Stanley Mishap Posted November 16, 2016 Report Share Posted November 16, 2016 Well - about a month ago I was diagnosed with depression....apart from the usual things the doctor can do he said..... 'in your work - stop ANYTHING that can cause stress,anxiety or depression !' ...I said 'Easy I can name that instantly ENGRAVING!' I am now a month in and no longer sell or engrave trophies,hip flasks,tankards or Zippo's - not even pet tags !.... I no longer have to endure customers HAGGLING,ARGUING,COMPLAINING,not willing to wait or putting unrealistic demands on you ( I need 30 boxing trophies ordered and engraved for a 100 people award ceremony TOMORROW!) I now concentrate on what we do best - repairs and keys and it's hardly made a difference to the till ...and above all I feel 100% better ... .....Believe me MONEY IS'NT EVERYTHING! - good luck in all your life/business choices kobblers, x minit uk, Mike at Vauxhall and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamparker Posted November 16, 2016 Report Share Posted November 16, 2016 I am very lucky, we still do a few Trophies but have binned all the footy leagues and golf societies that wanted discount and free engraving. We have however done some very large padlock engraving jobs for Abus UK, Hoppe, Phillips 66 and a few online retailers. Over the last 3 years we have done over £30,000 engraving with the only outlay being Cutters and drive belts using to 25 year old computerised engraving machines that are cartridge based (Hermes V3000) they never miss a beat and never go wrong. Has meant some late nights and weekends working but the profits really make a HUGE difference to our takings. kobblers and Stanley Mishap 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simes Posted November 16, 2016 Report Share Posted November 16, 2016 Well said! Money isn't everything. For 2 decades I worked in Financial Services as an investment consultant before returning to the trade. When you come to the realisation that you are living to work rather than working to live, that's when the soul searching begins! I was working up to 70 hours a week, getting home,sometimes as late as 11pm having started a 8:30am! Then not sleeping because I was either stressed about work or "wired" from working such long hours. You can't spend it when your 6 foot below ground! Now, 7 years later, I work 9-5, 5 days a week and actually earn more money! I still get anxious about certain jobs, some engraving jobs and programming certain car keys, but things are much better now I can choose what jobs to take on. Stanley Mishap and kobblers 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike at Vauxhall Posted November 16, 2016 Report Share Posted November 16, 2016 My "favourites "are customers that won't take no for an answer, saying things like, "can't you just have a try!" or " I won't hold you responsible if it goes wrong!" ( yeah right!) . No should mean no, however one of my regulars ( a real history and antique buff.)came in for a repair. While doing the job, he asked do you repair glasses. I replied "no, but seen as it's you I can tighten up a screw maybe.", as he left he said " I'll bring the glasses in, it's two pairs of antique gold victorian glasses and I want the lenses swapping!" He had left before that had time to sink in. I will not be touching them, even if I lose his custom, it just sounds suicidal on so many levels. kobblers and Stanley Mishap 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsy9 Posted November 16, 2016 Report Share Posted November 16, 2016 Why do people bring things like glasses in to a shoe repair shop? I've had folk bring in electric shavers, glass ornaments, a metal hoover pole which one guy wanted me to shorten because it was too long. And many more that I have forgotten. I think they see the repairs and just assume we repair everything. Stanley Mishap, kobblers, Mike at Vauxhall and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted November 16, 2016 Report Share Posted November 16, 2016 we had a 30 year old set of hair straighteners in last month wtf i took them off the boy and handed back saying sorry no can do! carry on! Stanley Mishap, Mike at Vauxhall, kobblers and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercoulson Posted November 16, 2016 Report Share Posted November 16, 2016 Why do people bring things like glasses in to a shoe repair shop? I've had folk bring in electric shavers, glass ornaments, a metal hoover pole which one guy wanted me to shorten because it was too long. And many more that I have forgotten. I think they see the repairs and just assume we repair everything. Because shoe repairers are seen as being good with their hands at fixing things, there isn't a lot of alternatives on the high street for getting things repaired in our throwaway society kobblers, keithm, BrokenThreader and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted November 17, 2016 Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 Yesterday I replaced the little music box on an old snowglobe bought from the pawn shop down the road, he told the customer it was no good!! Quick Google search, found identical music box, 24 hours later been delivered and fitted!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted November 17, 2016 Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 ill fix anything that comes in, if I can do it. why not? & Simon, if ever there was a sterio type, you look like an Investment consultant! Simes 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simes Posted November 17, 2016 Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 ill fix anything that comes in, if I can do it. why not? & Simon, if ever there was a sterio type, you look like an Investment consultant! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike at Vauxhall Posted November 17, 2016 Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 This is was my first repair yesterday morning. It's no wonder customers assume I'll repair anything. Had to explain it was a one off for my youngest daughter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted December 16, 2016 Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 Depression either comes from within or external forces, the latter is more easily addressed with, once you establish the cause! IE relationship, work stress etc... When it comes from within it is much harder to deal with & harder to understand, I am a sufferer, and have been for a long time, it comes and goes. I still don't know what the answer is, sometimes it lasts for a day, sometimes it lasts for weeks. It is a bastard, and can traumatize me, cause anxiety, destroy confidence to the point I don't want to leave the house, go for a run or even go to work. It can be so tiring trying not to give in to it. Medication helps, but it isn't a cure (in my case), councelling helps to keep my feet on the ground. Anyone who suffers, I really recommend that you talk to someone about it, it's a huge weight off your mind and helps your loved ones understand, which eases the pressure on you. I personally couldn't talk about it at one time (in denial) but now I will openly talk about it to anyone who wants to. Well done on making the changes that have helped you overcome this horrible disorder... I wish I could find the answer. elfman, Stanley Mishap, k4mrc and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanley Mishap Posted March 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2017 A quick update on the depression/stopping all engraving situation I`m now 4 months in with this (including Christmas) ....and its hardly made any difference with monthly takings .... I now come through the door and know that the biggest problem I`m gonna face that day is repairs and keys ! feeling so much better now ,and even the family notice the change .....My god I wish I`d done it years ago .... Cheers all ! Broms Cobb, lock&quay, Mike at Vauxhall and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumble Posted March 21, 2017 Report Share Posted March 21, 2017 Well done mate Stanley Mishap 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lock&quay Posted August 29, 2018 Report Share Posted August 29, 2018 If I'm not interested in it I don't do it . Stanley Mishap 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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