Funny stories I tell customers

[srvctec]

Re: Funny stories I tell customers

You have to be exceeding careful with truck and trailer tire that have a split rim. They are referred to as widow makers. If you don't have a proper tire cage I would advise not to try inflating one. Watch the video closely at the 1:20 mark.

We used to use ether (starting fluid) on the farm when I was growing up, for seating beads but because it is so ridiculously dangerous, my uncle made a bead seater similar to this.

Bead seater

OK, getting this thread back on track. I've never caught a machine on fire but have had a couple fried mice that were the reasons for the service calls. Both were on EP450Z machines back in the late 80's or early 90's. The calls were "My machine smells like something is burning." Of course, what had burned was a mouse that had gotten caught in the drive chain for the fuser and then pulled into the end of the heat lamp and fried or in the other case, got caught between the fuser rollers and was flattened as well as fried.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Funny stories I tell customers

We used to use ether (starting fluid) on the farm when I was growing up, for seating beads but because it is so ridiculously dangerous, my uncle made a bead seater similar to this.

Bead seater

OK, getting this thread back on track. I've never caught a machine on fire but have had a couple fried mice that were the reasons for the service calls. Both were on EP450Z machines back in the late 80's or early 90's. The calls were "My machine smells like something is burning." Of course, what had burned was a mouse that had gotten caught in the drive chain for the fuser and then pulled into the end of the heat lamp and fried or in the other case, got caught between the fuser rollers and was flattened as well as fried.

Fried mice is a delicacy in some countries.


"I'll take the fried mice and baked beans, please."

[blackcat4866]

Re: Funny stories I tell customers

It was fall, and the catholic elementary school had just resumed classes. Over the summer a family of mice had moved into the fuser of a Mita DC-111 (not-"C"). Unfortunately for them, the mice did not evacuate quite quickly enough. The call was for "Strange smell." They were well done, by the time I arrived.

But no fire. =^..^=

[tsbservice]

Re: Funny stories I tell customers

Although I couldn't collaborate(mainly due to lots of dead brain cells) this is really entertaining bitter-sweet thread full with great memories from the good times! I really enjoy it. Thanks to author and all fellow techs sharing their experience good or bad 👍
We can be much better people when we are united not divided

[mojorolla]

Re: Funny stories I tell customers

This had to be 2008-2010 time frame....
We had a local public school district that had over 300 Panasonic DP series machines. Had a machine in a school that finally escalated to me. Found out they had been having the problem "all year", I got the call in April and it was repeated jamming form the 1st paper tray.

I set to work, removed the feed head and drive unit. As I pulled the drive unit out, I heard something fall onto the floor. I looked down and on the floor was a ladies fingernail. It was a custom job with a Christmas tree and ornaments and gifts under the tree. On this tiny nail, even as a man, it was quite impressive. Reassembled the machine ran, 100s from tray 1; problem solved.

I take my findings the the main office where the secretary asked me what I found. I smiled and placed the fingernail on her desk. She looked at me and asked in this was n the machine. I explained it was caught on the drive unit, probably bouncing around since Christmas time. As I am explaining all this to her, another teacher walks by and over hears our conversation. She looks down at the nail, looks back up at me then says "shit, Ive been looking for that muthf&*^% since Christmas". Myself and the entire office burst into laughter.

I nailed that service call !

[Copier Addict]

Re: Funny stories I tell customers

I like to tell the ones that like to look over my shoulder that they better pay attention because they're putting it back together. It almost always gets a laugh.

[rspicer]

Re: Funny stories I tell customers

Continuing with "gross stuff found in copiers", this is probably the worst I've personally seen.
Large console Lanier, back in the analog days in a nursing home. The call was for "needs cleaning". One of our more experienced techs went, because it was in his territory, but I was soon called to help, because I was the "new guy". The room with the copier was directly under the kitchen. The waste pipe from the slop sink had burst. They had sauerkraut for dinner the night before. All the water and food scraps had dissolved the drop ceiling over the copier, and it was now all through the copier. We spent at least 3 hours cleaning before he felt it was safe to turn it on. I think he replaced the drum and DV as a precaution, but it started right up and ran great for years afterwards. It always had a weird smell that wouldn't go away though.

[KayDot]

Re: Funny stories I tell customers

Only thing I've had to fish out of a machine was a frog that got caught in a Lexmark 950 series machine.
Got a call about noise from the device, had the customer check the drums and wastetoner bottle drive-gear with him on the phone.
Customer was a farmer, had loads of fields and a small-ish pond in his yard, hot summer in scandinavia and everyone leaves the terrace doors open.
Poor little fella managed to work his way into the lower tray area and managed to survive for a few days - he was sent on his merry way and the customer ended up looking as confused as I was.

[mojorolla]

Re: Funny stories I tell customers

I like to tell the ones that like to look over my shoulder that they better pay attention because they're putting it back together. It almost always gets a laugh.

