Quantcast
Jump to content

Grammarly Writing Support


The #1 Writing Tool


Grammarly Writing Support

Hoarders - - Sometimes the junk in the trunk spills out into the entire car


Gonzo

Recommended Posts

Hoarders
 
tp.gif    Watching television these days you’ll find a lot of so called reality shows 
on the air waves.  I sat thru one of these hoarding shows, and quite frankly 
I wasn’t surprised at all.  I’ve seen this same thing in cars, trucks, and vans.  
Junk, trash, and just about anything you could think of piled up inside the 
car and/or in the bed of the truck. The one thing that seems to be common 
with every one of them is the mess.  It’s not so much the piles of crap that 
they keep in their vehicles, but how they keep their stuff.  It’s always a 
disorganized mess with no rhyme or reason of organization.  
 
tp.gif    I can’t work like that myself. Now, I’m not all that neat with my tool box.  But it’s at least it’s an organized chaos.  Sockets and extensions of the same ratchet size in one area, cutting tools in another, screw drivers and pliers all have their own place.  I actually use several tool boxes to store my 30+ years of variety of tools.   Even with the tool boxes, I still have to have other tools that come in their own protective plastic molded boxes on shelves neatly labeled as to what is in each box, in order to retrieve them when needed.  Older, out of date tools seem to always end up in lower and lower drawers.  I can’t even tell you where my dwell meters are these days… haven’t seen them in years.  
 
tp.gif    Now I see the same trend in old scanners.  The pile is getting larger and larger.  I still have an old MatCo 4000E and a few other ones on one of the lower shelves.  I don’t think I’ve turned them on in years, but all the cards and cords are there.  It’s almost funny, (in a weird way) that each time you update a scanner, the new scanner generally will do all the older systems.  So instead of pulling out your old scanner I’ll reach for the new one every time.  So what happens to that old scanner? It will end up with that old dwell meter somewhere out of sight and forgotten.  
 
tp.gif    These days I find myself “hoarding” some of these new tools, and wait for a chance to use some of them.  Now, I’ve got a collection of so called “new” tools that I haven’t found much use for yet.  Special headlamp assembly removal tools, belt tools, shocks wrenches, front end disassembly tools, suspension tools, and so much more.  Most of which I may only see use for only once in a great while.  For example, I’ve done several of the water pumps on the “North Star” engines, and with the right tool it’s an easy job.  I wouldn’t even begin to think of doing it without it.  The tool wasn’t cheap, but I’m sure at some point in time it too will end up in the bottom of the box.  
 
tp.gif    I don’t think of myself as a tool hoarder, or a collector… I just want the right tool for the right job.  As a tech the expense of these tools can be costly, keeping them clean and well kept helps me maintain them for a long time.  Without the right tool, the job isn’t as easy as it could be. So anytime I can get the correct tool I will. 
 
     Then there are those homemade tools that I have a tougher time sending to the deep dark pockets of the lower drawers.  At the time I needed that certain cut down tool or a socket I ground an edge off of… they made sense.  Looking in the drawer at some of these old handmade marvels I have to wonder… why I did do “that” to this tool? Obviously, I’ve forgotten what it was for… so it now becomes the next tool that will get “re-made” into the next handmade tool.  These tools I’ll “hoard” for a long time, just can’t part with them so easily. 
 
tp.gif     I’ve also seen guys who have huge boxes of tools that have every single socket and screw driver so perfectly placed in their tool boxes that they resemble museum pieces.  I’ve even seen a guy who had a huge, and I mean huge, selection of hammers… of various sizes and lengths.  All these hammers were lined up on overhead racks equally spaced apart, and put into a pattern from small to large, and by handle length.  A thing of beauty to a tool guy like myself.  Not that practical in my point of view though. I mean, really, how many hammers do ya need?  A hoarder? No not really.   I think it actually falls under the category of collector.  Collectors take pride in what they have, and are proud to display them in an orderly fashion.  
 
