Hick Scoops Up a Deal

Only a few things in this world are certain: death, taxes, and Hick's entrepreneuring.

Sunday afternoon, I heard the dogs going crazy out front. I thought I heard a motor. Not a car. Maybe a 4-wheeler. I looked out the front door, and saw Hick on his blue tractor. What in the Not-Heaven? Was he smoothing the gravel of Shackytown Boulevard? I went to put on my CROCS, and by the time I got back outside, Hick was in the side yard. In the back of SilverRedO.

 

Huh. What was he up to now? Was that some contraption to sand the floors of Pony House? Hick was maneuvering it into the bucket of his tractor.

 

I watched as Hick hopped down off the tailgate to the bumper to the ground, and the recoil of SilverRedO made the contraption slide back mostly onto the tailgate.

"Hey! It slipped back!"

"I know. That's why I'm getting my chain."

Hick often takes chances which I, myself, would not.

 

 

Hick yanked his own chain before driving that contraption across the side yard. Shorts by Goodwill. Tractor seat by Some Junk Hick Took Out Of Something Else. 

 

Of course Hick turned my direction to smile for the phone camera. Yes. That's as smiley as he gets.

 

Hick was escorted by neighbor dog Copper Jack, who lets no wheel turn without a warning.

 

Final destination: the School House Shed. Oh, how I wish Hick had clairvoyantly saved that magnificent window for Pony House!

In case you hadn't noticed by now (I would not have), that contraption is a SNOW BLOWER! Hick says it sells for about $1000 at Lowe's or one of those kind of stores. He named off some specifics, but that means nothing to me.

"Where did YOU get it."

"A guy I know had it up at the lockers today. I gave him $180 for it. It's new, but I have to work on the carburetor to get it to start. I might be able to spray some ether into it."

"Is it stolen?"

"No! I've known this guy a while. He bought it from a lady over in Bill-Paying Town, who is selling all her stuff to travel across the country in a motor home. It was part of everything. He didn't buy it separate."

"How'd you load it in your truck?"

"He had it on a trailer, and he leaned his trailer tailgate ramp up against my truck tailgate, and pushed it up in there. He's a stout guy!"

"What are you going to do with it?"

"I'll put it on Buy/Sell/Trade. I'm asking $500, but I'll take $350."

Always the wheeler-dealer, our Hick.

The Tranquility Before the Tempest?

Regular readers probably remember that Val has a faux-criminal past. She's been treated as Public Enemy #1-3 over the past several years. Most often the finger being pointed by HER VERY OWN BANK where she has done business for 30 years. The most notable incident being the deposit of a check from her credit union to withdraw cash to buy Hick House for $5000, when the teller called the wrong verification number and commenced phone-whispering to a superior right in front of Val, concerning the attempted deposit of an invalid check.

Tuesday, I was still suffering PTSD from this deposit debacle when I stopped by my credit union to withdraw a check for Pony House expenses. The folks at my credit union were quite polite, even if I did have to go through the same explanation twice, once over the phone, and again at the window. I suppose saying, "I am Val Thevictorian. I called earlier about doing this and this with my account," is not enough of a hint for the gal to turn to the only two other workers and ask if one had talked to me on the phone.

As it was, she went across the open office to get authorization, and the authorizing party talked her through the bits and pieces she had already told me on the phone. Once I had that check in my hand, ready to take to the bank for deposit, I said,

"My bank will probably call in a few minutes to authorize this check. Last time they thought I was trying to deposit a counterfeit check! They tried to tell me the funds weren't authorized by this credit union."

"What? Why would they do that?"

"The gal called the number on the check, rather than your local number, even though I TOLD HER that it just came from down the road. I guess she called a St. Louis number, and they said they had NOT issued that check."

"Give me your check back! What number? There shouldn't be a different number on the check."

Great. Now my CREDIT UNION thought I was a liar! I gave her the check, and she took it back to the authorizer's desk, telling my tale. I could hear them discussing it. Huh. Such a mystery. That number (still there) shouldn't be on the checks! They hadn't used that institution for a long time! Huh. Why was it still there? 

Seriously. I can't believe nobody has noticed this number on their checks they print out. IT HAS BEEN 2 YEARS, 9 MONTHS SINCE I HAD THAT INCIDENT AT MY BANK! All this time, my credit union has been handing out checks with an invalid phone number on them!

Anyhoo... the credit union gal gave me their business card, and said, "Here. Make sure they call our local number if they want to verify the check. NOT that other number printed on it."

