In the ‘trade’…
I got paid for a job today in cakes. I’ll let that sink in for a second.
It actually works out great for me, since I love cakes(esp. home made efforts) and the work was easy. I think I might even start a bartering scheme. I’ll start accepting payment for work done in goods/services of the equivalent value.
Here’s a guide pricelist….
Dripping/leaking/etc. Tap - £10 OR 6-pack of budweiser
Fit Washing Machine - £40 OR Do the electrics on a shower for me some time…
Fit Bathroom Suite - £200 OR Get this weeks shopping in from tesco, including a new pair of jeans for me (32W/34L) tyvm
It’s tax free too, so that’s gotta be worth something.
Good idea I think.
billy
September 30th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Hey Billy
Good to finally meet you in the flesh, we are positively toasty over here now
Did you like your cakes?
Jayne xxx
September 30th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
I loved the ones I actually got to eat. The kids got in there first! lol
I’m glad the heating is all good, has he who picks up after himself at festivals had to do any tinkering or is it just working??
billy
October 1st, 2007 at 12:13 am
it’s chugging along quite nicely, no need for he who has bought another bass (edit: apparently it’s not a bass, it’s a bit of wood that’s going to be made into a bass) to intervene.
I think I will have another cake fest sometime, I’ll make sure that clan ‘the kid’ gets an invite
October 1st, 2007 at 9:35 am
HA! Well consider yourself warned(so I can later say “Don’t say I didn’t warn you”) I look forward to it.
October 4th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
That’s every kid’s dream. To be paid in cakes and sweets.
You’ve arrived!
October 5th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
LOL, I’m living the dream man, living the dream…
I wish I had more imagination really…
btk
October 26th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
I was googling “good plumber in Aberdeen” and found your blogs….brilliant! I didn’t think a plumber would have so much to say, usually all I get from the plumbers I have known is a lot of chin scratching and ooh’s and aah’s. Nice to know there is a decent chap around, pity you’re so far away….I was just needing a wee job doing.
Anyway, you’ve cheered me up no end.
June fae Aberdeen
October 26th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
LOL, thanks June. I always have plenty to say, not as much that folk want to hear mind!
I’m not so far away, I’m in Aberdeen. What’s the wee job needing doing? Wee jobs are great, it’s the big ones that I don’t like!
Thanks for the comments.
Billy x
October 29th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Billy,
Just a note to say I added you on my links in turn, and have posted a lot of photos of my work recently, as it is winding down.
Anybody manufacture cast stone in Aberdeen? Would seem like a natural business there, versus having to call up Haddonstone down south, or something like that.
The more advanced companies are using computer assisted machining (CAM)to make models out of polyurethane foam, automating a process, leaving more intense labor and the inherent costs of doing business in pouring the mix into the moulds, and handling afterwards. One can also scan artifacts with lasers without damaging stonework and coordinate these with milling operations, such as seen on Archeoptics’ website. That’s something I’m really interested in regarding your country.
October 31st, 2007 at 10:49 pm
I actually talk to a guy on http://www.trustedtradesmen.com/forum/default.asp who’s into stone. AT Stone is his ompany I think. Aberdeen does have, don’t quote me, the biggest man made hole in europe at rubislaw. was an old granite quarry but it’s filled with water now.
I’ll need to check out stone companies, I know there are plenty masons and/or funeral headstone folk. watch this space…(but don’t hold your breath!)
btk
November 15th, 2007 at 12:07 am
That’s crazy! Though the money I make is good it’d be nice once to get paid in something like cakes! HAHAHA. I don’t know that I would ever accept that kind of payment and I don’t do any jobs prior to having a signed contract with any of my clients but if they offered up some PF Changs or a tasty looking chocolate cream pie I might have a hard time turning that down. I’m not cheap though (especially if its same day plumbing) so it’d have to be a lot of food and phenomenal tasting as well.
November 15th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Yeah, you couldn’t pay the mortgage on cakes alone, however that’s not what I’m trying to do. I don’t need to work for money, so I don’t! This way I can do what I want, when I want and accept alternative payment methods.
People are surprisingly generous when it comes to this. For example, I am currently doing a few small jobs for a guy. He’s insisting he and his wife take myself, my girlfriend and our four kids out for a meal somewhere. He mentioned pizza hut which, last time I was there cost us alone over £60($130-ish). I wouldn’t have charged that much for the work! (basically 4 fittings to be made)
I’m not running a business here. So there are no contracts, no payment terms, no hassles. My girlfriend asked me last night if it didn’t stress me out that I was basically working for no money. Not really, I’d only spend it!
Incidentally, the next-ish job I’ll be doing for the payment of, getting my car serviced.
btk
November 24th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
I’m still surprised you favor Budweiser in a land whose barley malts itself if you just leave it be too long.
I’m writing in to share a new musical interest that’s country with a harder or rougher edge. It’s “Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles”. Think Texas Swing when backed by The Sex Pistols or the Clash. I know, I know, a weird hybrid, but it was bound to occur in nature sooner or later. To say that they rock out (in a country way) is almost unneccesary.
http://www.sarahborges.com/home.html
My main client is putting in a new boiler in his commercial business. $140,000 of equipment. Will try and take pictures if I have time just for plumber’s curiousity.
January 11th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Bartering is a great idea, I’d be very interested if I lived closer to Aberdeen (I’m in Leeds, so no hope!)
Have you heard of L.E.T.S.?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LETS
January 11th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Hi Alice thanks for your comment.
I think I have heard of LETS before. I seem to remember a show on BBC a few months ago about some village which used their own “scrumpy” currency.
That’s pretty good idea, especially if you don’t have much cash. I don’t do it for the money/payment though but rather to “spread the love” lol.
It’s very seldom I do any work but when I do it’s generally free. People don’t tend to like that I’ve found, they would rather you took something for your time. So I let them decide what they want to. I don’t take things as payment but I’ll accept a gift. After all I am gifting my services it’d be rude and hypocritical otherwise.
Next time I’m heading to Engerland I’ll give you a heads up..
btk
July 4th, 2008 at 12:38 am
You are one cool plumber Billy