Another Story of a Snob

First, I have totally appreciated the help I have gotten on this forum. Everyone has been most kind and helpful. But, that hasn't always been the case everywhere I have went.

Thru no fault of my own, I have ended up a "City dweller". I grew up in a rural part of this country but the type of job I have has required me to live in a City. finally, I got my big break. My wife and I moved to Five Acres and I got to get back and scratch the dirt again. I thought, Hey I don't want any sissy little garden tractor. I will go buy a real tractor. So, I bought a WD from a rural tractor dealer. OK. Dream fulfilled. Until I had a problem.

I began having problem with my tractor. So I called some repair people. It went something like this, "Were do you live boy?" "What is a city sissy like you doing with a tractor like that!" The final insult came when I went to pickup parts. I ask one question about the alternator. The man pause, glared at me and said "There are only two possible problems, gas or spark. Why don't you shut up and go figure out which one it is!"

OK. Maybe I deserve this treatment for becoming a City sissy. And yes, there are some nice folks that have been willing to help. However, I have found that knowledge goes rotten if it isn't shared!

And, don't always judge a book by its "cover". That guy with a tie might of actually drive a tractor or worked at a grain elevator before in his life. Who knows!!!

Thanks to all for sharing your knowledge....

People that run/own businesses do it by generating income - they do that by having customers that purchase whatever they're selling.

I'd let everyone you see in town know of your experience and find some other place (mail order, perhap) to get parts. Heck, there are quite a few sponsors of this web site that would be glad to have your business.

Tim

A good story and so true. Before I moved to the country and bought my old tractor, I was in the Army for 25 years and was reared on a mill hill in SC, so I had no farm experience either. When I bought the little A-C Model B, I talked with a number of large farmers in the area about advising me about fixing and restoring the tractor. One told me that he was particular about the kinds of tractors he worked on and A-C's wasn't one of them. This really ticked me off at the time that I could not get anyone to help me or advise me about repairs. Knowledge is power, and they weren't going to share it with an outsider.

It turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. I had to make myself learn to do everything that needed to be done. I am more knowledgeable because of it, and I love to share my knowledge.

Yes, there are snobs in all walks of life.

But one thing sticks in my mind. Once I had a friend who was a top orchard man. Next to him was a small place, about 5 acres, that was in fruit. The man was a hair dresser (and somewhat of a fruit himself). He wanted the orchard man to tell him how to raise fruit and became somewhat of a pest. The orchard man finally asked the hair dresser to teach him how to become a hairdresser. The hairdresser was shocked that he waould ask him to teach him his own trade!!!! But a dumb farmer should bend to the newcomers wishes. I guess that's just the way it is.