FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

it took one hour and two forklifts…

Huck | Posted in General Discussion on October 12, 2008 07:17am

…to buy 12 pieces of wood at Stock Bldg. Materials, and have them loaded on my truck.  Sometimes I dread going to that place, when I’m in a hurry.

View Image View Image
View Image View Image

View Image View Image
View Image

View Image View Image
View Image View Image
View Image View Image
View Image View Image View Image
View Image View Image
View Image View Image View Image
View Image

View Image Ã¢â‚¬Å“Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles Greene
CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com

Reply

Replies

  1. FastEddie | Oct 12, 2008 03:35pm | #1

    No, no, no.  It took 10 minutes to buy the wood.   Setting it on your truck is a whole nuther event.

    "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

    "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

    1. User avater
      Huck | Oct 12, 2008 04:34pm | #2

      10 minutes to buy the wood.   Setting it on your truck is a whole nuther event

      Showed up in the morning, gave the yard guy my list.  Few 2x6's, few 2x8's, one piece of pre-primed fascia and one g.l.b. (in stock, I called ahead to make sure).

      Then went inside to pay.  Stood in line for 20 minutes waiting to pay.  Ten minutes to get the order rung up, process credit card, etc.

      Back outside to yard, where I stand around for another 10 minutes waiting for the yard guy to get all the wood together.  Then he bands it.  Then he gets the forklift, and lifts it over my truck rack.  Then he gets another fork lift to set it gently from the first forklift down onto my lumber rack.  Grand total, one hour.

      Sometimes I think these hourly guys forget that for contractors to make a buck, we can't lollygag around when we're buying materials.  Or maybe I just need to chill out and get in the Andy of Mayberry mode!   =)View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com

      1. FastEddie | Oct 13, 2008 04:43am | #3

        I could be real tacky, and say that you need to establish a relationship with the lumber yard, and an account, and then plan your needs a day or two in advance so you can call your salesman, tell him what you want, wher to deliver it, and when you need it.  then go back to work.  But I know it doesn't work that way, so I wont say it."Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

        "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

        1. User avater
          Huck | Oct 13, 2008 06:23am | #5

          I could be real tacky, and say that you need to establish a relationship with the lumber yard, and an account, and then plan your needs a day or two in advance so you can call your salesman, tell him what you want, wher to deliver it, and when you need it.  then go back to work.  But I know it doesn't work that way, so I wont say it.

           

          been there, done that.  They shut down my yard last week (Hayward's).  So I'm back to the corporate disorganization of Stock Bldg. Supply.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com

  2. IdahoDon | Oct 13, 2008 05:38am | #4

    I have a similar supplier nearby.  They are close, and usually have the oddball thing I'm after, but over a two year period they screw up orders about 50% of the time.  Now I simply expect that to happen when dialing the phone.  No sense being mad at the developmentally disabled cousin for not being the sharpest tool in the shed.  :-)

     

    Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

    1. User avater
      Huck | Oct 13, 2008 06:24am | #6

      No sense being mad at the developmentally disabled cousin for not being the sharpest tool in the shed.  :-)

      Good advice.  No sense getting all wound up over stuff we KNOW is gonna happen every time!  At least they had the pre-primed fascia and the g.l.b. in stock.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com

      1. IdahoDon | Oct 13, 2008 10:50pm | #7

        I hate to admit it, but to help not be frustrated with some people I honestly think of them as developmentally challenged.  Every day is like the special olympics sometimes!

        Imagine facing a spitting mad client....I just want to hug them and tell 'em everything will be okay!  *chuckle* 

        Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

  3. LittleItaly | Oct 14, 2008 03:17am | #8

    H,

    Around here they are known as "Not in Stock - Building Materials" or "Out of Stock Building Supply". 

    The local yard is quite incompetent, so much so that my employer prefers to use the Appleton yard (2 hrs north) for large lumber drops.  We get top notch customer service from them.

  4. User avater
    RRooster | Oct 16, 2008 09:44pm | #9

    Some of us don't know how good we have it.  I hope you are working T&M!!!

     

    For good new rock music, click on:

    http://www.myspace.com/rosehilldrive   or

    http://www.myspace.com/yearlongdisaster or

    http://www.myspace/com/thesuedebrothers

     

     

  5. Hudson Valley Carpenter | Oct 16, 2008 11:23pm | #10

    I can understand why the yard guy's priorities don't match yours or mine.  He's been instructed to be very careful anytime he's operating the forklifts.  Insurance premiums demand it. 

    So speed is somewhere near the bottom of his list.  Even if he wants to hustle he can't because he'll get chewed out for moving at anything faster than a walk. 

     

     

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Fight House Fires Through Design

Smart construction decisions and material choices can significantly improve occupant safety and survival in the event of a fire in the home.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • A Practical Perfect Wall
  • Smarter Stop Block
  • Square Walls Solo
  • Deck-Board Pry Bar

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in