Wednesday night was a doozie.
Dude called in the morning because his septic alarm was going off. I went over, checked it out. Newer pump but something wasn't right. I was able to spot some burnt wires, informed the customer the tank had to be pumped to make the repairs. He gets on the phone and the septic guy is going to be a few hours, so I move on and tell him to call when it's pumped and I'll bring an apprentice and we will repair the wires.
So, it's late afternoon before he calls, the septic truck was later than expected. It's starting to get dark. I jump in the tank, make the repairs, and by now it's really dark. Turn on the power....nothing. Go in my house with my electrical tester....sure enough, power leaving the house, but not making it to the tank. The wires leave the house not in conduit, just buried in the soil, and it's down 4 feet.
We tell the customer the situation and he can still use his facilities since his tanks were pumped, and we would return in the day light to investigate further. He was not at all impressed, and he got right up in my face:
"Let me tell you something son. I spent 25 years commanding the Navy, and my men NEVER let a job go unfinished. So I suggest you get your ass out there and start digging"
Now, I have the up most respect for military people and the job they do, but that attitude goes no where fast with me. To which I replied:
"Okay, let me tell YOU something bud. You ain't in the Navy anymore, and I certainly don't work under you. Now, we will be back in the morning, or you can call somebody else."
So we left, and by the time we got back in the shop, he had called to complain about my attitude to the boss. When we walked in, there was a lot of "mmmhmm"......"okay....yes I understand"....."yup"
Then my boss ends the conversation with:
"Well I certainly won't have you treating my employees with such disrespect, don't worry about the bill, just don't call us with you business anymore, we don't work for ass holes"
Didn't hear from him again
