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Jarrod

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Posts posted by Jarrod

  2. Posted · Report reply

    BTW, if Fronty is still reading this; I'm not trying to do a sales job on you, but make the point that you cannot dig a swimming pool with a teaspoon. And the home centers like lowes make a living marketing teaspoons to would be pool owners. I was deadly serious about people like you being my best customers. Obviously, you are smart or you wouldn't be here. And obviously you're not cheap, because you just dropped $300 on a cleaning tool. Once you have done this a few times, damaged a few things, and seen first hand the labor and expense involved, you will have a new appreciation for why people who own PWers still hire pros.

    You mentioned that your unit used alot of chemicals? That's another reason it pays to hire it out. To do the job right does take alot of chemicals. Once you back out the chems, the price of a professional cleaning isn't nearly as expensive as it seems.

    FWIW, because of a career change I got out of the business this spring and sold all my equipment. In the future, I will be calling on a local pro to do my own house. Why? The right tools are too expensive to keep laying around for an annual cleaning and the HD stuff is a waste of money.

    You asked how home depot can keep selling PW'ers? Because every year there are new home owners who haven't bought one.

    AMEN!!! Now pass the offering plate around!

  3. Posted · Report reply

    Yes, I am a homeowner. I looked over some pictures on this site, and I didn't really expect results anywhere near that. So, are you saying that you are okay with substandard results? I tried cleaning things today with it. I think I did damage my fence a little bit, but it still looks clean. I just tried it on a couple of boards where no one could really see it. I was using a short up and down motion and I believe it left some scarring on it. I then switched to a sweeping motion and it worked better. I did by some chemicals, but it uses quite a bit relatively quickly. I was wondering if I was supposed to dilute it before sticking the intake tube into it. I know you guys probably do exceptional work that I couldn't accomplish on this system. However, I am happy with what it achieves. The only thing is that it takes a while to clean things. I am just using the 25 degree tip, but I have to be really close to the concrete to get the dirt out (no chemicals. I may end up hiring a professional, but I would still like to have one of these for maintenance. It makes cleaning the algae out of my pond a snap.

    Well, what do you guys suggest for a homeowner? Which one of these is the best fit? I mean these things can't be worthless or they would have stopped selling them due to the amount of returns. People probably don't know what actual results they could get from a pro, but I'm sure these things do something.

    Actually, those things are worthless. That's why everyone that buys one is letting it collect dust in their garage. Please don't think that I'm being harsh, I'm just trying to save you a lot of headaches, some money & some damage.

  5. Posted · Report reply

    Yes, I am a homeowner. I looked over some pictures on this site, and I didn't really expect results anywhere near that. I tried cleaning things today with it. I think I did damage my fence a little bit, but it still looks clean. I just tried it on a couple of boards where no one could really see it. I was using a short up and down motion and I believe it left some scarring on it. I then switched to a sweeping motion and it worked better. I did by some chemicals, but it uses quite a bit relatively quickly. I was wondering if I was supposed to dilute it before sticking the intake tube into it. I know you guys probably do exceptional work that I couldn't accomplish on this system. However, I am happy with what it achieves. The only thing is that it takes a while to clean things. I am just using the 25 degree tip, but I have to be really close to the concrete to get the dirt out (no chemicals. I may end up hiring a professional, but I would still like to have one of these for maintenance. It makes cleaning the algae out of my pond a snap.

    Well, what do you guys suggest for a homeowner? Which one of these is the best fit? I mean these things can't be worthless or they would have stopped selling them due to the amount of returns. People probably don't know what actual results they could get from a pro, but I'm sure these things do something.

    Take it back to the store and hire a good contractor. That's the best advice I can give you.

  12. Posted · Report reply

    All right, let's clear the air. I deleted my tirade at my discretion. Beth asked me to change a few things in it, but I figured it would be better to delete the whole thing. I want to thank Beth for being so diplomatic when she called me. We had a nice talk.

    The fact is, I lost my temper. Sometimes it's hard to read a post for what it really is. You can take any post on this bbs one way or another. I have never blew my stack here before, and I hope that I never do it again. Next time I think that someone is messing with me, I'll call them or just simply post the question "Dude, are you messing with me?" Please don't say "Yes, as a matter of fact, I am!" I like to keep bad Jarrod locked up, but I do have to let him out every once in a while.

    For those of you that were offended by my tirade, I apoligise.

    Charlie, Charlie, Charlie, - My hat's off to ya man. You have an iron chin. Out of respect for you I deleted my tirade. I don't want people to see you being birated in public like that.

    John, Ken, Don, Jeff - Thanks for putting in a good word for me and putting some water on the fire.

    Believe it or not, a lot of people said that they were waiting for the explosion, so I guess I'm not the only one who read the posts the way I did.

