Before I send this out...

[SirPeale]

...I wanted some opinions.

Boss kinda blindsided me on an issue regarding a pinball machine.  It's more or less become 'my' problem location because I live literally within walking distance.

The pin has started blowing fuses.  It's a Guns and Roses pin, and it's blowing fuse F5.

His fuss was that I've been there multiple times for repeat problems.  I don't think he quite gets that there have been different issues.  Heck, on the current issue, both Mumbles AND Cool Guy double-teamed the machine, found the blown fuse, replaced it, and aparently couldn't find the reason the machine is blowing the fuse.

So I've composed this email to the boss, explaining my position:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You mentioned before about my visiting Ed's four times.  They've been for different issues.   

1) Initial install.

2) Coin jam.  Was fixed by removing coin pan cover.

3) Apparent repeat of coin jam.  Ed stated that someone had told him the machine ate his quarter.  I could find absolutely no fault whatsoever. 

4) The blown fuse.  I've only replaced it once.  Cool Guy and Mumbles double-teamed the machine prior to this. It blew a week later, that's when I looked at it.

I dropped by yesterday, this morning, and this evening.  Ed no longer has posted hours on his door, so I can't count on his being there at his former given times.

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I mean, what else can I say?

[PCtech]

being unemployed at the moment, I would never take job advice from someone like me....but your letter looks fine.

Personally, I would put in there somewhere....Since my dumba$$ supervisor (mumbles), and my competent co-worker (cool guy) couldn't find the problem together, what do you expect me to do?  In addition, if I did find the problem "Mumbles" is such a B!tchy/Whiny little girl, it would give him (more) of an inferiority complex...but it's probably just his time of the month.  Plus, it's not like more than 1 machine EVER breaks at a location, right?

Or just tell him that the chick behind the counter has a totally rockin bod, and you can't help youself.

Good luck!

[SirPeale]

Thanks, PCTech, for the advice.

I just don't want to come off sounding like an ass.

[SirPeale]

Ah heck, I just sent it anyway.

[DrewKaree]

Thanks, PCTech, for the advice.

I just don't want to come off sounding like an ass.

I don't mind coming off like I'm sounding like an ass.  Want me to send that letter?   

Yeah, your boss is obviously under the impression that the machine continues to be a problem that wasn't fixed, but is blissfully unaware that EVERY SINGLE ONE of his employee's have worked over this machine, so if it's a SINGLE problem, surely one of you would have found it.  He needs to know that this machine is a service problem in more than one area.

There is no reason that laying out the circumstances which have required servicing should sound like you're being an ass.  You can always fall back on the ol' "well, I was just trying to keep you informed about the fact that this machine might need to be pulled and worked over a bit more thoroughly than a service visit".  Make sure to try to deliver that line with a smarmy tone and a crap-eating grin

[SirPeale]

Huh...I've never actually received a reply from the boss before...

-----------------------------------------

I was talking in generalities about repeat visits, not literally... you have been noticable quick to defend in any conversation lately! What's up??!

There are hundreds of nuances about servicing and maintaining dozens of different machines and just as many details and differences in maintaining any route.  No matter what you think you know or learn, this business will repeatedly make a fool of you.  It takes years to sort the stupid little things about servicing these machines into a usable list of likely common problems... once you do it then seems incredibly simple!  But I spent years making all the mistakes and repeat calls and I'm no electronic genius but I learned that "KISS" (keep it simple, stupid) is the most successful approach to problem solving. 

Additionally, I have four completely unique personalities to deal with (five w/Dawn) when it comes to keeping this outfit operational and exchanging information and (unfortunately) an endless supply of opinions... I get short of patience trying to convey the "most important" information in each conversation. 

It is also difficult, no impossibly time consuming, to try and present (sometimes repeat) information to each individual in the format best for each person to understand.  When someone is giving you directions or suggestions I suggest you try and slow your mind down, absorb what is being said, take the time to process the intent of the conveyed information, and then formulate a response if neccessary.  Your mind races ahead to conclusions and your mouth is starting to follow... SLOW DOWN (not physically)!  Talk to you later...

[shmokes]

Well,  in my opinion there are two possibilities.  One is that you are an easy/inviting target for bullying and you are unfortunate enough to be working for and with bullies.  If this is the case I cannot fathom WTF you are doing still working there.  Your other thread makes it clear that this job ain't paying you much.  But you have skills that could be turned into something really good if you didn't waste them on a possibly misunderstood dream.  I suspect that your dream is to work with arcade cabinets, but not necessarily to travel around a route stopping at 7-11's fixing them.  Having more money would probably give you a much more satisfactory version of your dream as you'd be able to afford a bigger place and more of your own arcade cabinets and pins.  Maybe you should look into getting on track to become an electrician's apprentice and, eventually, an electrician.  You obviously have the aptitude.  You'd get paid much better.  And you'd be marketable enough to work wherever and for whomever you want (including yourself).

The other possibility is that you are someone prone to a bit of paranoia and you have a tendency to think you are being picked on when you're not.  This is obvioiusly the stance your boss took in his letter, though I don't know that I put a lot of stock in it.  He could just as easily be an ---uvula--- as a genuine guy trying to give you sincere advice.

