Bob Posted April 11, 2009 Report Posted April 11, 2009 There's not much that bugs me more than that... Someone coming into the shop and heading over to the bench to examine and "Play" with the tools.... GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!! OK, so my question to all you that have shops is this.... How do you deal with that, without offending people, or cutting off their fingers at the neck. Sounds too funny to be serious? Well, I'm no different than most other saddle makers. There's thousands of dollars in sharp tools on the bench. And I don't want people touching them. PERIOD. The other things is when they bring 3 kids........ I best stop here, I think you get the picture... Quote Bob Goudreault www.kamloopssaddlery.com
Members 2MadJacks Posted April 11, 2009 Members Report Posted April 11, 2009 I would start by being indirect and maybe hang a signs near or in work area. Also if at all possible use some type of shop divider like a chain or rope. Tough to do with out being offending. Then if they still cross the line you can always use the old line of the insurance company says.... nobody can be in the work area, or whatever.. Good luck James Quote
HorsehairBraider Posted April 11, 2009 Report Posted April 11, 2009 Oh, if they have kids that's perfect. I just tell them, Look, this area is absolutely positively *NOT* safe for kids, please, leave your kids in the car, I don't want them to get hurt! (An anxious look at this point is useful.) And if they don't have kids, I explain, This is my work area and I have a lot of custom orders here, so it's really important not to touch anything, because it can mess up my custom orders as far as what goes with who. I find that if you explain things to them before they get anywhere near the "danger zone" that they respect that. What I actually have more trouble with is people's DOGS. For some reason some people think it's "cute" to see their dog chase livestock. (And why did they drag the poor thing to my farm anyway?) When I ask them not to let the dog chase the goats/horses whatever, they will often say, "Oh, he won't hurt them!" So I tell them, "Ok - if you can explain that to the goats in a way that they can understand, so they don't have to feel any fear, then go ahead and explain it to them, and then the dog can chase them." It never goes any further than that. Quote They say princes learn no art truly, but the art of horsemanship. The reason is, the brave beast is no flatterer. He will throw a prince as soon as his groom. - Ben Jonson http://www.beautiful-horses.com
Members oldtimer Posted April 11, 2009 Members Report Posted April 11, 2009 I have a big sign on the wall in my shop " Don´t touch my tools". When entering the shop you can´t avoid seeing it ! Quote "The gun fight at the O.K. corral was actually started by two saddlemakers sitting around a bottle of whiskey talking about saddle fitting"...
Contributing Member barra Posted April 11, 2009 Contributing Member Report Posted April 11, 2009 Easy. Quote "If You're not behind the Troops, please feel free to stand in front of them"
Bree Posted April 11, 2009 Report Posted April 11, 2009 Shop Sign: U toucha my tools, I breaka U Head! Quote Ride Safe! Bree 2003 Dyna Wide Glide Memberships: Iron Butt Association, Niagara Falls HOG, Wild Fire HOG NRA, Niagara County Sportsman's Association
Contributing Member TwinOaks Posted April 11, 2009 Contributing Member Report Posted April 11, 2009 Anybody comes to my little shop has to trip over my kids and dogs, so .... I think the best solution for this problem, if you've got room in the shop, is to have a customer's counter- like a parts counter. A nice place where you can write up orders, lean on while talking, etc. Add a little sign that says "customer area" in that location, and another one that says all non-employees are financially responsible for anything they damage. Quote Mike DeLoach Esse Quam Videri (Be rather than Seem) "Don't learn the tricks of the trade.....Learn the trade." "Teach what you know......Learn what you don't." LEATHER ARTISAN'S DIGITAL GUILD on Facebook.
Members Double U Leather Posted April 12, 2009 Members Report Posted April 12, 2009 Ya'll make some good points about keeping CUSTOMERS from touching tools, but what about wives?!!.....LOL. My dear bride insists on coming into my leather shop area, which is a separate little building attached to the garage. She is always "organizing" my tools and things for me. Drives me freakin' crazy. Oh and she insists on turning the small space heater way down. I go into the leather shop ready to start a project, and I can see my breath!! I've explained that the dyes and finishes and glues don't work real well when frozen, but she still turns the heat down. I've hidden the keys to the shop from her, but that turns into a whole new war!!! Anyway, just thought I'd throw my dilema into the mix. Any suggestions on keeping wives out of the shop and away from the tools would be greatly appreciated........LOL!! Quote
Members cybertracy Posted April 12, 2009 Members Report Posted April 12, 2009 go in and sligtly rearrange her sewing room, kitchen, vanity, scrapbooking supplies, the area she considers "her" domain after (or during) one of her visits. . . Quote [color="#FF8C00"][size="4"][font="Tahoma"][size="5"][i]wag[/i] more,[/size][size="3"] bark less . . . [/size] happy tails, tracy[/font][/size][/color]
Members Double U Leather Posted April 12, 2009 Members Report Posted April 12, 2009 LOL.........that's the point. I think she considers everything on the planet her domain...including my leather shop. Not to mention my nightstand, my side of the closet, my boots, me in general.........LOL. It's kind of a no win situation...LOL. I have considered locking MYSELF in my shop. Quote
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