knowing when not to take a job

[Taylortractornut]

I got a call from a cousin that's a police officer in town about doing some welding work with my portable welder.
I went to look and in the jail auto shop where convicts work they had a triumph two post lift in there. One of the lift arms was twisted down. They wanted it heated bent up and some stuff welded to it. I asked why it was broken and wad told that the pd and the man over the shop had the convicts put a long wheelbase 4x4 4 door f350 on a lift that was rated for the patrol cars. The workers were under it when the arm gave way and narrowly missed a bad accident. Also all the arm locks were removed and . A few other things not installed like a pressure relief valve. I got a little hazing over not taking the job but I can't fix stupid either.

 

[dave1949]

You made the right call. When some dead person's wife is suing everyone in sight, your name doesn't need to be on the list.

 

[J F]

Yep. Not taking the job / just saying "no", seems to be one of life's hardest lessons for anyone who works for themselves, be it in a "full-time business" or a "side job". Anyone new to self-employment/owning a business will do themselves well, to get over the "pain" of turning down work.

You've gotta end up trusting your gut, when it says "no". And then leave it at that.

It's a pretty common theme...you've just got to get used to the feeling.

 

[Mace Canute]

I got a call from a cousin that's a police officer in town about doing some welding work with my portable welder.
I went to look and in the jail auto shop where convicts work they had a triumph two post lift in there. One of the lift arms was twisted down. They wanted it heated bent up and some stuff welded to it. I asked why it was broken and wad told that the pd and the man over the shop had the convicts put a long wheelbase 4x4 4 door f350 on a lift that was rated for the patrol cars. The workers were under it when the arm gave way and narrowly missed a bad accident. Also all the arm locks were removed and . A few other things not installed like a pressure relief valve. I got a little hazing over not taking the job but I can't fix stupid either.

Good call! Aside from the issue of whether it should or could be fixed is the fact that they obviously need a higher capacity hoist. Two Post Lifts has a Triumph two post lift rated for 12,000 lbs for just $2850.00 on sale and $3,500.00 regular price. That's peanuts compared to a lawsuit! Mohawk Lifts has two post lifts rated at 30,000 lbs.

 

[Qapla]

I have turned down some jobs over the years ... never regretted any of them. Some I did take I wish I had said no.

BTW - Mace ... I saw that same picture on a post elsewhere

 

[JasG]

A while ago we had a machine that one of the main safety devices failed and no part in the US, the part would take 10 days to get from Germany. This was for an automated scrap handling machine that without this our recycler would not take the unprocessed scrap, so the material would end up going to another recycler we would have to pay to haul away. The plant manager who is over everyone including myself wanted me to "bypass" this device. I refused and explained why, and he continued to try and get me to do it.

I finally said I would do what ever he wanted. He was to type up on a word document what he wanted done, both print it and E-mail it to me. Sign the printed copy and I would post that at the machine. Then I would do what he was ordering me to do.

All of the sudden waiting for the part was OK and I had "misunderstood" what he wanted. It was all fine an dandy for me to do it with no connection to him. Then if someone gets hurt it's all on me. I knew he would back down once I said he had to put it in writing.

For me it's never worth the risk. Good for you for not taking the job.

 

[Tomtint]

That could be the best money you never made

 

[EddieWalker]

Most of the jobs I turn down are because I don't care for the person who is looking to hire me. I've never missed not taking a job, but do wish that I had turned down a few more that I ended up doing.

Eddie