    The thing is, when someone brings a great idea to the table that they know will work for everyone there, they should be given a little respect & apprecation. It's okay to be skeptical and ask questions. It's not okay to shoot it down and say it can't be done. Doing this puts the presenter on the defensive and the idea gets lost in the shuffle. I guess that that was the part that bothered me the most in this thread.

    For the record, I don't bring ideas here that don't work. They are fine tuned and proven b4 I even discuss them. A lot of the things I do are "one size fits all" type things. I won't waste your time on crappy ideas.

    I'm always happy to talk to anyone here on the phone about anything. In fact, I'd rather do it that way. So please call me for any reason.

    As Ken Fenner always says - "Hugs & skirts"

  14. Posted · Report reply

    I sat in at the St.Louis Rt and listen to Jarrod speak about his methods of doing wood. It may work well for him but maybe not someone else. Hats off to him for finding his personal nitch.

    The title to his thread is a bit of a ego thing and I may have posted to defend my methods and years of experience. We get up to $3.00 per square foot sometimes and do extremly large decks at times, but I will not post "why in the heck don't you charge $2.75 per square feet you fool". Because it all depends on just a boat load of factors.

    I have posted in the past and it may come off in a negative way to some.

    Aways have a open mind to learn, that is what needs to be done here, not "if you don't do it my way you will fail, type of attitude" Kinda what I got out of his post.

    Tony, this whole thread started out as a way to help people, thats it. This had nothing to do with my ego. I never said or implied that if you don't do it my way you will fail. It's so hard to come across as myself on a computor screen. Please don't start something new out of all this with me. I think that I'm ready to start keeping my ideas to myself.

  15. Posted · Report reply

    Ken, you never offended me. None of my tirade was directed at you. I know you, and we have debated all of these things in person and on the phone on several occations. The difference was, there was respect and you were open to different ideas. I don't like people telling me it just can't be done when they have never even tried it, and I'm proof that it can be done.

    I like a respectful debate, always have. I just don't like hecklers.

  17. Posted · Report reply

    I've Reviewed A Lot Of The Posts In This Thread, And I Gotta Tell Ya, It Really Pisses Me Off. The Height Of Rudeness, Ego & Ignorance Is Huge!

    I Mean, Here I Am, Trying To Help People Do Things More Efficiently, Make More Money & All I Get Is Flack.

    NOT 1 Of You Even Bothered To Ask Me About My Method. Instead You Bashed My Idea And Said It Can't Be Done B4 You Knew Anything About It. Here's Why -

    1 - Maybe Your Ego Won't Let You Ask Me What The Method Is.

    2 - Maybe Since You Didn't Figure Out A Way To Do This On Your Own, It Just Can't Be Done (ego)

    3 - It's Just Easier To Shoot An Idea Down Than To Try It (lazy)

    4 - You Just Don't Get It (narrowminded)

    5 - You're Not Experienced Enough To Understand It

    6 - SINCE YOU DIDN'T THINK OF IT, IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA (EGO)

    7 - YOUR STUCK IN YOUR ARCHAIC WAYS

    PICK ONE, OR PICK'EM ALL I DON'T CARE!

    YOU ALL KNOW WHO I AM. I DIDN'T START THIS THREAD TO BLOW MY HORN OR BRAG. IF I WAS THAT TYPE OF PERSON, I WOULD HAVE CHARGED $500.00 PERSON TO SPEAK AT THE STL ROUND TABLE. I ACTUALLY PAID TO ATTEND, PAID FOR ALL OF MY TRAVEL EXPENSES, SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS WRITING MY NOTES AND DID IT ALL NOT FOR FREE, BUT AT MY EXPENSE.

    IT'S ONE THING TO RESPECTFULLY CHALLENGE AN IDEA, BUT IT'S ANOTHER THING TO SPIT ON IT AND THE PERSON SHARING IT!

    HEY CHARLIE, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS? LET ME GUESS, A YEAR OR LESS RIGHT? YOU ARE A DISRESPECTFUL LITTLE PIECE OF DIRT! YOU BETTER WATCH WHO YOU ARE MOUTHING OFF TO! I DON'T HAVE THE STOMACH FOR MOUTHY LITTLE TWITS LIKE YOU. WHAT ARE YOU 19 YEARS OLD? YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING . YOU'LL PROBABLY BE OUT OF BUSINESS IN A YEAR WITH THAT ATTITUDE. DO YOU EVEN KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ME OR MY COMPANY? IF YOU DID, YOU WOULD HAVE WANTED TO LEARN FROM ME. I WILL NEVER HELP YOU NOW! YOU DON'T DESERVE ANY HELP FROM ME. THERE'S AN OLD SAYING, "DON'T CAST YOUR PEARLS BEFORE SWINE" I THINK THAT APPLIES HERE CHARLIE.