tp.gif    One thing that goes along with those hoarders’ cars and trucks is the stench…  OMG… always, always, always it smells like something died in there.  I’ll bet doctors could tell some horror stories dealing with people and their hygiene, and I’m sure I’m not the only tech who has dealt with the smelly car from hell.   Nasty, is the only way to say it… putrid, awful, and disgusting.  YUK!  
 
tp.gif    Well, then again, it’s work… not pleasant work, but it is work.  I think the worst one that I can remember getting into was a Chevy van with a heater core leak.  The van was stacked level with the windows front to back with the most horrendous conglomeration of junk I’ve ever had to deal with. There was only enough room for the driver and barely any room to move the gear shift lever.  Totally disgusting, and even more to the point that smell, that awful unforgettable smell!  Papers, fast food bags, clothes, shoes, and anything else you can think of.  
 
    I always try to put things back in order that I take things out of a glove box or trunk, but, there was no way to “re-stack” everything back in on this “hoarder-mobile”… it was an intertwined hap-hazard pile of putrid junk.  All I could do was grab handfuls of this stuff and throw it on the shop floor.  In fact, I gave the lady the estimate based on book time… then I crossed out the book time, and told her that the book time doesn’t apply due to the conditions I’m working in. She still said go for it… so I did.  With an aspirator, plastic gloves and a long sleeve jacket that I planned to throw out as soon as I was done.  I “dove” right into my work on this reeking pile of refuse, and finished it as quickly as I could.  You know, I really should have done this job outside, because the stench lingered in the shop for weeks.    
 
tp.gif    These people have a serious mental problem, but most of them don’t see it as a problem.  I’m no doctor, so I probably shouldn’t make diagnostic claims on things I know nothing about, I’m just a mechanic. I’ll try to deal with junk and the smell, get the job done, and move on to the next one.  (Hopefully a more pleasant one).  
 
tp.gif    When you finish with one of these jobs, don’t forget to wipe your tools down before you neatly place them back into your tool box.  Messy tools and a messy shop aren’t very presentable, but for some customers it’s not a concern of theirs how their vehicle looks or smells, they just want the car fixed. 
 
      Even though I’ll fix the car, the smell and the sight of these trash cans on 4 wheels sure does get to me. Yuk!   

View full article

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gonzo: So many special tools used only once! Too bad you could not  rent them. Dealing with  stench in a vehicle, "book time doesn’t apply due to the conditions I’m working in" I think you did the right ting there!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

it would  be nice if we could trade these "bottom draw" obsolete tools in on a new useful one. 🤔 It would make more room for the ones of us  who don't have the safety or shelf space for our "plastic container" tools and or old scanners ( I have gotten rid of most just have my otc genisys good for the TPMS stuff )

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Not only do you have to worry about what's in someone's messy car that might poke or bite.(or just plain gross you out)

But now there is the spreading epidemic of fentanil and CARFENTANIL to worry about.

Just a little contact with this white powder that looks like baby powder can land you in either the hospital or the morgue if not caught in time.

I have gone out and bought some cheap bed spreads to put in questionable cars that after use go into a bag to be washed on sterilize cycle and I am thinking of getting full body disposable painters suits to wear with the rubber gloves I already use.

It doesn't matter rich or poor, color or nationality if they are using you are at risk to exposure

