Stories from the Sales Frontlines

sterlingdog

OMG! Flowers!!! That was too funny!

Richard

Kirstie_H

I know how adept some of you are at spending other people's money. This person is going to spend money - just needs help deciding how:
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.ef465cf/832

sterlingdog

I went over and told Nancyja how to spend her money. That is definitely one thing that I'm good at doing.

Richard

sterlingdog

Thanks for that tip. I hate my chowder too thin. The term "stew" fits my preference perfectly.

Richard

sterlingdog

Randy, i love the truck! It's the same color as my convertible. I've been wanting a truck like that, but my wife won't agree to it. I'm working on her for our next trade. it will take me that long to convince her! You're going to be so happy when you get it. Congratulations again.

Richard

Kirstie_H

Me too! The lumpier the better. It's meant to be a meal all by itself, IMO.
I bookmarked isell's post, which is a tool I usually use to mark interesting items and noteworthy problems for any reporting we do. Let's hope I don't have a senile moment and include clam chowder in my next report.

fezo

Am just trying to picture the clam market 2500 miles from salt water......

sterlingdog

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BUDDY! Though we have many things in common, age is not one of them. You're still a babe in arms compared to me. I'm glad that they didn't do chemo today. For heaven's sake, it's your bithday. Hope you enjoy it. It has finally stopped snowing---8 inches here. Now for the dreaded ice tonight. :sick:

"Maybe Richard will but me a car..."

I would love to "but" you a car---as long as i don't have to buy one for you. :P

Many happy returns!

Richard

sterlingdog

I have to admit that OJ is so good from those old juice squeezers. I can still see my mother using her old red and white manual juice squeezer when I was a child. When i think about it, it amazes me how many things our parents did that were so labor intensive. It all seemed so matter-of-fact to them. My mother did a full breakfast with fresh squeezed orange juice and home brewed coffee every day for so many years. She also worked outside of the home when I became a teen-ager. Dad did breakfast on Sundays---pancakes were his passion. My mother washed sheets and towels each week and hung them out to dry. Then she ironed them! All of that plus doing our clothes. She taught my sister and me how to do all of those things. Those skills never hurt me, and came in handy at times. In college, I took in laundry for some of the guys---25 cents to wash a shirt or pants and 25 cents to iron each. I made some good "beer" money doing that...thanks to Mom.

Didn't mean to carry on so. Let us know how you like the new juicer. I may have to cave and try one myself. Sounds like you got a good deal at BB&B.

Richard

sterlingdog

I can only imagine how you have to "doctor" your reports from this thread! :P

Richard

oldfarmer50

"...I turned 60 today..."

They say the first 60 are the toughest. Smooth sailing from here.

roadburner

Well, it was bound to happen. I turned 60 today.....

Happy Birthday! I'm only a few years behind you...

imidazol97

You never know how useful our topics can be.

I stopped to fill up with gas before the "storm" hits tomorrow with 4 inches total. I went into Walmart to check oil for my car and called my wife to see if there was anything she wanted me to pick up.

I about fell in the aisle laughing when she asked me to look at juicers!!!



See. Our topics are useful. I took a quick look and decided they were all junk.

Next thing I know, she'll ask if I know anything about a good clam chowder formula.

kyfdx

You can get frozen clams, you know.... If you are starting with Progresso Clam Chowder, I don't think fresh or frozen on the clams will make much difference... (that recipe sounds great, by the way... as long as it isn't my wife making it... not so good with soups and stews).

If you really want fresh, just about every major city has a seafood vendor that gets it flown in, daily... as long as you are willing to pay for it.. Even in Cincinnati, we can get fresh seafood!

fezo

I can still see my mother using her old red and white manual juice squeezer when I was a child.

I still have mine. I was fortunate. We had tow of them - one was my mom's and one my grandmother's. An old girlfriend took off with one - along with some of my really good records - but we still had the other one and I was the only one interested in it. Once in a great while I'll use it.

I might as well have had the chemo - I was already there and hooked up. It doesn't take long - heck, I was there as long as if they had done it while the doc figured out what to do. But the chemo lowers my white counts and they were too low to do it. I now have to go to the doc's three days out of the next four for shots that should raise the white counts. It's complicated keeping me in one piece but we manage.

Dang! One typo away from a free car! :P

fezo

Flown in daily? Cheating....

Yeah, I've seen places advertising fresh Maine lobster in the Midwest...