Of course when I got to my bank right down the road, the lobby was already closed! So I went to the drive-thru. I put in my deposit slip, endorsed check, and the business card of the credit union, and sent in the canister through the tube. 

Of course I got no greeting from the teller. I was waiting until I knew someone was listening, such as AFTER A GREETING, to tell them to use the phone number on the credit union business card for verification of the check. Next thing I knew, the tube was humming with the return canister, and the teller was saying, "Thank you, have a good day."

Well. That was a bit dismissive. She didn't even say there would be a 10-day hold on the check, as they SO love to do with our deposits. Huh. I guess everything went okay. 

Once I got home, I was still pondering the ease of the deposit. WHAT IF they called for verification after I'd driven off, and used the wrong number, and they're going to put a security hold on my account, or try to charge me for an invalid check???

I guess I'll find out... maybe this is just the calm before the storm.

Rest Insured, Hick is a Thorough Investigator

Yesterday I mentioned how Hick was concerned about his tree-trimmer not having the proper insurance. Well. Hick uncovered more facts during his Monday investigation.

Our insurance rep (his office manager, specifically) assured Hick that even some of their company's policies now allow the policyholder to make changes online and submit a document. She said the language in this policy looked like the industry standard.

Hick called the actual insurance company in California that holds the policy of Tree-Trimmer Guy. The agent verified that Tree-Trimmer Guy's policy, while recent, was in full effect, and would provide coverage for the trimming of the Pony House tree. He has paid his monthly premium and the policy is good for at least 30 days. This agent sent Hick a copy of the policy with Hick's name on it as the insured for this job. So Hick is comfortable using Tree-Trimmer Guy, IF Hick approves the final contract that Tree-Trimmer Guy was bringing by Pony House on Monday evening. It contains details such as Hick not paying a cent until some work is done. Hick will pay for what is done, at the end of each day, but not the full amount unless ALL the agreed-upon terms have been met. Such as the limbs being cleared from the property, and six-foot lengths stacked on the concrete pad up by the Pony House garage. Hick is planning to use some of the wood for heating his workshop this winter.

 

Hick also found out that Tree-Trimmer Guy has formed an LLC (Limited Liability Corporation), so he seems to be trying to go about this in a business-like manner, and not in a shady kind of way like just showing up in a truck and climbing a tree to trim it, then pocket the cash.

However... in talking to our insurance office manager, Hick was reminded that Tree-Trimmer Guy will need a business license issued from the city (of Sis-Town) if he's going to do work within the city limits. Hick says he plans to ask Tree-Trimmer Guy if he has gotten a license, emphasizing: "Look. The mayor is my brother-in-law, and you HAVE to have a business license. I'm not going to have some nosy neighbor saying that the mayor is playing favorites and not requiring a relative to meet all the regulations."

So... for now, Tree-Trimmer Guy is back on Hick's schedule to trim the Pony House tree.

If a Tree-Trimmer Falls in the Yard of a $23,000 House, and No One is There to See Him, Will the Insurance Pay a Claim?

Hick is re-thinking the Tree-Trimmer Guy. They had agreed upon the price, the removal of the debris, and the day to begin, but Hick insisted that he would not move forward until he had a copy of the Tree-Trimmer Guy's insurance.

That's the first thing Hick asks them, if they have insurance. No need to proceed if they don't. We have an umbrella policy, and we also have a rehabber's policy for one year on Pony House, but neither will pay for any claims is we use a HIRED worker. According to Hick, it will pay if his buddy comes over to help, and some mishap befalls him. But not if he's getting paid. Hick is pretty smart about the legal stuff.

In fact, Hick knows from his years as a manager of facility maintenance in a factory that made saw blades for butchers, that the contractor's insurance should have YOUR NAME in the policy, and be authorized by his insurance carrier, or it's just like not having insurance. He told this to Tree-Trimmer Guy, who's in his mid-30s, and used to trim trees in another state. Tree-Trimmer Guy said nobody has ever asked him for that. But that of course he has insurance. Hick explained that all he had to do was call his insurance, tell them what he needed, and they would send it to him with Hick's name on it, making him insured for the job. 

 

Tree-Trimmer Guy sent Hick a copy of the policy with Hick's name in it the next day. He said that his insurance company was in California, but that he'd figured out a way to put Hick's name in it online. Hick said, no, that wasn't right. The insurance company had to do it. And how had the insurance company rep signed it? Tree-Trimmer Guy said it was an electronic signature, so he had put the same name as the person who had signed his policy. Hick said NO. This was not a legal agreement.

