Work

[Blazin]

So last Sat I signed a rental agreement for a 40'x60' shop on the same property as the place I work, Owned by the same guy that owns the building were I work.  Was going to do a little moonlighting, nights weekends try and get ahead a little bit. Told my boss, and his wife who I have worked for going on 7 years. I figured he would get his panties in a bunch over it even though I wasn't trying to steal work, or compete with him. Also figured he would get over it. Cash jobs for friends family, and people that don't use us. Today I show up for work, he tells me I'm all done! He claims its because its a little slow on, and off, he doesn't feel right calling me at night and telling me there is no work the next day! The other guy I work with has only been there almost 3 years, and makes a little less than me. Pretty sure I smell sour grapes!
There are about 10 or 12 customers that have told me the only reason they come to us is because I work there! I guess its game on now!
Pretty piss poor I say considering we have known each other since kindergarten!

[DnStClr]

He definitely sees it as a a threat to his business. So, with business slow, he's going into survival mode. Hope it works out well for you Blazin. Anytime is a crummy time to lose your main income.     

[Captkaos]

Man, that is crummy.  I bet if is slows more when "your" customers are gone he will really be in a pickle.

[Blazin]

Now I am even more of a threat.
Not to mention I am a local guy. Gary drives from an hour away. When ever I say his name in conversation around the towns most of our customers are from, people are like who? I explain it and they say, oh yeah, I don't know him.

[thirsty]

Sounds like you need to pick up some insurance and have a sign made
10 or 12 regular customers is a good start especially when it's not just cars. If that many will follow you right off then others will too.

I think your ex boss got his panties in a bunch a little premature and it might not work out in his favor if you decide to go full game on right out of the gate on the same property as him. From what I have seen of that shop, you were his bread and butter get it done right the first time man. He should of waited to bunch his panties until he thought you might be going out on your own and threatening his business. Instead he gave you a sucker punch early on.

Good luck with everything Blazin! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

[Blazin]

I'm not going to get into the heavy trucks. I don't have the enough of the tools for that. As far as light trucks, and cars no worries there.
I have allready called around about insurance. As far as a sign last time I worked for myself I never had a sign, and I always had work. For now I am going to borrow a friend of mines marque sign.

[zieg85]

I wish you the best of luck Harold.  With your talent and integrity you should have no problem making a good living out on your own and when your previous owner has to close and auctions off his tools you will be right there to snatch them up for pennies on the dollar....

[Blazin]

I doubt he will go under. He does good work. His down fall is he is not a good estimator. He shorts himself, because hes not good at figuring how long its going to take for a job.  he also has a tendency to go for the low price to get the job, then hits them with a higher bill. Most people suck it up because they know its quality work.

[bake74]

    All I can say is that sucks and really a cheap, crappy way of him to let you go.  I hope you can find or do something and make it work, it is hard right now.

[Blazin]

So I had a party / fund raiser for Making Strides for breast cancer last night at my house. Live music etc. Bout 80 plus guests.
My old boss's wife, brother, and sister in law showed up! No Vinnie though!
His brother, and sister in law didn't even know I wasn't working there anymore.

[78 Chevyrado]

I doubt he will go under. He does good work. His down fall is he is not a good estimator. He shorts himself, because hes not good at figuring how long its going to take for a job.  he also has a tendency to go for the low price to get the job, then hits them with a higher bill. Most people suck it up because they know its quality work.

Going from that, he won't go under but he won't be living so well as he has been.  heck with him dude, find something you like to do and never look back.  just don't go back to him, I couldnt once these kinds of thoughts have been raised.  And if he knew you for that long he should have talked to you to come up with a game plan anyway before deciding crap.  heck he's know you longer than his wife or anybody, you should have been the first he runs things by....  piss on him.

[1980c10]

This can be a touchy situation. You don't want to find out bad his shop is talking bad about your business etc. He probably won't as long as he doesn't hear the same from yours. As tough as it may be it might be better to get on good terms once again. I'm not saying; be friends with this guy but do keep your enemies close. Anyway a little down the road this situation may prove to be the best thing that could have happened to you.

[Blazin]

No worries about being civil. But this is the begining of a new freindship between us. Never again will it be the same as it has been the last 35 plus years!

[Irish_Alley]

my buddy kind of did the same thing your doing. he works for a welding/fabrication company lot of farm and big truck deals. well he always wanted his own shop, so he went out and bought a welder a 04 chevy crew put a work body on it snap on tools and a welder/generator. now he can do anything except bend thick metal for that he sneeks into work and uses the bosses break lol. he did have a company truck with a gas card and welder. but once he got his 04 the boss took it away and kind of uses my buddys truck for his business. kind of wrong but its kind of a trade off