SouthSoundTree
Treehouser
So I was reminded that there are selfish, self-serving lying people that will cheat and steal from people that have repeatedly helped them.
I know such a guy, "A" who lived about a quarter mile from me until last week. I helped him on a number of jobs last year, in exchange for some help on some of my jobs. Not really and apple to apples trade, but I knew he worked hard to try to support his kids, so I did it anyway.
"A" needed help on a number of slightly tougher than basic tree removals in tight places, some spreading trees, some that required some essentially basic rigging in my mind, some backleaning trees.
"A" always spikes prunes, didn't know the difference between a flush cut and proper collar cut, basically only climbs with a lanyard and works very non-ergonomically, stressed to the bejesus that he is going to cut himself out of the tree and fall to his death. Rockstars all day and Bud Light all night.
If it weren't for "A" having kids at home, I'd have ignored him mostly. Call me a sucker.
I'd given "A" some online resources such as Sherrilltree's learning center, as he did things, as he put it "logger style", making up descending techniques, such as using a clove hitch sorta in place of a Blake's hitch. He used a micro pulley for rigging, not knowing the difference between that and a rescue pulley or block, etc, etc. I gave him a hitch cord and figure 8, etc. Showed him how to speedline, MA, etc while doing climbing work for him. He didn't know but a few knots. In retrospect, he was probably too hung over to pick any of it up.
So in December "A" said that he was behind on bills and rent, and needed to get some jobs done quickly to not get kicked out of his house or whatever. Could I help him and he could help me, trading days? I told him to that if he wanted my employee to work with him, he would have to pay him directly, and I'd be willing to trade him day-for-day.
So its July now. I haven't got a written contract of our agreement, "A" has moved out of his rental house. I have to either try to track him down and go to small claims court over it, without anything in writing or just write it off 2.5 days of work. He hasn't paid my employee for three days of work, as he arranged with my employee either. I clearly told them both that whatever they wanted to work out between them was fine by me, and I wasn't employing my employee to work for this other guy.
In talking to "J",a newly into business for himself treeworker in town, I find out that supposedly arborists only consult but don't do any "hands on work" for lack of a better description. The thief "A" doesn't even know me. Scammer-man has had his business license revoked for Worker's Comp Fraud. He's driving his CDL bucket truck without a CDL, so that means he is not insured. I wonder if he even has general liability insurance. When the city showed up to the commercial site inquiring about permitting ("A" told "J" that no permits were required because the trees being removed were "hazard trees", showing either that he didn't know what he was talking about or was just again lying). "A" wanted "J" to give the city worker his business license and insurance.
"J" said that he "almost had to beat his money out of "A" ", after doing the crane work on the "hazard tree" removals.
"J" also said that "A" dropped a 40' top out of a 60' tree taking out a utility line. Probably doesn't have the insurance to cover it.
So I guess there is a lot to be said about having a written contract with a licensed, bonded, insurance company, and not being a sucker because of somebody having kids (almost assuredly from what I know if it, he just couldn't manage his reproduction either). Follow your gut people!
I know such a guy, "A" who lived about a quarter mile from me until last week. I helped him on a number of jobs last year, in exchange for some help on some of my jobs. Not really and apple to apples trade, but I knew he worked hard to try to support his kids, so I did it anyway.
"A" needed help on a number of slightly tougher than basic tree removals in tight places, some spreading trees, some that required some essentially basic rigging in my mind, some backleaning trees.
"A" always spikes prunes, didn't know the difference between a flush cut and proper collar cut, basically only climbs with a lanyard and works very non-ergonomically, stressed to the bejesus that he is going to cut himself out of the tree and fall to his death. Rockstars all day and Bud Light all night.
If it weren't for "A" having kids at home, I'd have ignored him mostly. Call me a sucker.
I'd given "A" some online resources such as Sherrilltree's learning center, as he did things, as he put it "logger style", making up descending techniques, such as using a clove hitch sorta in place of a Blake's hitch. He used a micro pulley for rigging, not knowing the difference between that and a rescue pulley or block, etc, etc. I gave him a hitch cord and figure 8, etc. Showed him how to speedline, MA, etc while doing climbing work for him. He didn't know but a few knots. In retrospect, he was probably too hung over to pick any of it up.
So in December "A" said that he was behind on bills and rent, and needed to get some jobs done quickly to not get kicked out of his house or whatever. Could I help him and he could help me, trading days? I told him to that if he wanted my employee to work with him, he would have to pay him directly, and I'd be willing to trade him day-for-day.
So its July now. I haven't got a written contract of our agreement, "A" has moved out of his rental house. I have to either try to track him down and go to small claims court over it, without anything in writing or just write it off 2.5 days of work. He hasn't paid my employee for three days of work, as he arranged with my employee either. I clearly told them both that whatever they wanted to work out between them was fine by me, and I wasn't employing my employee to work for this other guy.
In talking to "J",a newly into business for himself treeworker in town, I find out that supposedly arborists only consult but don't do any "hands on work" for lack of a better description. The thief "A" doesn't even know me. Scammer-man has had his business license revoked for Worker's Comp Fraud. He's driving his CDL bucket truck without a CDL, so that means he is not insured. I wonder if he even has general liability insurance. When the city showed up to the commercial site inquiring about permitting ("A" told "J" that no permits were required because the trees being removed were "hazard trees", showing either that he didn't know what he was talking about or was just again lying). "A" wanted "J" to give the city worker his business license and insurance.
"J" said that he "almost had to beat his money out of "A" ", after doing the crane work on the "hazard tree" removals.
"J" also said that "A" dropped a 40' top out of a 60' tree taking out a utility line. Probably doesn't have the insurance to cover it.
So I guess there is a lot to be said about having a written contract with a licensed, bonded, insurance company, and not being a sucker because of somebody having kids (almost assuredly from what I know if it, he just couldn't manage his reproduction either). Follow your gut people!
Don't pop his tyres, bash the living f**k outta him! It's all some people understand......
