Friday, July 12, 2013

Business Sold & Al is Officially Retired (almost)

 

Wesley Chapel, Florida  (high 93, low 72)

 

The past few days, I had been freaking out worrying about the possibility of a hurricane coming to Florida.  Tropical Storm Chantal was predicted to head this way with the possibility of it making landfall on the east coast of Florida, and  cutting across the state and back out into the Gulf of Mexico.  There were some computer models that were showing the possibility a Cat 2 hurricane.   Yes, we are on the west coast of Florida, but I know from experience that it would have still been strong once it went over the short distance from east coast to west coast.  We saw that time and time again in 2004 and 2005.

Our plan has been if a storm is coming, to head north and get out of Florida even if it’s just a tropical storm. Since Florida is a peninsula, there is only one way to go to escape, and that’s north.   The weather forecasters are pretty good about predicting where a storm will go, but not good about predicting the intensity.  We don’t want to be in a motor home in a hurricane.

Since we don’t have PDD  or Eldy DD, if we’re going to leave the state, we need to head out early.

This week was the worst timing for a storm because Al has to be here to wrap up the process of selling his pest control business.

I was literally making myself sick worrying about the possibilities.   I never used to be such a weather worrier, but then again, I used to live in a nice solid concrete block house, instead of a motor home.

I was very relieved when the NHC (National Hurricane Center) reported the storm had died out. Of course there are some remnants from the storm that will bring us some rain, and there is a possibility she will re-strengthen.  I’m trying not to borrow trouble.

Sigh of relief…..

Of course, it’s still hurricane season until the end of November, so our plan is to leave Florida as soon as possible, and we’re working on that.

 

On Tuesday, we signed the paperwork for the sale of the business.  Al is no longer the owner of the business, but one of the terms of the contract was that he would go with the new technicians to transition the customers over to the new company.

That is turning out to be a bit of a mess.  What the owner told us would happen is not what is actually happening.  One of the guys riding with Al was so sloppy spraying chemical that Al refused to have him go with him again.  You know how Harley Davison owners are with their motorcycles?   This guy actually sprayed chemical on the motorcycle, and the owner saw him do it.

The new technician shows up with no business cards, so the customers don’t have any idea who to call if they should have a problem.    The reason we care, beside the fact that these are long time customers and Al has a good relationship with them, is because we didn’t get all of our money up front.  We get paid for the next year for the accounts they do. so it’s to our advantage for the customers stay with the new company.

In the meantime, we’re trying not to stress about it.  We’ve done about all we can do and what happens, will happen.

Between the hurricane and the sale of the business, we have consumed a lot of beer and wine this week!   :)

The good news, is that we are working through the transition and we may be able to head back to the beautiful Georgia mountains pretty soon.

I really need to see some waterfalls, mountain streams and trails.

river tubing at Helen, GA

 

IMG_8758

IMG_8991

 

By the way.  My suspicion that my washing machine was still leaking turned out to be correct.

Some comments said that was the reason they didn’t have a washing machine in their Rv.  That’s your choice, but in my opinion is that it’s well worth having.  I’ve done it both ways.  With and without a machine and I much prefer having an onboard machine. I hate having dirty clothes around.

Washing machines break in a house too, and you have to have them repaired or replaced.  Granted, they are a little easier to work on in a house, but they still can malfunction. I’ve done a ton of laundry in this little machine and it’s worked just fine.  It’s 11 years old, so I should probably just get a new one, but after putting the new water pump on, I don’t want to do that.

I washed several loads of clothes and no leak.  I had about decided the leak was gone, but decided to check once more, when I found a small leak.  He came right back out and found water inside the foil dryer vent!   He found a water line that was loose and wondered if that was where the water got inside the dryer vent.   I don’t know, but nothing else makes sense.  It hasn’t rained in a few days so I know it didn’t come from outside.   I plan to do a search on some Rv forums today and maybe even call Splendide (the manufacturer).  I have heard they have great customer service.

I called the Splendide hotline and spoke to a tech.  He thinks our cold water valve is bad and they don’t make them anymore.  We will either have to buy a new machine, or switch the hot and cold lines and use only cold water.  I think that is what we’ll do for now.

