to those armorers who work for clubs

[remise]

Since Craig brought up an interesting thread about a 'failed' mask, I'd like to ask here what the armorers do who are pressed into service at fencing clubs, and either repair a weapon or build one from scratch...only to have a fencer or parent bring it back the next day or so (tip smashed or barrel severely dented) and try to tell you that you didn't fix it correctly?

[brtech]

I explain what I think happened. I will fix it for no labor cost. If I get a particularly insistent opponent, I will fix it, but it's the last time I do work for that particular fencer.

[lefty_monster]

Originally Posted by brtech

I explain what I think happened. I will fix it for no labor cost. If I get a particularly insistent opponent, I will fix it, but it's the last time I do work for that particular fencer.

Really? I'd show them the damage and explain what the weapon was like when I gave it to them Vs what it's like now. And then offer to fix it for them at the usual price. (I don't charge that much to begin with.)

If it's something like "Oh, you gave this to me yesterday and now it doesn't pass shims." I'd adjust it for free. THAT might have actually been my fault.

[jjefferies]

Originally Posted by remise

Since Craig brought up an interesting thread about a 'failed' mask, I'd like to ask here what the armorers do who are pressed into service at fencing clubs, and either repair a weapon or build one from scratch...only to have a fencer or parent bring it back the next day or so (tip smashed or barrel severely dented) and try to tell you that you didn't fix it correctly?

That's the reason I don't do armory work for folks anymore. Had one fellow who felt I should follow him around and keep his weapon working. And that after not picking it up for two months. My response got to be that the warranty lasted up until they used it. All it takes is a few hard flicks just over the bell guard to destruct a tip.

YMMV

[monitorlizerd]

I had one young man for whom I had rewired an epee, who then took it home and dis/reassembled it for some reason. Surprise, surprise, it didnt work (he'd crushed the wire, and broken it) and rotated the bell guard 90 degrees off.
He brought said weapon back and proceeded to stand in the middle of the salle and proclaim to all and sundry that I had screwed his weapon up and didn't know what I was doing.
At that time, I had not been to Colorado Springs, so the armorer was there, and knew that the weapon was good when I'd given it to him.
I fixed the problems, and confronted the fencer in the salle, as loudly as he'd confronted me. He admitted to having worked on the weapon himself after me. I described what was wrong with his reassembly, what I'd done to fix it, and made him wire up and demo that the weapon was now functional. I also told him that the next time he tried this stunt, he would thereafter be charged double for any repair work I did.
I still do repair work for this young man, and he is most respectful.

Susie in Houston

[twisterfencing]

remise:

I take care of the problem first, have the discussion later. No delays, no questions, just make it 100%.

If this type of problem persissts, then its time for the discussion: Why?

Armorers are there for the fencer, not the other way around.

Gary Spruill

Originally Posted by remise

Since Craig brought up an interesting thread about a 'failed' mask, I'd like to ask here what the armorers do who are pressed into service at fencing clubs, and either repair a weapon or build one from scratch...only to have a fencer or parent bring it back the next day or so (tip smashed or barrel severely dented) and try to tell you that you didn't fix it correctly?

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by twisterfencing

remise:

I take care of the problem first, have the discussion later. No delays, no questions, just make it 100%.

If this type of problem persissts, then its time for the discussion: Why?

Armorers are there for the fencer, not the other way around.

Gary Spruill

Gary....very true....however, Remise has been abused in the past by fencers in her salle.

We're there for the fencers, but that doesn't mean we have to take it when we get them back a perfectly functioning weapon and THEY screw it up (see monitorlizerd's post)

Fortunately, I haven't run into this myself....my local clients are pretty understanding....they realize that 'm the only armorer they're going to see at a local event or in salle, so they don't go off on me!

[GypsyScot]

I armor for the high school team I coach and the club students, I make it very clear that I am the end all be all of armory work and what will pass, if a blade breaks I run them through a scenario and tell them why it happened, I'll never question a shims call, and all my kids know how to fix their own pressure springs. I've had a few times where something comes back to me obviously not my fault, I'll fix it and then go out of my way to watch them fence, that's usually where I'll see them making the same mistakes that led to the previous problem, and correct them.

I have however been known at work to drag a high schooler or two in to the armory to watch me fix/test their weapon if they come back with something I've fixed recently and told me I've screwed up. Usually it seems I also explain it to them in a tone I've been told is reminiscent of Dr. Cox, it seems to get the point across.

[remise]

Thanks everyone -

These are good ideas. I think my biggest problem stems from fencers who don't understand that the parts of the tip CAN be break or become deformed or come loose or come out, and from parents who say,'Why do I have to pay for parts - that's what you're for. I pay enough for the class.'

[HDG]

Originally Posted by remise

parents who say,'Why do I have to pay for parts - that's what you're for. I pay enough for the class.'

Those kinds of attitudes are unlikely to change. Some people are just jerks.

[twisterfencing]

Sam,

I got an PM from remise and found out what was the "real story", I gave him/her some pointers on how to handle the issues and hope that he/she implaments some/most/all of them.

In my previous post, I was wrong. Now that I know the rest of the story, he/she needs to kick butt and take names later.

Gary Spruill

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

Gary....very true....however, Remise has been abused in the past by fencers in her salle.

We're there for the fencers, but that doesn't mean we have to take it when we get them back a perfectly functioning weapon and THEY screw it up (see monitorlizerd's post)

Fortunately, I haven't run into this myself....my local clients are pretty understanding....they realize that 'm the only armorer they're going to see at a local event or in salle, so they don't go off on me!

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by twisterfencing

Sam,

I got an PM from remise and found out what was the "real story", I gave him/her some pointers on how to handle the issues and hope that he/she implaments some/most/all of them.

In my previous post, I was wrong. Now that I know the rest of the story, he/she needs to kick butt and take names later.

Gary Spruill

Oh I know....she told me all the sordid details over a year ago!