With the machine is pieces parts replacing a main drive motor..

Customer: Damn that's a lot of parts. Are you going to be able to put it back together...?

Me: Gee, for your sake, I sure hope so

Customer: confused look and mumbling as they walk away

[Robinh]

Re: Funny stories I tell customers

I have a great customer, they use mostly M606 and M608 HP printers. The boss has an old P2430 that he likes, so I agreed to PM it for him. I forgot to clamp the feed tire shaft, and knocked the dang clutch off when changing the tire. Brought it back to the shop, tore it all down, popped the clutch back on, put it all back together, and realized that I forgot to put this part back in. DOH!

I'm not taking it back apart, so it's just gonna have to survive without. Which reminds me of another funny story I tell my customers.

A customer will see me with their machine tore into a hundred pieces and ask me, "Do you ever have left over pieces when you're done"?

To which I reply, 'Of course I do, but that's OK, I just take them home, because I'm building a machine in my basement, and I BUILT IT ONE PIECE AT A TIME...'

They usually look at me like I'm crazy. :-)

Johnny Cash - One Piece At A Time - YouTube


2430.jpg

[Robinh]

Re: Funny stories I tell customers

Although I couldn't collaborate(mainly due to lots of dead brain cells) this is really entertaining bitter-sweet thread full with great memories from the good times! I really enjoy it. Thanks to author and all fellow techs sharing their experience good or bad 👍
We can be much better people when we are united not divided

Your response is my favorite.

Robin in Bremerton

[tsbservice]

Re: Funny stories I tell customers

I have a great customer, they use mostly M606 and M608 HP printers. The boss has an old P2430 that he likes, so I agreed to PM it for him. I forgot to clamp the feed tire shaft, and knocked the dang clutch off when changing the tire. Brought it back to the shop, tore it all down, popped the clutch back on, put it all back together, and realized that I forgot to put this part back in. DOH!

I'm not taking it back apart, so it's just gonna have to survive without. Which reminds me of another funny story I tell my customers.

A customer will see me with their machine tore into a hundred pieces and ask me, "Do you ever have left over pieces when you're done"?

To which I reply, 'Of course I do, but that's OK, I just take them home, because I'm building a machine in my basement, and I BUILT IT ONE PIECE AT A TIME...'

They usually look at me like I'm crazy. :-)

Johnny Cash - One Piece At A Time - YouTube


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Ohh man you did it again. Johnny Cash... boom bull's eye

[spanky]

Re: Funny stories I tell customers

I have a great customer, they use mostly M606 and M608 HP printers. The boss has an old P2430 that he likes, so I agreed to PM it for him. I forgot to clamp the feed tire shaft, and knocked the dang clutch off when changing the tire. Brought it back to the shop, tore it all down, popped the clutch back on, put it all back together, and realized that I forgot to put this part back in. DOH!

I'm not taking it back apart, so it's just gonna have to survive without. Which reminds me of another funny story I tell my customers.

A customer will see me with their machine tore into a hundred pieces and ask me, "Do you ever have left over pieces when you're done"?

To which I reply, 'Of course I do, but that's OK, I just take them home, because I'm building a machine in my basement, and I BUILT IT ONE PIECE AT A TIME...'

They usually look at me like I'm crazy. :-)

Johnny Cash - One Piece At A Time - YouTube





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I tell the customer that I sell the leftover parts for lunch money.

[Venom]

Re: Funny stories I tell customers

Back in the Mita days I replaced a power supply in a DC 2285. Tech before had cut off the tie strap off one of the wires so the connector could reach wrong spot on board. There were 2 connectors the same...I turned machine on and heard a loud pop and black smoke puffed out the back of the machine. Upon inspecting it, found the 5v out was plugged into the 24v out. It blew the track right off the board. I soldered wire in place and repaired onsite. Then a week later Mita sent a bulletin out to warn techs about this...LOL

[JR Skewing]

Ignition!

Circa 1996 I was repairing a Sharp copier at an industrial location. Adjacent to my machine was a medium size shredder. An employee ran a few items through the shredder, and I could hear it asking, no, SCREAMING for lubrication. Being a hero, I retrieved a spray can of silicone lubricant from my vehicle. I started the shredder, and gave it a good healthy dose, which promptly ignited. No problem! There is a fire extinguisher - I only needed to reach through the wall of flame to grab it. Plan B - a large blast of bad breath at close range, and the flames were quashed.
But not the stinking, smouldering mess in the exit bin.
I carried the bin outside, and dumped the contents on the pavement, and started to dance on it.
Not good - it melted onto my rubber soles. Fifteen feet away was a hose bib, without a hose.
It took several mouthfuls of water sprayed on the mess to fully extinguish it. Returning from the fresh air, I was keenly aware of the stench inside the building.
DO NOT touch equipment that is not your responsibility!
...Lorenzo