What NOT TO DO

[AV.NINE]

lol..... thank god he had the water proof seat covers.....

[Asia]

I began wheeling solo and occassionally still do, I agree that it's better to go in a group and fully prepared.  When wheeling solo you have to be alot more cautious about where you go - I always check out obstacles before considering tackling them and err on the side of caution.  I have gotten stuck and had to walk out  :oops:  :lol: .  I've had total strangers help me out when I needed it.  I've helped total strangers recover their rigs.  I've provided basic first aid for hours to total strangers who needed it.  No money has ever changed hands nor was any asked for.

[02TJSport]

just for the record my experience wasn't at Mclean.

[dunl]

Okay, granted, I'm not a CJA member.  I live too far away for me to be a member, and currently don't own a running rig.  I don't get out often, so I don't help others - simply because I'm not there to do so.

However, I'm opinionated, so I'm going to have my say and state my suggestion for what it's worth. :lol:

Tom's reaction is not one to be blasted, as after volunteering to do anything for so many times, anyone can get tired of helping out. It doesn't matter if it is doing a bingo for your kid's sports team, filling in on an executive council, or pulling out a stuck rig for a newbie....it all gets tired after a while. And charging something for wear and tear on your rig is reasonable, IMO.

On the other hand, if I was a newbie who got myself into trouble and when asking for help, someone offered to relieve me of $100 or leave my rig there, I would pay but certainly feel that I was taken advantage of (especially being a newbie, not realizing how many times this occurs, how stupid I had been, etc.)

So how do we reconcile all of this, help to cut down the number of times this happens, and feel good about it all at the same time?

Tell said newbie this: "We'll help you out, but as it is our time and wear and tear on our rigs, and you'll have to call someone anyway, you're going to have to pay something for the assistance. It's going to be $25 for each driver and rig involved (whether both are stuck or not). This money will go towards you getting a CJA membership where you can go out with others who will show you how to keep this from happening.  You'll get access to a website with loads of information at your fingertips, and best of all, you'll keep you and your rig safe from this happening in the future. " Take their name and info, and submit it for a membership. If you don't want them to be sumbitting the names of any yahoos at all, create a rookie membership for these circumstances, or conditional membership, or whatever.

If you want to charge on top of that, that would be on your conscience, as I can't tell you how much your time is worth, same as you can't do the same for me.

This way, each stuck newbie at least gets themself a membership in a 4x4 club, learns something, and hopefully gets the word around to other newbies. Yes, they might feel they're getting taken advantage of, but at least they get something long-term for their cash that will help everyone.

Rant over.  

[SwampSinger]

Nice, very nice... I like it dunl   ....

People make mistakes if they don't know what they do is wrong.

It's all about educating the folks out there...

[BlackYJ]

For me it has a lot of do with what the person is like.  If the person is an idiot and under the influence, they can learn the hard way.  As I will not abuse my vehicle for some idiot to go do it again.

Now if it was a newbie and an honest mistake then I will help them out and try to edumacte and show them the light.  Yes I have helped people out many times and it has resulted in damage to my vehicle once.  So I personally am more on the side of Spinalguy.

[apex]

I usually just leave them there and then come back in the middle of the night to steal their wheels and tires.

[TJ54]

Tell said newbie this: "We'll help you out, but as it is our time and wear and tear on our rigs, and you'll have to call someone anyway, you're going to have to pay something for the assistance. It's going to be $25 for each driver and rig involved (whether both are stuck or not). This money will go towards you getting a CJA membership where you can go out with others who will show you how to keep this from happening. You'll get access to a website with loads of information at your fingertips, and best of all, you'll keep you and your rig safe from this happening in the future. " Take their name and info, and submit it for a membership. If you don't want them to be sumbitting the names of any yahoos at all, create a rookie membership for these circumstances, or conditional membership, or whatever.

NO...
But we could discuss this at the next meeting..

first off they may not have a jeep. I am 100% in favor of advising them about the club and the meetings etc.

We could take donations to the CJA trail fund.

