Customers asking for jobs out of your scope of work?

[The motor guy]

I had a customer today ask to help him put batteries in his boat and I declined. I felt bad, but the batteries he wanted me to put in were like 150 pound batteries. 8D batteries which are like 5 regular car batteries put together. and probably weigh more than i do, pretty sure most newer boats have switched away from those types of batteries and just use more automotive style batteries that are more manageable. He was going to help, but I still declined as I can't risk hurting myself because then what good am I? I don't mind helping out with an odd job here and there especially if money is involved, like the boat lift thing I posted about a while back. Idk they can't really hold it against you if you don't want to do it, especially if it has nothing to do with the type of work you usually do. Opinions? I pretty much told the customer straight up that's a little too heavy for me and I don't want to risk hurting myself.

 

[dishdude]

I thought you did landscaping?

 

[The motor guy]

I thought you did landscaping?

I do lol

 

[dishdude]

I do lol

Well that's pretty easy then. Just tell them you don't work on boats and don't have the proper equipment to move 150 lb batteries! lol

 

[Owen Lucas]

I pretty much told the customer straight up that's a little too heavy for me and I don't want to risk hurting myself.

Stand your ground and protect yourself.

 

[The motor guy]

Well that's pretty easy then. Just tell them you don't work on boats or batteries! lol

Yeah, Unfortunately this kind of thing happens. If I was a bigger stronger dude, sure no problem I'll help you out, but I have to stay within my limits and stuff that's easy for others is not as easy for me. Although I tend to use things that assist like we could throw those batteries in a wheel barrow, but you're still having to hoist them up onto and into a 50ft boat. No thanks lol

 

[Oillover]

Yeah, Unfortunately this kind of thing happens. If I was a bigger stronger dude, sure no problem I'll help you out

Even if this were the case, no point in risking your long term health and wellbeing for a small, insignificant reward.

 

[The motor guy]

Even if this were the case, no point in risking your long term health and wellbeing for a small, insignificant reward.

True. I guess this goes everyone. Each person has their own set of issues and knows what they can cand can't do. Some people have bad backs, bad hands, whatever. You have to make due with what you have.

 

[SupremePossum]

I work in IT and am just generally somewhat technical and I get this problem all the time, people will want you to help with all sorts of things.

The reason they asked is because you are competent and reliable, and they probably trust you. No need to feel bad for declining

 

[Leo99]

A man's got to know his limitations.

-H. Callahan

 

[SupremePossum]

A man's got to know his limitations.

-H. Callahan

And people will respect you for it

All too often there are people around my part of the world that will just accept any job because they want the money, and they don't care they will do a crappy job. At least once a week I get business cards stuck to my door (Despite the no solicitors sign) that say Lawn Mowing, Drywall, Plumbing, Foundation Repair, ICBM Repair, "Electrix" work, Concrete, Garage doors, Pressure washing, roofing, etc

 

[The motor guy]

And people will respect you for it

All too often there are people around my part of the world that will just accept any job because they want the money, and they don't care they will do a crappy job. At least once a week I get business cards stuck to my door (Despite the no solicitors sign) that say Lawn Mowing, Drywall, Plumbing, Foundation Repair, ICBM Repair, "Electrix" work, Concrete, Garage doors, Pressure washing, roofing, etc

I suppose so. They know that if you do accept a job, atleast you will be capable of it. I never looked at it that way

 

[dogememe]

And people will respect you for it

All too often there are people around my part of the world that will just accept any job because they want the money, and they don't care they will do a crappy job. At least once a week I get business cards stuck to my door (Despite the no solicitors sign) that say Lawn Mowing, Drywall, Plumbing, Foundation Repair, ICBM Repair, "Electrix" work, Concrete, Garage doors, Pressure washing, roofing, etc

“ICBM REPAIR”

 

[SupremePossum]

Sí Sí I can fix

 

[GON]

You went with your gut and that is always a solid decision.

Landscaping is a tough job, little barriers to entry for competition, and not always the highest paying position, and more likely than not low on benefits. I can likely be a landscaping laborer tomorrow and be left in a job site by myself and accomplish the mission. If I was hired tomorrow to be a technician on a cat scan, even though I understand electronics, if left alone I likely would not be able to repair the machine.

Many times people achieve great things and enter new careers or start a business by getting out of their comfort zone. Risking more than others seem reasonable.

The battery install was not a match for you. But is is cool that someone had thought enough of you to offer you a opportunity outside of your skillset. Speaks well of you and demonstrates you likely have something special and possibly yet untapped.

 

[Pew]

I work in IT and am just generally somewhat technical and I get this problem all the time, people will want you to help with all sorts of things.

The reason they asked is because you are competent and reliable, and they probably trust you. No need to feel bad for declining

If it uses power, it must be IT related in user's eyes lol.

 

[Owen Lucas]

If it uses power, it must be IT related in user's eyes lol.

So this includes cubicle assembly and maintenance?

 

[Pew]

So this includes cubicle assembly and maintenance?

Omg....I don't know why employees keep coming to me to order office furniture!

 

[joekingcorvette]

Last week I put a new group 27 battery in my boat which powers the main starter, 2 fishfinders, the bilge pump, livewell pump and aerator, horn, lights, radio and main power switch etc. It was very heavy and difficult to install. I switched one wire incorrectly and had a difficult time figuring out why I wasn't getting power. There were 5 wires on one battery post and 4 wires on the other post. I had to have my buddy who works with wiring figure out what the problem was because I didn't want to short out the main fuse on the engine. I totally understand someone refusing to mess with a boat since they are more difficult to replace than most car/truck batteries.

 

[The motor guy]

Last week I put a new group 27 battery in my boat which powers the main starter, 2 fishfinders, the bilge pump, livewell pump and aerator, horn, lights, radio and main power switch etc. It was very heavy and difficult to install. I switched one wire incorrectly and had a difficult time figuring out why I wasn't getting power. There were 5 wires on one battery post and 4 wires on the other post. I had to have my buddy who works with wiring figure out what the problem was because I didn't want to short out the main fuse on the engine. I totally understand someone refusing to mess with a boat since they are more difficult to replace than most car/truck batteries.

I'm surprised you only put one in. Even a small 22ft boat has like 3 batteries