Here is a copy of emails from a guy wanting some router work done.
Him * We are moving toward having you make a wooden sign that says: "Sierra Mojada Ranch". We would attach the wooden sign to two pressure treated poles at the entrance to our 1640 acre Ranch...... A white border and white letters on a dark green background would look nice.
* What do you need from us to generate a cost estimate?
Him Follow up email. Here is an image of the signage from the Maytag Mountain Ranch.... Imagine the sign is 10 foot long by 10" wide and four inches thick...... Like the Maytag sign I would have a pipe and bracket fabricated by C-C welding in Westcliffe as a hanger..... I might even provide you the beam made of pine beetle killed wood fabricated by Greeleaf Forestry in Westcliffe so that your job would be to carve the letters using a router the font on the Maytag stuff looks like Times New Roman. I would have the letters white and the beam brown like the Maytag stuff.
Him Again.. I would like a firm estimate of the cost of routing the letters: "SIERRA MOJADA RANCH" into a 10 foot long by 10 inch wide by 4 inch thick of pine beetle killed pine that I provide. The letters will be as large in proportion to the piece of wood as possible as shown in the Maytag Mountain Ranch example.
Reply Arthur Attached is a Proof and quote for your sign using the Dimensions you sent me. ($250 He supplies the Board. I missed the second email.)
(In between this he calls 4 times on Friday while I was at my sons Graduation)
Him This is not what I asked for..... In additon, I do not see the quote you mention.... Yikes!
Reply. Sorry Your Fist email Speced Green and White.. And the Quote is attached to this one for some reason the Quote did not attach to the last one.
Him * Would you consider performing the work for $200 to reflect the poor economic conditions here in Westcliffe? This would be a 20% discount.
Reply. I think I will pass on the project Thank you anyway. I only offer quality and charge accordingly.
Him. * Things are changing and the blue collar workers like you need to adjust to the new shape of the land..... I am a Phd in Engineering and a multi-millionaire. In 2010 my wife Marty and I have not made a single penny so far in our commercial endeavors..... Yikes! My wife Marty is one of the top RE/MAX agents in the world and like I said she has not made a single penny in 2010..... Look here:
* The food chain starts with people like my wife Marty and I..... How about making 20% less than you hoped for rather than zero and providing us with some signage?
* As a Phd in Engineering I can learn how to carve some letters in a piece of wood in a couple of days..... Can you Learn how to be a Phd in Engineering in the same amount of time?
My Final Reply. 5 Years MIT and ASU. $95,000
CnC Router, Software, Building to house all equipment and 20 Years learning my Trade. $300,000 (Give or take.)
Being able to turn down your Job.... PRICELESS.
(Not very Professional but I had it with these "Millionaires" coming to Colorado and trying to dictate to us Poor Backwood folks.) So much for your PhD.
B
[ May 16, 2010, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: William DeBekker ]
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
I think thats the perfect answer! What a jerk!
Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :
classic Posted by Bob Peach (Member # 2620) on :
Atta boy, Bill.
Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
Ohh anyone wanting a router Job.. I will forward you his email so you can contact him.
Posted by Dennis Raap (Member # 3632) on :
Good answer Bill.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I thought your price of $250 was about 1/4 of the value of the job.
And you were much more patient than I would have managed - by far. One of those type folks was here yesterday asking me to paint his concrete water fountain he had dragged home from somewhere. He didn't want to spend 'much' and suggested I do it quick to =save money. I suggested he contact a local high school teacher and get the name of one of their star students.
He pressed me for a price. I smiled my very best smile and suggested a starting price of $1,000 - without seeing it. The dust was thick as he beat a hasty retreat down my driveway.
No doubt he will find someone who wants to work that bad.
My lawn needs mowing again...
-grampa dan
Posted by stein Saether (Member # 430) on :
250 isnt enought even to answer such customers
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Blue-collar Bill: YOU"RE MY HERO..........
Posted by Bruce Brickman (Member # 8180) on :
That was sweet! He's is a fortunate man for your being so clear, truthful and direct! Actually that was down right inspirational!
[ May 16, 2010, 10:17 PM: Message edited by: Bruce Brickman ]
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
I really hate him.
If he is so smart, and so competant, why is he not making any money?
If he is so smart why is he demanding you go broke with him?
IF his wife is such a super star why is she without sufficient funds to build an alliance with you as a sole supplier and then negotiate a discount?
Geeses I hate these types. I had so suffer a few of these when I moved here.
