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-   -   Things that make you go hmmmmmm? (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/747157-things-make-you-go-hmmmmmm.html)

74-911 04-29-2013 06:56 AM

Things that make you go hmmmmmm?
 
A couple of weeks ago I rented a U-Haul utility trailer for a day from one of the big U-Haul lots near here. When I returned it, the guy out in the lot who was hitching and unhitching trailers just casually asked me if I was retired, what I did etc. When I replied I was retired from the software business he handed me a card and said if I ever needed any statistical or marketing research done, call him ??

Ran across the card yesterday and:

John D. Doe, Phd.
Consulting, Statistical Systems Research and Training.
and the usual url, phone numbers, e-mail info.

I looked up his website where all his credentials, education, and companies (several Fortune 500) he has worked for are listed. Looks legit but begs the question:

What is he doing hitching and unhitching trailers at a U-Haul dealer ???
Inquiring minds want to know.

VaSteve 04-29-2013 07:00 AM

Maybe he owns it? Maybe he was unemployed and needed a job. Call him and find out!

Aragorn 04-29-2013 07:10 AM

Probably downsized or made redundant. Gotta pay the bills somehow.

Or could be his place or someone in his family and he is helping out.

motion 04-29-2013 07:12 AM

You have to admire a PHD hitching trailers at U-Haul. Probably doing whatever he can to support his family.

widgeon13 04-29-2013 07:45 AM

When i first started in sales in the early 70's, I was training with an older fellow and we visited a small company in New England. The older experienced guy I was traveling with walked up to this guy on the loading dock (sweeping up the place) and really started to treat this guy like he was something special. He just had coveralls on and a shirt with his name monogramed on it. We were both in suits.

Next thing the guy said was, "Let's have a beer". So we went to a rather shabby office, opened a small refrig and popped out three beers. Turns out the guy was president and owner of this company. A very wealthy guy and great and loyal customer to our company. We became great friends.

Played hard and worked hard!

As my mother always said, "never judge a book by it's cover".

Hugh R 04-29-2013 07:49 AM

My Dad was a professor at MIT for 30 years. When I was a young pup, he used to have a lot of his colleagues over for a BBQ in the Summers. I found out years later that a number of them had Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, etc. Never know it from looking at them or what they drove.

oldE 04-29-2013 09:54 AM

Same here.

A few years ago, I made an appointment to do an energy audit on a new home. The owner said he might be late. After I had a look around, this ratty old 1st generation VW Jetta pulled in, and the driver got out. He was dressed in dirty overalls, a plaid shirt and battered straw hat. Turned out he was the owner of this new home.

As we talked, I found out he was a property developer who had created several subdivisions in the area.

Don't assume. Don't judge.

Les

Laneco 04-29-2013 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motion (Post 7413138)
You have to admire a PHD hitching trailers at U-Haul. Probably doing whatever he can to support his family.

Agreed - whatever it takes to make ends meet. Also, my nephew worked for u-haul for a while as a store manager. He made about $25 an hour plus benefits in an area that pays poorly and usually offers zero bennies...

He quit because 45 hours a week was just way too much stress for him... http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/sad2.gif

angela

Nostril Cheese 04-29-2013 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 74-911 (Post 7413111)
When I replied I was retired from the software business

What is he doing hitching and unhitching trailers at a U-Haul dealer ???
Inquiring minds want to know.

Working.

74-911 04-29-2013 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motion (Post 7413138)
You have to admire a PHD hitching trailers at U-Haul. Probably doing whatever he can to support his family.

I think this is probably it - he needed the job. This was not one of the little neighborhood U-Hauls. Must be 2-3 acres of every type truck and trailer U-Haul rents, a huge climate controlled storage facility and there were 4-5 people working the desk. He had on a U-Haul shirt with his name on it.

A nice guy, probably in his late 40's, early 50's. He just handed me the card and said get in touch if I can be of any help. Just makes you wonder what his story is - but I would certainly never ask him.

krystar 04-29-2013 11:44 AM

his name is actually John Doe?

74-911 04-29-2013 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krystar (Post 7413583)
his name is actually John Doe?

mmm.. not really, it just seemed to me that printing his real info would be a really bad idea, i.e. an invasion of his privacy.

cashflyer 04-29-2013 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 74-911 (Post 7413595)
mmm.. not really, it just seemed to me that printing his real info would be a really bad idea, i.e. an invasion of his privacy.

But it's on his business card, and he seems to be looking for customers.
If you don't want your name out there, would you be handing out business cards :confused:

Bill Douglas 04-29-2013 01:00 PM

Yes, I'd say more clever than the average Phd.

1-ev.com 04-29-2013 01:20 PM

Some business cards could be "just for friends..."

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashflyer (Post 7413726)
But it's on his business card, and he seems to be looking for customers.
If you don't want your name out there, would you be handing out business cards :confused:


GG Allin 04-29-2013 01:40 PM

The dude that installed my garage door & opener has a Phd in Mechanical Engineering. It's all he does, all he's ever done. Took the business over from his dad. Dad insisted he go to college before doing so. Door works flawlessly.

74-911 04-29-2013 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashflyer (Post 7413726)
But it's on his business card, and he seems to be looking for customers.
If you don't want your name out there, would you be handing out business cards :confused:

Giving a business card to someone you have struck up a conversation with is one thing, nothing unusual about that at all . But that person then posting all your info on an internet BBS forum just seems like something most people would object to....

Just my opinion anyway.....

VaSteve 04-29-2013 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 74-911 (Post 7413479)
I think this is probably it - he needed the job. This was not one of the little neighborhood U-Hauls. Must be 2-3 acres of every type truck and trailer U-Haul rents, a huge climate controlled storage facility and there were 4-5 people working the desk. He had on a U-Haul shirt with his name on it.

A nice guy, probably in his late 40's, early 50's. He just handed me the card and said get in touch if I can be of any help. Just makes you wonder what his story is - but I would certainly never ask him.

My brother worked for Uhaul in Northern VA when in high school. He said it was a good place to work. I can't recall if they are a chain or a franchise. Anyway, people all the time would ask him if they were hiring. He sent them inside and they'd get an application and find out that they have to go MD for the DRUG TEST. A lot of folks never finished the application. I guess going to MD was just too much. LOL

Christien 04-29-2013 05:43 PM

Reminds me of this cartoon I saw in today's paper :)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1367286184.gif

M.D. Holloway 04-29-2013 05:51 PM

Give it a try...ya never know...


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