We have an active commercial fleet maybe a 15 minute trip away and they sail back and forth to the Fulton Fish Market every day. The irony is I don't much like fish. My wife does though. I like some shellfish but of course the ones I like most are - you guessed it - flown in daily. Of course with shrimp they are probably flown from Taiwan.... The one local thing that is great is scallops - the little bay ones!

fezo

We are scheduled for tomorrow evening - 6 - 9".

I finally waited out my neighbor - he bought a snow blower. It's electric and claims it will do a foot of snow but I am skeptical to say the least. Of course his son starts asking how much he could make shoveling someone's driveway. I'm scheduled to be his first customer.

sterlingdog

That is hysterical! Heaven help us if we ever start discussing Viagra! :shades: :sick:

Richard

kyfdx

Yeah... If you are on the coast, I'm sure there are items you can get that are fresher than what we can get in the Midwest... if you don't mind driving to the pier...

But, generally, the seafood here is pretty darn fresh... Plenty good enough for clam chowder, I think...
Probably what we are missing is the culture and recipes that you get on the coast.. I'm sure every greasy spoon in Baltimore or Boston has chowder as good as the best in place in town, here... (next time I'm there, I plan on finding that out!)

jmonroe

I'm sure every greasy spoon in Baltimore or Boston has chowder as good as the best in place in town, here...

Well, it wasn't a greasy spoon but back in the 80's I went to Baltimore several times a month for a few months and the company that I visited took me to lunch in one of those houses turned into a restaurant and they served the best lobster bisque I have ever had.

Almost worth a drive back there just for that. A plane would be too costly but not by much.

jmonroe

driver100

It's electric and claims it will do a foot of snow but I am skeptical

I had a gas snow blower for years, but every year you have to drain it, and you have to fill it up with gas.

The electric kind are better if you only need it for a few times a year, they are more powerful than you think. About 6 inches is the maximum though. He could probably do a foot of snow if he goes out 3 or 4 times to do it.

You really have to watch you don't go over the cord though. The best way is to get the kids to do it though, but not too many will do that work any more.

It would be nice if a 12 year old in the neighborhood could fix computers.

Happy belated birthday. Just think about the Beetles, they used to sing "When I am 64" and now they are 64!

tjc78

A snowblower is one of those things you shouldn't skimp on. If you buy one, get a big one! My parents were picking one out quite a few years ago and they got a large one with all the bells and whistles. They fought me on it (thought it was overkill), but when we got severely dumped on (20+) they enjoyed how stress-free and easy it went through it in one pass. Aside from one incident with my step-dad forgetting to drain out the gas and having to get the carburetor rebuilt it has been very reliable too.

jmonroe

I had a gas snow blower for years, but every year you have to drain it, and you have to fill it up with gas.

The same with a lawn mower.

You really have to watch you don't go over the cord though. The best way is to get the kids to do it though, but not too many will do that work any more.

I take it that you wimps guys up north make this a family affair, huh? :P

The electric kind are better if you only need it for a few times a year, they are more powerful than you think. About 6 inches is the maximum though. He could probably do a foot of snow if he goes out 3 or 4 times to do it.

The electrics are not better, they are different and more of a PITA. If the two are the same today as years ago, the gas version has more HP per weight. I have a measley 20 inch Sears 4 HP doo dad that can handle more than six inches if you don’t push too fast. Although I usually just bite about half of its width to make it easy on the 2 of us. Got lots of use out of it last February when we had a total of around 30 inches for the month. Very unusal for the Burgh area. The forecast for today is around 3 inches by quitting time.

I sure hope Mrs. Jmonroe was paying attention when I showed her how to start that thing. :surprise: I’d sure like to just pull into the garage and not pack down the snow on the way in. I hate it when I have to go out after dinner, in the dark, to clear a driveway that should have been done before I got home. :mad:

jmonroe

driver100

A snowblower is one of those things you shouldn't skimp on.

I would totally agree with you there. If your going to pay $400 or $500 you might as well pay another $100 and get a more powerful one.

I don't like to mess around with a snow blower too much and sometimes I have to be at work, so we have a guy snow plow the drive out if it is over 4 inches deep, if it is under that, the electric job will do it fine.

But, if you are doing it yourself, you might as well go with the more powerful one, because there will always be those times when you get 30 inches of really heavy wet snow.

roadburner

If you buy one, get a big one!

My father had the same philosophy with regards to outdoor power equipment, and I share that opinion. My backpack blower, chainsaw, hedge trimmer and string trimmer are all commercial models- as are my two ZTR mowers. They are overbuilt for my needs and they cost more initially, but I maintain them by the book and I don't plan on ever having replace them. I take the same approach with regards to my hand tools, floor jacks, etc. Buy a high quality product so that you only need to do it once...

isellhondas

I use canned clams from Costco. You get two huge cans for something like 12.00.

