I will just leave this here

[TomRc]

I decided to try offering free delivery within reasonable distance. I haven't put that on my listings before so we'll see how that goes.

Hopefully, it’s a positive experience for you. Despite owning a pickup, I have always refused to offer transport of any type…whether it be delivery of a grill purchased from me or pick up / return on a customer repair project. I’ve also turned away a steady stream of requests for on-site grill repair at the customer’s home.
We all know how well most of these grills break down without any tools and I can fit them into just about any vehicle by now with all the practice I’ve had. I think that’s good for a customer to see and to be a part of when buying from me. I also think it adds a level of commitment on the customer side for repair projects. If you’re willing to find a way to get it to me and back, it shows that you’re willing to make the investment to make the grill right as well. I’m sure it’s cost me some work here and there but I’m perfectly fine with that being the result.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

Hopefully, it’s a positive experience for you. Despite owning a pickup, I have always refused to offer transport of any type…whether it be delivery of a grill purchased from me or pick up / return on a customer repair project. I’ve also turned away a steady stream of requests for on-site grill repair at the customer’s home.
We all know how well most of these grills break down without any tools and I can fit them into just about any vehicle by now with all the practice I’ve had. I think that’s good for a customer to see and to be a part of when buying from me. I also think it adds a level of commitment on the customer side for repair projects. If you’re willing to find a way to get it to me and back, it shows that you’re willing to make the investment to make the grill right as well. I’m sure it’s cost me some work here and there but I’m perfectly fine with that being the result.

Surprisingly I've actually had really good luck so far dealing with people and I always wait for that one time that I'm going to get burned and I always think it's going to be this time but it hasn't happened yet. I always joke with my wife that this is going to be that time. Whether it's that purchase that's too good to be true or a sale that seems easier than I should be. I've done delivery several times but never had it in my listing just something I added on for a cost later as long as I have cash in hand ahead of time. I'm not doing delivery and then payment. That just opens doors for people to change their mind or get one up on you somehow. If they are in my local area and want to pay extra or I make a high enough profit I have no problem helping with delivery. If they want to cut me down in price and I'm still comfortable with the sale they can figure out their own delivery and I have no problem with that also. I do understand not picking up a return. I'm not coming to somebody's house to pick up something I sold them because they're not happy with it. Luckily I've never had that. And on-site Grill repair no thank you. I agree with you no chance I'll be doing that or cleaning or working on anyone's grill for money. I work for me. Dealing with buyers and sellers is quite easy for me. I don't take anything personal and I don't let my emotions get involved. I don't get offended if I get low balled or upset about anything related. I do my research and I know what I'm willing to buy something for and I know what I'm willing to sell something for and I have no problem staying polite and keeping a smile on my face regardless of anyone else's actions. It does not affect me negatively.

Tom I always really appreciate your input and wish you'd come around here more.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

I do free delivery and pickup but I've reduced my radius to 25 miles. With everything so expensive now (including electricity LOL) I'll broaden the range but for a fee. I used to go 50 miles radius but no more

I put free delivery within reason in my area. That way it's up to me depending on the deal the person and the situation.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

I charge $20 for delivery to places within about 20 miles of my home. After that, I charge more depending on distance. They are actually getting a pretty good deal. A 20 mile delivery eats up well over an hour and couple gallons of gas.

Offering deliver allows you to increase your customer base by getting those customers that just don't have a vehicle big enough to transport a grill in or are not strong enough to load and unload a grill or they just plain don't have the skills to do it effectively. I have had people pick up grills and load them in trucks standing up and drive away without strapping them down. "That's OK, I live nearby and I will drive careful".

That sounds good to me. Plus it's nice to help elderly people who may be interested in something like this but have no way to transport.

The reason I started getting into Grill rehabbing was for donation purpose only and it was a way that I could help people out with something that was easy for me and maybe not so easy for others. Also with families that are struggling to keep food on the table purchasing a nice Grill isn't ever in the budget. I do still donate to families in need.

And and Tom might get a kick out of this or shake his head but I've actually dropped off donation grills and picked up their old rusted out junk and brought it to the dump for them along with other junk they had and needed to get rid of.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

Josh your cleaning and polishing skills are out of this world!

Thank you very much I appreciate that!!

 

[Cody Bratton]

If you showed up to drop off a grill once you get out of your truck, the odds of me trying to haggle price are absolutely zero.

 

[Bruce]

And and Tom might get a kick out of this or shake his head but I've actually dropped off donation grills and picked up their old rusted out junk and brought it to the dump for them along with other junk they had and needed to get rid of.

Oh, I have hauled off the old Chinesium grill many times for customers. I usually at least get a LP hose and regulator off it before it goes in the scrap pile for the scrap guy.

 

[LMichaels]

Yeah, delivering a grill is a lot harder than simply tossing a 35lb mixer in the back seat And I sometimes bend my own rules, especially if I can combine the trip to something else I need to do. I.E. Because WI sales tax is so much lower than mine, and I have a fairly large customer base in the Delavan/Geneva Lake area I'll combine a delivery/pickup with a shopping trip to Fleet Farm for supplies and or clothes. As taxes are non existent on clothing, and on other stuff about 1/2 what I pay here which is close to 10% So, when I can do that it's to my profit

 

[Bruce]

I don't blame you Larry. I hear there is actual serious talk about quite a few counties petitioning in SE Illinois to move from Illinois to Indiana. They listed some of the economic reasons and it is understandable.

 

[Ed_T]

The reason I started getting into Grill rehabbing was for donation purpose only and it was a way that I could help people out with something that was easy for me and maybe not so easy for others. Also with families that are struggling to keep food on the table purchasing a nice Grill isn't ever in the budget. I do still donate to families in need.

