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Typical situation when working for people who have plenty of money
Posted by holy-cow on March 18, 2021 at 3:13 pm“We only need two points and they may already be there. You just need to find them. How much and can you drop by today?”
Probably 50 to 60 years ago a small subdivision (10-12 lots) was created across the south end of the east half of the northeast quarter. This fellow owns the lot in the southwest corner. The south line should follow the quarter section line and there should have been lot corners installed during the platting process. Sounds easy, right? My problem is that I have worked along the north side of the subdivision in the past and found what might have been the original lot corners not lining up with each other by several feet.
The probable client and his neighbor get along fine. They view this as a 30-minute or less exercise. One is a college chemistry professor and the other is an anesthesiologist based in Dallas, Texas, but who grew up here.
The true line should follow the quarter section line, so finding the center corner and east quarter corner, which do exist, is simpler than most cases. Find the midpoint of that line, which “should be” the monumented southwest corner of his lot and the subdivision and then measure east the plat dimension for the lot. I’m betting I find buried and bent pipes that are several feet off the true line. Lord, help me if they are leaning over my shoulder the whole time.
holy-cow replied 3 years, 1 month ago 14 Members · 16 Replies- 16 Replies
Was told I was the third surveyor the guy called, “So, sharpen the pencil.”
This was for a lot survey that I would be happy to just not lose money on.
My regret is that he told me that after I told him I would send him an offer of service.
-All thoughts my own, except my typos and when I am wrong.- Posted by: @dmyhill
My regret is that he told me that after I told him I would send him an offer of service.
Based on information that has recently come to light, don’t hold your breath waiting on my proposal.
@dmyhill When I get the “sharpen the pencil” routine or figure out that a potential client is shopping based on price alone I immediately stop the conversation. I let them know that if price is their only consideration that neither of us need waste additional time, I’m out. I do typically take a moment to educate them as to why price should not be their only criteria but quickly move on if I sense resistance.
In these instances I usually send the proposal, but I mark it up some from what I would otherwise put forth. I don’t want to be the low man in a bidding contest, and the markup generally takes care of that. But I’ll take the work if I can make money on it.
I have yet to meet a professional, whether they are a professor or an anesthesiologist, that will discount the value of their education and experience. Moment you agree to play that game, in the eyes of the other person you’ve degraded the value of what you bring to the table. Reminds me of the old joke, “If I offered you a one million dollars, would you sleep with me?” Yes? “Now that we’ve established what you are, let’s negotiate on that price.”
Willy@jim-frame I previously worked in a larger city and we would intentionally add items to municipal proposals that we could later mark off. We usually got the job, they got a deal and all was well.
I provided a quote recently on a small lot where they only needed two points for a fence to be built across the back. The site is a 2-hour drive from me and the deed description for the lot and the surrounding tracks are aged, transferred hands a few times and no surveys ever recorded. I knew I was not going to get the job once I had calculated my fee. But I didn??t drop my price just to get the work. I did not get the job. Instead, I had time available in my schedule for work closer to home at a legitimate price.
Multimillionaire called me today for a price. I gave him an honest range. He hung up on me. There’s a reason they’re millionaires.
Amen.
Nobody is trying to negotiate the salaries of the Congress ( no Wendell not political just facts here ????) because they took care of that with the 27th amendment.
Maybe surveyors need to befriend more neurosurgeon and other people that don’t have to constantly justify the standard of practice and costs.
Decent amount of money in one area I work. The rest of my area is probably at, or just below statewide average.
In the affluent area, I find there are 2 types of millionaires. The old money, and those who actually work for their wealth. The old money – many that became wealthy with family money and reputation apparently have alot of time on their hands, and feel the need to micromanage, and nickel and dime me at every corner. The other is the new money, those who worked for their wealth. They tend to call, give me the goal that they wish to accomplish and say do it – most never ask for a price, as they know my reputation to get their project accomplished and that is more important than the cost (which is always fair by the way). They worked for their money and can recognize someone who does the same.
This is not 100% true for all clients, as I have seen the same types across both lines – however I have seen it enough to also expect it more times than not.
All of the people I’ve ever met, that I considered to have lot of money, all had one thing in common. They didn’t like to spend it…
I hope everyone has a great day; I know I will!@dougie
Had a fellow 30 years ago (mid-March 1991 to be exact) who claimed he would pay me when his CD was ready to rollover and he would pay me from the interest on that. About May 1, as I recall.
I remember a story about Hetty green:
On July 3, 1916, Green died at age 81 at her son’s New York City home.[12] According to her longstanding “World’s Greatest Miser” entry in the Guinness Book of World Records, she died of apoplexy after arguing with a maid over the virtues of skimmed milk. The New York Times reported she suffered a series of strokes leading up to her death.[12]
Upon her death, Hetty was known as the “Wizard of Finance” and the “Richest Woman in America.”[5]:290
Estimates of her net worth ranged from $100 million to $200 million (equivalent to $2.35 billion to $4.7 billion in 2021), making her arguably the richest woman in the world at the time.[3]
She was buried at the Immanuel Cemetery at the Immanuel Episcopal Church in Bellows Falls, Vermont, next to her husband. She had converted late in life to his Episcopalian faith so that she could be interred with him.[5]:286??287
Their two children split her estate, which included a ten-year trust for Sylvia administered by Ned.[5]:283 They were reported to have enjoyed their wealth more than she had. Both notably came through the Great Depression relatively unscathed by following Hetty’s philosophy of conservative buying backed by substantial cash reserves. Ned was an accomplished collector with interests in everything from auto racing to science to horticulture. After his death, his sister Sylvia, as heir, donated his Round Hill, Massachusetts estate in 1948 to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which used the property for experimentation. These included a prototype atom smasher. They used his powerful WMAF radio transmitters to keep in touch with Richard E. Byrd‘s 1928-1930 Antarctic expedition.
Sylvia died in 1951, leaving an estimated $200 million and donating all but $1,388,000 to 64 colleges, churches, hospitals, and other charities.[3] Both children were buried near their parents in Bellows Falls.[13]
I hope everyone has a great day; I know I will!There is a book, first published in 1996 called The Millionaire Next Door that documents how most Millionaires live frugally. And how those that live more ostentatiously are likely to be high income earners but not rich in terms of accumulated wealth.
Another good read is “The Wealthy Barber.” The Cliff Notes is “The basis of the book is advice to “save 10 per cent of all that you earn and invest it for long-term growth.”
I’ve been friends with several multimillionaires over the years, not doing business with them but crewing on their 2 million dollar racing sailboats and others involving similar social activities such as a Jeepin’ in the desert. Without exception they were self made men who worked hard to get where they were and treated me as an equal because of my astute skill set. One common theme I observed is they were always looking for the best deal and had incisive judgment skills when engaging with their friends and I’d assume their business associates.
Then there are the “wanna be rich” folks who penny pinch to the point they have no friends whatsoever. They begrudgingly set aside a special payment for the undertaker to pay for pallbearers for their funeral because no one would volunteer to even do that much for them.
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