But either way, "QUIT WORKING THERE!!!  YOU ARE ---smurfing--- MISERABLE AND THEY DON'T PAY YOU ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---!  YOU'RE BRINGING YOUR MISERY HOME WITH YOU WHICH IS PUTTING STRESS ON YOUR WHOLE FAMILY.  YOU ARE DEPRESSED AND UNHAPPY AND POOR AND UNFULFILLED."

Seriously man, this is good advice.  I'm trying to help here.  You are the architect of your own problems.  They clearly cannot be solved by anyone other than you and they clearly cannot be solved in any way that does not involve quitting your ---smurfy--- ---smurfing--- job and finding something that makes you happier.

...and so on.

[hypernova]

I agree with shmokes...just not so bluntly.  But he is right.  Sometimes it takes such an approach to get motivated.

We hope you get where you want to be, Peale.  Or at least somewhere closer to it.

[SirPeale]

But either way, "QUIT WORKING THERE!!!  YOU ARE ---smurfing--- MISERABLE AND THEY DON'T PAY YOU ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---!  YOU'RE BRINGING YOUR MISERY HOME WITH YOU WHICH IS PUTTING STRESS ON YOUR WHOLE FAMILY.  YOU ARE DEPRESSED AND UNHAPPY AND POOR AND UNFULFILLED."

Well...all I can say is "I'm working on it."

It's not *all* bad.  Cool Guy is...well..cool.  He's the total opposite to Mumbles.

I told Cool Guy about my email and the boss' response.  He just laughed.

[PCtech]

I agree with shmokes...just not so bluntly.  But he is right.  Sometimes it takes such an approach to get motivated.

We hope you get where you want to be, Peale.  Or at least somewhere closer to it.

Good luck Peale, I hope things work out at your job, but it sounds like you in for more abuse... (be sure to post it though....highly entertaining)

Be sure to log all this somewhere...sounds like it would make a good mini-series.

As long as you can handle the job, and you think there is a future at it...keep plugging away, but also..keep your eyes open for any opportunities that might pop-up. 

Best of luck!..

[shmokes]

There is no future in repairing arcade cabinets for anything other than a hobby, I don't think.  Keep plugging away is the last thing you do, and keeping your eyes open doesn't begin to describe the aggressive purpose you should be employing in your search for a new situation.

1- You hate your job
2- You get paid ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---
3- You could make just as good a living (and have health insurance) unloading trucks for Wal-Mart and it couldn't be as sucky as the job you currently have.
4- I'm not saying you should work at Wal-Mart, I'm just pointing out that ---smurfing--- ANYWHERE is better than where you are.

Keeping your eyes open is not going to lead you anywhere.  Good things don't often just pop up, but they're certainly out there.  Open the yellow pages and start talking to electricians.  Tell them you want to get on track to be an apprentice.  Play your cards right and maybe you'll end up apprenticing under someone ready to retire and he'll end up turning the business over to you ten years down the road.

Are start stocking shelves at the supermarket.  Either is a preferrable position to the one you're in.

I know you're, "Working on it ."  But that ain't enough, I don't think.  You've been miserable at this job for a long time.

[shardian]

If you are skilled in electrical stuff, and have some type of degree to get your foot in the door, then you could make a killing working for an electrical contractor. How does $30-$40 an hour sound to you? The downside is long hours and travel.

[RayB]

sorry I came into this thread too late. I was going to say you should label your email as "status report". It might still have got the reception it did, if no one ever writes up status reports, though (it would seem out of the blue. -- Do you guys do EVERYTHING verbally?)

Sounds like he interpretted your response as defensive. Sounds like maybe you took what he originally said as a criticism too? I dunno.

***I deleted a bunch of stuff I wrote, then later read your June 2 post here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=54308.40

Your boss is a tool. Nothing more need to be said.    ***

[PCtech]

Yep....Boss & Mumbles.....

 

[SirPeale]

There is no future in repairing arcade cabinets for anything other than a hobby, I don't think. 

I wasn't thinking about *just* arcade repair, but lemme tell you...I've seen the repair bays @ places like Betson, and the repairs that come in are non-stop.  Literally more work than they can actually take.

Cool Guy actually went to work for himself for a while, but went back to work for Mohawk.  Reason?  Although he got a TON of work, getting people to actually PAY was a pain - to him.  I've seen him try and collect on debts owed to him, he's not terribly agressive in this area.

Heck, I could do electronics repair.  I've been dabbling in it, and usually the breakdown is fairly simple, in the devices I've seen so far. 

[Bones]

I am gunna jump on the shmokes wagon here Peale.

You have had what seems like an eternity to do something about this sucky job. If you put 1/2 the effort into looking for a new job as you have into bitching and winging about mumbles and his boss over the last 12 months you would probably be employed elsewhere by now.

I am not trying to be nasty or deliberately going out of my way to support Shmokes homosexual point of view, but there comes a time when you have to take responsibility and actively and passionately dig yourself out of this crud hole.

[SirPeale]

The job is not *all* bad.  Seriously.  It has it's moments (like dealing with a six year old brain in a 43 year old mans body).

Heck, you guys are the only people I get to ---smurfette--- to, besides Cool Guy.   It's just interesting to post the chronicles of what goes on.

For example, today.  Today was a fine day.  Moved a lot of equipment (we're moving our shop).  Got to work with Tom (he works with the company too, but don't see him much as he lives 50 miles North). 

It's just those...special...moments that make the mind boggle.

Would I like to never see Mumbles again?  Sure.  But I'm getting more of a backbone to stand up against him now.  Dealing with him is easier than it was.