Self employment

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Got my license in the 80's . I didn't want to do residential so I continued working large industrial jobs which I enjoyed . Power plants , trash burners , paper mills , phosphate mines , etc . Enjoyed industrial work and learned controls and design . Took a maintenance job in aerospace plant 20 yrs ago . Overtime pretty much when I want it but I try to only do 40 hrs now . Got good 401k and cash pension when I retire . Sometimes I wish I had got into contracting but now I'm glad I didn't . Have back issues which there's no way I could do regular construction in residential or commercial . Don't have to worry about anything after 8 hrs a day . Get 18 hrs month vacation , 11 holidays a year , most of the work is in the ac . Sometimes the hardest part is just getting here . There's advantages and disadvantages in either way you go ...
 
Davebones said:
Got my license in the 80's .. Have back issues which there's no way I could do regular construction in residential or commercial...
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A Realitor client who worked for big home centers told me he injured his back lifting heavy objects off palettes and into customer vehicles. Doing that for retirement should also be considered cautiously.
 
readydave8 said:
should fit right in with existing paint or plumbing staff
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Everyone there is a retail worker as a general rule aren't they? Maybe slight exception for those that know how to do something like use the software to draw a kitchen cabinet layout - though I have personally seen them draw up things that are about impossible to build.

Some might know more about certain products than others, but so does a grocery store employee.
 
kwired said:
Everyone there is a retail worker as a general rule aren't they? Maybe slight exception for those that know how to do something like use the software to draw a kitchen cabinet layout - though I have personally seen them draw up things that are about impossible to build.

Some might know more about certain products than others, but so does a grocery store employee.
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Yeah unfortunately the older gentleman that I guess works the electrical aisle there, I was getting 14-2 for a 240v mini split and he said “that 240v is too much for 14 gauge. You need need 12 gauge don’t you?”

I’m paraphrasing.
 
You have too much conversation. If you can't find what you are looking for ask where the item is. If they don't have it, give them alternates. No need to say what you are going to use it for.

-Hal
 
DBoone said:
Yeah unfortunately the older gentleman that I guess works the electrical aisle there, I was getting 14-2 for a 240v mini split and he said “that 240v is too much for 14 gauge. You need need 12 gauge don’t you?”

I’m paraphrasing.
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He’s the guy they borrowed from the paint Dept.:p
 
goldstar said:
That’a good idea but you never know what dept you’ll end up working in. What if you end up in paint or plumbing ?:slaphead:
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naw, it's be the lectrical isle for me ,along with all the hokey code interpretations i could possibly muster...:lol:~RJ~
 
DBoone said:
Yeah unfortunately the older gentleman that I guess works the electrical aisle there, I was getting 14-2 for a 240v mini split and he said “that 240v is too much for 14 gauge. You need need 12 gauge don’t you?”

I’m paraphrasing.
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Did you show him it says 600V right on the cable jacket?:blink:
 
I know the electrical aisle better than anyone working there. People ask me where stuff is because they can tell I know exactly where I'm going to get what I want. Of course, I'm only in and out for a minute, so they were lucky to catch me..

If I'm in an unfamiliar part of the store, say plumbing, I look for another customer in overalls, rather than a store employee. He's likely to know exactly where it is.
 
MAC702 said:
I know the electrical aisle better than anyone working there.
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Same here. I hate it when I ask for something not on the shelf, and they immediately walk to where I just came from to look. :roll: :rant:

People ask me where stuff is because they can tell I know exactly where I'm going to get what I want. Of course, I'm only in and out for a minute, so they were lucky to catch me..
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I often volunteer when I can see that "what-am-I-looking-for?" look on their face, and I give them my easy-to-remember phone number. ;)

If I'm in an unfamiliar part of the store, say plumbing, I look for another customer in overalls, rather than a store employee. He's likely to know exactly where it is.
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Ditto. :thumbsup:
 
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