Dilemma - to pay or not to pay?
Folks: I had an issue with a vehicle that I could not figure out; I'm a pretty competent home mechanic and rarely take anything to a shop. The shop where I took it spent 4 hours on the vehicle and...
Forum Discussion
Years ago, I was excavating a site to build a house in the California foothills - the terrain was rocky and volcanic base all over. The back-hoe guy (very experienced) did not want to give a bid ( and I agreed) and wanted to go by the hour ... we agreed $85 an hour.
Next day, I show up at the site and there's an eighteen year old kid running the backhoe, learning (the operators son) and really having a tough time of it ... So, I immediately called him and said, "Joe, I'm not paying $85 an hour to train your son. I hired YOUR experience, not a rookie. I generally charge a fee to train someone."
He was back out there within a half hour, and on the backhoe ... it was a tough job, and I had no use for a trainee on it. If he gives a flat bid, then fine, he can train his son, but not on my nickel.
He actually was pretty apologetic, and didn't think it through. At least I believe that, as he'd done a lot of excavating for me in the past -- but most always a bid, so I didn't care if his son helped, or even operated, as long as the job was done properly - we all have to learn sometime.
But for sure, when you pay professional rates by the hour, you should get the professional, and he should produce the result you pay for, or no check. IMHO
Next day, I show up at the site and there's an eighteen year old kid running the backhoe, learning (the operators son) and really having a tough time of it ... So, I immediately called him and said, "Joe, I'm not paying $85 an hour to train your son. I hired YOUR experience, not a rookie. I generally charge a fee to train someone."
He was back out there within a half hour, and on the backhoe ... it was a tough job, and I had no use for a trainee on it. If he gives a flat bid, then fine, he can train his son, but not on my nickel.
He actually was pretty apologetic, and didn't think it through. At least I believe that, as he'd done a lot of excavating for me in the past -- but most always a bid, so I didn't care if his son helped, or even operated, as long as the job was done properly - we all have to learn sometime.
But for sure, when you pay professional rates by the hour, you should get the professional, and he should produce the result you pay for, or no check. IMHO
