Phones ringing..

[Junkrunner]

The weather must gonna be bad. It really erks me when people wait till they're on their last piece of wood and the weathers terrible, to call wanting wood ASAP. Especially when most them are regular customers that I ask. Please, don't wait till the last minute. I guess I shouldn't complain, but i didn't sell or deliver any over the weekend. Came home after a long cold day, to five orders. I got three out last night. The other two are going out this mornin, in the freezen rain:excruciating:

Rant over, gotta go:smirk:

 

[hanniedog]

Did you really expect them to plan ahead?

 

[varna]

set some different prices ahead of time....let them choose.....you make more for your troubles to "rush" orders....

 

[John R]

set some different prices ahead of time....let them choose.....you make more for your troubles to "rush" orders....

This is how I would handle it.
Order ahead of time, cost this much (what ever you charge).
Rush orders, add $25.00

 

[beerman6]

Why not,the propane companies do it.

 

[jrr344]

May be they keep coming back because you don't charge extra and they can depend on you to supply them. You should look at it as a good thing that they can trust you to get the job done.

 

[o8f150]

i have had a couple of people call and say they have been out for 2 or 3 days.. it is not my job to drive and check everyones wood pile to make sure they have enough

 

[7hpjim]

set some different prices ahead of time....let them choose.....you make more for your troubles to "rush" orders....

+1 fossil fuel suppliers charge xtra for emergency delivery's, why shouldn't you, if they pay a 25 dollar surcharge a couple of times perhaps the sting in their hip pocket will help them remember to order before their down to two splits!:starving:

 

[TMFARM 2009]

we get the same thing in the tire industry.. i had a guy call at quarter till 6 last night we close at 6 and he wanted us to stay there for him so he could get brakes done on his truck...i basically told him to piss off... got to get off the couch people! we where slow all day and he wanted me to pay techs overtime to fix his truck...not happening....people are selfish and the burger king syndrome strikes allot...my way right now!!!!!:crazy1::crazy1:

 

[Junkrunner]

I like the surcharge Idea. Thanks Fellas!

 

[NCPABill]

Discount

Finally, having lurked for a long time and posting little, maybe a topic I can help with - thanks for the chance!

Having a couple of rentals, I find that I price them high, and offer a discount for my terms (pay prior to the first of the month). Maybe you could price your firewood quite high, then drop down to your regular price for 10 days notice, or something along those lines? People seem to complain about surcharges, but appreciate discounts.

Best of luck,

Bill

 

[Junkrunner]

Hmmm. interesting NCPAbill.. That makes good sense too me. I like your thinkin.

THANKS!

 

[sachsmo]

Yes Sir,

I would gouge them, it is just like that everywhere.

I am a machine repair tech, and "most" operators think you should drop everything, and come service their problem,,,,,,,,,,,,,immedietly!

I've been doing this for 25 plus years, I always tell them "take a number, and #1 is already taken"

 

[Iska3]

That's a tough call. In the past when I ran out of LP and was charged extra for the emer run. Maybe the people did not have the money up front to pay for the wood and ran out. In the real world, the roads run both ways. Do up upset the customer or bend a little. When I sold wood, I made a flyer that explained my rates and in bold and how I worked out a schedule. I made sure they knew that I charged extra for an emer run to their home. I also gave a discount if ordered in advance.

 

[Junkrunner]

That's a tough call. In the past when I ran out of LP and was charged extra for the emer run. Maybe the people did not have the money up front to pay for the wood and ran out. In the real world, the roads run both ways. Do up upset the customer or bend a little. When I sold wood, I made a flyer that explained my rates and in bold and how I worked out a schedule. I made sure they knew that I charged extra for an emer run to their home. I also gave a discount if ordered in advance.

Like I said in my OP, I asked them, "PLEASE, don't wait till the last minute." These people have money. It's just a thing called COURTESY. They all got their wood, and was asked AGAIN for atleast acouple days notice for their next load. i'm gettin alot of new people callin, wantin wood. Their wood guys is out of dry, seasoned stuff. I have to turn these away. That's why I try to get them to buy through the summer, and let it season at THEIR place. But, the first question out of their mouth is; Is it gonna be cheaper, cause it's green? Anwser; NO..:eyeroll:

 

[Iska3]

Like I said in my OP, I asked them, "PLEASE, don't wait till the last minute." These people have money. It's just a thing called COURTESY. They all got their wood, and was asked AGAIN for atleast acouple days notice for their next load.

That's almost funny.. I've been dealing with people for over 40 years and those that have the money are the worst to deal with. Seems like they are always looking for a deal. The best deal is pay in advance and give them a discount. I still have several people who order and pay a year in advance. That way they lock in a lower price and I'll store their wood for them.

I feel sorry for you. The second time they called me late, my truck would be down for a few days.

 

[tomtrees58]

slow and steady here 6 full cords a week

 

[Turkeyslayer]

Yep, I have had the "emergency" Sunday afternoon calls every weekend since Christmas. One would think they would have enough forethought to at least call Friday to have wood delivered on the weekend, and they are always right out of wood with no backup heat:bang:

 

[redprospector]

Of corse there's alway's the other end of the spectrum.
I talked to a mechanic I use about working on one of my trucks. He said that if I could get it to him by Monday that he only had one truck ahead of mine. I paid the local wrecker to tow it to him as soon as he could get to it (Sunday). That was over a month ago and I'm still waiting on him to get to it. I asked him if he was still working on that "one truck" that was ahead of me and he got pissed. Then he asked if he could borrow my service manual for a Bobcat 863. I told him sure, I'll bring it with me when I come to get my truck.
You never know what's going on in someone elses life. When someone calls for a cord of wood............right now.......I just look at it as money in the bank, and cows on the range.

Andy

 

[spike60]

Thanks for starting this thread, cause I need to blow off some steam myself.

People are the same way with their dang snowblowers. They wait until the eve of the storm and expect you to run right over there and get them going. Even though they broke it on the previous storm, they'll wait until the weather channel tells them they're going to need it again.

The current weather pattern has made things worse. With one storm after the other, people are parking their blowers with the snow and slush in there and it freezes up by the next storm. They go out and try to engage the auger. Some people are smart enough to let go of the control when they hear the belt squeeling, but many are so stupid that they just hold the thing down and burn up the belts. Some actually melt the belt cover.

I guess it's a mistake that anyone can make, but some people are doing the same thing after we've fixed it and fully explained what the problem is. "It's doing it again!!!" They're mad at the machine and they're mad at us, but the problem is them. I've gotten to the point where I've pretty much cut a few of these people loose and told them I'm don't have the time to come back, and they're on their own. If they can get it to the store, we'll fix it, but we're not chasing this stuff in bad weather. I don't mind going out in the cold to fix a machine, but I'm not going out to fix stupidity. For any price.

Thanks.....I feel better now.