Church group gets a donation

[woodenboater]

I always tell my wife to use me as an excuse if she ever wants to get out of anything but yeah, that does sound patronizing suggesting she talk to you first doesn't it ? If I said that to SWMBO, I'd probably get The Look, then an elbow somewhere sensitive.

We'll always help people out who need helping in spite of those who test our patience.

ps-hope the oak were big rounds they can't split

 

[woodchuck357]

All split, three to five inch average cross section. The Lady stacks it, I don't stack just throw in a pile and let it set. I can't see much difference in how fast it dries piled vs stacked. She is sorta a neet freek an likes things to look ordered.

 

[Walt41]

$20 rule...live by it, we make no decisions over $20 value without consulting each other and never loan anything out without discussing it first.

 

[wampum]

I had basically the same thing happen a few years ago.The only difference was I went back to check and they had almost a cord stacked on a 1 ton truck after they asked for a wheel barrow load.I made them unload the whole load and they left with nothing.This was not a church group. But when I am lied too it would not have mattered.

If they left a receipt there should be a phone number and address. I would call them and ask for it back.If they refuse to return it I would call the law on them.I would tell the law that your wife gave them a rick and they took 13.Most likely the law will side with them,saying your wife gave them permission and the exact amount was questionable.But you might luck out and they may bring it back or the law could side with you.

Hopefully you will learn from this.Anytime in the future make sure you are there or nothing leaves the place.

 

[woodenboater]

... She is sorta a neet freek an likes things to look ordered.

ha ha. I'm a mess in the office, garage and workshop area but damn if I'm not going to have a nice looking stack of wood. Next time I'm at the cabin, I plan to separate the nice splits from the bastard chunks. That should keep me busy for a couple of hours.

 

[Cheesecutter]

Woodchuck, You sound like the salt of the earth and a generous person and it's a shame you got taken advantage of(especially by a church). You can bet they'll stop by again in the future, will you be as generous? I'd designate a pile to be used for charity. Then you and her decide who deserves it or donate it.

 

[unclemoustache]

I call scam artists. Two adults and a kid in a p/u truck ? I don't know ANY church group that would door step people like that. and taking that much wood ? BS!

Yup. Lots of idiots say "Hey, I'm from So-and-So Church and we're needing some help. Can you donate?"
Only to find out later that So-and-So Church knows nothing at all about that person or the cause. I've given a number of things away to such people. I'm a bit wiser now.

 

[woodchuck357]

Not going to make a big deal out of it. We will just be hauling less to the dump site and may pick up some from there and bring it home. Most of my wood comes from tree work and splitting helps me fight the fat. Just won't be able to give as much to folks I know this year.

 

[ReggieT]

Nothing wrong with checking references...CONFIRM, BUT VERIFY.
Shake it off...they'll need you most likely before you need them.

Many times its not even about the one who offended me, as it is about MY reaction to the offense & offender...lol

 

[John R]

Soft hearted people are great, but very close to being soft headed.

 

[ReggieT]

Soft hearted people are great, but very close to being soft headed.

I concur...just as there are the hard hearted...who are close to being hard headed...which eventually extracts its "pound of flesh."

 

[pennsywoodburnr]

I'm thankful my wife checks in with me first before making any decisions like that. Don't get me wrong, we like to help people, but being taken advantage of is a whole different ball of wax. Perfect example: there's an old couple at her church that wants to make sure they're ready in case the power goes out by them. Not a problem. I'll give them a face cord gladly. They know not to burn it frivolously. But two able bodies dudes? No way in hell. You guys should have been out cutting and splitting all year long like I was. Don't come crying to me because you didn't have your s--t together.

 

[Sandhill Crane]

Soft hearted people are great, but very close to being soft headed.

Interesting and funny, but not true for me. As some have eluded to, it is not about the other person, it is about our response to their actions, in this case taking advantage of a situation/another person. Sounds like Woodchuck357 is married to a good hearted woman, and she has a good man that can say she doesn't need permission to make choices on her own. There are many closed hearts because of situations like this. On this site I'm sure we all know the value of time and work that 5 cords is. Wow, 5 cord! In addition to the wood what is taken is something from within, but only if you let them reach that far. 357 may be more spiritually advanced than he thinks. Certainly further on the path than many who 'claim' to be.

