Week from hell, F* Ebay, F* lazy sellers, F* my day job

[Benchtech]

So week started off great (week of 9/1 Monday) business picked up ordered all the parts I need spent some money on upgrades to the business equipment.

Tuesday - Good night at my job that affords me insurance for my family (the only reason I don't quit) More customers than average (based on average from this day last year), Finish up prior days customers

Wednesday - I walk into my day job and start working for about an hour, then get called to the office. Sign my discharge papers, sign union grievance. Drive home, Finish up prior days customers and get some much needed sleep.

Thursday - even more customers, Finish up prior days customers.

Friday - Have meeting with HR, my boss, and his boss. Told I don't deserve to work there, people are lined up out the door to work here. Told they would review my info and what they have on file would call me back.

Then This week hit.

Day 1 (Monday) - Was asked to meet a old high school friend for lunch so I did and to my surprise he asked if I'd be interested in a joint partnership 50/50. We discussed what each other could bring to the table and a business plan was drawn up. Left lunch feeling great the break I've been looking for. (My background 15+ years of hands on real world experience in the IT field, If it's electronic I can fix it) (His background IT Director, currently business partner with a software start up that sells school software for learning *profitable* Bachelors CompSCI, Masters in business)

Customers that have parts coming in this week start calling (even though they can check the status from my website (Thanks PCRT, Luke). Tracking shows shipping date received for 1 item, and one has 2 tracking numbers. Contact sellers. Seller with two tracking #'s didn't pay enough on postage so had to resend. Other seller must not be very in tune with his operations as i bought the bottom plastic house for a laptop and he replied with cable was damaged will refund payment and still send item (*what!!!*). Oh and my 2008 Van has a check engine light on

Day 2 - Customer who's expecting the bottom for her laptops asked if she could come pick up the laptop even though it's not ready (and already paid for) because she has school work on it. (I feel really bad as she was a referral from a good customer, and now I look bad *GRRRrrrr*)

Whats next?

(side note I feel really good about this partnership, can't wait to finally quit my day job)

 

[stro]

Be careful with the partnership. If your partner has a significantly lower skill set than you, you will be the one doing most of the work and the person everyone walking in the door wants to talk to. You will also end up the person that has a hard time being able to take a vacation once in a while.

 

[Benchtech]

Be careful with the partnership. If your partner has a significantly lower skill set than you, you will be the one doing most of the work and the person everyone walking in the door wants to talk to. You will also end up the person that has a hard time being able to take a vacation once in a while.

I has a background in a more corporate environment, he started out as just a pc repair tech, and earned a few degree's and worked his way to lead tech, systems admin, network admin, IT Director. I do thank you for the wise words. Aren't you PCRT creator STRO? If so when is the next release? 1.38 (Thanks Luke)

 

[NYJimbo]

Are you quitting your old job or getting fired ? I can't figure it out from the post.

 

[Benchtech]

Are you quitting your old job or getting fired ? I can't figure it out from the post.

I was let go last Wednesday 9/3

Grievance meeting on Friday to plead my case as to why I did not feel I should be fired. Was told "We'll call you".

Didn't hear anything, so my wife called to find out how my last check would be handled, HR told her they were not bringing me back, my check would be mailed to me and she informed my wife about my 401k policy in case i wanted to transfer it.

The next day (Wednesday) I get a call stating they wanted me to start work again that night. I go into work that night, and find out 1 of the other employees who does that same job as me is quitting and it becomes apparent they brought me back on because they would have only been left with 1 guy for a 3 shift facility. (this place has a horrible turn over rate for my position they went through 11 people before I got hired).

long rant hope that helps NYJimbo

 

[FremontPC]

Arrgh! Hope it gets better soon!

People are lined up wanting to work there, huh? Hope you get the opportunity to grind their noses into that one, really, really thoroughly!

Perhaps draft a nice long letter of apology/resignation for them to sign, acknowledging that they were obtuse jackasses that mainly concerned themselves with laying waste to valuable company assets? I'm thinking it should be printed, framed and delivered by courier to everyone in the company. Dev writes you a screen saver showing their balls roasting over your virtual fireplace. You get a 1 month all expenses paid vacation with your family. Funding for all of the above comes out of their severance checks. No-recourse funding for your new venture comes out of their 401k's. They all sign agreements stating that they will never, ever reproduce.

There. That should cover it!

 

[mr m]

If you need the money you have no choice but to suck it up but if you can make ends meet with your store I'd tell them to phuck off. You do realize once someone gets cross-trained they'll let you go again.

I worked at a place like that. High employee turnover and a miserable work environment. When the network manager quit they told me I had the job and to hire someone. Well that someone got my promised job after I trained him. He quit in a few months and they had the unmitigated audacity to say the job was mine again. This time I also quit stating I had a better offer for twice the money. I didn't have a thing lined up but called their bluff because I had them over the proverbial barrel. Those suckers paid me double to stay!

Working for schmucks inspired me to start my own biz and I've never been happier even though I earn way less.

 

[stro]

I has a background in a more corporate environment, he started out as just a pc repair tech, and earned a few degree's and worked his way to lead tech, systems admin, network admin, IT Director. I do thank you for the wise words. Aren't you PCRT creator STRO? If so when is the next release? 1.38 (Thanks Luke)

Yep! Just got 1.37 out of the a month and a half ago and you want 1.38 already? Actually it is coming along nicely but probably a month away from beta.

 

[cypress]

If you need the money you have no choice but to suck it up but if you can make ends meet with your store I'd tell them to phuck off. You do realize once someone gets cross-trained they'll let you go again.

I worked at a place like that. High employee turnover and a miserable work environment. When the network manager quit they told me I had the job and to hire someone. Well that someone got my promised job after I trained him. He quit in a few months and they had the unmitigated audacity to say the job was mine again. This time I also quit stating I had a better offer for twice the money. I didn't have a thing lined up but called their bluff because I had them over the proverbial barrel. Those suckers paid me double to stay!

Working for schmucks inspired me to start my own biz and I've never been happier even though I earn way less.

This is so awesome!!

 

[Benchtech]

If you need the money you have no choice but to suck it up but if you can make ends meet with your store I'd tell them to phuck off. You do realize once someone gets cross-trained they'll let you go again.

I worked at a place like that. High employee turnover and a miserable work environment. When the network manager quit they told me I had the job and to hire someone. Well that someone got my promised job after I trained him. He quit in a few months and they had the unmitigated audacity to say the job was mine again. This time I also quit stating I had a better offer for twice the money. I didn't have a thing lined up but called their bluff because I had them over the proverbial barrel. Those suckers paid me double to stay!

Working for schmucks inspired me to start my own biz and I've never been happier even though I earn way less.

Thing is no one where I work wants the job, even those who are trained for it but have since moved in within the facility. I mean really they went through 11+ people that quit or got fired before they found me. I can live comfortably for 3-4months before i will start hurting for cash. I just need to get things lined up to open the shop.

 

[Benchtech]

This is so awesome!!

Agreed! gave him some rep for that post

 

[mr m]

cypress, Benchtech, I'm glad you two enjoyed that story! My wife was mad when I told her what I did until she saw the next check.

I really upset the corporate suits and they got rid of me a year later. The AS400 manager gave me a heads up that the end was near. I started to push my home-based biz in preparation of the axe falling on my neck. They wanted me to sign all kinds of nonsense and sit thru an exit interview but I picked up my keys, shook a few hands on my way out the door and never looked back.

Edit: Good luck on opening your own shop! You will not regret it.