[jwholden]

I occasionally loan tools out to a friend or family members and it is a PITA. The tool never comes back until I make a follow up call and then I have to go over the whole thing to clean the air filters and sharpen chains, etc. Everybody likes my equipment because I keep it in great shape. I am about to stop this policy. I bought the equipment for the business and I like to have it ready to go at a moments notice. NO DISCUSSION.

I hear that some members will not work for friends or relatives and refer them to other companies. I think that I will be starting this policy next year as well. I am tired of hearing how these people have to wait forever for me to get to there job at every family gathering. Frankly, if I have some spare time on the weekend I would rather spend it with the wife or work on my own yard.

I work out of my house and will continue to do 'cheap' work for my neighbors to stay in there good graces. I also will allow my employees to borrow the occasional tool to use at their house, it gives them a sense of trust and I pray I have trained them to use the tools right.

What is your policy on loaning out your tools to friends?

[Stonehenge]

To friends? I don't.

To neighbors? Same deal. I don't ask them for office supplies, they should not expect me to forego the use of the things I use to earn my living.

I'll let my employees use our smaller tools on the weekend, with the understanding that they are on the hook for whatever happens to the eqpt while in their care, whether they're at fault or not.

And quit it with the neighbors already!! If you want to be in their good graces, give them the names of a few good companies, and offer to give your opinion on the bids and designs when they come in. They will feel much more comfortable with their decision, they will likely still mention your name to other people, and now you don't have the headaches. Oh yeah - and now you get to see how your competition handles bids and designs.

[BJR]

No way hosay!

(is that how you spell hosay?)

[jwholden]

Got a message today. My sibling has a load(s) of stone coming soon and is begging to have me over to dispose of stumps with him this Saturday. This will end up beeing an all day project. What a great way to relax and I'll get some gas money and a freee lunch.

My mood went from happy to somber in a heartbeat!

The new no favors no loans policy is going to start soon!

[Stonehenge]

This is like drugs - the more you do it, the harder it will be to quit.

[Homer]

Just let your friendly competitors know that you've purchased a set of extended reach hedge trimmers............they get really friendly. I had to tell 3 different people that that tool was not a loaner. I wasn't rude.......and I did wonder if I would need to borrow something of theirs one day........but I had to stick to my guns. My wife bought them for me, it was on a day when I realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly needed them. I was given strict instructions that day to never loan them out. So far they have not been. I have loaned my 21" once or twice but in return borrowed a chainsaw to offset it. As for friends and family, they have never asked and I'm glad. I don't do neighbors either. I have offered to sharpen blades for one of them but that's as far as it goes...........and he takes them off!