Hick looked up the insurance company online. It has been in business since 2017, and had a rating of 4.8 out of 5. Hick also saw a complaint from the Better Business Bureau. I told him that doesn't mean all that much. Some people are never satisfied. That you have to read the whole thing, and see how the business tried to solve the complaint. That if it was THAT bad, the insurance company itself would not have a rating of 4.8 over four years.

Anyhoo... Hick is leery of using Tree-Trimmer Guy now, not in small part to more details revealed by Tree-Trimmer Guy himself. Like he just got this insurance last month, at a cost of $150. And that the day before, he paid his monthly premium of $75. Not criticizing the guy for just recently becoming insured, but it seems he only got a fire in his belly to get insurance AFTER talking to Hick. Also not saying Tree-Trimmer Guy is trying to pull a scam. Only that he probably doesn't understand the insurance process. I sure don't. 

 

I never would have made sure to have my name on the insurance policy before letting him do the work. Hick had seen a buddy who pours concrete while he was at Casey's buying donuts, and asked HIM about the insurance. And Concrete Man said that's right. That's how it's done. It's really simple. All the contractor does is call his insurance company, and they will issue the policy with the hiring person's name on it as the "insured" for the job.

So... Hick is pretty sure that Tree-Trimmer Guy does not have $300,000 worth of coverage for this job. I don't know where Hick arrived at that amount. Hick is going to talk to our own insurance rep on Monday, to see if they've heard anything about this insurance company, and how legal Tree-Trimmer Guy's process is, since our rep will be familiar with procedures, and the wording of insurance contracts.

I'm pretty sure we're going with the guy Hick already met with, and texted by mistake about the insurance contract while thinking he was talking to Tree-Trimmer Guy. The other one will do it for a few hundred dollars less, and says of course he can get Hick an insurance contract with his name on it, and that Hick is welcome to talk to his insurer, who is in a town about 20 miles north of us. He is so booked up that he doesn't mind if Hick hires him or not, but to please let him know if he should put us on his schedule for about 2 months in the future.

Nobody Puts Pony In a Dumpster

The Pony has been working his tail off now that he's back to work. Four injured came back the same week, and the other broken ankle (broken three days before The Pony's) comes back on Monday. Trouble is, they're still losing people left and right. It's brutal work, until you make regular. That's mandatory within two years, but most make it sooner, due to turnover in The Pony's facility.

The Pony has worked just over 120 hours during this two-week pay period. Like Seinfeld's not-buddy Newwwman said, "The mail never stops." Thursday evening, The Pony came home with a baffling tale.

"I got back too late to hear any gossip, but when I looked at the schedule, two names were whited-out. Not just the hours on the schedule. Two PEOPLE were whited-out. I don't know what happened. Why are they off the schedule? Nobody is supposed to be getting off. I don't know if they got hurt. Or quit. There are two new ones since I started. One was asking about getting her uniform allowance. I'm pretty sure she already passed the 90-day probation. The uniform allowance comes after 120 days. So I don't think she'd quit. The other one is pretty close to making probation. I can't imagine they'd fire anybody right now, with us being so short-handed."

"They fired your buddy MAW (Middle-Aged Woman) the week before her probation was up. So you know they WILL do it. Maybe somebody wasn't fast enough, like her."

"Still, even somebody slow, who's already trained and has worked, is better than starting over. Especially with the holidays coming. This one is not real fast, but the one I think passed probation is as fast as me! Not that I'm fast, but the more you work, the faster you get."

Well. Friday night... mystery solved. 

"I heard one of the regulars talking about it. One quit, one got fired after someone reported her throwing away mail."

"I can't imagine somebody quitting after passing probation, and asking about the uniform allowance."

"Oh, she's the one who got fired. Somebody along the route saw her dump a whole tub of mail into a dumpster."

"You mean like junk mail?"

"No. Regular mail."

"Like bills and letters? I sure hope I didn't have any mail in that batch! Do you know what route?"

"No, I don't know the route. But you wouldn't have had any local mail going out around here."

"Well... I wonder how many times it happened before she got caught. That could explain how she was as fast as you!"

As for the quitter, it IS a demanding job when you're low in seniority. Your reward for working hard and finishing as quick as you can is to be given more work, helping the slower. Like The Pony on Friday night. He went in at 7:30 a.m. At 7:49 p.m., I got a text:

"Clocked out. Manager forgot about me, apparently."

There was more to the story.