18 comments:

  1. Love these pics where in GA is this at

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    1. It's in the north Georgia mountains, near Blairsville.

      I just checked your blog out and saw you are a new vegan. Good luck. We have been vegan almost a year now and are doing fine. The longer you are on it, the more food you will discover. We have discovered so many new foods and ways to prepare them.

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  2. That is great that Al is almost retired I am sure you will make good use of his spare time. And see some more of this wonderful country.

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  3. Glad Al has sold his business. Sounds like the transition is a bit of a nightmare. Our long-term tech retired and the new guy who was sent sprayed everywhere. I was mopping up so the cat wouldn't get it on her paws.

    You can breathe a small sigh of relief. The remnants of Chantal are coming here. We are supposed to over 6 inches of rain over the next two days. That's on top of the 33 that we have already received this year. Ground is saturated. Flooding wonderful - not.

    Bob and I are planning to head back down to the Tampa show next January. We already know where we're going to eat. Thanks for introducing us to Sweet Tomatoes.

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  4. Page, if the pest control guy does that again, report him. He shouldn't spray like that and endanger your cat.

    Glad you like Sweet Tomato's. We eat there a lot. It's a great place for vegans and non-vegans alike.

    I never eat dessert when we are there, but the last time I decided to sample their mango moose.....wow...tart and good!

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  5. What wonderful news about the business. I would be like Al...very picky about how I treat my customers. Even though Al is selling his business, I think he still feels his reputation is on the line. I don't fault him one bit. Hopefully it will all work out for the good and very soon.

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  6. congrats on the sale of the business..

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  7. I am glad Al is getting close to real retirement. I hope almost retired turns into completely retired quickly and the new owners get their act together.

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  8. Congrats on the sale of the business. Hope it all works out. It's hard turning over something you've built over all these years, especially to someone who apparently doesn't care!
    I'm with you on the Splendide...mine is old too but I love it!

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  9. Turning over a business you spent years building is a bit like sending a child out into the world. You know it is time. You know you need to let go. But it is your "baby" and you want things to go well for it.

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  10. Congratulations on the sale of the business ... hope Al gets to be "fully" retired soon.

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  11. We are so happy that you have sold the business. Soon you will be free to travel easier and retunr to your roots (Georgia). We wish you all the best in the transition period. It sounds like it might be somewhat challenging.

    We have called Splendide several times and have been very pleased by their support and assistance. We love our washer and dryer and will always have one too.

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  12. Congrats on almost selling the business. Now for the fully sold part for you to enjoy. I was happy to see see Chantal fall apart and I'm not even in Florida. I just worry about hail and wind up here. Hopin' you get back to Georgia sooner rather than later. Cold water works for us for washing clothes.

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  13. with you on the washer dryer decision. . .it is so worth it to have one onboard. . .

    a little Georgia mountain scenery will go a long ways into relieving all the stress. . .good luck on the transition. . .

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  14. Nice that Al was able to sell the business. It is a shame that some of the new techs don't have the same pride and work ethic as Al does. Anyway, I know you must hear the mountains are calling you. :-) Hope you are able to head back up here soon.

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  15. I was so excited when I read your title. Now I agree with the Weavers that Al must feel his reputation is on the line not to mention the money you are owed for a year of pest control. What is the matter with the new owner that he can't do the work himself or hire competent people. What a shame after Al doing such a great job for so long. SO sorry to hear it's a cold water wash or a new machine. That's a real bummer. Hope you get back there to Georgia with both of these things taken care of easily.

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  16. Another congratulations going out to Al. Hopefully the new owners will benefit from Al's feedback as surely they want to be as successful. Glad the Splendide tech was helpful. At least trying the switch will let you know if the valve is the problem. We use our combo machine everyday and love it!

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  17. When we sold our Pest Control business, we had to stay 30 days. It was hard watching the new owners screw up what we worked so hard to build. But I kept reminding my wife: "It is not ours anymore. we have their money." I know it's hard for Al, but soon it will seem like a distant memory.

    Re: Hurricanes. Not having to watch every storm closely for 6 months per year and worry about closing the business, and evacuating is one thing I DO NOT miss about life in Florida. You won't either.

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