No need to add any potatos. Progresso does that part for you.

graphicguy

Ooooweeee....lots to catch up on. First, "canadian", congrats on the new truck. And yes...pics required.

fezo....Happy Birthday.....many, many, many more.

j......BBB only had one of the juicer I've got. But, they had the model down from mine (which I thought was nice, too). I like Breville appliances. I've got one of their toaster ovens which is probably the best I've ever used. From what I understand, the "multi-speed" juicers get more juice out of leafy greens and soft fruits and veggies at the lower speeds. As it stands, I get a lot of juice out of them. So, I'm OK with a one speed juicer. And yes, there's no comparison between fresh OJ and carton OJ. Same goes for me veggie concoction that I do fresh every a.m. vs V8, and the fruit smoothie I make for lunch.

Isell....you are right. You can definitely tell a difference in my energy level since I've been juicing for only 4 days. Pretty amazing. Thanks for the chowdah recipe, too. Since we're experiencing another "snow fall", I may have to trudge out and try your recipe tonight. Although, the GF is headed into town over the weekend, and I may do my world famous (OK, neighborhood famous) chili for her.

kyfdx....I get all of my fresh produce, and yes, fresh seafood, at the afore mentioned "Jungle Jims". Aside from unloading it off the boat, I don't know that I can find fresher.

driver100

I had a gas snow blower for years, but every year you have to drain it, and you have to fill it up with gas.
The same with a lawn mower.

A young guy comes and does our lawn. If I was to do it I would get a cordless mower. They are quiet and no messing around with gas. Easy to start too.

The electrics are not better, they are different

Definitely not better. Just easier to use if you only need it for small amounts of snow. More powerful than you would think though.

I sure hope Mrs. Jmonroe was paying attention when I showed her how to start that thing.

You are da man! How did you accomplish that!

michaellno

You guys! So metrosexual with your discussions of juicers, swapping recipes and the like.

What's next? Hair and skin care tips? Sartorial advice? (wait, Richard already provided that with his description of his Key West clothing purchases). Where to get the best manicure and / or massage?

Whatever happened to an old-fashioned snow shovel? I use one here in Colorado and we probably get more snow that all y'all. It's a nice workout. I do both my driveway and (occasionally) my next door neighbors - she's 91 and for obvious reasons can't do it herself. Those that live around her take turns clearing out her driveway, plus she has a niece / nephew who come over to do it as well from time to time.

I did spot a power shovel at Target not long ago. Electric, so no fiddling with gas / oil mixtures and tuning the carb.

My mower was bought for $199 at WalMart almost 11 years ago, and, despite being put away each winter, has never needed anything more than a check of the fluids. Of course, it helps that my yards are relatively small so it doesn't take much time to mow them.

houdini1

We had a neighbor who owned a snow blower. If he was out of town I would get his s/b and do his driveway and then do mine.

Once, after a big snow I went over and raised his garage door, started her up and got about a foot before an electric cord for Christmas lights, hidden under the snow, got tangled in the blades. I was kind of flustered and trying to get the cord out of the blades (picture Richard yanking on that computer cord) when my wife yelled over and said to unplug the cord.

I sadly shook my head at her attempt to tell me how to do my job and informed her that the snow blower was not electric but ran on gas. She sadly shook her head and said she knew that, but she was talking about the Christmas light cord that I was yanking on and asked me if I wanted to be electrocuted. Oops, I said.

That happened about 10 years ago and she still brings it up, usually in front of large groups, a couple of times a year.

driver100

You guys! So metrosexual with your discussions of juicers, swapping recipes and the like

Funny you should mention that. I was just thinking some poor fool has a fantastic car buying story to tell and he comes to this site...and wonders what is going on!!!!!!

One thing about using a shovel to remove snow. It is one of the biggest causes of heart attacks, and it usually happens if you lift the snow too high, say up to your shoulder level. The heart has to pump extra hard just to get the blood up to that level. If you are a little older of health not 100%, it might be better to use a blower.

tjc78

it might be better to use a blower.

Driver, very true. My cousin's wife lost her Grandfather last year from a heart attack while shoveling snow. When my Grandfather still owned his home I used to call him whenever it snowed and told him to leave the shoveling for me.

jmonroe

You are da man! How did you accomplish that!

Well, it’s not an accomplishment until the feat has been performed. But I’ll tell ya this, it better be done or I ain’t making dinner tonight. :mad:

jmonroe

Kirstie_H

Wow, you are quite the taskmaster!

