A gift

Magicman · August 28, 2015, 07:06:44 PM

We were on our way home from the Pig Roast and I was driving through Chattanooga, TN in a rainstorm when the customer called. "I know that your website says that you do not sell lumber but do you know where I can buy some ERC"? Since I was busy driving, I told him that I would call him later. After we got home I had a chance to talk with him.

This customer is 35 years old, 4 children, and has been laid off from his oilfield job. He has some customers wanting various pieces of ERC furniture, etc. He told me that he had previously paid $1.00 bf and he had some money saved up to buy more lumber if he could find some. I decided what I would do.

I had this whack of ERC logs that were left after Andy White got his trailer load, and they needed sawing. As we kept piling lumber on his trailer I noticed that he became uneasy. He finally said that he might not have enough money to pay for that much lumber. I told him "just a few more logs". When we finished, I did a rough tally because it was all sawed "one live edge", and it conservatively was 600 bf+. I told him "no charge" for the lumber.

Words could never describe the surprise and disbelief that the customer expressed. I told him that after he used that lumber and got some cash flow, he could come back and we would saw him some more logs. We could then work out a fair price for his future lumber needs.

The customer leaves with a happy load of ERC lumber.

ScottInCabot · August 28, 2015, 07:12:17 PM

That's a fun way to spend the day!

Scott in Cabot

Dave Shepard · August 28, 2015, 07:20:14 PM

I bet you sure made his day. It just might be the leg up (old saying) that he needed to get ahead.

WV Sawmiller · August 28, 2015, 07:27:13 PM

Well done. Keep up the good work.

I hope everything works out for the guy. Sometimes just a little lift is all someone needs to get his footing and keep on climbing.

Magicman · August 28, 2015, 07:47:17 PM

There were several times in my young life when I could have used a helping hand. The funny thing was that I did not know this fellow. I was in my driveway at 5:45 this AM waiting for him to round the corner. He then followed me 46 miles to the Cabin, where we first introduced ourselves.

Chuck White · August 28, 2015, 07:51:21 PM

Good on ya, Lynn! ;)

I really like those kind of jobs, I do one once in a while, but usually just 1-3 logs!

Ya done good!

Andy White · August 28, 2015, 08:37:22 PM

Lynn,
Don't that make your whole day!! He will never forget that load of lumber. If it catches FIRE, I know he won't forget. You are always doing good for someone. Thank you sir for being the example to others that you are. ;D ;D ;D 8) 8) Andy

tmarch · August 28, 2015, 08:38:11 PM

Quote from: Andy White on August 28, 2015, 08:37:22 PM
Lynn,
Don't that make your whole day!! He will never forget that load of lumber. If it catches FIRE, I know he won't forget. You are always doing good for someone. Thank you sir for being the example to others that you are. ;D ;D ;D 8) 8) Andy

X2

bkaimwood · August 28, 2015, 08:49:13 PM

MM IS the man...classiest dude goin'...a true role model...

thecfarm · August 28, 2015, 08:54:09 PM

A friend that a friend would like to have.

POSTON WIDEHEAD · August 28, 2015, 08:54:16 PM

You'll get paid over and over again Lynn.....but I think you already have once.

Bruno of NH · August 28, 2015, 09:04:30 PM

MM
That's a great thing you did !
Helping some one get a jump start .
Jim/Bruno

Sixacresand · August 28, 2015, 09:33:14 PM

Good Deal, Lynn. Looks like you both got a blessing. Thanks for posting.

breazyears · August 28, 2015, 10:23:49 PM

nice to read that. good for you.

deadfall · August 28, 2015, 10:25:10 PM

I love the gift economy. You change the world with it for the better. Thank you.

kensfarm · August 28, 2015, 11:18:05 PM

You gave him a job.. and his pride. People are struggling.. very kind of you.

YellowHammer · August 28, 2015, 11:28:30 PM

Sometimes pride is all a guy has these days, and all it takes is a helping hand to give him a leg up out of a hole. Great job, you are the man. You constantly show, by your personal example, that there is a lot more to being a sawyer than just owning a sawmill.

deepsouth.us · August 28, 2015, 11:29:26 PM

Well, you stuck to your no lumber sales policy.

Strong work, magicman. God has a way of placing people in the right place at the right time. Ya done good, sir.

deadfall · August 28, 2015, 11:52:33 PM

I know that I was on the receiving end of much kindness and generosity when I bumbled up here to the north woods from the LA suburbs that I somehow knew was not my earthly home. I hope I remember it all, though memory seems to be getting away some. I could not have made it on my own.

BCsaw · August 28, 2015, 11:55:20 PM

I think in this case, it is teaching a man to fish.............

Help people to help themselves. Good on you MM. These kind of things inspire.........all of us.