don't like handling my bowls(being lazy).
However, shipper does thousands of loads. Heavily utilizes Averitt-not no more. Dispatcher should have checked into that before rejecting my order. Shipper pissed. Averitt fired.
Freight industry another world.
I ship out using Southeastern Freight. Looks like I will get royal treatment for securing new account for S.E. Freight.
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Intheswamp
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Post by Intheswamp on May 24, 2016 10:13:05 GMT -5
<grin> Been there, done that! Good shot on Southeastern. Dispatchers are some of the lyingest creatures on earth. Yes, premium service for James from SE now. |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 24, 2016 11:30:47 GMT -5
<grin> Been there, done that! Good shot on Southeastern. Dispatchers are some of the lyingest creatures on earth. Yes, premium service for James from SE now. Estes-Saia-R&L-Southeastern are less likely to reject dirty hard to handle freight. Maybe Averitt should stick to cases of panties and napkins. Some freight companies only handle neatly boxed or small items. That is fair. I believe they obtain zoning for related classes of freight. Mine is class 70 which is about an an indestructible class. Wood stoves and fire pits with brass ornamentation would step up to class 77.5 for example. And cost more/pound to ship. Most of the lower classes of freight are on the SE side of Atlanta and the roads reflect it. Pot holes and beat up. The country is divided up. Basically the Mississippi River, Mason Dixon Line creates 3 territories. I think the western guys have an extra turbo to climb those hills in the rockies. Norther carriers w/trucks that deal w/cold, southern the heat. Crossing those lines usually results in a transfer to a partner carrier. complicated logistics |
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 24, 2016 15:03:55 GMT -5
Estes-Saia-R&L-Southeastern are less likely to reject dirty hard to handle freight. Maybe Averitt should stick to cases of panties and napkins.
Ooh, that's cold, James! But I guess they deserve it!
As if all the state and federal regulations for interstate businesses aren't bad enough to sink a business, some companies have some dim bulb making decisions. Not too good for their bottom line.
These days, some freight lines seem to think they are the only game in town. They forget that their paying customers need to be treated with respect, their shipping needs met, and all at a fair price. Doesn't take a business major to see that higher shipping costs take away from your bottom line. If they jack you around, or charge too much, best thing to do is seek out the next company (sounds like you did!!), which is hot for your business.
When I was doing shipping for the last place I worked for, I kept an eye on it all. If someone could offer better service, easier software to use with streamlined international shipping, I was all over it. Half a dozen companies eager for you business. They were falling all over each other, cutting prices and trying to make me happy!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2016 16:25:13 GMT -5
Do you get to put those images on your etsy?
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 24, 2016 17:09:53 GMT -5
Do you get to put those images on your etsy? Yes you can put those images on Etsy. Most of those photos are posted in the reviews by the customers. Reviews sell. Not sure why I get such great reviews. I am polite and do what I say. Clear about the shipping process and requirements of the customer to make it happen. Last two reviews: We LOVE our new fire pit! It is very much at home amongst the Redwoods. Jim was a absolute pleasure to do business with, and it's so nice to know the maker behind something that will be in our life for years to come (hopefully). I only wish I needed more than one fire pit in my life! (photo attached) Beautiful custom order fire pit! First class customer service , easy communication, beautifully crafted product, fair price, fantastic experience overall. I strongly recommend his shop, where you can feel both the love for the product and a great respect for the customer. We need more businesses like this in our life and should support these instead of the cheap uniform stuff that sells everywhere in big stores.... Viva family businesses and viva FirePitsAtlanta.com |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 24, 2016 17:17:14 GMT -5
Estes-Saia-R&L-Southeastern are less likely to reject dirty hard to handle freight. Maybe Averitt should stick to cases of panties and napkins.
Ooh, that's cold, James! But I guess they deserve it!
As if all the state and federal regulations for interstate businesses aren't bad enough to sink a business, some companies have some dim bulb making decisions. Not too good for their bottom line.
These days, some freight lines seem to think they are the only game in town. They forget that their paying customers need to be treated with respect, their shipping needs met, and all at a fair price. Doesn't take a business major to see that higher shipping costs take away from your bottom line. If they jack you around, or charge too much, best thing to do is seek out the next company (sounds like you did!!), which is hot for your business.
