So the other day I am out working on some orders and this young man shows up unannounced. I'm actually not too fond of guest while I'm working, since powertools and distractions don't normally work out too well. "I want a turkey call". Ok, I've never claimed to be an expert turkey hunter or call maker, but after talking with someone for a little bit, I can usually get a pretty good idea of what they want.
"I want you to make it now." Ok, I've got several calls that I am trying to get done, so I explain that and it doesn't seem to change his mind. He wants me to stop trying to fill an order and work on his call. Obviously this kid doesn't realize that I don't just "make a call" and be done with it. Everyone knows there is drying time and other things that keep you from just getting a call done right then. I suggest one that's already turned or to come back in a little bit, but still he is having nothing to do with it. So I start his call.
He's a smaller guy, so I'm guessing a 3" call. I'll make it slate. More durable and less maintenance for the kid that obviously lacks patience. I turn the pot and after taking it off the lathe, he ask, "why did you put a big hole in the back?" Thinking that it will help the slate sound better I explain that to him. "I want glass in it". Oh boy, now I've turned a pot he doesn't like and I'm going to put the wrong surface in it also? The slate call now becomes a glass call and it only gets better from there.
"I don't like the way you put the tracks in the back, they don't look right."
Really? Never heard that before, but ok.
"I'd like to draw my own and I want to paint them green instead of black. I also want to put my name and date on the back."
I have now realized that I am not going to win with this kid and I might as well give in, since I would like for him to be a repeat customer and his payment method is pretty hard to beat. The kid draws his own tracks and I dremel them in and he paints them green. We put several coats of finish on the call. Finally it is ready to put together and he is right there with me wanting to "sand his own glass."
So finally after about 3 days, I have the finished call and he is here to pick it up.
(http://www.kaiserkalls.com/Jax.call.back.jpg)
(http://www.kaiserkalls.com/andy.jax.painting.his.call%20copy.jpg)
(http://www.kaiserkalls.com/jax.showing.call%20copy.jpg)
(http://www.kaiserkalls.com/jax.running.call%20copy.jpg)
Yes, the little customer was my 5 year old boy and he paid with a big hug and told me he was going to use it to kill a turkey this year. Can't beat that....lol
Andy,
That is awesome bud!! Can't believe how big he got already. Good for him and hopefully he'll get to kill a turkey with that call this year!! :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:
PRICELESS :happy0064:
Awesome !
That's awesome Andy!!
You really had me going with that one. I kept waiting on the part where the kid got a mouth full of pot call. :lol: He would of been hard for me to say no to as well. God Bless, Steve
Best customer ever.
My 4 year old daughter was sitting in my lap as I clicked through this post and she said she wants me to make her a turkey call. Now I have to figure out how to make a call for her to decorate.
Now that was a good read. :z-winnersmiley:
Good job dad, you're doing it right! You had me going up to the part about the tracks, then I realized how much it sounded like my own little boy.
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: That's great!!!! :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:
:TooFunny: Man, you had me goin as well. I really liked that post and pics. Best post I've read all yr. Good luck to the young man w/ his very nice glass call.
OWSOME MAN YA HAD ME GOING THERE , OWSOME :z-winnersmiley:
By the size of his smile, I'd say you have a customer for life. Great story!
GREAT Story!!! :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
What a great story. Had me going too. That kids gonna be a winner for sure. He knows exactly what he wants & how to get it done.
That is the best story I have read all year!! Awesome and PRICELESS!!
Nice story telling. That was well worth the read.
That's a great story
Lol awsome story! Well played : )
Mark
That's Great ,,,
Great Story!!! I am hoping my daughter wants to hunt turkeys.. Well Done
A fine story and a handsome young man!
HaHa. Got me. I was waiting for the part where you threw him out of your shop......
Great story Andy, time with our kids is priceless !! :icon_thumright:
Quote from: ceejay on March 06, 2014, 09:03:19 PM
Nice story telling. That was well worth the read.
My thoughts exactly!
Great story Andy, thanks for sharing.
great story and isnt great being a dad!
Quote from: BowBendr on March 06, 2014, 10:28:50 PM
HaHa. Got me. I was waiting for the part where you threw him out of your shop......
Great story Andy, time with our kids is priceless !! :icon_thumright:
You had me too.
Really well done. Had me too.
Your right !! A sons love is the best way to pay for anything . Great :love5:
A Sons love bought us our Salvation. :cross2:
Before I scrolled down and looked at the photos I was thinking while reading your post that I would have told the guy to hit the road. Job well done Dad.
man my mind was running all over that kid! And when I scrolled down, my heart jumped up into my throat! What a cool story, reminds me of my grand children they are just as picky! Tell your son I apologize for those bad thoughts! pappy
!!!!!!I love it
:z-winnersmiley:
That is absolutely AWESOME !!! And priceless !!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Great story, Andy!
I have to admit, you had me going as well!
He sure is a handsome young man, and boy, has he grown! No better call than one carved from pure love! :icon_thumright:
Great story and well told Andy, sharp little customer and very cool Dad!!