10 minutes of argument!!!

[Purple Fencer]

Why do some people think I don't know as much about my job as they do about theirs???

We're having some remodeling work done inside SwordPlay. One of the things being done is to build protctive boxes for the floor reels.

The guys doing the work are good....but they left the notch for the cable too narrow. The cable's going to rub up against the wood and cut through it, leading up to cables hanging up like on the plastic housings of Uhlmann reels, AND the notch is not large enough to accomodate the entire plug....which means that the spring on plug on our Favero reels is rendered useless because the plug will slam into the box instead instead of bouncing gently like it's supposed to.

I explain this to the workmen. Their English is more than adequate, but they just don't want to make the change. I finally had to tell them in no uncertain terms that I was the club armorer and I KNOW what's going to happen if the opening's not made wider.

It wasn't like I was making a capricious demand...I explained what the problem was....argh!!

It'll be done Monday...

[telkanuru]

There, there. They have to be difficult. It's probably a core tennant of their union.

[Inquartata]

The customer is never right.

[Purple Fencer]

The customer is never right.

Especially when he know what he's talking about...

[VorpalCat]

What argument? 'My job, my specs. I pay when they're met to my satisfaction.'

[Purple Fencer]

It just got worse...the ceiling at SwordPlay (and the casting offices upstairs) are supported by 4 I beam pillars. The workmen covered the pillars in wood (which is nice), but I just found out that when they cut my floor cords!

I had made new cords with about 5 feet of surplus per cord for maintenance -- and because our boxes aren't mounted at the center...the pillars are at the en garde lines. They ran the cords along the ceiling, which is nice & outta the way, but instead of stuffing hte excess wire inside the pillar so I could get at it, they cut them short!

To make matters worse, at the length they cut them, they will not reach the connectors on 3 of the four boxes we have...including the Favero that I just bought the new timing chip for!

Frankly, I'm pissed...all my hard work and KNOWLEDGE of armory goes right out the window because they didn;t have the brains to ask someone WHY there was so much wire...or to consult with the armorer!

[telkanuru]

Meh. They fix it for free, or you don't pay. You must be firm with contractors, etc!

[Purple Fencer]

They wouldn't know how!

I've got Donald Clinton coming in to install the new timing chip in one of our machines...I'll ask him to see if he can splice the wires together (he can do it...I once saw him splice a foil wire...)

Hi, Donald! (if you read this)

[Inquartata]

Contractors.

We've got some renovating one floor of a building where I work. Thus far they have managed to:

1) Set off the fire alarm ( twice )

2) Cause power outages ( three times )

3) Cut cable to security camera

4) Cut wiring to access-card reader

5) Cut wiring to fire alarm panel

6) Leave doors unlocked when they leave ( at least twice )

All this within two weeks. Too lazy or incompetent to check first---might delay their break or something, I guess.

If you want something done right, do it yourself. Except you can't, because you aren't licensed and you aren't union.

[D'Artag-NOT]

There, there, there . . . .

Are the guys doing the work the actual contractor, or some kack-handed demi-Neanderthals the contractor hired under the table?

As I see it, the workers don't know what a fencing salle is and have no idea what you're talking about even if they do speak English (because they don't speak fencing). If, like most people, they are non-fencers, they probably don't even know what an "armorer" is, nor do they understand the deep reverence in which good armorers should be held. (The ancient Egyptians worshipped their armorers. Armorers were right up there with cats.)

And they don't understand that you know your job because they don't know their job, which is to do the remodeling work to the customer's satisfaction.

None of which is of the least help at all, of course, but at least you know you have my sympathy. If I see you on Sunday in Long Beach, I'll try to remember to give you a tea bag to go with the sympathy.