[dunl]

NO...
But we could discuss this at the next meeting..

first off they may not have a jeep. I am 100% in favor of advising them about the club and the meetings etc.

We could take donations to the CJA trail fund.

Well yeah, I was thinking jeepers only, not other said 4x4's.  Secondly, not drunks - too bad for them.  Third, donations to a trail fund are great, but why pass up an opportunity to get someone in the club who obviously and sorely needs it?

Anyway, you guys know I'm not a CJA member - I'm just throwing some ideas out there for you and brainstorming.  Hopefully there's something useful here that comes out of this situation, instead of yet another "what NOT to do" type post....  

[BlackYJ]

Anyway, you guys know I'm not a CJA member - I'm just throwing some ideas out there for you and brainstorming.  Hopefully there's something useful here that comes out of this situation, instead of yet another "what NOT to do" type post....  

I don't totally disagree with what you stated, but it has a lot to do with the actual situation.  There are definitely some merits there.

[Spinalguy]

I usually just leave them there and then come back in the middle of the night to steal their wheels and tires.

ha,ha,ha....nice :twisted:

[dunl]

I don't totally disagree with what you stated, but it has a lot to do with the actual situation.

Oh, I know.  Don't take that last comment of mine the wrong way - I just want you all to understand that I'm not trying to jump in here and tell the CJA how to run it's own business - and in no way would I think that you guys would take it that way, just making sure it' clear to all.  

On the other hand:

I usually just leave them there and then come back in the middle of the night to steal their wheels and tires.

That type of club discount could have it's merits too - unfortunately, not everyone needs stock wheels all the time (which is what most of these guys end up getting stuck with).  :lol:

[Spinalguy]

I began wheeling solo and occassionally still do, I agree that it's better to go in a group and fully prepared.  When wheeling solo you have to be alot more cautious about where you go - I always check out obstacles before considering tackling them and err on the side of caution.  I have gotten stuck and had to walk out  :oops:  :lol: .  I've had total strangers help me out when I needed it.  I've helped total strangers recover their rigs.  I've provided basic first aid for hours to total strangers who needed it.  No money has ever changed hands nor was any asked for.

Tom, could you give me your cell #? i would like to carry it with me so when the 'walker' makes his way to the store, i can give him your # as a person that would love to come out and get him.
 :lol:  :wink:

[TJ54]

Well yeah, I was thinking jeepers only, not other said 4x4's.  Secondly, not drunks - too bad for them.  Third, donations to a trail fund are great, but why pass up an opportunity to get someone in the club who obviously and sorely needs it?

Anyway, you guys know I'm not a CJA member - I'm just throwing some ideas out there for you and brainstorming.  Hopefully there's something useful here that comes out of this situation, instead of yet another "what NOT to do" type post....  

I guess the "NO" was a little abrupt, sorry  :oops:  All ideas are welcome,
and yes you are more than welcome to become a member  The CJA needs members who are willing to help out and be a part of the club. We don't need members just for the sake of having their $50.

That still doesn't sound quite right, I hope you understand what I am poorly trying to say. I'm going to shut up now before I say something really stupid :lol:

[dunl]

I understand completely what you'e saying, and apology accepted. I don't know why I keep thinking that the membership dues are $25 - charge them $50 and put it towards a membership. :lol:

Do it to collect and educate the members - don't do it to collect the money.  Better to have them in the club or wheeling with experienced guys than going out solo again and hoping for the best. You could always barter with them to volunteer to help with a project in return for being pulled, but I bet you wouldn't see most of them again.  Tell them they'll automatically become a member (even a novice or rookie member) of a bonafide 4x4 club of experienced members who can teach them the ropes and offer advice and tips for building their rig, and you're more likely to have them within your grasp where you can teach them to become respectable 4x4'ers. :wink:

I only went out once with some of you guys - and it was enough to know that there's an awful lot of knowledge to share with newcomers.  

All ideas are welcome,
and yes you are more than welcome to become a member

Thanks Ian...when I get the Willys going, I'll try to get down there again.