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General Upholstery Questions and Comments => General Discussion => Topic started by: JDUpholstery on February 06, 2013, 08:16:17 pm

Title: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: JDUpholstery on February 06, 2013, 08:16:17 pm
Got called to do a warranty repair on a month old recliner...customer complained that the mechanism does not work....I get to the house and proceed to test it...works great....customer of course begins to get pretty mean about it and shows me how it does not work....she would not push at all with her feet to get it started, and was trying to man handle the mechanism using the lever alone... I told her that there was nothing I could do, as the mechanism was not broken, I did let her know that perhaps an electric recliner would suit her better.....she got mad at me and I tried to explain I was just the upholsterer and had nothing to do with the sale

To top it all off...on my way out the door, her dog bit me!
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: Mike on February 06, 2013, 08:24:58 pm
you should sue  :o
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: kodydog on February 07, 2013, 03:19:33 am
Some people can never be wrong.
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: gene on February 07, 2013, 05:52:49 am
German is exporting their old people to nursing homes in Eastern block countries.

Every country that has national health care limits the coverages available to old people.

Obama Care has 'death panels' (their words, not mine) to deal with old people.

This guy, Aubrey de Grey, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iYpxRXlboQ   thinks that it is possible for people who are in their 50's today, to live to be 150, and in a few generations people will be able to live to be 1000.

The cost of Obama Care will start out at $20,000 per year for a family of 4. Can you imagine what that will be if people start living to 1000?

How many recliner repair calls can an old person make if they live to be 1000?

gene
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: mike802 on February 07, 2013, 06:27:37 am
Maybe if people start living to be 1000 they will get smart enough to buy higher quality furniture. ;D
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: sofadoc on February 07, 2013, 06:27:50 am
I don't know about this particular case.   But quite often, the big strong able-bodied young son goes to the store, and picks out a recliner(s) for his frail old mom and dad.

Many of the cheap recliners do require a certain amount of strength to operate the footrest in/out.
And many elderly folks find it difficult.

Another factor is that when the recliner is new, the seat is still pretty firm. So the person sits high in the chair. As the seat foam breaks down (in as little as 1 month), the person is sitting lower, and they lose a little leverage that gives them a mechanical advantage over the mechanism.

I've had several instances where the mech works fine for ME, but the customer can't operate it.

And on the opposite end, I've had extremely overweight customers complain about squeaks and creaks. But when I sit in the chair...........I can't make it squeak (at 220 lbs., I'm just too petite).
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: baileyuph on February 07, 2013, 06:53:04 am
Exactly you guys.  Been there and done that.  I don't sweat it, that is between them and the one they bought it from.  It is interesting how the compaint rate drops when the consumer has to pay for the repairs.

BTW, power recliners break too.

Doyle
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: sofadoc on February 07, 2013, 08:35:05 am
Quote from: gene on February 07, 2013, 05:52:49 am
This guy, Aubrey de Grey, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iYpxRXlboQ   thinks that it is possible for people who are in their 50's today, to live to be 150
I just hope that I'm not still married to the same woman when I'm 150. Because she'll be 148 years old!!!!..............yuck! :o

The Japanese blame much of their economic woes on an aging (unproductive) population.

Remember the good ole' days, when people died within 5 years of retiring?
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: JDUpholstery on February 07, 2013, 03:15:55 pm
I would never sue over a dog bite, just amused that the grumpy lady had a grumpy dog! I felt bad to tell there was nothing I could do because the recliner was working as intended, when I used it it was easy and fluid, no sticking or popping....she said when she got it to go down it sounded like a shot gun going off...well it would since you were forcing it with the lever and not assisting...good thing they did not buy a button recliner that requires nothing but leg to put down
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: byhammerandhand on February 07, 2013, 03:32:16 pm
BTDT.   I am amazed that one recliner can work for the 110 lb 5'1" woman and the 380 lb. 6'4" guy.  I've had both.  The woman couldn't get out and the guy wore the mech to death.

Quote from: sofadoc on February 07, 2013, 06:27:50 am

I've had several instances where the mech works fine for ME, but the customer can't operate it.

