BS: Saving Money

Subject: BS: Wasting Money
From: Bert
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 04:57 PM

Based on true stories.

OK. So you hire a plumber or other worker to come to your house and fix something.

You leave your car in the driveway so that he has to park a block and a half up the street. You just LOVE paying him $85 an hour to carry his tools up the street. He's only a tradesman, why should you give up your parking spot for him.

When he gets in your house, you pay him the same rate to take the dishes out of your sink.

And the same rate to take all the cleaning materials out from UNDER the sink. And put them back again.

Then you let your kids and pets get in his way while he is working, 'cos he costs scads more than a babysitter.

Then make sure that he cleans up perfectly, because he costs three or four times as much as your house cleaner.

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 05:30 PM

As a longtime rental manager I learned long since not to do any of those things. I want the plumber/electrician/consultant to do ONLY what is in his or her line of expertise. I prepare the site and I clean up after him.

And then I let them do their thing. I stay with them- there are very few times that I don't learn something valuable.

The only stereotype I have found holds true is that plumbers are in the one trade that you have to watch like a hawk - they'll use a short axe to open a wall to reach plumbing. I suppose that there are individual plumbers that don't do that- but I suspect most of them consider themselves in the order of fire fighters.

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 05:55 PM

We've always tried to make it easy for those folks we're paying to repair things. Makes better sense to get the job done as quickly as possible, and they like it too because then they can get on to other things and make more money.

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Mickey191
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 10:44 PM

The A.C. Fellow came cause my wouldn't always click on. I explained the exact problem on the phone & questioned-what if it works when he's here? "Oh he'll be able to figure it out." Well it did & he couldn't. So I threw $88.00 down the tubes. The guy just stood for 45 mins. putting it on & off-worked every time.

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Bert
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 10:58 PM

That happens Mickey191! Way back when I ived in England we had a dishwasher that did a real good job of washing the floor. Three out of four times it would flood.

Well the guy came by three times and couldn't fix it. I got really fed up and took the top off myself - Right there was a little adjuster labelled 'water level' with a plus and minus sign on it. I gave it a quarter turn towards the minus and we never had any more problems with it.

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 12:16 AM

One repairman told me that the first thing they do when they answer a call is to make sure it's plugged in, that that is the most common reason something doesn't work.

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 09:11 AM

In our part of the country, tradesmen still think of you fondly if there's a glass of lemonade or a pot of coffee set out for them. If you offer it they turn it down, but if you set it out and leave it (of course with a word or a note that it's theirs), it usually disappears. (Slice of cake not taken amiss, either.)

This doesn't affect the bottom line, but it does affect how quickly they arrive next time and how persistently they will keep trying to fix something mysterious instead of selling you a new one.

I learned this the night an electrician friend of the landlord came on the hop late one night to re-attach the most essential lines of house wiring that had been burned up in our fire, so the pipes wouldn't freeze. It was December-- COLD in that basement. When I ran the Red Cross I'd learned that volunteer firement appreciate these kindnesses from the auxiliaries. So I made a big pot of hot coffee and took it down to the landlord, my hubby, and the electrician who had gathered to talk man talk and get the house heat up and running in the late hours. They were so grateful (I left them to their man talk of course), that I adopted it for any expected repairman.

Coffee for cold weather and lemonade for heat, unsweetened because diabetes here runs high. Nowadays I put it in the big stainless steel Thermos so it will be perfect whenever they want it.... I set out sugar and sweetener on the side, with a big man-size mug. And a fresh water bottle to take along when they go. If it's near mealtime I've been known to set out a thick-sliced sandwich, too. (In a baggie in case they want to take it along for later.) Sometimes in hot weather I've let them know it's set out on the big, cool front porch where there is a table and comfy chairs, especially if it's outside work they're doing.

Again, it's the way you do it that does the trick-- offers are always turned down, but wordless food gifts are always taken.

Anyway, word travels fast in these parts, and most everyone who comes here treats me right. And I've sure heard a lot of great stories, over that lemonade!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 09:23 AM

Okay, all you folks in big cities, listen up!