"you need the work, you should be willing to work for a lower amount. You really need some income".
Now they are the one's suffering.
Good on ya for passing him along to his land of failure.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
[ May 16, 2010, 11:52 PM: Message edited by: Si Allen ]
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
quote:* As a Phd in Engineering I can learn how to carve some letters in a piece of wood in a couple of days..... Can you Learn how to be a Phd in Engineering in the same amount of time?
Answer: In less time actually.
Post Hole Digger.
[ May 17, 2010, 12:02 AM: Message edited by: Glenn Taylor ]
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
quote:Originally posted by William DeBekker: Being able to turn down your Job.... PRICELESS.
I really like you Bill. Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
quote:I am a Phd in Engineering and a multi-millionaire. In 2010 my wife Marty and I have not made a single penny so far in our commercial endeavors..... Yikes! My wife Marty is one of the top RE/MAX agents in the world and like I said she has not made a single penny in 2010
* The food chain starts with people like my wife Marty and I.....
This is absolutely laughable. Yes, the food chain starts with people who aren't making any money in their chosen professions. They are what I believe to be called - "food" - at the bottom end of the chain, chewed up but sometimes spit out when they leave a bad taste.
I think he missed the boat. Clearly he should have been a comedian. Or perhaps he should have gotten an MBA instead of a PhD.
If he's a millionaire, he shouldn't have any problems spending $250. Surely that 1640 acres wasn't free, or even cheap.
[ May 17, 2010, 12:32 AM: Message edited by: Mike Pipes ]
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
After learning that he was a multimillionaire I would have quadrupled my price. You still handled it well though.
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
He's a multi-millionaire & he's spent how much time trying to bicker you down on price? Evidently PhD school didn't teach him that time = money. Just chalk this up to 1 more reason I like ya dude!
Posted by Susan Banasky (Member # 1164) on :
Bill, I love your response...I love your attitude.
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Glenn got that right, Post Hole Digger Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :
Bill, your daddy or momma taught you right!
Posted by Kevin Gaffney (Member # 4240) on :
Well done Bill. Am I allowed mention here that his wife's profession might be one of the main contributors to where the world economy finds itself today. Glorified pyramid selling and now we're all paying the cost, one way or another. Apologies if that's off topic or offensive to anyone
Posted by Dennis Kiernan (Member # 12202) on :
"Ohh anyone wanting a router Job.. I will forward you his email so you can contact him."
Forward it to me. I dont have a PHD in routing, in fact the only routing I've ever done is on a magazine route. But if he'll ship the wood to me in San Francisco and pay the shipping back, I'll do the job for $3.
Posted by Dennis Kiernan (Member # 12202) on :
The guy sounds so weird I Googled Sierra Mojada Ranch and there's a big load of him there. He"s got to be the most pompous, silly twit I've come across in a long time. He says things like: "virtual open space", "Large rocks excavated during the course of the installation of the utilities became landscape accents at intersections. Native trees were harvested to become the entrance structures." "The Westcliffe community expressed a desire to subdue the impact of the homes on the natural landscape. Good Idea!" He's got a whole page of fotos of horses, with himself and wife Marty on a number of them. He calls the page "Horse Whispering."
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Hahahahaha....... from the first page of his website, with the ridiculous music playing...... y'all should have some respect for this guy's status. He actually worked with Al Gore on inventing the internets.
quote: "The Vision
In May of 1994 as Engineers we began to participate in the development of the the Internet. Realizing that we had a chance to be Pioneers in a major cultural shift in the United States we explored Ideas beyond those of the usual Software Engineer. Ideas that went beyond the development of the computer hardware and software that are used by Knowledge workers on the Internet.
Imagination and Vision helped us "See" that there was an opportunity to offer homes to individuals and families interested in pursuing careers in Information Technology. Homes in one of the most beautiful mountain ranges on Earth; the Sangre de Cristo range, where the Beauty of the surroundings would be reflected in their work.
Out of these reflections and through the influence of the enchantment we felt when we looked at the mountains of the Sangre de Cristo range came the Ranch preservation project we call Sierra Mojada."
I'd have told him $2,000.... if for no other reason, for his annoying use of random capital letters.....
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
I think you made two mistakes. One, sending him a proof which he will now shop around ad infinitum. And Two, not telling him the price would be $2K so that he could come back and haggle you at $1800. Guy sounds like he thinks he's King Sh!t of Turd Mountain. He's probably reading this right now and getting ready to sue us all for libel, global warming, and defamation of character. Love...Jill PS Good for you! PSS There's a plasma cut metal sign on a deer ranch near here which has a backwards M. Probably at the customer's request. PSSS Is Marty a man?