I have a very clever plan for getting the 6-8" off my driveway & walk today. It involves combining a teenager without a job and a $20 bill in my wallet.

jmonroe

That happened about 10 years ago and she still brings it up, usually in front of large groups, a couple of times a year.

I remember when you told that tale the first time. Funny then and just as funny today.

Yeah, they’re good at that stuff but why do they have to embellish it so much with each reenactment?

jmonroe

graphicguy

This kind of snow...this much snow? Long driveway? I'm using my snow blower (if it ever stops snowing).

When I had a smaller home, smaller yard, smaller driveway, everything was done manually, with a snow shovel, a manual push mower, etc.

I feel the same way about that as I do talking to an employee of mine who enjoys camping. He and his wife are in their late 20s. They spent a ton of money on camping gear. As I mentioned to him, "I used to be an avid camper...but once I could afford to stay in a hotel, with a hot shower a comfy bed, and a nice restaurant near by, I became an avid ex-camper."

fezo

Lost the husband of a friend to snow shoveling last year. As a result I leave the shoveling to others. That kid better get things tomorrow. we're looking at 6" to a foot! Once again we have already exceeded an average winter and it's still early January!

jmonroe

It involves combining a teenager without a job and a $20 bill in my wallet.

I used to have two of those but I never did the $20 thing. I resorted to, “you see these keys, do you want to see them again”?

jmonroe

tjc78

we're looking at 6" to a foot

Yep, where I am they are calling for 4"-8" not that big a deal, but annoying enough. If we get too much, my GF's mother lives right up the street and has a 4WD Suzuki Quad with a plow. That makes quick work of things.

houdini1

Yes, that is my annual snow blower story. I always think about it when I am blowing and shoveling snow. Sorry, I did not think any of you guys could remember things from a year ago.

Kirstie_H

Yeah, but I figure that without a job (though she's trying), I'm going to end up forking over $20 at some point for gas, or toiletries, or a movie... or who knows what. At least this way I get something besides a "thanks, see ya!" for my money.

graphicguy

kirstie....likin' your style.

kyfdx.....is it bad down your way?

sterlingdog

"...but why do they have to embellish it so much with each renactment?"

Amen! You can't imagine how my wife told our friends and family about my pulling the cord on the computer. You would have thought that I destroyed the entire electrical system in the house. On top of that, she loves to add that we had to "buy a new expensive computer because of what he did." I'll suffer for that mistake for years to come!

Richard

sterlingdog

I don't have to worry about shoveling any of the snow. We have an inch of ice on top of it this morning! I'm just hoping that the power holds. I need to go back to Key West.

Richard

sterlingdog

"...with his description of his Key West clothing purchases."

Well, it was car related. I have to look nice in my SRX.

"...more snow that all y''all."

Colorado or not, there is a Southern boy in there some where.

"...with your discussions of juicers, swapping recipes and the like."

Well, you read them. They must not have been too boring. :P

Richard

mako1a

This is the most entertaining and informative site on my computer.

Now that I have an Orient watch, I'll need a t-shirt (Richard).
Edmunds is sending me a new t-shirt for answering questions about going from Toyota to Ford. I'll gladly swap it for the Orient shirt. (since I already have one).

Just ordered an electric snowblower from Amazon. WORX WG 650

It will be here in 7 days or just as the last flake falls from the sky.
I got electric because I worry about the alcohol content in gas and what it does to small engines. Especially seasonally used engines.

28firefighter

You know how some people buy one car, buy exactly what they want, and keep it until it dies? That is how my Dad is with his snowblower.

We moved into our house outside Philadelphia in Summer, 1991. That December, my Dad bought a commercial grade John Deer Snowblower. When I say commercial grade, think: big engine, track driven (instead of wheels), and the capability of handling about 14" of snow before being in over its head. This thing is/was a monster - even has a headlight built in.

My Dad has had it serviced religiously every summer, and it is now going on its 19th season with us. It probably helps that it has been kept in a heated storage shed. I'm sure if he stopped servicing it yearly, it would probably die eventually, but it just keeps on going and going.

isellhondas

A handful of fresh spinach
Half dozen brussel sprouts
Two small tomatos
Two celery sticks

Didn't taste as bad as you might think and I am charged with energy!

Snow coming tonight...ugh!

fezo

Oh, come on now! When you pulled thyat computer apart mine stopped working here in NJ! Of COURSE she'll never let go of the story.

Dang. Another person buys an electric snow blower. I'll see how that kid does tomorrow. I'd just as soon pay him on an as needed basis but we'll see.

That Worx blower looks better than what he has.

jipster