Some months back our clothes dryer died. Wouldn't heat. We called a repairman, who told us that replacing the control board in the three-year-old machine would cost more than a brand new machine. Well, I sorta thought that sucked, so we told him "We'll get back to you" and paid USD 75.00 for the visit.

Okay, if that's the case, we'd get a new dryer. So being conscientious we checked "Consumers' Reports" and I started calling around for their top-rated model, preferably in white.

Called Lowe's. Yes, we handle that and we can order it and it will be here in three weeks.

So I called a local appliance store. Not only did they have one in stock (in white!), the price was lower than Lowe's would have charged. And since they had a truck loading up at that moment, going out for intallations, the dryer was delivered and installed forty-five (45) minutes after I called.

Recently we bought a pair of extra-long twin beds from the same store. These had to be ordered (as did the sheets!) but they were delivered, brought downstairs (to the basement guest room), and set up at no additional charge.

Dealing with local businesses can be a Good Deal....

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 09:34 AM

Or you can order parts online and install them yourself. :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 09:38 AM

Done that, too. Only some things have gotten so complicated that I no longer will attempt to repair them. I once rebuilt a carburetor, but I wouldn't think of trying these days -- the computer chips get in the way. I might open up a dryer and see if I could still replace the belt, though.

At least my shovels aren't computerized (yet), so I can dig my garden.

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: MMario
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 09:46 AM

Why save money - I have it on good authority that it goes bad if it doesn't get out and circulate. And why would Mrs. Levy lie?

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Mickey191
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 02:49 PM

It's great to have a neighbor like mine. He is a counselor for drug & alcohol abusers. Many times he rents a room to a client. Last month I had a leaking toilet & mentioned it to him. He promptly sent over Joe who was a plumber's ass't. He removed toilet, put on a new wax seal. Took about 20 minutes. He asked for $20.00-I gave him $25.00--I think a plumber might get $75.00 or more for that job.

Too bad he didn't have an A.C. guy in counseling. I'm waiting now for a wallpaper specialist!!

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 01 May 07 - 09:22 AM

There are times when being a blond female is really useful... like when they think they're taking you for a ride by mending something that wasn't broken and you catch them out on it.

I also watch workmen like a hawk - usually because if I learn how to do it myself, I won't need to spend money calling him in again!

All I need now is for someone to teach me how to fix my sewing machines and I'll be set for life!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: dianavan
Date: 01 May 07 - 01:32 PM

Liz -

I wish you lived nearby. I delight in fixing old Singers that have been sitting around for ages in need of repair. I've used Singers since I was a little girl and my mother and grandmother did too. I think its in the blood.

Put an ad in the paper. You might be surprised by the response.

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 07 - 01:46 PM

A few years ago I had a carpenter install countertops in the kitchen I was remodeling, but I shouldn't have let his assistant install the sink. He bought a whole bunch of PVC turns and twists until he could get the pipe to go from point A to B without cutting anything. It leaked and after a while rotted out the board under the sink. I called a plumber who looked at that inquiringly, and I explained "a carpenter put it in." Good laugh for him and he fixed it. An English professor friend was visiting a few weeks later when I still hadn't gotten around to replacing the board below the sink yet, so he did it. Works great.

Carpenters and plumbers and electricians are always interesting to small children. I see no reason why they shouldn't watch, as long as they stay well out of the way, or possibly make themselves useful. And I stick around to watch and learn, or to keep an eye on things. I sometimes will leap on neighborhood opportunities to save a few dollars. Next door was having some plumbing done when I needed both outside faucets replaced (the washers were leaking, but the faucets themselves were so old they were hard to work with, so I wanted both changed out so I can again change washers myself). I trotted over at lunchtime and asked the plumber to step next door for a minute, and explained what I wanted. After his first job was finished they came over and did it for less than the basic service call.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: GUEST
Date: 01 May 07 - 03:15 PM

Bert, sorry somebody wasted your/friends time. However the woman managing the house, kids and pets POSSIBLY had 12 other raging crises that day and thought managing to find the plumbers number and call it was quite an accomplishment, never mind clearing the decks to be helpful. Walk a mile in those houseshoes....