Posted by Rene Giroux (Member # 4980) on :
Bill, youdamann! top of the food chain my a$$!!!
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
I applaud your tenacity Bill! Guys like that at the top of the ladder must have a hard time seeing everybody way down here. And they obviously have never had to talk to us before. Isn't it a shame they never taught him how to be polite at da uveeversity.
Posted by Mike Faig (Member # 6104) on :
Yikes!
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
Good job, Bill!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great answer!!
I know a couple of PhD's, and seriously doubt either one of them would know which end of the knife to carve with....
People like this really hack me off. They've got supposedly all this money to buy a fancy place, then want you to nickel and dime a job for them.
Sometimes...wouldn't you just like to reach thru the phone, or the computer monitor...and just....
Posted by Bill Diaz (Member # 2549) on :
Awesome, Bill.
Posted by Robert Cole (Member # 477) on :
Seems like Arty & Marty have fallen on hard times there in the valley of wild haired ideas.
They had their Elf Haus for sale for ONLY $952,000 { but that includes 105 prime acres}.
They have now reduced the property to $640,000.
That being the case. May be you should have taken ol' Arty's offer.
At this rate they may end up selling the "Ranch" without a sign.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
WOW! Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
New mail this morning.
Friend Bill:
* I apologize for insulting you..... Would you please take on the assignment for the fee you proposed of $250.
* Thanks for letting me know about your background..... Wow! We are experiencing a cash flow problem even though we are well educated millionaires on paper so we are pinching pennies on every project including auto repairs, eating out at restaurants and having signs made for the ranch...... Our health insurance as of a month ago went from $9600 to $16,500 per year with no change in the policy itself.
* My wife Marty is offering residential homes at 40% below the asking price and she still has not made a penny in 2010 as there are almost 1100 homes for sale in Custer County. Marty is the great grandaugher of James Watt - Inventor of the Steam Engine and has to hustle real estate for a living thanks to a collapse of the stock market..... Look here:
My Dignity and Pride have a much higher price tag then $250.. $275 and we'll talk.
(Sarcasm.. I will not be doing this sign at all.)
[ May 17, 2010, 01:36 PM: Message edited by: William DeBekker ]
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
I love you Bill.
Posted by Bob Ficucell (Member # 1460) on :
PHD= Piled Higher and Deeper!
Posted by Robert Cole (Member # 477) on :
Dear Friend ARThur;
Due to the sudden and extended run of cheap A$#*Holes contacting me lately regarding doing their inane bidding, I find that my billable hours have dropped off at an alarming rate. That being the case My new rates have gone up considerably since our last correspondence.
Please forward your CERTIFIED check in the amount of $2500.00 to secure your position in our waiting list.
The balance due on your sign project will be required prior to delivery of your new sign.
The balance due will include, but not be limited to at least {2} of the prime 75 acre sites in your wonderful subdivision, plus any monetary damages for you and Marty wasting my time.
By current estimates your project will be completed within 3 days of Hell freezing over, so I look forward to receiving your deposit check in the very near future.
P.S. keep in mind any delay in your sending the deposit check MAY alter our delivery schedule accordingly.
Regards, Wm. D
[ May 17, 2010, 12:05 PM: Message edited by: Robert Cole ]
Posted by Susie Butler (Member # 4964) on :
Awesome!!!!! Butlers
Posted by Dennis Kiernan (Member # 12202) on :
Dont do the damn thing for $275. He said he cd learn to do your job in 2 days so let the Big Boy do it himself. Or Marty cd do it, since she has no work to do now.
Posted by Dana Stanley (Member # 6786) on :
Is this for real? I too would tell him the new price is much higher. He obviously looked around and found out what others charge. The begging for sympathy after being so uppity is incomprehensible. Some people have no dignity. If your wondering what the bit about us blue collar workers changing our attitudes is about, tune in Glenn Beck on Fox News. 1 world, 1 economy, 1 pay rate, except for the brainiacs, and Als pals.
Posted by Rene Giroux (Member # 4980) on :
Begging millionnaire.... does he work for GM???
Hold your ground Bill, but if he caughs it up that easy, invite him for a little round of poker!
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
great thread... can't wait to hear how well he handles the fact that he lost the one chance you gave him...
Posted by Jerry VanHorn (Member # 4704) on :
We are all millionaires - ON PAPER!!