When I was doing shipping for the last place I worked for, I kept an eye on it all. If someone could offer better service, easier software to use with streamlined international shipping, I was all over it. Half a dozen companies eager for you business. They were falling all over each other, cutting prices and trying to make me happy!
That guy shot himself in the foot. Not my doin's. I was thinking about involving them in my shipping program just a couple of weeks ago. Tried to get a quote and they never sent it. Guess that should have told me something. Atlanta is a serious hub, lots and lots of freight companies. Guess the freight companies can be picky too. I know Southeastern likes and appreciates my business. Angie/Christen/Nancy/Eric/Edy/Susan. They all know my voice. Am always cutting up with them. Shipping these heavy jokers is demanding on the home delivery guy. I have been very fortunate. Drivers and customers have helped a lot. I ask the customers upfront to help out at delivery. I receive raw materials at like $400/4000 pounds. But the shipper has a humongo account and commands cheap rates. i still get charged a fair amount, and break even after customer pays $200-$250. Me not making money on shipping. Many sellers do. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2016 21:53:28 GMT -5
You get those reviews cuz ur a Mensch.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 24, 2016 22:42:18 GMT -5
You get those reviews cuz ur a Mensch. Having 100 of these made. 38" Hemispheres with 6 inches cut off. Trying to sell the cutoff rings to your Armstrong Nurseries purchasing agent. Emailed him today. Bowl flared, hope it sells well   |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2016 23:15:57 GMT -5
They take forever to pay.
You and I pay late? We are deadbeats.
They pay slow? Managing our money.
That was 19.5 years ago... oddly precise? My last job was the week kidlet was born... easy to remember....
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Intheswamp
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Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on May 25, 2016 6:32:51 GMT -5
<grin> Been there, done that! Good shot on Southeastern. Dispatchers are some of the lyingest creatures on earth. Yes, premium service for James from SE now. Estes-Saia-R&L-Southeastern are less likely to reject dirty hard to handle freight. Maybe Averitt should stick to cases of panties and napkins. Some freight companies only handle neatly boxed or small items. That is fair. I believe they obtain zoning for related classes of freight. Mine is class 70 which is about an an indestructible class. Wood stoves and fire pits with brass ornamentation would step up to class 77.5 for example. And cost more/pound to ship. Most of the lower classes of freight are on the SE side of Atlanta and the roads reflect it. Pot holes and beat up. The country is divided up. Basically the Mississippi River, Mason Dixon Line creates 3 territories. I think the western guys have an extra turbo to climb those hills in the rockies. Norther carriers w/trucks that deal w/cold, southern the heat. Crossing those lines usually results in a transfer to a partner carrier. complicated logistics All that makes sense. SAIA might be changing, though. They used to deliver us trailer-load shipments, either pallets or loose pieces. A vendor of might screwed up an order the other day and had a couple of tires shipped next-day via SAIA. First common carrier I've had deliver in a while and the driver was our old driver that delivered the large shipments of the past. He said that they did not deliver shipments such as what we use to get, only small shipments and time sensitive shipments...I guess they're moving to a "specialty" niche. On a side note... We received a delivery of Continental trucks tires shipped from New Jersey to us here in Alabama. The driver and myself were both speaking English but we couldn't understand each other....we had to have an "interpreter". He was a nice guy, though. I sent him off with a pint of some of Crenshaw County's Finest Rye Whiskey. ....I wonder if he ever made it back to NJ. |
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on May 25, 2016 6:35:34 GMT -5
Estes-Saia-R&L-Southeastern are less likely to reject dirty hard to handle freight. Maybe Averitt should stick to cases of panties and napkins.
Ooh, that's cold, James! But I guess they deserve it!
...insulated panties would be better? |
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Anyhow, he started out selling small/large appliances, electrical parts, auto parts, etc., (no tires to start with). In the evenings after work he would go out into the country side and wire houses...this was after (as Jerry Clower said) the electric company had thrown a creosote pole out in the yard. He'd wire one base plug and one drop cord per room...electric company specs. Well, ten or twelve years later I came along. I'd hang out at the store until he closed up. By then the house wiring had petered out and he would do service calls on appliances that he'd sold after work. My job was holding the flashlight. To this day, my inclination to tinker with and repair things I think comes from my Daddy and the flashlight....ya gotta keep your eyes on whats being worked on when you're holding the light, ya know. 
