Swamp Yankee
Addicted to ArboristSite
AKA, I know somebody that slept on the couch for a few nights
Long story but I'll try to keep it short
This whole episode started around Labor Day when I called Mr. X, a 4th year repeat customer about delivering this Fall's 3 cords. (I put up and cover all my seasoned wood orders a year in advance) He asked How much is it? I told him $200 per cord, same as last year. Now he gets excited and starts screaming that the going rate for seasoned is $140 and that's all he'll pay, otherwise I can take my wood and shove it. I told him I was firm on the price, leading to another outburst. At that point I politely thanked him for his past business and left it at that.
Last Thursday the 28th I received a call from Mrs. X wanting to know if I still had 3 cords available. I told her that her husband had made it quite clear he didn't want to pay my price and/or do business. Her exact words, and I quote,"My husband is an idiot. I love him to death but he can be such an idiot. (Now she's on my good side.) Do you have any wood available or can you recommend someone?" As I looked out the window at 5 cord of seasoned white oak a flash of brilliance or a moment of greed came to me. I have some wood, but it's the pile I'm saving to sell later in the season when I can get more money for it. "How much is it?" I get $250 a cord in late January and early February. "That's fine, can you bring us 3 cord and if so how soon can you deliver?" We agreed I would deliver 3 cord starting Saturday. As they were going to be away at a wedding we arranged for me to deliver the last on Sunday and she would pay me then. I was to leave the wood behind the garage just as I had in the previous years.
Saturday morning I dropped off the first load. There behind the garage was a pile, around 2-1/4 cord of some of the ugliest wood I've seen. About 1/4 was hemlock, the rest was red and white oak split huge, with branches and limbs not trimmed some at least 6 inches off the stem, with no checking at all. This stuff was either green or wet through and through or both. I kind of chuckled and went about my business.
I delivered the third cord yesterday. Mr. X was out stacking and didn't even look up when I arrived. Mrs. X came out with an envelope full of cash and a cup of coffee for me. She was very nice and even made her son come out and help unload. I told her I would be back around noon with the last of it and she said that was fine. On the last load hubby is still stacking and Mrs X once again appears with a Coke and a smile. "I guess you noticed we purchased some wood from someone else. It won't burn well and we had a hard time getting it into the stove. Isn't that right dear?" Mr X just kind of shrugged.
By know I know she's busting his stones big time, but here's the best part. She asks if I would put up wood for them for next year. How much I asked. At least 2 cords she said, 3 if at all possible. Once again another flash of brilliance or greed hit me. I'm sorry Mrs. X, I'll do it but I will need a deposit of $50 per cord. "Dear, I don't have my purse, would you give John $150?" Well Mr. X pulls $150 out of his wallet and hands me the cash. I really don't know who enjoyed it more, me or his wife.
I left with quite a glowing feeling. I still have it today. Basking in the feeling of vengeance, with a huge surplus of Halloween candy to finish. Sometimes life can't get any better.
Thanks for reading
Take Care
Long story but I'll try to keep it short
This whole episode started around Labor Day when I called Mr. X, a 4th year repeat customer about delivering this Fall's 3 cords. (I put up and cover all my seasoned wood orders a year in advance) He asked How much is it? I told him $200 per cord, same as last year. Now he gets excited and starts screaming that the going rate for seasoned is $140 and that's all he'll pay, otherwise I can take my wood and shove it. I told him I was firm on the price, leading to another outburst. At that point I politely thanked him for his past business and left it at that.
Last Thursday the 28th I received a call from Mrs. X wanting to know if I still had 3 cords available. I told her that her husband had made it quite clear he didn't want to pay my price and/or do business. Her exact words, and I quote,"My husband is an idiot. I love him to death but he can be such an idiot. (Now she's on my good side.) Do you have any wood available or can you recommend someone?" As I looked out the window at 5 cord of seasoned white oak a flash of brilliance or a moment of greed came to me. I have some wood, but it's the pile I'm saving to sell later in the season when I can get more money for it. "How much is it?" I get $250 a cord in late January and early February. "That's fine, can you bring us 3 cord and if so how soon can you deliver?" We agreed I would deliver 3 cord starting Saturday. As they were going to be away at a wedding we arranged for me to deliver the last on Sunday and she would pay me then. I was to leave the wood behind the garage just as I had in the previous years.
Saturday morning I dropped off the first load. There behind the garage was a pile, around 2-1/4 cord of some of the ugliest wood I've seen. About 1/4 was hemlock, the rest was red and white oak split huge, with branches and limbs not trimmed some at least 6 inches off the stem, with no checking at all. This stuff was either green or wet through and through or both. I kind of chuckled and went about my business.
I delivered the third cord yesterday. Mr. X was out stacking and didn't even look up when I arrived. Mrs. X came out with an envelope full of cash and a cup of coffee for me. She was very nice and even made her son come out and help unload. I told her I would be back around noon with the last of it and she said that was fine. On the last load hubby is still stacking and Mrs X once again appears with a Coke and a smile. "I guess you noticed we purchased some wood from someone else. It won't burn well and we had a hard time getting it into the stove. Isn't that right dear?" Mr X just kind of shrugged.
By know I know she's busting his stones big time, but here's the best part. She asks if I would put up wood for them for next year. How much I asked. At least 2 cords she said, 3 if at all possible. Once again another flash of brilliance or greed hit me. I'm sorry Mrs. X, I'll do it but I will need a deposit of $50 per cord. "Dear, I don't have my purse, would you give John $150?" Well Mr. X pulls $150 out of his wallet and hands me the cash. I really don't know who enjoyed it more, me or his wife.
I left with quite a glowing feeling. I still have it today. Basking in the feeling of vengeance, with a huge surplus of Halloween candy to finish. Sometimes life can't get any better.
Thanks for reading
Take Care
.