And and Tom might get a kick out of this or shake his head but I've actually dropped off donation grills and picked up their old rusted out junk and brought it to the dump for them along with other junk they had and needed to get rid of.

This is why you are finding so many sweet deals - grill karma!

 

[Josh Dekubber]

This is why you are finding so many sweet deals - grill karma!

I believe true happiness is helping others and not always taking what you can get for yourself. It's definitely nice to make money off of grills but it's also nice for other reasons to help people.

 

[TomRc]

Tom I always really appreciate your input and wish you'd come around here more.

The weather plays a big role in my activity & contributions. I’m essentially climate crippled from Nov-Apr with cold, ice, & snow when it comes to grill work although my current situation has me posting this from a cruise ship in the Caribbean. I’m here on the site every day & usually more than once a day but I also realize that I can be a bit pig-headed and off-putting in my opinions. There’s a whole group of kindler, gentler folks like yourself that are better off being the voice of the forum on a daily basis. I try to only chime in with solid tech help and the occasional contrarian opinion for discussion among the regulars. We can probably agree that we’re all in a better place if we keep me a safe distance from newbies with their redundant questions. I’m unfortunately about as deep Gen-X as they come…

 

[Josh Dekubber]

The weather plays a big role in my activity & contributions. I’m essentially climate crippled from Nov-Apr with cold, ice, & snow when it comes to grill work although my current situation has me posting this from a cruise ship in the Caribbean. I’m here on the site every day & usually more than once a day but I also realize that I can be a bit pig-headed and off-putting in my opinions. There’s a whole group of kindler, gentler folks like yourself that are better off being the voice of the forum on a daily basis. I try to only chime in with solid tech help and the occasional contrarian opinion for discussion among the regulars. We can probably agree that we’re all in a better place if we keep me a safe distance from newbies with their redundant questions. I’m unfortunately about as deep Gen-X as they come…

Well I'm sure that I'm not only speaking for myself when I say that I appreciate it when you do come around and throw in your two cents and I appreciate your no BS approach.

Like others here you have a lot of valuable knowledge and experience that I appreciate.

It's also always nice to see what you're working on.

Enjoy your Caribbean cruise!!

Better than what I got going on today. I am looking forward to polishing my new/used bench grinder though

 

[LMichaels]

Same here. There is a no BS approach like TomRC's and then there is a few (thankfully some have left the building) who "think" they're "no BS" but are just plain rude. Big difference IMO. Enjoy that cruise and the warm sunshine Tom! I am sure you'll be returning to reality soon enough

 

[LMichaels]

These ads just make me LMAO. https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...place_top_picks&referral_story_type=top_picks
The lister does not even put a photo of this "prize" in the ad. But it's "made of gold". LOL

 

[Josh Dekubber]

These ads just make me LMAO. https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...place_top_picks&referral_story_type=top_picks
The lister does not even put a photo of this "prize" in the ad. But it's "made of gold". LOL

Ooh wow. I can't even imagine who would even consider responding to that ad.

 

[Joe Anshien]

Hopefully, it’s a positive experience for you. Despite owning a pickup, I have always refused to offer transport of any type…whether it be delivery of a grill purchased from me or pick up / return on a customer repair project. I’ve also turned away a steady stream of requests for on-site grill repair at the customer’s home.
We all know how well most of these grills break down without any tools and I can fit them into just about any vehicle by now with all the practice I’ve had. I think that’s good for a customer to see and to be a part of when buying from me. I also think it adds a level of commitment on the customer side for repair projects. If you’re willing to find a way to get it to me and back, it shows that you’re willing to make the investment to make the grill right as well. I’m sure it’s cost me some work here and there but I’m perfectly fine with that being the result.

When I was in Richmond and people were close by I did offered onsite grill repair and did some delivery for leather sofa's I repaired. With the sofa's they had to come and pay for the sofa and I followed them back and just dropped off as some people just did not have Vans or PU trucks. With the few times I did repair it was under 15 minutes and made $35 each. One person was just not starting the grill the correct way, turning on the burners first and had low flames due to the regulator locking down, the other had a brand new grill and a bunch of parts the the company had sent to try to fix. He had the grill 5 months and was never able to use. It turned out to be a bad swap tank. Both were very grateful for the help. Not many people out there can will go out with the knowledge we have to help folks with grills.

 

[Cody Bratton]

I believe true happiness is helping others and not always taking what you can get for yourself. It's definitely nice to make money off of grills but it's also nice for other reasons to help people.

I think your donation thing is awesome. However I consider selling a quality grill to someone at 1/3 the price of a new one as my way of helping someone out

On a side note - does anyone off the top of their head know the bolt length for the cookbox to frame bolt on a silver B? I gotta grab a SS one from the hardware store, and I’m nowhere near a grill right now. lol

 

[DanHoo]

I think your donation thing is awesome. However I consider selling a quality grill to someone at 1/3 the price of a new one as my way of helping someone out

On a side note - does anyone off the top of their head know the bolt length for the cookbox to frame bolt on a silver B? I gotta grab a SS one from the hardware store, and I’m nowhere near a grill right now. lol

2 inch 1/4 x 20

Edit: with a nylon washer between the bolt head and cross bar

From a 2000 silver B manual

 

[Cody Bratton]

2 inch 1/4 x 20

Edit: with a nylon washer between the bolt head and cross bar

From a 2000 silver B manual

So there is supposed to be something in there!? I’ve never looked at the assembly directions. I was thinking about putting a SS washer in there to separate the aluminum and steel!

Thanks!!