And on the opposite end, I've had extremely overweight customers complain about squeaks and creaks. But when I sit in the chair...........I can't make it squeak (at 220 lbs., I'm just too petite).
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: Darren Henry on February 07, 2013, 04:05:47 pm
I hope it wasn't much of a bite and that she knew it happened and responded well. While I was having that bathroom reno sabbatical from the trade I walked into a flower stand in the lady's yard and sliced just below my eye carrying tools and such in *. She made a huge fuss about getting me cleaned up and bandaged----'cause see was afraid I'd bleed on the carpet  >:(

*Said plant hanger is made from 3/8 rod painted flat black and situated right where the paved driveway meets the paved walk way.
the one yard arm apparently over hangs the drive way by about a foot.I wanted to give her an A+ for camouflage and concealment, and a kick up side the head for stupidity."Leave and empty pot on it" , " put a band of paint on the ends of the yard arms if your going to overhang the driveway" do something!!!
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: JDUpholstery on February 07, 2013, 06:38:23 pm
the bite wasn't too bad, and after it bit me the response was oh yeah he does that....I am assuming the dog picked up on the ladies anxiety that apparently the upholstery guy who cant help her was causing
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: JuneC on February 08, 2013, 06:26:27 am
Quote from: JDUpholstery on February 07, 2013, 06:38:23 pm
the bite wasn't too bad, and after it bit me the response was oh yeah he does that....I am assuming the dog picked up on the ladies anxiety that apparently the upholstery guy who cant help her was causing


Wouldn't happen in Palm Beach County.  2 bites and the dog is put down.  No if's and's or but's.

June
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: byhammerandhand on February 09, 2013, 06:16:10 am
Does that mean you have a civic responsibility to file a police report for a dog bite?   Just to get it on the record, because you don't know if this is the first time or the tenth time.


Quote from: JuneC on February 08, 2013, 06:26:27 am
Quote from: JDUpholstery on February 07, 2013, 06:38:23 pm
the bite wasn't too bad, and after it bit me the response was oh yeah he does that....I am assuming the dog picked up on the ladies anxiety that apparently the upholstery guy who cant help her was causing


Wouldn't happen in Palm Beach County.  2 bites and the dog is put down.  No if's and's or but's.

June
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: kodydog on February 09, 2013, 06:30:58 am
My idiot neighbor moved here from Miami and thinks that because he now lives in rural Suwanee County he can let his dogs run free.

My neighbors to the south keep there dogs behind a fence. But his dog managed to get in and fight with hers. She (a deputy sheriff) warned him she would shoot the dog if it happened again.

One day two riders on horseback were attacked by the same Greyhound dog causing one lady to fall off and dislocate her shoulder. When the second lady got off hers both horses fled. I drove them home.

My neighbor to the north has warned him, if those dogs chase my horses I will take maters into my own hands.

One day my wife got bit while retrieving the mail. He denied it ever happened. I was out of town so another neighbor drove her to the hospital. Animal control got involved and ordered him to quarantine the dog for 10 days. 6 days later the dogs were loose again. He got pretty upset when we sued him. He said neighbors shouldn't treat each other that way. I figured hit him where it hurts, in the wallet.

He continues to let his dogs run loose. Another bite and the county will put the dog down. And he will cry how everybody treats him so bad.

Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: baileyuph on February 09, 2013, 06:46:07 am
I don't remember this dog issue being like it is today, when I was growing up.  Why are there so many dogs everywhere, well dumb question, I suppose (people wan them). 

Then, proliferation stems from puppy mills (small business just trying to make a living). 

In business, sure is a lot of stuff coming in the door, all chewed up.

Doyle
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: sofadoc on February 09, 2013, 07:16:26 am
Quote from: DB on February 09, 2013, 06:46:07 am
I don't remember this dog issue being like it is today, when I was growing up.  Why are there so many dogs everywhere, well dumb question, I suppose (people wan them). 
When WE were growing up, a problem dog was quickly dealt with without any fear of legal action by the dog's owner. As a kid growing up in a rural area, I accepted the fact that if my dog wandered onto someone else's property, he may not come back alive.

And back then, people valued a human life more than that of a dog.

