Every so often you will read some news story about something like a bakery is being sued for refusing to bake a wedding cake. OK, I don't think I discriminate against folks and such but I do turn away work just because I don't want to do some particular job, could be for any of various reasons. I believe I have a right to turn away any work I don't want to do.
Wondering, could a land surveyor get into legal trouble for just flat out refusing to do some survey work for a party they just didn't like for any reason. As a last resort couldn't you just propose a price a hundred times the normal fee.
Leon,
So, when did you turn into a grumpy ol' surveyor? 😀
You aren't a retail business open to anyone who happens to walk in.
Therefore I don't think you have a problem.
LRDay, post: 351817, member: 571 wrote: Wondering, could a land surveyor get into legal trouble for just flat out refusing to do some survey work for a party they just didn't like for any reason.
I think the baker and others have gotten in trouble because they refused the work and explicitly stated that the reason was directly tied to the prospective client's status (race, religion, disability, etc.). I'm not familiar with the law in this regard, but I bet if they refused the work and gave a reason unrelated to illegal discrimination, there'd be no repercussions. (If the statement were demonstrably bogus, however, a case might still be brought based on a reasonable interpretation of the business owners' actions.)
Gene Kooper, post: 351818, member: 9850 wrote: Leon,
So, when did you turn into a grumpy ol' surveyor? 😀
[sarcasm]most likely about the time he hit puberty....[/sarcasm]
I have been avoiding calls from a lady the past two days wanting me to survey her land. Previously, the adjoiner had approached me to survey his land. The problem is they both think they own the same several acres of what I call swamp land. She has allowed hunters to hunt on that land for a fee. He has nothing against hunting, he just doesn't want any of them hunting on his land even if they offered to pay him more than they are paying her. He has called the local Sheriff's Department on more than one occasion to remove the trespassers and their vehicles and gear from his property. Especially the one who buried his truck so deep it took a semi-rated tow truck to pull him out. There is no doubt that they are accessing the disputed area by crossing his land.
I told the adjoiner about a month ago to call a specific surveyor as that surveyor had done the original survey of another tract that effectively also determined the divide line between him and the lady I'm avoiding. It would be far simpler, and less expensive, to get the other guy to do it. That's the exact same information I'm going to tell the lady if she ever catches me answering the phone. I decided that I will not become a party to this dispute. Not going to happen.
I don't know either one's religion or primary ancestral home and I don't care. I simply will not agree to do this specific survey.
You can get sued if your claim is in any way based upon discrimination of the client.
When I don't want a job I give them a very high number. A couple of times it has bit me in the arse and I had to do the work.
I made a huge profit, and still, I would have rather not have done those jobs.
Being too busy is a safe out that can not come back on you.
Getting out of repeat and extra work on past projects can get tricky when you don't want to go there again.
Holy Cow, post: 351825, member: 50 wrote: I don't know either one's religion or primary ancestral home and I don't care. I simply will not agree to do this specific survey.
Nothing wrong with that. Equal-opportunity refusals aren't against the law.
Gene Kooper, post: 351818, member: 9850 wrote: Leon,
So, when did you turn into a grumpy ol' surveyor? 😀
I'm pretty sure we have all done a few jobs that we wish we had never seen. At some point you can see them coming and judge it best to get out of the way. Maybe grumpy ol' surveyor reflects a certain amount of experience.
LRDay, post: 351860, member: 571 wrote: ...Maybe grumpy ol' surveyor reflects a certain amount of experience.
I hope so. I've never really had ANY trouble running off clients. I really pride myself in the briefness of some calls. Most of the time I just tell them, "You don't want me working on your place. I'm way too expensive and I've got an eight week backlog."
LRDay, post: 351860, member: 571 wrote: I'm pretty sure we have all done a few jobs that we wish we had never seen. At some point you can see them coming and judge it best to get out of the way. Maybe grumpy ol' surveyor reflects a certain amount of experience.
Yep, appearing grumpy comes in real handy for screening possible jobs and clients!
For me, screening jobs is the easy part...."Oh, it's not a mineral survey. You need to call someone else!".
So, Gene, does that mean that you are so old that you won't accept a job in late August that places you next to the huge in-ground pool at the I Felta Delta sorority house.
I've come to the realization that what jobs you reject can be more important than what jobs you take.
Saying you're too busy seems to be the best way to reject a project (since people around here think surveyors offer emergency services!)
LRDay, post: 351817, member: 571 wrote: Every so often you will read some news story about something like a bakery is being sued for refusing to bake a wedding cake. OK, I don't think I discriminate against folks and such but I do turn away work just because I don't want to do some particular job, could be for any of various reasons. I believe I have a right to turn away any work I don't want to do.
Wondering, could a land surveyor get into legal trouble for just flat out refusing to do some survey work for a party they just didn't like for any reason. As a last resort couldn't you just propose a price a hundred times the normal fee.
I don't refuse any work. Some work though, is 4-5 times what a comparable project would be though. Typically, I lose those bids. However, I actually won one, because I was the only one would would bid on it. Needless to say, I had enough money in the project to make it worth my while.
Holy Cow, post: 351885, member: 50 wrote: So, Gene, does that mean that you are so old that you won't accept a job in late August that places you next to the huge in-ground pool at the I Felta Delta sorority house.
The last time I dated a sorority sister was in 1971. Nope, I wouldn't touch that job! No pretty stones to find.
BTW....I'm a year younger than you and Leon.
Wait a minute! Leon is older than I am. I was hatched in '53.
Holy Cow, post: 351935, member: 50 wrote: Wait a minute! Leon is older than I am. I was hatched in '53.
And I thought you were old.
Tommy Young, post: 351955, member: 703 wrote: And I thought you were old.
You "punkinhead" kids
aren't old enough to know that "Peanuts" and the "Peanut Gallery" are references to the Howdy Doody TV show. Don't know about the the younger generation.
Now I've totally hijacked the thread!
Dang it! We didn't have a TV until I was about 5 years old. Howdy Doody was getting grey hair by that time.
Gene Kooper, post: 351934, member: 9850 wrote: The last time I dated a sorority sister was in 1971. Nope, I wouldn't touch that job! No pretty stones to find.
BTW....I'm a year younger than you and Leon.
Grumpyness is an exponential function! (Age-60)^4