 

[Speed]

The way I see this, it's not a matter of who gave permission, or whether or not being charitable is good or not. It's not even about where it actually went. She gave permission for them to take a truck load. They flat out stole the rest. They took advantage of her kind heartedness. To lazy to cut, but not lazy enough that they can't hustle when they are stealing. 5 cord gone when given permission for a truck load? I'd be after them.

 

[Saddle Mander]

Churches always think everyone owns them something

As someone who has been very active in my church for over 25 years, I really have no idea what you're talking about. We serve and support so many people locally and internationally, and work with many other churches who do the same. We will make needs known, but have never shaken anyone down or used guilt to get $$, resources, or manpower.

HOWEVER, I have come across many shyters using the name of God to rip people off. But that's an entirely different story.

 

[KenJax Tree]

As someone who has been very active in my church for over 25 years, I really have no idea what you're talking about. We serve and support so many people locally and internationally, and work with many other churches who do the same. We will make needs known, but have never shaken anyone down or used guilt to get $$, resources, or manpower.

HOWEVER, I have come across many shyters using the name of God to rip people off. But that's an entirely different story.

I guess you've never done tree work for churches and had to wait months to get paid and it gets to the point to where you gotta start calling the Priest or Ministers house every time you talked to them they tried to negotiate a discount or freebie.

Maybe not all are this way but the ones we have dealt with have been.


Sent from my Autotune Carb

 

[Saddle Mander]

I guess you've never done tree work for churches and had to wait months to get paid and it gets to the point to where you gotta start calling the Priest or Ministers house every time you talked to them they tried to negotiate a discount or freebie.

Maybe not all are this way but the ones we have dealt with have been.


Sent from my Autotune Carb

Fair enough. That hasn't been my experience, but if that's been your experience, I certainly understand the bad taste it's left you with.

 

[wampum]

I guess you've never done tree work for churches and had to wait months to get paid and it gets to the point to where you gotta start calling the Priest or Ministers house every time you talked to them they tried to negotiate a discount or freebie.

Maybe not all are this way but the ones we have dealt with have been.


Sent from my Autotune Carb

I agree there are churches out there that are very limited in funds and try to get anything they can as cheap as they can. But any non-profit may be a candidate to act like this.I have been in business for many years,in different fields.I cut trees for years and had trouble getting paid from just about all groups and individuals.Being cheap I guess crosses all groups and people.But I have also found that treating charities just a little better has gotten me more business over the years.I also had a saw shop,a paint and glass business,and have been a licensed auctioneer for over 30 years.As an auctioneer I can not say how many benefit auctions I have worked but it is part of the business. Last year I went on line with on line actions.I am retired(I guess semi retired)so I am doing basically a few live auctions and as many on line local auctions that I can.I had several benefit on line auctions last year and we did them all for no cost.Even one for the local football team.But we have had several auctions happen from this and numerous leads.

If I want paid for sure from any group I ask for the money first then I do the work.In the auction business this is very easy because we handle all of the money and take out our commission first thing.I would suggest that before you cut for any church you ask to get paid up ,front.If they do not pay you up front do not do the work.Its a shame to do business like that but this way you would not get ripped off.

 

[Ironworker]

Did these bible thumpers randomly seek you out or is there pryor history with them.

 

[Hinerman]

Churches always think everyone owns them something

Sent from my Autotune Carb

This is a ridiculous blanket statement IMO. There may be some bad churches out there. Obviously you have found a few. But churches don't "always" think "everyone" "owes", not "owns", them something. That is like saying tree companies are always rude, always ungrateful, always over price, never clean up their mess, and always tear up the yard with their equipment. This may describe some tree companies but not all of them.

I guess you've never done tree work for churches and had to wait months to get paid and it gets to the point to where you gotta start calling the Priest or Ministers house every time you talked to them they tried to negotiate a discount or freebie.

Maybe not all are this way but the ones we have dealt with have been.

Sent from my Autotune Carb

This goes both ways. My church has been screwed by companies like yours (but obviously not yours) who get paid up front and never show up or do a crappy unfinished job. Then said companies stop answering the phone and don't return phone calls. My church has been waiting years for companies that are never going to show up or return the money.

Anyhow, the OP seems to be handling the circumstance very well. It is a disgrace when people take advantage of good people all in the name of God.