At least a dozen times a year, there is a story on the evening news about a child being mauled by a dog. And the dog's owner is fighting local authorities who want to have him put down.

Quote from: DB on February 09, 2013, 06:46:07 am
In business, sure is a lot of stuff coming in the door, all chewed up.
I posted this pic a few months back:
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi775.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy33%2Fsofadoc%2Fth_DSC00393.jpg&hash=caa3365e4d529d3dee811bd753e5e3b1) (http://s775.photobucket.com/albums/yy33/sofadoc/?action=view&current=DSC00393.jpg)
I finally got around to recovering the sofa. It was a long battle with the customer who kept insisting that I could just wave my magic wand, and make all the doggie damage go away. She finally relented to a complete recover.

We sat the sofa down in her garage for a moment in order to make room for it in the house. By the time we got back to the garage, her Pit Bull had already got loose, and chewed on one of the corners.

I know this topic started out about the elderly coping with recliner mechs, but remember JD......YOU opened this can of worms when you mentioned the dog bite. ;)...............Oh yeah, speaking of worms.................... :D
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: JDUpholstery on February 09, 2013, 09:36:48 am
lol, I don't mind anymore in fact I get a kick out of seeing where topics will go now that I have gotten used to dealing with scatterbrained upholsterers who spend too much time sniffing glue!
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: Darren Henry on February 09, 2013, 09:58:24 am
We've already headed off; I might as well throw in a left turn for good measure:

QuoteAnd back then, people valued a human life more than that of a dog.


And the key to that is that it was not their life that was the centre of the world; it was everyone's life that got considered.

I don't see a difference in the canine population here as far numbers, but I do see a huge deterioration in the way humans conduct themselves and supervise those they are responsible for,namely pets and children. [ :o,Oh 'ya, I'll go there]

There  were no "Barney" videos when my sister and I were being RAISED. Mom and Dad had to do it manually, and they did it with the expectation that we would learn respect for our neighbours, responsibility, and a work ethic, because they wanted to be positive members of society. The same sense of community ( if you would) was applied to looking after pets , supporting community projects, and life in general. If some one had a "problem dog" they took care of it themselves.That could be as simple as making sure Fido was in the bedroom when the guy came to read the water meter 'cause the meter man was affraid of dogs--- or it could be putting a good cattle dog down 'cause he wouldn't stay home, of he bit someone. PET OWNERS FELT A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THEIR NEIGHBOURS.

Now days it's drop the offspring off at daycare [to watch "Barney" videos and get therapy] and lock the dog in the garage while I go get the tanning session the world OWES me. It's all about "me" and "now" with people.

I keep bringing children up only because we observe them more than people's pets. The next time your in a mall or restaurant; watch the young people and ask yourself "what if I had done that?", "where are his/her parents?" etc... Now expand that to "how do they treat/train their pets?"

rant ends,worms loose LOL

Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: Mojo on February 10, 2013, 10:35:55 am
I have raised, trained and bred German Shepherds since I was a teen. They have always been my preferred breed of dog. There is an old saying that goes " there are no bad dogs but rather bad dog owners ". I tend to agree with this.

The main issues with pitbulls is that so many were bred for back alley fighting. Then you had the macho man who wanted to own a Pitbull because they were known as fierce fighters. The owners " macho " demeanor is then adopted by the dog. It is very sad to see.

I currently own 3 German Shepherds and I trust all of them around people and kids. But I have trained them and socialized them since they were pups and taught them to behave. There are people who should never own dogs just like there are people who should never have kids.

Chris
Title: Re: Old folks and recliners....
Post by: forsailbyowner on February 12, 2013, 10:39:57 am
Small world Chris. I was raised amid Bellwood Kennels. My parents raised AKC German shepards and spent much of my youth travelling around the country to dog shows. I was the official pooper scooper for the AKC at their shows when I wasn't showing or grooming dogs. Same opinion on dogs and dog owners. I visited some bad dog owners a while back. The dog jumped all over them and was unruly as hell, all they would do was yell. By the time I left me and the dog had an understanding and he was quite well behaved at least when he was around me. Such a smart animal, such stupid people.