    GO BACK AND READ YOUR POSTS. LIKE THE ONE WHERE YOU SWITCHED MY WORDS AROUND. YOU person! WHAT ABOUT THE ONE WHERE YOU ASKED ME IF I HAD EVER TRIED USING 2 MAN CREWS? HAVE YOU EVEN TRIED ANYTHING YET? HOW MANY HOURS ARE ON THAT TOY PW'ER THAT DADDY BOUGHT YOU AT K-MART? HOW MANY DECKS HAVE YOU DONE? HOW MANY HOUSES HAVE YOU WASHED? HAW MANY EMPLOYEES DO YOU HAVE? DO YOU HAVE AN OFFICE, OR DOES YOUR MOMMY ANSWER THE PHONE FOR YOU WHEN PEOPLE CALL? DOES MOMMY PACK YOUR LUNCHY FOR YOU EVERY DAY?

    YOU WANNA KNOW WHO I AM? I'LL TELL YOU!

    I HAVE 6 EMPLOYEES, 1 SECRETARY, A LARGE OFFICE AND 4 TRUCKS.

    THIS WILL BE MY 6TH YEAR IN BUSINESS. MY COMPANY IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE LARGER ONES ON THESE BOARDS. AS OF TODAY, MY COMPANY HAS GROSSED JUST OVER $22,000.00 FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH ALONE.

    AND I HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED MY DECK SEASON YET.

    THIS YEAR, I WILL DO AT LEAST 200 DECKS, 75 HOUSE WASHES, & 50-60 BRICK PAVERS JOBS. AND THAT'S JUST MY RESIDENTIAL WORK.

    OBVIOUSLY, I'VE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

    YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESPECTFUL CHARLIE! I COULD'VE KNOCKED 5 YEARS OFF OF YOU LEARNING CURVE. I EVEN TOLD YOU TO CALL ME SO I COULD EXPLAIN EVERYTHING TO YOU, BUT YOU DIDN'T. YOU'D RATHER PILE ON WITH SOME OF THESE OTHER GUYS. WHAT A SHAME. BTW, I TAKE BACK MY OFFER TO TALK TO YOU, SO DON'T CALL.

  23. Posted · Report reply

    Rod, please call me tomorrow. You have no idea how much hate flows through my veins for my hack competition. I simply will not post my methods here for them to see. They don't even deserve the crumbs that fall from my table. BTW for third time - this is not for deck staining! For that I do use 2 man crews.

    Charlie - I did it for 2 years. And it lead me to change my method. Call me.

  24. Posted · Report reply

    One word...Production!

    The same has been learned in industry with regards to assembly. One man does one part another does the next. One big difference is the work we do is not monotonous. The work doesn't seem to be so daunting with 2 or more people on the job and morale is better. Team work is another beneficial factor that contributes to the success of the job. Everyone looks out for the other guy and as they say more eyes are better. This can be a big plus on those hot summer days when one man on a job would literally die from the exposure. (speaking from personal experience)

    The customer also feels more comfortable with 2+ people on the job because it actually feels like they are getting their moneys worth and the job gets done right before their eyes allowing them to appreciate the time and effort that went into the production which adds to the perceived value.

    Rod!~

    Percieved value is based on the final product, not how many people were involved. Besides, most people are not even home to watch "the show" anyways. I'm not a believer in window dressing.

    If people are trained properly, they will not need constant supervision, or someone "looking out for them." They should be able to perform quality work or they shouldn't work for you.

    The work won't be so "daunting" if it was performed as efficient as it can be - (method)

    Morale - My guys can't wait until deck season. In fact, they even recruited 3 of their friends to work for me this year. Would they do that if it our methods made every task a "daunting" one?

    Safety - In the very rare chance that you fall off of a ladder, the other guy isn't gonna catch you. Yeah, he can make a 911 call or whatever, but this is so rare. It doesn't happen enough to make it a good reason to have a 2 man crew. Heat - speaking very slowly - if it's hot, drink plenty of water, take it easy, and go home early or take the day off.

    You say "One man does one part another does the next." How about, 1 man does 1 deck, another does another deck.

  25. Posted · Report reply

    This even works for 1 guy, 2 crews, muptiple crews, and so on. Why not do things more efficiently? Just think of the time, effort & money you'll save.

    Ken, I'm glad you were contacted. If you need me to grease the wheels again, just call me. It's always a pleasure doin' what I can for my friends. You have done so much for me and the industry.

    Jeff, I know what you're saying. People are so set in their ways! Stiff, brittle things break much easier than flexible things.

    BTW, 3500 psi is nowhere near enough to clean wood. You need at least 5,000,000 psi @ 1 gpm, 300 degree water and a turbo nozzle. How did you think I did this stuff so fast? Oops, I gave away my method.

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