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Art & Marty's Signz-N-Graphix in 3,2,1....
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
Actually, a 4 inch log would need at the very minimum of a 6" opening under the spindle. I would wager that he cannot find any one with a router that has a 6" clearance.
Plus, very few routers are in the 10 ft length. That means moving the log and setting the registration again.
Too bad for him.
10 ft of 10 inches high routing.. with a heavy log..
Border letters etc.. Too bad he didn' see the very nice deal you offered him.
Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
I know.. I rebuilt my Router with a 16" Gantry and 18" of Full Travel. Wait to you see my 4 Axis Column Mill.
Posted by Gonzalo (Peewee)Curiel (Member # 3837) on :
Do you guys realise how much fun we could have at poor Marty's expense? All of a sudden flood her with emails on land we wanted to purchase? By the time we were done they would be convinced they again were gonna be rich! That is of course when we quit making excuses to finally get time to meet her and look at the land we intend to purchase(this is after we stiffed her on the 5 last appointments and never showed up).. Afterall they certainly must understand how "us" wealthy people are! "Marty, If you want this sale I would advise you to meet me at XXXXXX ranch.." Making my millions is so time consuming sometimes I lose track of time... You do understand don't you Marty? .........(I'm so going to Hell!)
[ May 18, 2010, 09:14 AM: Message edited by: Gonzalo (Peewee)Curiel ]
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Call him up and say "Well, Arthur.... since you are allowing me to think.... I think you can go straight to.. Hello, Hello..... Arthur... I think I lost you, Arthur... call me back when your millions are on GREEN paper..."
[ May 17, 2010, 11:15 PM: Message edited by: Jon Jantz ]
Posted by Bruce Brickman (Member # 8180) on :
That was good Peewee! Posted by Catharine C. Kennedy (Member # 4459) on :
Excellant!
Posted by James Donahue (Member # 3624) on :
WAY_TO_GO_BILL!
What's interesting for me is the timing, and how he makes this attitude explicit. Maybe he talks that way with his pals, and let it out to the Blue collar folks. It's like one of his pals is a guy that called me early Saturday morning. He just found a way to get into a $1 million house, so he has to -quick- sell his $750,000 one. He's telling me that he could even come down to $500,000 if that would make it sell faster. All the while, he can't handle the $200 plus install price I gave him for 3 budget signs. I had a sample of DiBond with me, but he was dismayed that I couldn't just get a "$10 piece of plywood" to do the signs on.
Posted by Dana Stanley (Member # 6786) on :
If you pinch enough pennies, you too will one day have a million dollars. That's how it's done, one sucker at a time. A few hundred from the sign guy, few from the mechanic, a few from the poor cleaning girl who has no green card, and finally stiff the restaurant under the guise of poor service and food poisoning! Do that 24/7 365 and ....well you get it.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
SO. Let me get this straight.
Some egotistical fuzzbag, who thinks inferring you are placed on the lower end on the food chain, wants to spent three or four days emailing you back and forth, insulting you, beating the given quote of $250 into a twenty percent discount out of nowhere. He admits later that he has a cash flow problem and thinks a half hearted apology will win the day?
Dude, I would have loved for this a-clown to have come into my shop. By the second email, I'd have quadrupled the bill, asked for CASH up front, svheduled it six months out and told him what he was getting, not let him pick out one element, font or color.
I've deal with these kinds before...they're great. And if you doubt that, all you have to do is ask them.
Buh bye! Next customer please...
Rapid
Posted by Dennis Kiernan (Member # 12202) on :
I drove a cab for 15 years and cab drivers get these types now and then. I always kept in mind the fact that they were out trying to flag a ride because they lacked transportation of their own and I picked them up just to do them a favor because I'm a good guy and of course they looked like they had enough money on them to pay the usual rates.
In actual practice, all I ever had to do was stop the cab, turn around , and tell them that if they didnt know how to behave themselves they cd get out right here and get themselves another cab. I spoke to them like they were children and not once did I ever get any comeback out of them. They always changed their tune.
Arty thinks that his having a PHD and being a millionaire on paper and always saying "thinking allowed" makes all the difference. Actually, he's just some guy who needs a sign and you're the guy who can help him out. Assuming he knows how to act like a grown-up.
Posted by Carl Wood (Member # 1223) on :
Do they eat Crow at the top of the "Food Chain"?
Posted by Dennis Kiernan (Member # 12202) on :
Actually, it's probably what the crow deposits for them.
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