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Amos
Date: 01 May 07 - 03:30 PM

The best way to save money, often, is just to not spend it. If you don't wander around looking for the latest restaurant, you tend to save tons of dough by eating at home, usually simpler and healthier meals anyway. If you stay away from new car lots you can get an extra 100K miles on your old banger with very little spent, if you're lucky. I think not watching telly actually saves money, too, because it helps you steer clear of the mass delusions of compulsive acquisition which leak out of television sets the minute they are turned on.

All just my opinion, of course. :D


A

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 01 May 07 - 06:14 PM

My bankrupt sister in law was still getting £100 haircuts whilst the bailifs were literally at the door. People prioritise the strangest things.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Schantieman
Date: 01 May 07 - 06:30 PM

How can anyone spend £100 on a haircut? Mine have just gone up to £7, inclusing trimming my beard!


Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 May 07 - 07:02 PM

The day of the $15.00 haircut in the US is LONG gone - for a woman. $25.00 is cheap.

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: JennyO
Date: 01 May 07 - 11:29 PM

In Oz, we have a chain of haircutting places for women and men, called "Just Cuts". Their only requirement is that you should have washed your hair within the last 24 hours. I go regularly to them - either at Leichhardt or Marrickville, and take my chances with whichever stylist is available there. No appointment - you just put your name down.

Their price has just gone up from A$21 to A$22 (that must be about $17 US). In all the time I have been going, I have never been disappointed. Every one of their staff is an expert stylist and does a brilliant job. I'm very happy with them.

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Bert
Date: 02 May 07 - 12:48 AM

Hey Squeaks,

I've always been the one in our house to fix the sewing machines.

9 times out of 10, this works.

Clean it.
Oil it.
Use it for a while on some scrap material, so that you can adjust the tension.

Remember, machines LOVE being used and will die of neglect. I've never known one to actually WEAR OUT.

------------------------

...Walk a mile in those houseshoes...

Hey, I was just trying to save these poor people some money. Why should they pay a plumbers rates to take the dishes out of the sink?

And what the hell would they have done with those dishes if they hadn't needed a plumber?

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 02 May 07 - 03:39 AM

Bert - every time the needle breaks, it throws the timing wheel out. I've had this fixed at least 3 times by the "professional" repairer up the road. At £45-55 a time, it actually proved cheaper to buy a new sewing machine. Now I'm sure that a correctly used and well maintained machine should not break needles as often as twice a month, so I came to the conclusion that the repairman wasn't fixing the whole problem. This new machine I've had for about 4 years now and had no prolems at all, and only one broken needle due to me trying to put it through a zip fastener.

I'm also stunned on what people will spend at hairdressers. £100 is about my budget for a years worth of shampoo/conditioners. Thing is, the last time I saw her before she went abroad, her hair looked like one of the cheaper sorts of mop.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: leeneia
Date: 02 May 07 - 11:48 PM

"every time the needle breaks, it throws the timing wheel out."

But why are needles breaking? I sew, and I haven't broken a needle in a couple of years. You aren't trying to sew over pins, I hope. It's not worth the risk.

Is your machine an unusual one? My mother had an awful time with a commercial machine until a repairman showed her that the correct needle was a tiny amount (maybe one millimeter) longer than the needles she was using.

Subject: RE: BS: Saving Money
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 May 07 - 04:01 AM

It's a Brother machine, bog standard needles and I did break the first needle trying to sew through a hidden pin. Every needle since has broken on the platen which makes me think the timing wheel is still out, despite it being repaired 3 times. I don't want to fork out another £50 for a dodgy repair and certainly don't want to pay the £90-£120 to send it back to Brother for repair... If only they did a Haynes manual for sewing machines like they do cars.

As I said, the newer machine (a Toyota with 21 stitch functions, reverse, easy threading and half the weight of the other) has only had one needle broken on it, and that was my fault. It still works perfectly well and saves me lots of money on clothes as I make most of my own now.

LTS