"Around 7:00, I sent in a text that I just finished my packages, and was starting my regular mail. Usually they send help as other people get done. We're not supposed to deliver any regular mail after 8:00. I guess she didn't see my text until later, because she sent one that said, 'You're STILL OUT THERE? Just bring the mail back.' It was the new manager they've been training."

Poor Pony. Forgotten on his route. I'm sorry the new manager overlooked him. At least nobody put him in a dumpster.

Deja Vu For These COINS, Two

Limited success this week in bagging the elusive penny! It was literally a repeat of last week! On SUNDAY, October 3, I was pleased to spot a penny waiting for me in the entryway of Country Mart.

 

I didn't want to hurt business by ample-rumpusing those entering after me, so I walked past the penny and turned to get the picture. Those who'd already filled their cart were unlikely to abandon them in horror once the ample-rumpusing commenced. There's one of the lottery machines on the left.

 

It was a face-down 2020 penny, so shiny and photogenic against the tile background.

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THURSDAY, October 8, I was at the Sis-Town Casey's for T-Hoe's weekly gas. My preferred Pump 4 was occupied by a USPS LLV! So I had to take Pump 3. After trading in scratchers and pre-paying, I headed back to the pumps.

 

Perhaps you don't have Val's eagle eye. It's behind T-Hoe, in the direction of the Claddagh Irish Dance studio and pawn shop. They're separate businesses, but in the same mini mall.

 

Here's a bit closer view. There it is! To the left of the two tar spots. I was quite excited at first, thinking it was a quarter. Seems that Val's eagle eye is more of a hummingbird eye.

 

It was a face-down 1976 NICKEL! Such an endangered species in Val's Future Pennyillionaire Fortune. So special. !976 was a very good year.

________________________________________________________________________

 

That's 2 COINS, for 6 CENTS this week towards Val's Future Pennyillionaire Fortune.

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2021 RUNNING TOTAL

Penny       # 97.
Dime         still at 12.
Nickel       # 6.
Quarter    still at 6.

2020 TOTALS
Penny     134
Dime        25
Nickel      10
Quarter      1
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Back to Pony House

Hick spent a couple days this week working on the back of Pony House, on the side with Bathroom 2. He stripped off the old layers of siding, put in insulation, and finished it with the vertical sheets of cedar siding that I don't really like. He still says I'll like the finished house-back. I'm not so sure.

 

Hick spent Monday stripping. Heh, heh. I actually like this old wood siding better than the new stuff Hick is using to cover it up. But I'm not the one doing the work. There used to be a window here, which won't be now. On the inside, Hick is going to put a mirror in that space. Like a framed mirror. He happened to buy two mirrors at the auction for a grand total of $2.

 

Yeah. Not a fan of this look. I would at least expect it to be painted white. 

 

That white middle section will be torn off, and it will be an open back porch, but under roof. For now, Hick is leaving it there, to use as a storage area for his tools and materials, so they're out of the way while he's working.

Thursday, Hick had a hired guy there (who works for Hick's friend, who's a general contractor), to crawl around under the house and check out the duct work and plumbing. They found rotten floor joists under the Master Bathroom, so Hick has to replace the whole floor there. Also, he will need to shore up the floor joists under the Master Bedroom, but they're not rotten.

Hick hopes to finish Bathroom 2 by Monday evening! That's what he told The Pony. I'm not so sure, but Hick says he can. Maybe he means get all the fixtures in place, not necessary finished like move-in finished, with paint and everything. He set the shower base where it's going to be, to take some measurements.

 

Hick needs to put down the sub-floor and some kind of insulation board, and then he's using the laminate flooring, which he said is the kind MEANT to be used in a bathroom, which is labeled as such by something on the back of it. In fact, he said the laminate flooring he used in his Railroad Car Shed actually came out of Back-Creek Neighbor Bev's bathroom.

 

Anyhoo... he's got the toilet there, and a vanity top here in the BARn for the sink. I think he might need a cabinet to set that on. You can see the back entryway there through the wall studs. So he needs an inner wall, and outer wall which will again be that vertical cedar siding. He's keeping that board wall, and scrubbing and painting it.

This is Hick's favorite part of the job, when he can show off a nearly-finished room, that actually looks livable. I don't expect him to be done on Monday, but for sure by the end of the week.

Saturday, the tree guy is coming to deal with the (possibly) pecan tree. A price of $3000 has been agreed upon. Next to the heating and cooling, this will probably be the biggest expense of Pony House.