So please be careful if your shop is near any size city with this pro

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         1 comment
      I am going to borrow a quote from billionaire, Warren Buffet, “The best investment you can make is in yourself,” This statement, while simplistic, speaks volumes. A shop owner is much more than a boss, a shop owner is a leader. And leaders are solely responsible for the success of their team. This means that you must work hard and commit to a life of continuous learning and improvement. It also means that if the team fails, a leader must always blame himself or herself for that failure and find ways to improve.
      For your business to flourish, you must invest your time and energy in understanding what your role is in your company. It also means that you must be committed to continually improving your level of competence. This does not mean that every task is your responsibility. However, it does mean that the buck stops with you. If your business is not where it needs to be, or you are looking for increased growth, then it is your obligation to do the hard work and set goals, have the vision, perform the research, and develop the plan to achieve your overall objectives.
      When you invest in yourself to become the best leader and the best businessperson you can be, others around you will feed off your energy and your passion. This sends a strong message to everyone on your team that you have what it takes to bring the company to the next level.
      One last thing, another obligation to your company is assembling the right team of people around you. Once you have the right people, you need to invest in them too. Find what truly motivates them, not what you believe inspires them. Be a coach to your employees and always strive to bring out the best in them. Be strong with your convictions and expectations, build strong relationships with your employees, and don’t be afraid of admitting when you drop the ball.
      While Warren Buffet is best known for making billions of dollars with his investment strategies, I want to believe that this quote has its basis in something that money cannot buy.
  • Similar Topics

    • By DUFRESNES

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By DUFRESNES

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By carmcapriotto
      Jock Brocas, Author, Publisher, Researcher and Evidential Medium discusses the topic of grief and its impact on individuals and society. Jock shares his personal experience with grief and emphasizes the importance of integrating it into our lives rather than trying to recover from it. He explains there is a societal fear and discomfort surrounding grief and how it affects our ability to support those who are grieving. Jock offers insights on empathy versus sympathy and encourages engaging with those who are grieving. He also discusses the transformative power of grief and the importance of leaders in the automotive industry supporting their team members who may be grieving. Jock shares his simple model for coping with grief and emphasizes the power of choice. It's our hope that this conversation will inspire you to approach grief with empathy, understanding, and acceptance.
      Jock Brocas, Author, Publisher, Researcher and Evidential Medium. jockbrocas.com
      Show Notes
      Watch Full Video Grief as a Journey (00:04:03) Jock talks about the different aspects of grief and how it affects various areas of life, including work and relationships. Grief as Integration (00:05:52) Jock explains that grief is not something to recover from, but rather something to integrate into our lives as a natural aspect of life. Engaging with Grief (00:06:07) Jock discusses the importance of engaging with those who have experienced loss, asking them to share stories and memories of their loved ones instead of offering empty platitudes. Fear and societal expectations surrounding grief (00:08:40) How fear and societal expectations contribute to the discomfort and avoidance of discussing grief. The need to include and support those who are grieving (00:11:11) The importance of including and supporting individuals who are grieving, rather than disconnecting from them out of fear. Finding Purpose in Grief (00:18:09) Exploration of how grief can become a transformative experience, leading to the discovery of purpose and a desire to serve others. Traumatic Grief and its Impact (00:23:03) Explanation of different forms of grief, including traumatic grief, and how it can be a result of experiencing a shocking or inexplicable loss. The Traumatic Grief Experience (00:25:28) Discussion on the personal experience of traumatic grief and the long-term effects it can have. The Impact of Grief on Leadership (00:26:21) Exploring how leaders in the automotive industry who are grieving can make wrong decisions and negatively affect the company and its employees. Tips for Coping with Grief (00:29:28) Advice on expressing grief, keeping the relationship with the loved one alive, and making the choice to continue living and transforming one's life. Beliefs and living in the present (00:34:23) Exploration of the importance of allowing beliefs to change and living in the present moment. Cultivating personal growth (00:34:41) Metaphorical explanation of how Jock sees himself as a gardener, planting seeds of personal growth and leaving it up to individuals to cultivate their own growth.  
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care
       
      Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care
      Connect with the Podcast:
      -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider
      -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books
      -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom
      -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm
      -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com
      -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
         
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • Fast Free Shipping on All Orders Over $50
    • By Changing The Industry
      Firing One Person Can Make The Difference #autotechnician #podcast


  • Our Sponsors


Sell your car with CarBrain


Sell your car with CarBrain


Sell your car with CarBrain

×
×
  • Create New...