Gratuity

[Greg Parker]

Lesson learned....new home, ask for the plans FIRST!

Amen to that. ESPECIALLY on contemporary homes. If there is one thing I hate drawing is curves. I hate doing math in the middle of a measurement to get the correct dimensions. I thought about asking for only rectangular shaped homes, but it did not seem beneficial to my paychecks.

 

[Thomas N. Morgan]

3) The a la mode GPRes might fit the bill.

 

[Joker]

Apparently I shouldn't illustrate absurdity by being absurd. I guess common sense is no longer common.

 

[Bobby Byrd]

Mr. PropertyEconomics, I could'nt agree with you more.... It should be flattering when someone approaches you and wants to be an appraiser. The reality is they get the cold shoulder, and end up in a sweat shop, like you said.

I spent many years as a golf course superintendent, before I took on this profession. I was interviewing applicants for a groundsman position, and one of the first questions I asked was "what will you be doing in 5 years"?
The fellow said "I want your job"
Without hesitation I said " You're hired"
I knew how hard it was to get to that point in my career, and knew if thats what he wanted, he would have to work as hard as I did, or fail.

Its amazing how many CG's are afraid of someone with a trainee license.

As far as the education is concerned, its so lacking in this profession, its pathetic.....

 

[PropertyEconomics]

Mr Byrd ... you think I can apply for that Superintendent job you left? That sounds like heaven to me .... of course I may have to give up golf then and that wouldnt be such a good trade off ... on second thought ....
I think I will stay in this profession.
As an aside ... if you train and dont want your people to end up your competetion ... have them sign a CONTRACT ... put in a no complete clause and a term for them to stay AFTER they are Certified.

 

[Michigan CG]

As an aside ... if you train and dont want your people to end up your competetion ... have them sign a CONTRACT ... put in a no complete clause and a term for them to stay AFTER they are Certified.

Mr. PE:

Most of those non compete clauses are not worth the paper they are written on, in most states. I know it has been tried in the medical field and the courts rule against it, citing that the person has a right to make a living in their respective profession. Most people who abide by the non compete clauses do so because they don't know that they can get out of it.

 

[Jungle Boy]

Some one once gave me a nice cold can of beer at 10am in the morning. Should I have not drank that?

Depends how warm the weather was at the time. If you had broken a sweat by 10:00 am (not at all unusual during the summer), then drinking it was only natural, commendable, and totally professional.












You redneck!

 

[Bobby Byrd]

Mr Byrd ... you think I can apply for that Superintendent job you left? That sounds like heaven to me .... of course I may have to give up golf then and that wouldnt be such a good trade off ... on second thought ....
I think I will stay in this profession.
As an aside ... if you train and dont want your people to end up your competetion ... have them sign a CONTRACT ... put in a no complete clause and a term for them to stay AFTER they are Certified.

If you like to play golf, don't be a superintendent. I could grow grass in your pocket, but Im only a 14 handicap. Its not a bad career if you're single or you're spouse can be home with the children. Forget about holidays and weekends though, those greens don't know how to take a day off. My old course used to host a PGA event. 33 days without a day off. Did it twice and decided that was enough. Started work at 4:30 AM and stopped at 11:00 PM everyday for tournament week. Slept in the car or under the desk most of the time. It is rewarding though. If golfers knew what went into to maintaining a course, they would be afraid to walk on it....Sorry off on a tangent there.........

As far as non-competes go, the gentleman who I trained under did'nt require one. I asked if he was sure, and told him I'd be glad to sign one. His response was " I was here before you were, and I'll be here when your gone"

I still promised that I would never compete with him in his market. When I decided to do my own thing, I moved 200 miles away.

OK, thats enough patting myself on the back, got to get to work..............

 

[PropertyEconomics]

Mr Byrd ... I thank you for sharing your story of TRUE professionalism. You see where the issue is here dont you ... YOU had a TRUE MENTOR and a gentleman like yourself it sounds.
I have said it before and I will say it again here ....

BRAVO MR BYRD BRAVO

 

[Jeffery Hall]

Non Compete Clause

Mr. PE:

Most of those non compete clauses are not worth the paper they are written on, in most states. I know it has been tried in the medical field and the courts rule against it, citing that the person has a right to make a living in their respective profession. Most people who abide by the non compete clauses do so because they don't know that they can get out of it.

Or can it be that those who are honorable don't need a non-compete clause?

I have a verbal agreement with the man who approved my work, made changes as needed, and signed reports with me until I got my ful license. I still do not compete directly with him years after we terminated our formal relationship when I became licensed. He coveres two counties, and I cover two other counties.

It is a gentlemans agreement. Completely unenforceable in court. Does that mean I "poach" in his pond? NO! Can I "poach"? Yes. But, when I market, I do ask if P.G.S., cert res, has a working relationship with them before/when I make my sales pitch. If they do I inform them that I will not be accepting any assignments in certain counties.

If you can't trust the trainee after you cut him/her loose, better to not work with him/her at all.

Before you pile on about my leaving my mentor directly after only getting licensed...

I wrote my first appraisal in 1986 (prior to licensing and USPAP). I have worked as a Loan Officer, Real Estate salesperson, Real Estate Appraiser, and consultant for two cities for their housing rehabilitation federally funded (CDBG) programs. The license was a legal necessity beyond my already extensive knowledge and expertise. I don't mean to sound pompous or obnoxious, but just stating facts.